Pompeii is among the most well-known archaeological websites in Italy, and a well-liked attraction for guests. We’ve visited Pompeii a variety of occasions through the years, (Laurence first visited in 1995) and on this information we’re going to share every part it’s essential to know to plan your individual go to to Pompeii.
There’s loads to see and find out about at Pompeii, and there are additionally numerous choices for visiting. You possibly can take a guided tour or do a self-guided go to, and there are additionally numerous transport choices for attending to Pompeii from completely different places in Italy, together with Rome, Naples and the Amalfi Coast.
On this information we’ll cowl every part it’s essential to know to go to Pompeii, from attending to Pompeii, to which excursions are price it, to different sights within the space, and plenty extra. Let’s get began with some background.
What’s Pompeii?
In AD 79, Pompeii (Pompei in Italian) was a comparatively massive and profitable city within the Roman Empire, residence to between 10 and 20 thousand individuals.
That each one got here to an finish within the autumn of 79 AD when the close by Mount Vesuvius volcano erupted. This had catastrophic penalties for the encircling cities and villages.
Inside 24 hours of the eruption, the large quantity of ash and pumice produced by the volcanic eruption had coated the cities within the area to a depth of 13 – 20 ft (4 – 6 metres).
Hundreds of people that had tried to shelter misplaced their lives, and the cities had been successfully misplaced to historical past.
It wasn’t actually till the 18th century that Pompeii and neighboring cities akin to Herculaneum surfaced again into public consciousness. This was when the primary scientific excavations on the website passed off.
Within the following centuries, large efforts had been taken to disclose the hidden metropolis, efforts that proceed right now.
Pompeii successfully serves as a snapshot of a Roman city on the top of the Roman Empire. The volcanic eruption was so violent and fast that an important many inhabitants perished, with their our bodies trapped within the ash. Plaster casts of the imprints these our bodies left behind are a picture that’s inextricably linked with Pompeii.
Planning your Go to to Pompeii
I’ll now undergo some useful info that can assist you plan your journey to Pompeii, from tips on how to get right here to the place to purchase tickets and plenty extra.
The place is Pompeii?
Pompeii is discovered within the Campania area of Italy on the southern finish of the Bay of Naples. It’s round 27km (16 miles) to the southeast of Naples, or roughly a 30-minute journey by automobile, bus or practice.
It’s round 250km (155 miles) south of Rome, or roughly a three-hour journey by automobile, bus or practice.
It’s potential to go to Pompeii as a day journey from each Rome and Naples, choices I’ll cowl beneath.
Methods to get to Pompeii?
Pompeii is comparatively simple to achieve, with good transport connections from numerous places in Italy. We’ll undergo the choices for visiting Pompeii from a few of the extra fashionable departure factors.
Methods to get to Pompeii from Rome?
It’s potential to go to Pompeii as a day journey from Rome as lengthy you are ready for a protracted day with a good bit of journey time. You’re usually round 2.5 – 3 hours of journey time every method from Rome to Pompeii.
The principle choices you could have are to drive, take public transport, or take a guided tour.
Drive from Rome to Pompeii
Except you’re planning on taking a street journey in Italy and persevering with on after Pompeii, we’d counsel taking public transport or a tour reasonably than driving.
If you happen to drive, you’ll need to undergo the trouble of discovering and renting a automobile, coping with site visitors round Rome, navigating, and paying tolls and gasoline.
Taking public transport or a tour goes to be loads simpler.
Public Transport from Rome to Pompeii
For public transport, you possibly can take an categorical practice from Rome to Naples Central practice station. Then, from Naples you possibly can take an area practice to Pompeii.
See particulars beneath within the part on getting from Naples to Pompeii for a way to do that.
Excursions from Rome to Pompeii
Our beneficial method for getting from Rome to Pompeii as a day journey is to take a guided tour. It will make your day much more stress-free as you gained’t have to fret about logistics.
You’ll even have a greater time at Pompeii with an expert information to elucidate what you’re seeing. There are a selection of tour choices to Pompeii from Rome, some beneficial choices are as follows.
When evaluating excursions and costs, at all times test how a lot time is definitely spent on the numerous sights, in addition to group measurement and what’s and isn’t included.
Paying a bit of further for a tour that features extra would possibly work out more economical!
Methods to get to Pompeii from Naples?
There are a number of choices for getting from Naples to Pompeii. You possibly can drive, take the practice, take a shuttle bus, take a practice, or take a tour.
Drive from Naples to Pompeii
The drive from Naples to Pompeii is round half-hour by way of the A3 toll street, and there may be paid parking on website.
That is going to be an choice to think about if you have already got a automobile rental in your journey in Italy, however we’d not advocate renting a automobile particularly for this journey as the opposite choices are seemingly going to be simpler.
Shuttle Bus from Naples to Pompeii
A very easy choice for getting from Naples to Pompeii is to take the dedicated City Sightseeing bus. This departs from central Naples and takes you on to the ruins.
The journey takes round 40 minutes relying on site visitors, and also you get round 4 hours on website. Notice that it’s a must to ebook a selected departure time, which ties you to a selected return time, you possibly can’t select to remain longer and are available again on a later bus.
4 hours ought to offer you sufficient time to see loads, however for those who needed to spend longer on website then this won’t be the best choice.
Discover out extra and ebook tickets for this expertise on GetYourGuide here.
Prepare from Naples to Pompeii
There are two direct practice choices for getting from Naples Central practice station to Pompeii.
First, it’s essential to bear in mind that Pompeii itself has a few practice stations. When taking the practice to the Pompeii historic website you need to get off at Pompeii Scavi-Villa dei Misteria Station as that is the one straight by the ruins.
Direct trains from Naples to Pompeii all depart from the Garibaldi practice station, which is (a bit of confusingly) situated straight beneath Naples Centrale practice station.
The most affordable practice choice from Naples to Pompeii is the Circumvesuviana service. This regional commuter practice system runs trains throughout the world, and it would be best to take a practice which is heading to Sorrento.
Tickets may be bought on the station, and there are usually just a few trains each hour. Journey time to Pompeii is round 35 minutes. You possibly can see train times on the official website here (Italian solely).
A barely dearer, however usually extra snug practice choice, is the tourist-oriented Campania Categorical practice. This additionally operates from Garibaldi practice station and takes you on to the ruins.
Trains run much less regularly and value extra, however are much less crowded and extra snug.
See timetables and purchase tickets with seat reservation for the Campania Categorical practice online here. Tickets are additionally obtainable in particular person.
Notice that Trenitalia runs trains from Naples central practice station to Pompeii, however these go to the principle practice station in Pompeii reasonably than the station by the ruins.
It’s potential to take a shuttle out to the ruins or stroll (20 – half-hour), however actually, we’d advocate taking one of many different choices because it’s going to be simpler. You gained’t be having a scarcity of strolling whenever you’re on website!
Excursions from Naples to Pompeii
You may also ebook a tour to Pompeii which incorporates round-trip transport to and from Naples. There are fairly just a few choices, with each half-day and full-day excursions obtainable.
Most full-day excursions embrace a further attraction or two akin to a go to to Mount Vesuvius or time on the Amalfi Coast.
Listed here are some choices to think about.
Methods to get to Pompeii from Sorrento
Sorrento is among the main cities on Italy’s fashionable Amalfi coast, a well-liked and spectacular vacation spot for vacationers visiting Italy. Sorrento makes for an excellent base for exploring the Amalfi Coast.
It’s additionally simple to get to, being linked by rail on to Naples. That is on the identical practice line that goes to Pompeii, that means you possibly can simply attain Pompeii by practice from Sorrento as properly.
Listed here are some choices for tips on how to get from Sorrento to Pompeii.
Driving from Sorrento to Pompeii
You possibly can drive from Sorrento to Pompeii, so if you have already got your individual automobile rental that is positively an choice to think about. Nonetheless, you would possibly discover taking the practice to be simply as handy.
The 28km (17 mile) drive takes round 40 minutes relying on site visitors. Simply bear in mind you’ll must pay for parking whenever you get to Pompeii.
Public Transport from Sorrento to Pompeii
Getting from Sorrento to Pompeii by public transport is straightforward. There’s a common practice service from Sorrento to Naples, which stops on the Pompeii Scavi practice station. That is proper by the Pompeii website entrance.
Tickets may be bought on the station, and there are usually just a few trains each hour. Journey time to Pompeii is round 45 minutes. You possibly can see train times on the official website here (Italian solely).
Excursions from Sorrento to Pompeii
You may also take a guided tour from Sorrento to Pompeii. These excursions usually embrace round-trip transfers, and a guided tour of Pompeii lasting 2-3 hours.
Excursions then differentiate by different additions akin to lunch, and different locations like Mount Vesuvius or Herculaneum.
Notice that not all excursions embrace your Pompeii entrance ticket, and any further sights could have further ticket necessities, akin to Mount Vesuvius and Herculaneum. So at all times test what’s and isn’t included earlier than reserving something.
Here’s a collection of excursions from Sorrento to Pompeii to think about.
As you possibly can see there are many choices. We’d at all times advocate evaluating just a few completely different excursions to see which fits your necessities and price range, and at all times test what’s and isn’t included when evaluating excursions as properly.
Pompeii Opening Occasions
Pompeii is generally open year-round apart from twenty fifth December, 1st Could, and 1st January.
Typically, every part at Pompeii opens at 9am, however closure occasions can range. So if you wish to see every part, then we advocate visiting within the morning. That is normally additionally the best time of day in the summertime months.
The principle Pompeii website is open as follows:
- 1st April – thirty first October, 9am – 7pm (final entrance 5.30pm)
- 1st November – thirty first March, 9am – 5pm (final entrance 3.30pm).
There are additionally a number of places throughout the principle Pompeii website such because the Amphitheater, Backyard of the Fugitives, Home of the Menander and so forth. which even have opening occasions to concentrate on. You possibly can see these here.
Moreover, there are a variety of close by websites linked to Pompeii which have a final entrance time half-hour after the principle website final entrance time.
These embrace Villa Regina, Villa Arianna, Villa San Marco and Villa de Poppea. These places are all closed on Tuesdays apart from Villa Regina.
These further websites require a selected ticket to entry them and it’s essential to take a shuttle bus from the principle Pompeii website to achieve them, so for those who plan to go to these places it would be best to give your self loads of time.
You possibly can see extra info on opening occasions in addition to any distinctive closure info for Pompeii on the official website here.
How Lengthy to Go to Pompeii For
There’s a nice deal to see at Pompeii, nonetheless you even have to think about the time of 12 months you’re visiting and your private curiosity in historical archaeological websites when deciding how lengthy to go to.
The vast majority of guests come for two – 3 hours, which can also be how lengthy the vast majority of guided excursions are.
If you happen to assume it would be best to spend extra time on website (there may be tons to see), then an excellent choice is to take a guided tour that finishes on website, after which discover by yourself when the tour is completed. Your tour information ought to be capable of direct you to specific highlights as soon as the tour is over.
We now have performed this and it was a good way to study loads from a information, after which we had been capable of discover on our personal at our leisure.
One factor to notice, in case you are visiting in the summertime months it may possibly get very popular right here, and there isn’t a variety of shade, so visiting for for much longer than 2 or 3 hours may be fairly difficult.
Nonetheless, in case you are actually eager to discover and spend extra time on website, and are both ready for the warmth or are visiting at a cooler time of 12 months, there may be actually tons to see! You can simply spend an entire day exploring Pompeii, particularly for those who head out to the villas. It’s totally as much as you!
Pompeii Ticket Data
We’ll now cowl ticketing info for Pompeii, together with ticket varieties and prices, discounted tickets, the place to purchase tickets and extra.
Do You Want a Ticket for Pompeii?
Sure, all guests want a ticket for Pompeii, even these eligible free of charge and discounted entry.
You should purchase tickets on-line upfront or in particular person on website.
How A lot does it Value to Go to Pompeii?
There are a selection of ticket choices for Pompeii, relying on what you need to see. These are as follows. Costs are right as of August 2024.
Tickets are for adults 18 and over solely. Youngsters underneath 18 have free entry, though they do nonetheless require a ticket which may solely be collected in particular person on the ticket workplace.
If you happen to arrive at Pompeii with an Categorical ticket and determine you need to go to the villas, it’s potential to buy a ticket improve for €8 on the Herculaneum Gate – Road of the Tombs entrance. This solely accepts card fee.
Are there Discounted Pompeii Tickets?
Sure, discounted Pompeii Tickets can be found.
EU residents between the ages of 18 and 24 inclusive with ID can enter the park for €2.
All kids underneath 18 get free entry to Pompeii, though they nonetheless require a ticket.
There are at the moment no reductions for seniors.
The place to Purchase Pompeii Tickets
You’ve got a variety of choices for buying Pompeii tickets.
In particular person
First, you should buy tickets for Pompeii on-site at Pompeii itself. There are ticket places of work on the three major entrances: Porta Marina, Piazza Anfiteatro and Piazza Esedra.
We’d usually advise towards this the place potential as you would possibly find yourself standing in line for some time, however it’s an choice.
If you happen to underneath 18, an EU resident aged 18-24, or fall into one other class for diminished worth tickets, then you will have to go to the ticket workplace in your ticket.
That is so your qualification for the diminished price tag may be verified, so make sure you convey any mandatory paperwork, akin to a authorities issued Photograph ID doc (i.e. a passport or ID card).
On-line
You should buy Pompeii tickets on-line from a variety of web sites, as follows:
In our expertise, the official web site tends to have the bottom price on-line tickets, however they don’t include free cancellation.
Tickets bought by third events do usually price a bit extra, however can have advantages akin to free cancellation in addition to the choice to ebook a guided tour.
We advocate evaluating costs and choices to see which fits you. It’s additionally vital to fastidiously learn the redemption directions when shopping for a ticket on-line so what it’s essential to do upfront of your go to.
Typically you possibly can simply present a ticket in your smartphone, however typically you would possibly must print one thing out or acquire a ticket from a selected pick-up level.
By Cellphone
You should buy tickets for Pompeii by cellphone. The quantity is +39 811 865 8177. The workplace is generally open weekdays from 9.30 to 6pm. There’s a surcharge of €1.50 for reserving by cellphone.
Are you able to Skip the Traces at Pompeii?
There are two traces at Pompeii. First, there may be the road for the ticket workplace the place you should buy tickets in particular person. Subsequent, there may be an entrance line for going into the positioning, which features a safety test.
If you happen to pre-book your ticket, normally you possibly can skip the ticket line. Nonetheless, this can rely upon the ticket you buy, as some on-line tickets require you to swap a voucher for an precise ticket, so do test if so with the ticket you could have bought.
The safety / ticket-check line can’t be skipped by any guests, however in our expertise it strikes fairly rapidly.
When is Pompeii Free in 2024?
Pompeii is free to go to on the primary Sunday of each month. On lately you’ll nonetheless want a ticket, however there is no such thing as a price for buying it.
Tickets for the free days may be bought on-line on the official Ticketone site here, or in particular person on the ticket workplace on website.
We’d counsel doing the web ticket choice as the positioning can get very busy on the free days, and if it exceeds capability, the ticket places of work shut.
Notice that some third-party websites will nonetheless cost you for the free ticket days, so solely purchase tickets for the free days on the official website!
What’s the Pompeii Official Web site?
There are a number of websites providing info on visiting Pompeii, together with this one.
Nonetheless, for the most recent info on visiting Pompeii together with ticket costs, updates, opening hours and extra, we at all times advocate consulting the official web site.
You could find it on the following internet tackle, with content material obtainable in a number of languages together with English. The positioning is superb and has a wealth of data that can assist you plan your go to, and is properly price trying out.
Pompeii Format and Maps
Pompeii is a big attraction, masking round 65 hectares (170 acres). From the east aspect to the west aspect is round a kilometer (0.67 miles), and it’s 0.8km (0.5 miles) from north to south.
Suffice to say, it’s not laborious to get misplaced in Pompeii. While a lot of the positioning is specified by a grid, there are additionally loads of slender lanes and twists and turns. Navigation isn’t helped by pretty restricted signage.
That will help you discover your method round, it’s a good suggestion to have an thought of the format of Pompeii.
The very first thing to know is that Pompeii is split into 9 distinct areas, or “Regio“. This technique was developed method again within the nineteenth century when the positioning began to be excavated and stays in use to today.
Every regio is assigned a Roman quantity, from I (one) to IX (9). The regio is in a grid sample, 3 extensive and three excessive.
The format of the areas isn’t totally intuitive. It’s a counterclockwise spiral ranging from the decrease center grid sq.. You possibly can consider it like a tic-tac-toe board, or a desk that appears as follows.
| VI | V | IV |
| VII | IX | III |
| VIII | I | II |
Having an thought of this grid and the numbering system will show you how to orient your self when you find yourself on website, because the Regio quantity you’re in is often printed on partitions and in indicators.
Every Regio can also be divided into “Insulae” or “Insula”. In Roman occasions, an Insulae was a metropolis block, or an condominium constructing. For Pompeii, the Insulae are the blocks.
So, whenever you see an indication in Pompeii, it should normally let you know which Regio and Insulae you’re in, for instance REG VII INS XIII would imply you’re in Regio 7, Insula 13.
The Insula comply with a format system which I’m positive is smart to an archeologist however appears designed to confuse the typical particular person for my part.
Nonetheless, it doesn’t actually matter, as a result of the official map has each the Regio and Insula numbers marked. So, if in case you have the map, all it’s essential to do is discover a signal to know the place you’re.
You possibly can obtain a map and information to the positioning from the official website here.
We extremely advocate doing this upfront and saving it to your smartphone for reference. It is best to be capable of get a printed model of this information whenever you go to, but it surely’s good to be ready simply in case they aren’t obtainable.
There are additionally avenue names that can assist you orient your self. The major homes and points of interest even have names.
I’d additionally add that every home (and a few of the rooms within the homes) even have numbers. Nonetheless, that is actually extra for cataloging and archaeological functions reasonably than one thing guests would need to use for navigating!
It’s also price noting that while most guests go to the principle Pompeii website, there are a variety of different websites which have been excavated, and which can be visited. These require you to have a unique ticket, and to take a shuttle bus from the principle website.
In abstract, in case you are visiting Pompeii with out a information, we advocate having a map available, and being conscious of the Regio and Insulae system. You may also orient your self with close by apparent landmarks, with Mount Vesuvius typically seen for instance.
What to see and do at Pompeii
There’s loads to see and do in Pompeii, and it may be a reasonably overwhelming place to go to. That is why we’d advocate taking a guided tour, or on the very least getting an audio information.
That will help you work out what to see, we’re going to share what we predict are a few of the unmissable sights at Pompeii. Most excursions will embrace a minimum of a few of these, though tour routes can range. In case you are taking a tour, at all times test what they embrace to make sure it covers your pursuits.
High Sights at Pompeii
Clearly, everybody can have barely completely different pursuits, nonetheless we predict this can be a good overview of the principle highlights at Pompeii. These are the sights that the majority excursions are more likely to go to as properly, though after all it should range, and never all excursions will go to each sight we listing.
These sights are ordered roughly as you’d encounter them getting into town from the western aspect. There’s a superb map here you possibly can obtain for reference as properly.
- Porta Marina – arguably probably the most spectacular of the unique seven gateways to town, and the one which led to the ocean, therefore the identify. The barrel-vaulted ceiling is created from concrete and dates from 80BC.
- Plaster Casts of Pompeii’s victims – One of the crucial well-known sights at Pompeii are the plaster casts of those that misplaced their lives within the eruption, together with individuals and canine. The victims had been encased in ash and asphyxiated, and their our bodies entombed. Over time the our bodies decomposed, leaving gaps within the hardened ash layer. Throughout the excavations, plaster was fastidiously injected into these cavities to type the molds you possibly can see right now. These may be seen at numerous places in Pompeii, together with on the Antiquarium and the Discussion board Granary
- Antiquarium di Pompei (Pompeii archaeological museum) – discovered by the Porta Marina, this museum homes a group of artifacts from the positioning. It have to be stated that the very best artefacts from Pompeii may be discovered within the Naples Archaeological Museum, nonetheless there’s a lot to see right here nonetheless, together with plaster casts of Pompeii’s victims.
- The Discussion board (Foro) – the center of any Roman metropolis or city is the Discussion board, the place you’d have discovered metropolis administration buildings, the principle temples and the market. If one thing vital was going to occur in Pompeii, this was in all probability the place it was going to occur.
- Basilica – discovered within the south-western nook of the Discussion board, the Basilica dates from round 80BC. Regardless of the spiritual sounding identify, it was really extra of a civic corridor, used for enterprise and as a courtroom for dealing with authorized issues. Spiritual Basilicas got here later, basing their identify and format on the Roman buildings!
- Discussion board Granary – The Granary is situated by the Discussion board and would initially have been the principle produce market. At the moment it’s the residence of 1000’s of artifacts which have been excavated from the ruins, in addition to plaster casts of a few of the victims of the catastrophe.
- Baths of the Discussion board (Terme del Foro) – No Roman city is full with out a bathtub home (the extra the higher), and Pompeii had a minimum of 5 of them. The Baths of the Discussion board are the closest to the Discussion board. Right here you possibly can see the female and male bathing homes together with the recent bathtub room, heat bathtub room and chilly plunge room.
- By way of Abbondanza (major avenue) – the principle avenue (Decumanus Maximus in Roman occasions) of Pompeii runs west to east from the Discussion board all the best way throughout the city to Sarno Gate. This might have been a busy, pedestrianized avenue full of retailers and foods and drinks distributors. The stretch which leads from the Discussion board has three upright stones, designed to dam chariot passage as this was a pedestrian avenue.
- Eateries – alongside lots of the streets, and particularly the principle streets, you will note proof of historical Roman eateries. Search for marble counter tops with holes minimize out the place the meals would have been saved.
- Arches – Pompeii has a variety of arches which you will note all through town. On the northern finish of the Discussion board is an honorary arch, while additional north on the intersection of By way of Fortuna and Vicolo del Foro you will see the Arch of Caligula. A few of these arches additionally served a extra sensible operate, hiding water tanks that equipped close by fountains. At the moment many of those fountains have been modernized and supply clear consuming water for guests.
- Home of the Tragic Poet (Casa del Poeta Tragico) – One of many many homes you possibly can go to in Pompeii, this one is simply to the north of the Discussion board by the Arch of Caligula. It’s notable for the attractive mosaic flooring which depict scenes from Greek mythology, which is the place the homes identify comes from.
- Home of the Faun (Casa del Fauno) – simply to the northeast of the Home of the Tragic Poet, on Vicolo del Fauno, this is among the largest and most well-known of the homes in Pompeii, and is a must-visit. It occupies an entire block, taking over round 32,000 sq. ft, and would have been owned by a really rich household. The identify comes from a bronze statue of a faun which was discovered right here, the unique of which is within the Naples Archaeological Museum (a replica is viewable in the home).
- Home of the Vetti (Casa dei Vetti)– discovered to the northeast of the Home of the Faun, the Home of the Vetti is a superbly embellished property that includes many stunning fresco work which depict numerous mythological scenes. It’s additionally a really massive property.
- Brothel (Lupanare) – nearly as fashionable right now because it seemingly was in its heyday 2,000 years in the past (though with a considerably completely different clientele), the brothel was the place residents got here to search out intercourse employees, in addition to drinks and social interplay. The identify Lupanare comes from the Latin identify for a wolf-den, as prostitutes had been often known as she-wolves. The brothel has pretty graphic frescoes and graffiti, and oldsters would possibly need to skip this attraction.
- Stabian Baths (Terme Stabiane) – As beforehand talked about, Pompeii had a minimum of 5 bathtub homes, of which the Stabian Baths are the most important and oldest. In actual fact, they’re one of many oldest Roman baths on the planet. They’re discovered on the intersection By way of dell’Abbondanza and By way of Stabiana. Right here you possibly can see the completely different mens and girls’s bathing areas. We’d in all probability advocate selecting one bathtub home to go to, until you’re notably into Roman bathtub homes.
Different websites that are a bit of off the principle route and which aren’t at all times included on common excursions (though, once more, this varies!):
- Temple of Isis (Tempio di Iside) – this small and largely intact temple is discovered subsequent to the Grand Theatre, and is devoted to the Egyptian goddess Isis. The Cult of Isis was fashionable in Pompeii, regardless of proclamations towards it by the Roman Senate. It’s believed that the composer Mozart visited this temple when he was 13, and it impressed his composition The Magic Flute
- Grand Theater (Teatro Grande) – Leisure was a key a part of Roman life, and there have been a variety of venues throughout town the place performances would have taken place. The Grand Theater was constructed within the Greek type, which meant making the most of a pure hill slope to create the auditorium, which might have had seating for five,000 spectators. A lot of the Theatre survives right now, and it’s properly price a go to. It’s within the south a part of Pompeii, close to Porta di Stabia.
- Small Theater (Teatro Piccolo – Odeion) – Proper subsequent to the Grand Theater is the Small Theater, a extra intimate efficiency venue which was additionally used for council conferences. It additionally had a roof, primarily to enhance acoustics. On the time, it was typically used for mime performances, which had been fashionable. It was additionally used for music.
- Viewpoint / Panoramic View of Pompeii – To know the dimensions of Pompeii, you must take into account visiting the perspective by Casina dell’Aquila, simply by the intersection of By way of Dell’Abbondanza and Vicolo di Tesmo. The perspective is on the unique stage of the bottom right here earlier than the excavation, and will provide you with an thought of simply how a lot floor needed to be moved so as to unearth town.
- Home of Menander (Casa del Menandro) – owned by a excessive rating and rich household, this huge home (19,000 sq. ft) is called for the fresco which depicts the Greek playwright Menander. There are a selection of rooms that may be visited.
- Backyard of the Fugitives (Orto dei Fuggiaschi) – discovered within the southeast a part of Pompeii, the Backyard of the Fugitives accommodates the plaster casts of 13 of the victims who died making an attempt to flee town.
- Amphitheater – an vital leisure heart in a Roman metropolis or city was the amphitheater, primarily an enclosed theatre which was used for gladiatorial battles, circuses and extra. Probably the most well-known Amphitheatre is Rome’s Colosseum, however the one in Pompeii is definitely one of many oldest surviving amphitheaters from the Roman Empire. A lot of the construction nonetheless survives, with seating for round 20,000 individuals.
- Aqueduct – The Romans had been unbelievable engineers, and while they didn’t invent the aqueduct, their aqueducts had been positively engineering wonders of their time. They allowed the distribution of water throughout the Roman Empire, and allowed cities like Pompeii to get contemporary water to their residents. The water in Pompeii was carried by the Augustan Aqueduct, sourcing water from 96km away, utilizing solely gravity to maneuver the water! At the moment, you possibly can see the place the aqueduct system arrived into town at Castellum Aqueduct, subsequent to Porto Vesuvio within the northern a part of town. From right here it was distributed to water towers and fountains throughout town.
As you possibly can see, there’s lots to see and soak up at Pompeii!
Excursions of Pompeii
Probably the greatest methods to go to Pompeii is to take a guided tour. There’s loads to see and a variety of historical past and data to soak up, and having an excellent information can positively enhance your expertise.
You’ve got just a few choices for taking a tour. You possibly can ebook a tour which incorporates transport from a serious metropolis akin to Rome or Naples. Or, you may make your individual method to Pompeii and simply take a tour on website.
We’ll embrace a variety of choices so that you can take into account, relying in your preferences.
You may also ebook a tour information on arrival at Pompeii. Tour guides can be found simply inside the positioning entrance and may have an official badge.
Notice nonetheless that while accredited, the guides are freelance and costs usually are not fastened. You’ll need to barter worth, route and tour length with the obtainable on-site guides.
Typically, these guides can have a worth they cost for a tour, no matter group measurement. By having a bigger group you’ll pay much less per particular person, however clearly have a much less personalised expertise.
You possibly can see extra on this course of here.
Relying on how busy the day is, guides is probably not obtainable. So, we’d usually advocate reserving a guided tour upfront as an alternative.
Practicalities for Visiting Pompeii
Gown Code at Pompeii
Pompeii isn’t a non secular website and as such there is no such thing as a particular costume code for visiting.
There are a few guidelines round clothes. First, you can’t be naked chested, you have to be carrying a prime. As well as, clothes that could possibly be thought of disruptive can also be not allowed, and costumes, masks and banners usually are not permitted.
This clothes rule is generally used to stop protestors utilizing the positioning, so is unlikely to have an effect on most guests. Keep away from any offensive clothes and also you’ll be advantageous!
You’ll nonetheless need to assume via your clothes decisions previous to visiting. The vast majority of your go to will probably be spent exterior, and there may be minimal shade or shelter obtainable.
See the part of what to put on and pack for Pompeii for some ideas on what to convey in your go to.
Services at Pompeii
Pompeii has a variety of customer providers you should use. These embrace:
- two on-site bookshops, one at Piazza Esedra and one contained in the Antiquarium.
- audio information rent, obtainable on the Porta Marina entrance and Porta Anfiteatro entrance.
- first assist providers, obtainable close to the Chora Cafe on Vicolo degli Augustali
- A restaurant referred to as Chora the place you will get drinks and snacks like muffins, pastries and ice cream
- A number of free water fountains throughout the positioning
- A number of free rest room amenities throughout the positioning
- Child altering amenities. There are three of those, one on By way of dell’Abbondanza, one on By way of di Nola, and one on the nook of By way of Stabiana and By way of della Fortuna
Smoking at Pompeii
Smoking is forbidden at Pompeii besides at designated smoking areas. These may be discovered close to the Casina dell’Aquila and the bathroom amenities.
Safety at Pompeii
All guests should undergo a safety test at Pompeii. Cumbersome objects, umbrellas, and baggage bigger than 30x30x15 cm (12 x 12 x 6 inches) usually are not permitted on the positioning and have to be left on the cloakroom. This can be a free service.
In any other case, the foundations are fairly apparent, and principally concentrate on defending the positioning and making certain an excellent expertise for all. So that you’re not allowed to play music, deface objects, climb on the ruins, decide fruits or flowers, construct fires, enter fenced off areas and so forth.
You possibly can see the complete listing of guidelines and laws here.
Accessibility at Pompeii
Pompeii is clearly an historical metropolis, and as such there are accessibility challenges. Nonetheless, efforts have been made to make sure the positioning is as accessible as potential for all guests.
There are a selection of specifically designed accessible routes, referred to as Pompeii for All, that are designed to permit entry for mobility impaired customers, in addition to mother and father with buggies, to a big a part of the positioning.
These routes embrace lots of the major buildings that guests would need to see, and canopy a complete of three.5km. You possibly can see particulars of those routes on the Pompeii for All page.
There are additionally accessible bathrooms discovered on website.
Pompeii has additionally developed a program to assist these laborious to listening to to benefit from the website. Extra on this program, and accessibility on the positioning basically, may be discovered on the Pompeii for All page.
Baggage storage Close to Pompeii
Guests to Pompeii usually are not allowed to convey any baggage bigger than 30cm x 30cm x 15cm on website. So nothing bigger than a small backpack primarily. We’d counsel leaving baggage in your resort room the place potential.
If you happen to should journey with a bag which is bigger than the allowed measurement, there’s a cloakroom at Pompeii itself the place you possibly can retailer baggage and different gadgets freed from cost.
There are additionally baggage storage lockers on the decrease flooring of the Pompeii Scavi practice station obtainable for a charge.
Suggestions for Visiting Pompeii
Based mostly on our experiences visiting Pompeii, we needed to share some ideas that can assist you get probably the most out of your go to.
Plan your day upfront
The very first thing we advocate doing is planning your day trip earlier than you go to. Resolve what you need to see at Pompeii, after which determine if you wish to take a tour.
If you happen to determine to take a tour, test what it consists of, after which take into account for those who want further time. In case you are taking a tour that features round-trip transport, you won’t have a lot further time.
In case you are taking a tour that begins on website, be sure to know the place the assembly level is and the assembly time, and plan how you’ll get to and from Pompeii.
In case you are doing a self-guided go to for any a part of your time at Pompeii, we recommend wanting on the official map and planning out what you need to see. You could even take into account developing with a normal path to comply with. It will assist orient you when you find yourself really there.
Contemplate a Guided Tour or Audio Information
We will extremely advocate taking a guided tour of Pompeii. An professional information goes to have the ability to convey the positioning to life and actually show you how to perceive what you’re seeing.
On our most up-to-date go to to Pompeii we took this guided tour with Take Walks and may extremely advocate it. Nonetheless, there are a variety of choices.
If you happen to take a guided tour that meets on website, we extremely advocate planning on staying a minimum of an hour extra on website as soon as the tour ends so you possibly can see some other websites that the tour didn’t cowl.
If you happen to decide to not take a guided tour, then we’d counsel both selecting up an audio information on website, or on the very least a guidebook that features a self-guided Pompeii tour just like the Rick Steves Italy guidebook.
Gown and Pack Accordingly
In case you are visiting Pompeii within the hotter months of the 12 months, it would be best to convey a good sun hat to maintain the solar off your face, free becoming clothes, and certain a small daypack to hold suncream, water and any snacks.
If rain is a chance, a light raincoat or poncho can also be a good suggestion. Umbrellas usually are not allowed on website.
In case you are visiting exterior of the warmest months of the 12 months, then some hotter layers are a good suggestion simply in case it’s cooler on website.
Footwear can also be vital. The traditional streets of Pompeii may be uneven, various between free dust and cobblestones. pair of snug footwear that you’re joyful to spend time strolling in is a should.
For shoe ideas, see our guides to the best travel shoes for men and the best travel shoes for women for some concepts.
You’ll positively need to convey a water bottle with you. Contemporary consuming water is accessible at fountains throughout the positioning, and on a scorching day you will have to drink loads of water. We use and love our Klean Kanteen water bottles for journey, however there are many choices on the market after all.
We will additionally advocate bringing some kind of guidebook with you. We expect the Rick Steves guidebook is among the finest choices, both his Italy guide or Naples & the Amalfi Coast snapshot guide.
Each have a self-guided Pompeii tour which is a wonderful choice for those who select to skip a guided tour.
Be Cautious of on-site Touts at Pompeii
Like every fashionable vacationer vacation spot, Pompeii has a few pitfalls to be careful for.
First, if you wish to take a tour and haven’t pre-booked one, then we’d advocate taking one of many excursions with an accredited tour information.
These may be discovered at Piazza Esedra and Porta Marina, after getting entered Pompeii, after the safety checks. These tour guides have official badges issued by the Vacationer Board of the Campania Area. In case you are not sure if a information is accredited, test with the ticket workplace.
Remember that these guides will almost definitely must be paid in money, and the value of the tour goes to be one thing you’ll want to debate with the information upfront.
Whenever you arrive at Pompeii additionally, you will seemingly be supplied excursions by guides exterior the gates. These won’t be led by Pompeii’s accredited guides, so the standard of the tour isn’t assured. We’d counsel ignoring these choices and heading inside to discover a information if that’s of curiosity.
One different factor to notice is that as Pompeii is a well-liked vacationer vacation spot that may be crowded, there’s a danger, as with all vacation spot like this, of pickpockets. So simply be conscious of your belongings and hold valuables in sight, or safely away in zippered pockets. That is additionally the case on the practice and on the practice station for those who select to take public transportation.
We’ve by no means had a difficulty in Italy, but it surely’s at all times a good suggestion to take fundamental security precautions when touring wherever, as you’d at residence.
Arrive Early and Head to the Again
Pompeii is a well-liked vacation spot, and as such it may possibly get fairly busy. As well as, there may be restricted shade on website, and in the summertime months notably it may possibly get very popular on website.
All which means for the very best expertise we advocate arriving early within the day for those who can. In case you are planning on taking a tour, ebook it for earlier within the day. In case you are planning to information your self, plan out your route so that you head away from the doorway first, and work your method again in the direction of it.
Many guests solely go to the most important sights, a lot of that are situated not too removed from the doorway areas, notably Porta Marina. Excursions teams additionally comply with related routes. So in order for you a much less crowded expertise, determine just a few sights that you’re fascinated with which might be off the overwhelmed path, and head to these first.
Carry a Water Bottle
We talked about this already within the “what to pack for Pompeii” part of this information, however we predict it’s price repeating. Pompeii will get extremely scorching in the summertime months and there may be not a lot shade.
There are many free consuming water fountains throughout the positioning, so convey a water bottle and keep hydrated free of charge as you wander!
Escape the Crowds at Pompeii
Pompeii is a vastly fashionable attraction, and consequently it may be busy. The positioning has a restrict of 15,000 guests at anyone time, however regardless of the positioning being fairly massive individuals have a tendency to go to a handful of places such because the Discussion board, Brothel, and Bathtub homes, that means it may possibly really feel extra crowded than it’s.
Listed here are some ideas for escaping the crowds at Pompeii.
- Go to at a quieter time of the week or 12 months. Peak season in Italy is mostly from Could via August, with weekends being busier than weekdays. If you happen to can’t keep away from visiting in excessive season, strive visiting on per week day if potential.
- Head to a quieter a part of the positioning for those who can, away from the teams. Most excursions comply with an analogous path to a handful of highlights, and for those who head to the much less fashionable areas you will discover your self wandering nearly abandoned streets, even at a busy time of 12 months
- Use a quieter gate. Many individuals enter via the Porta Marina because it’s subsequent to the practice station. The Anfiteatro gate tends to be quieter, and brings you in proper subsequent to the Amphitheater as properly, from the place you possibly can discover the positioning at your leisure
Sights Close to Pompeii
Pompeii is among the hottest points of interest within the Naples space, however it’s on no account the one attraction within the space! Listed here are another points of interest within the normal space to think about including to your itinerary.
- Herculaneum – the opposite well-excavated city that was buried by the Vesuvius eruption is Herculaneum. That is nearer to Naples, and likewise simply accessible by the Circumvesuviana practice service. It’s a smaller website however because it was a rich seaside resort, it has a excessive density of luxurious dwellings. It’s normally quieter than Pompeii, and a few excursions like this one go to each.
- Mount Vesuvius – the volcano which brought on all the difficulty continues to be energetic and nonetheless posing a risk to the thousands and thousands of people that stay within the space. It’s a dominant a part of the skyline, and you may head all the best way as much as the summit to see into the steaming crater and hike across the rim. There’s a small charge to go to the park, and it may be reached by public transport or on a guided tour like this.
- Amalfi Coast – one of the crucial fashionable and spectacular areas of Italy, the 50km lengthy Amalfi Coast is correct subsequent to Pompeii. Beautiful seaside cities like Positano and Sorrento cling to the dramatic shoreline. It’s properly price spending just a few days right here for those who can. Alternatively, you will get a style of what’s on supply by taking a tour which includes the Amalfi Coast like this.
- Naples – the capital metropolis of the area, Naples tends to divide customer opinion. It may be crowded, and chaotic sure, but it surely’s additionally residence to superb meals and quite a few points of interest. Pompeii guests ought to positively take the time to go to the Naples National Archaeological Museum, which has the vast majority of the very best preserved artefacts from Pompeii obtainable for viewing.
- Capri – a well-liked island for a day journey (though keep in a single day for those who can to keep away from the crowds!), Capri may be visited by ferry from each Naples and Sorrento. It’s a gorgeous island with loads to see, however it may possibly get extremely crowded in the summertime months.
After all, there may be way more to see on this space, however this could offer you an thought of what’s on supply within the space round Pompeii!
The place to Keep Close to Pompeii
If you happen to’re in search of someplace to remain close to Pompeii, you could have fairly just a few choices. You possibly can keep near the positioning, or you might keep in close by Sorrento or Naples.
It’s additionally potential to go to Pompeii as a day trip from Rome, however we’ll concentrate on nearer lodging for this a part of the information. See our information to spending 3 days in Rome for Rome lodging choices.
- Pompeii Ruins De Charme B&B – Actually throughout the street from the Piazza Anfiteatro entrance this fashionable B&B presents air-conditioned rooms with breakfast included. Rooms even have a kitchen and dishwasher for those who favor to cook dinner for your self. Parking is accessible for a charge.
- Hotel Forum – additionally simply subsequent to the Piazza Anfiteatro entrance, this can be a well-reviewed 4* resort providing free non-public parking, air-conditioned en-suite rooms and a restaurant. Breakfast is accessible.
- Habita79 Pompeii – only a few minutes stroll from the Anfiteatro entrance, this 4* resort presents en-suite air conditioned rooms in addition to an on-site spa and wellness studio. Breakfast is accessible. Notice there’s no on-site parking.
- Agora Hostel – 5 minutes stroll from the Anfiteatro entrance to Pompeii, this properly rated hostel presents nice worth non-public and shared rooms with air con. There’s a bar and occasional home on website however no eating or parking obtainable.
- La Ferrovia Guesthouse Sorrento – discovered simply subsequent to Sorrento practice station, this guesthouse presents non-public en-suite air-conditioned rooms with espresso makers. Paid parking is accessible close by however there’s no on-site restaurant
- Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria Sorrento – for those who’re in search of a 5* luxurious expertise in Sorrento, that is the resort to go for. Count on spectacular coastal views, a gorgeous backyard, beautiful rooms, and two eating places to select from.
After all, there are an important many extra choices to select from! We advocate wanting on booking.com for every part from lodges to guesthouses, B&Bs, hostels and residences.
We use them for our reserving lodging for journey all around the world and love how simple it makes it to filter and discover the proper property for our price range and necessities.
See all their listings for the Pompeii area here.
Additional Studying for Visiting Italy
Nicely, that completed up our information to visiting Pompeii! It’s only a small a part of our content material on Italy and Europe, which we hope you will see helpful when planning your journey.
Listed here are a few of these guides, in addition to hyperlinks to 3rd get together sources we advocate.
- We now have a information to spending 1 day in Rome, in addition to guides for 2 days in Rome and 3 days in Rome, which ought to show you how to plan your time in Rome. We even have a information to the best food tours in Rome, the best gelato in Rome and the best cafes to drink coffee in Rome
- We now have a guide to visiting the Colosseum, in addition to a guide to visiting the Vatican. These have every part it’s essential to know to plan your visits to this outstanding points of interest
- Past Rome, we’ve a guide to Florence, steered things to do in Milan, a information to spending 2 days in Milan, and ideas for a day in Venice
- We even have an in depth 10 day Italy itinerary that can assist you plan a visit on this fantastic nation. We even have a steered 2-week Europe itinerary which naturally consists of Italy!
- If you happen to’re in search of a bodily (or Kindle!) guidebook, we advocate the most recent version of Rick Steves Italy guide, which has numerous sensible info that can assist you profit from your keep
And that’s it! As at all times, we hope you discovered this information helpful, and if in case you have any questions or feedback about visiting Pompeii, simply pop them within the feedback beneath and we’ll reply as quickly as we will.
