Pompeii is without doubt one of the most well-known archaeological websites in Italy, and a well-liked attraction for guests. We’ve visited Pompeii a variety of instances over time, (Laurence first visited in 1995) and on this information we’re going to share every part it is advisable to know to plan your personal go to to Pompeii.
There’s rather a lot to see and find out about at Pompeii, and there are additionally numerous choices for visiting. You’ll be able to take a guided tour or do a self-guided go to, and there are additionally numerous transport choices for attending to Pompeii from totally different places in Italy, together with Rome, Naples and the Amalfi Coast.
On this information we’ll cowl every part it is advisable to know to go to Pompeii, from attending to Pompeii, to which excursions are price it, to different sights within the space, and much extra. Let’s get began with some background.
What’s Pompeii?
In AD 79, Pompeii (Pompei in Italian) was a comparatively giant and profitable city within the Roman Empire, dwelling 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 encompassing cities and villages.
Inside 24 hours of the eruption, the huge 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 resembling Herculaneum surfaced again into public consciousness. This was when the primary scientific excavations on the web site befell.
Within the following centuries, enormous efforts had been taken to disclose the hidden metropolis, efforts that proceed at this time.
Pompeii successfully serves as a snapshot of a Roman city on the peak of the Roman Empire. The volcanic eruption was so violent and fast that an excellent 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 data that can assist you plan your journey to Pompeii, from tips on how to get right here to the place to purchase tickets and much 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 doable to go to Pompeii as a day journey from each Rome and Naples, choices I’ll cowl under.
Learn how to get to Pompeii?
Pompeii is comparatively simple to succeed in, with good transport connections from numerous places in Italy. We’ll undergo the choices for visiting Pompeii from a number of the extra common departure factors.
Learn how to get to Pompeii from Rome?
It’s doable to go to Pompeii as a day journey from Rome as lengthy you’re ready for an extended day with a good bit of journey time. You’re usually taking a look at round 2.5 – 3 hours of journey time every manner from Rome to Pompeii.
The primary 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 fairly than driving.
When you drive, you’ll should undergo the trouble of discovering and renting a automobile, coping with visitors round Rome, navigating, and paying tolls and fuel.
Taking public transport or a tour goes to be rather a lot simpler.
Public Transport from Rome to Pompeii
For public transport, you possibly can take an specific practice from Rome to Naples Central practice station. Then, from Naples you possibly can take an area practice to Pompeii.
See particulars under within the part on getting from Naples to Pompeii for a way to do that.
Excursions from Rome to Pompeii
Our advisable manner 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 received’t have to fret about logistics.
You’ll even have a greater time at Pompeii with knowledgeable information to clarify what you’re seeing. There are a selection of tour choices to Pompeii from Rome, some advisable choices are as follows.
When evaluating excursions and costs, at all times examine how a lot time is definitely spent on the numerous sights, in addition to group dimension and what’s and isn’t included.
Paying just a little further for a tour that features extra would possibly work out less expensive!
Learn how to get to Pompeii from Naples?
There are a number of choices for getting from Naples to Pompeii. You’ll be able to 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 through the A3 toll street, and there may be paid parking on web site.
That is going to be an possibility to contemplate if you have already got a automobile rental on your journey in Italy, however we’d not suggest renting a automobile particularly for this journey as the opposite choices are doubtless going to be simpler.
Shuttle Bus from Naples to Pompeii
A very easy possibility for getting from Naples to Pompeii is to take the devoted Metropolis Sightseeing bus. This departs from central Naples and takes you on to the ruins.
The journey takes round 40 minutes relying on visitors, and also you get round 4 hours on web site. Notice that you need to e book 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 rather a lot, however when you wished to spend longer on web site then this may not be the most suitable choice.
Discover out extra and e book tickets for this expertise on GetYourGuide right here.
Practice from Naples to Pompeii
There are two direct practice choices for getting from Naples Central practice station to Pompeii.
First, it is advisable to bear in mind that Pompeii itself has a few practice stations. When taking the practice to the Pompeii historic web site you need to get off at Pompeii Scavi-Villa dei Misteria Station as that is the one instantly by the ruins.
Direct trains from Naples to Pompeii all depart from the Garibaldi practice station, which is (just a little confusingly) positioned instantly beneath Naples Centrale practice station.
The most cost effective practice possibility from Naples to Pompeii is the Circumvesuviana service. This regional commuter practice system runs trains throughout the realm, and it would be best to take a practice which is heading to Sorrento.
Tickets could be bought on the station, and there are usually just a few trains each hour. Journey time to Pompeii is round 35 minutes. You’ll be able to see practice instances on the official web site right here (Italian solely).
A barely dearer, however usually extra comfy practice possibility, is the tourist-oriented Campania Specific practice. This additionally operates from Garibaldi practice station and takes you on to the ruins.
Trains run much less often and value extra, however are much less crowded and extra comfy.
See timetables and purchase tickets with seat reservation for the Campania Specific practice on-line right here. Tickets are additionally out there in particular person.
Notice that Trenitalia runs trains from Naples central practice station to Pompeii, however these go to the primary practice station in Pompeii fairly than the station by the ruins.
It’s doable to take a shuttle out to the ruins or stroll (20 – half-hour), however actually, we’d suggest taking one of many different choices because it’s going to be simpler. You received’t be having a scarcity of strolling once you’re on web site!
Excursions from Naples to Pompeii
You may as well e book 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 out there.
Most full-day excursions embody a further attraction or two resembling a go to to Mount Vesuvius or time on the Amalfi Coast.
Listed here are some choices to contemplate.
Learn how to get to Pompeii from Sorrento
Sorrento is without doubt one of the main cities on Italy’s common Amalfi coast, a well-liked and spectacular vacation spot for vacationers visiting Italy. Sorrento makes for 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, which 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’ll be able to drive from Sorrento to Pompeii, so if you have already got your personal automobile rental that is undoubtedly an possibility to contemplate. Nonetheless, you would possibly discover taking the practice to be simply as handy.
The 28km (17 mile) drive takes round 40 minutes relying on visitors. Simply keep in mind you’ll must pay for parking once 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 web site entrance.
Tickets could be bought on the station, and there are usually just a few trains each hour. Journey time to Pompeii is round 45 minutes. You’ll be able to see practice instances on the official web site right here (Italian solely).
Excursions from Sorrento to Pompeii
You may as well take a guided tour from Sorrento to Pompeii. These excursions usually embody round-trip transfers, and a guided tour of Pompeii lasting 2-3 hours.
Excursions then differentiate by different additions resembling lunch, and different locations like Mount Vesuvius or Herculaneum.
Notice that not all excursions embody your Pompeii entrance ticket, and any extra sights could have extra ticket necessities, resembling Mount Vesuvius and Herculaneum. So at all times examine what’s and isn’t included earlier than reserving something.
Here’s a collection of excursions from Sorrento to Pompeii to contemplate.
As you possibly can see there are many choices. We’d at all times suggest evaluating just a few totally different excursions to see which fits your necessities and finances, and at all times examine what’s and isn’t included when evaluating excursions as properly.
Pompeii Opening Instances
Pompeii is often open year-round aside from twenty fifth December, 1st Might, and 1st January.
Usually, every part at Pompeii opens at 9am, however closure instances can fluctuate. So if you wish to see every part, then we suggest visiting within the morning. That is often additionally the best time of day in the summertime months.
The primary Pompeii web site 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 primary Pompeii web site such because the Amphitheater, Backyard of the Fugitives, Home of the Menander and so on. which even have opening instances to concentrate on. You’ll be able to see these right here.
Moreover, there are a selection of close by websites linked to Pompeii which have a final entrance time half-hour after the primary web site final entrance time.
These embody Villa Regina, Villa Arianna, Villa San Marco and Villa de Poppea. These places are all closed on Tuesdays aside from Villa Regina.
These further websites require a selected ticket to entry them and it is advisable to take a shuttle bus from the primary Pompeii web site to succeed in them, so when you plan to go to these places it would be best to give your self loads of time.
You’ll be able to see extra data on opening instances in addition to any distinctive closure data for Pompeii on the official web site right here.
How Lengthy to Go to Pompeii For
There’s a nice deal to see at Pompeii, nevertheless you even have to contemplate the time of 12 months you’re visiting and your private curiosity in historic archaeological websites when deciding how lengthy to go to.
The vast majority of guests come for two – 3 hours, which can be how lengthy the vast majority of guided excursions are.
When you suppose it would be best to spend extra time on web site (there may be tons to see), then possibility is to take a guided tour that finishes on web site, 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’ve got finished this and it was an effective way to study rather a lot 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 will possibly get highly regarded right here, and there isn’t a variety of shade, so visiting for for much longer than 2 or 3 hours could be fairly difficult.
Nonetheless, in case you are actually eager to discover and spend extra time on web site, 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 when you head out to the villas. It’s totally as much as you!
Pompeii Ticket Data
We’ll now cowl ticketing data for Pompeii, together with ticket sorts 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 without cost and discounted entry.
You should purchase tickets on-line prematurely or in particular person on web site.
How A lot does it Price 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 appropriate as of August 2024.
Tickets are for adults 18 and over solely. Youngsters beneath 18 have free entry, though they do nonetheless require a ticket which might solely be collected in particular person on the ticket workplace.
When you arrive at Pompeii with an Specific ticket and determine you need to go to the villas, it’s doable 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 beneath 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 may have 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 workplaces on the three most important entrances: Porta Marina, Piazza Anfiteatro and Piazza Esedra.
We’d usually advise towards this the place doable as you would possibly find yourself standing in line for some time, however it’s an possibility.
When you beneath 18, an EU resident aged 18-24, or fall into one other class for lowered value tickets, then you have to to go to the ticket workplace on your ticket.
That is so your qualification for the lowered ticket could be verified, so you’ll want to deliver any needed paperwork, resembling a authorities issued Picture 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 resembling free cancellation in addition to the choice to e book a guided tour.
We suggest evaluating costs and choices to see which fits you. It’s additionally essential to fastidiously learn the redemption directions when shopping for a ticket on-line so you already know what it is advisable to do prematurely of your go to.
Usually you possibly can simply present a ticket in your smartphone, however typically you would possibly must print one thing out or accumulate a ticket from a selected pick-up level.
By Cellphone
You should buy tickets for Pompeii by telephone. The quantity is +39 811 865 8177. The workplace is often open weekdays from 9.30 to 6pm. There’s a surcharge of €1.50 for reserving by telephone.
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 location, which features a safety examine.
When you pre-book your ticket, typically you possibly can skip the ticket line. Nonetheless, it will depend upon the ticket you buy, as some on-line tickets require you to swap a voucher for an precise ticket, so do examine if that is 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 nowadays you’ll nonetheless want a ticket, however there is no such thing as a price for buying it.
Tickets for the free days could be bought on-line on the official Ticketone web site right here, or in particular person on the ticket workplace on web site.
We’d counsel doing the net ticket possibility as the location can get very busy on the free days, and if it exceeds capability, the ticket workplaces 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 web site!
What’s the Pompeii Official Web site?
There are a number of websites providing data on visiting Pompeii, together with this one.
Nonetheless, for the newest data on visiting Pompeii together with ticket costs, updates, opening hours and extra, we at all times suggest consulting the official web site.
You’ll find it on the following net handle, with content material out there 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 testing.
Pompeii Structure and Maps
Pompeii is a big attraction, overlaying round 65 hectares (170 acres). From the east facet to the west facet 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 exhausting to get misplaced in Pompeii. While a lot of the location is specified by a grid, there are additionally loads of slim lanes and twists and turns. Navigation isn’t helped by pretty restricted signage.
That can assist you discover your manner 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 method was developed manner again within the nineteenth century when the location began to be excavated and stays in use to at the present time.
Every regio is assigned a Roman quantity, from I (one) to IX (9). The regio is in a grid sample, 3 large 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’ll be able to 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 assist you to orient your self when you find yourself on web site, because the Regio quantity you’re in is frequently printed on partitions and in indicators.
Every Regio can be divided into “Insulae” or “Insula”. In Roman instances, an Insulae was a metropolis block, or an condo constructing. For Pompeii, the Insulae are the blocks.
So, once you see an indication in Pompeii, it’ll often inform you which Regio and Insulae you’re in, for instance REG VII INS XIII would imply you’re in Regio 7, Insula 13.
The Insula observe a format system which I’m certain is smart to an archeologist however appears designed to confuse the typical particular person in my view.
Nonetheless, it doesn’t actually matter, as a result of the official map has each the Regio and Insula numbers marked. So, when you’ve got the map, all it is advisable to do is discover a signal to know the place you’re.
You’ll be able to obtain a map and information to the location from the official web site right here.
We extremely suggest doing this prematurely and saving it to your smartphone for reference. You must be capable of get a printed model of this information once you go to, nevertheless it’s good to be ready simply in case they aren’t out there.
There are additionally avenue names that can assist you orient your self. The most important homes and points of interest even have names.
I’d additionally add that every home (and a number of the rooms within the homes) even have numbers. Nonetheless, that is actually extra for cataloging and archaeological functions fairly than one thing guests would need to use for navigating!
It is usually price noting that while most guests go to the primary Pompeii web site, there are a selection of different websites which have been excavated, and which may also be visited. These require you to have a special ticket, and to take a shuttle bus from the primary web site.
In abstract, in case you are visiting Pompeii and not using a information, we suggest having a map readily available, and being conscious of the Regio and Insulae system. You may as well orient your self with close by apparent landmarks, with Mount Vesuvius typically seen for instance.
What to see and do at Pompeii
There’s rather a lot to see and do in Pompeii, and it may be a reasonably overwhelming place to go to. That is why we might suggest taking a guided tour, or on the very least getting an audio information.
That can assist you work out what to see, we’re going to share what we expect are a number of the unmissable sights at Pompeii. Most excursions will embody not less than a few of these, though tour routes can fluctuate. If you’re taking a tour, at all times examine what they embody to make certain it covers your pursuits.
High Sights at Pompeii
Clearly, everybody can have barely totally different pursuits, nevertheless we expect this can be a good overview of the primary highlights at Pompeii. These are the sights that almost all excursions are prone to go to as properly, though in fact it’ll fluctuate, and never all excursions will go to each sight we record.
These sights are ordered roughly as you’d encounter them coming into the town from the western facet. There’s a wonderful map right here you possibly can obtain for reference as properly.
- Porta Marina – arguably probably the most spectacular of the unique seven gateways to the town, and the one which led to the ocean, therefore the identify. The barrel-vaulted ceiling is constituted of concrete and dates from 80BC.
- Plaster Casts of Pompeii’s victims – One of the well-known sights at Pompeii are the plaster casts of those that misplaced their lives within the eruption, together with individuals and canines. 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. In the course of the excavations, plaster was fastidiously injected into these cavities to kind the molds you possibly can see at this time. These could 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 set of artifacts from the location. It should be stated that one of the best artefacts from Pompeii could be discovered within the Naples Archaeological Museum, nevertheless there’s a lot to see right here nonetheless, together with plaster casts of Pompeii’s victims.
- The Discussion board (Foro) – the guts of any Roman metropolis or city is the Discussion board, the place you’d have discovered metropolis administration buildings, the primary temples and the market. If one thing essential was going to occur in Pompeii, this was most likely 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 non secular sounding identify, it was really extra of a civic corridor, used for enterprise and as a court docket 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 positioned by the Discussion board and would initially have been the primary produce market. Right now it’s the dwelling of 1000’s of artifacts which have been excavated from the ruins, in addition to plaster casts of a number of the victims of the catastrophe.
- Baths of the Discussion board (Terme del Foro) – No Roman city is full and not using a tub home (the extra the higher), and Pompeii had not less than 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 tub room, heat tub room and chilly plunge room.
- Through Abbondanza (most important avenue) – the primary avenue (Decumanus Maximus in Roman instances) of Pompeii runs west to east from the Discussion board all the best way throughout the city to Sarno Gate. This may have been a busy, pedestrianized avenue stuffed with outlets and food 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 most of the streets, and particularly the primary streets, you will note proof of historic Roman eateries. Search for marble counter tops with holes reduce out the place the meals would have been saved.
- Arches – Pompeii has a variety of arches which you will note all through the town. On the northern finish of the Discussion board is an honorary arch, while additional north on the intersection of Through Fortuna and Vicolo del Foro you can see the Arch of Caligula. A few of these arches additionally served a extra sensible perform, hiding water tanks that equipped close by fountains. Right now many of those fountains have been modernized and supply clear ingesting 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 without doubt one of 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. toes, 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 duplicate 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 fantastically embellished property that includes many stunning fresco work which depict numerous mythological scenes. It’s additionally a really giant property.
- Brothel (Lupanare) – virtually as common at this time because it doubtless was in its heyday 2,000 years in the past (though with a considerably totally different clientele), the brothel was the place residents got here to seek 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 generally 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 not less than 5 tub 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 Through dell’Abbondanza and Through Stabiana. Right here you possibly can see the totally different mens and girls’s bathing areas. We’d most likely suggest selecting one tub home to go to, except you’re significantly into Roman tub homes.
Different websites that are just a little off the primary 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 common 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 the town the place performances would have taken place. The Grand Theater was constructed within the Greek type, which meant profiting from a pure hill slope to create the auditorium, which might have had seating for five,000 spectators. A lot of the Theatre survives at this time, 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 common. It was additionally used for music.
- Viewpoint / Panoramic View of Pompeii – To know the dimensions of Pompeii, it’s best to think about visiting the perspective by Casina dell’Aquila, simply by the intersection of Through Dell’Abbondanza and Vicolo di Tesmo. The perspective is on the unique degree of the bottom right here earlier than the excavation, and offers you an thought of simply how a lot floor needed to be moved with a view to unearth the town.
- Home of Menander (Casa del Menandro) – owned by a excessive rating and rich household, this huge home (19,000 sq. toes) is known as 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 comprises the plaster casts of 13 of the victims who died making an attempt to flee the town.
- Amphitheater – an essential leisure middle 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 undoubtedly engineering wonders of their time. They allowed the distribution of water throughout the Roman Empire, and allowed cities like Pompeii to get recent 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! Right now, you possibly can see the place the aqueduct system arrived into the town at Castellum Aqueduct, subsequent to Porto Vesuvio within the northern a part of the town. From right here it was distributed to water towers and fountains throughout the town.
As you possibly can see, there’s lots to see and absorb at Pompeii!
Excursions of Pompeii
The most effective methods to go to Pompeii is to take a guided tour. There’s rather a lot to see and a variety of historical past and data to soak up, and having information can undoubtedly enhance your expertise.
You may have just a few choices for taking a tour. You’ll be able to e book a tour which incorporates transport from a significant metropolis resembling Rome or Naples. Or, you can also make your personal option to Pompeii and simply take a tour on web site.
We’ll embody a variety of choices so that you can think about, relying in your preferences.
You may as well e book a tour information on arrival at Pompeii. Tour guides can be found simply inside the location entrance and will have an official badge.
Notice nevertheless that while accredited, the guides are freelance and costs usually are not fastened. You have to to barter value, route and tour length with the out there on-site guides.
Usually, these guides can have a value they cost for a tour, regardless of group dimension. By having a bigger group you’ll pay much less per particular person, however clearly have a much less personalised expertise.
You’ll be able to see extra on this course of right here.
Relying on how busy the day is, guides is probably not out there. So, we might usually suggest reserving a guided tour prematurely as a substitute.
Practicalities for Visiting Pompeii
Costume Code at Pompeii
Pompeii is just not a non secular web site 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 should be sporting a high. As well as, clothes that may very well be thought of disruptive can be not allowed, and costumes, masks and banners usually are not permitted.
This clothes rule is often used to stop protestors utilizing the location, so is unlikely to have an effect on most guests. Keep away from any offensive clothes and also you’ll be fantastic!
You’ll nonetheless need to suppose by your clothes selections previous to visiting. The vast majority of your go to can be spent outdoors, and there may be minimal shade or shelter out there.
See the part of what to put on and pack for Pompeii for some ideas on what to deliver on your go to.
Amenities at Pompeii
Pompeii has a variety of customer providers you should use. These embody:
- two on-site bookshops, one at Piazza Esedra and one contained in the Antiquarium.
- audio information rent, out there on the Porta Marina entrance and Porta Anfiteatro entrance.
- first assist providers, out there close to the Chora Cafe on Vicolo degli Augustali
- A restaurant known as Chora the place you will get drinks and snacks like muffins, pastries and ice cream
- A number of free water fountains throughout the location
- A number of free rest room amenities throughout the location
- Child altering amenities. There are three of those, one on Through dell’Abbondanza, one on Through di Nola, and one on the nook of Through Stabiana and Through della Fortuna
Smoking at Pompeii
Smoking is forbidden at Pompeii besides at designated smoking areas. These could be discovered close to the Casina dell’Aquila and the bathroom amenities.
Safety at Pompeii
All guests should undergo a safety examine at Pompeii. Cumbersome objects, umbrellas, and luggage bigger than 30x30x15 cm (12 x 12 x 6 inches) usually are not permitted on the location and should be left on the cloakroom. It is a free service.
In any other case, the foundations are fairly apparent, and principally deal with defending the location and making certain 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’ll be able to see the total record of guidelines and laws right here.
Accessibility at Pompeii
Pompeii is clearly an historic metropolis, and as such there are accessibility challenges. Nonetheless, efforts have been made to make sure the location is as accessible as doable for all guests.
There are a selection of specifically designed accessible routes, known as Pompeii for All, that are designed to permit entry for mobility impaired customers, in addition to dad and mom with buggies, to a big a part of the location.
These routes embody most of the most important buildings that guests would need to see, and canopy a complete of three.5km. You’ll be able to see particulars of those routes on the Pompeii for All web page.
There are additionally accessible bogs discovered on web site.
Pompeii has additionally developed a program to assist these exhausting to listening to to benefit from the web site. Extra on this program, and accessibility on the location generally, could be discovered on the Pompeii for All web page.
Baggage storage Close to Pompeii
Guests to Pompeii usually are not allowed to deliver any luggage bigger than 30cm x 30cm x 15cm on web site. So nothing bigger than a small backpack primarily. We’d counsel leaving baggage in your resort room the place doable.
When you should journey with a bag which is bigger than the allowed dimension, 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 out there for a charge.
Suggestions for Visiting Pompeii
Primarily based on our experiences visiting Pompeii, we wished to share some suggestions that can assist you get probably the most out of your go to.
Plan your day prematurely
The very first thing we suggest 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.
When you determine to take a tour, examine what it consists of, after which think about when you want extra time. If you’re taking a tour that features round-trip transport, you may not have a lot further time.
If you’re taking a tour that begins on web site, be sure to know the place the assembly level is and the assembly time, and plan how you’re going to get to and from Pompeii.
If you’re doing a self-guided go to for any a part of your time at Pompeii, we recommend trying on the official map and planning out what you need to see. You might even think about developing with a common path to observe. It will assist orient you when you find yourself really there.
Take into account a Guided Tour or Audio Information
We are able to extremely suggest taking a guided tour of Pompeii. An professional information goes to have the ability to deliver the location to life and actually assist you 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 suggest it. Nonetheless, there are a selection of choices.
When you take a guided tour that meets on web site, we extremely suggest planning on staying not less than an hour extra on web site as soon as the tour ends so you possibly can see some other websites that the tour didn’t cowl.
When you decide to not take a guided tour, then we’d counsel both selecting up an audio information on web site, or on the very least a guidebook that features a self-guided Pompeii tour just like the Rick Steves Italy guidebook.
Costume and Pack Accordingly
If you’re visiting Pompeii within the hotter months of the 12 months, it would be best to deliver a good solar hat to maintain the solar off your face, unfastened becoming clothes, and sure a small daypack to hold suncream, water and any snacks.
If rain is a risk, a mild raincoat or poncho can be a good suggestion. Umbrellas usually are not allowed on web site.
If you’re visiting outdoors of the warmest months of the 12 months, then some hotter layers are a good suggestion simply in case it’s cooler on web site.
Footwear can be essential. The traditional streets of Pompeii could be uneven, various between unfastened dust and cobblestones. A great pair of comfy footwear that you’re completely satisfied to spend time strolling in is a should.
For shoe ideas, see our guides to the finest journey footwear for males and the finest journey footwear for ladies for some concepts.
You’ll undoubtedly need to deliver a water bottle with you. Recent ingesting water is on the market at fountains throughout the location, and on a scorching day you have to to drink loads of water. We use and love our Klean Kanteen water bottles for journey, however there are many choices on the market in fact.
We are able to additionally suggest bringing some form of guidebook with you. We predict the Rick Steves guidebook is without doubt one of the finest choices, both his Italy information or Naples & the Amalfi Coast snapshot information.
Each have a self-guided Pompeii tour which is a wonderful possibility when you select to skip a guided tour.
Be Cautious of on-site Touts at Pompeii
Like every common 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 suggest taking one of many excursions with an permitted tour information.
These could be discovered at Piazza Esedra and Porta Marina, after you have entered Pompeii, after the safety checks. These tour guides have official badges issued by the Vacationer Board of the Campania Area. If you’re not sure if a information is accredited, examine with the ticket workplace.
Remember that these guides will most probably must be paid in money, and the value of the tour goes to be one thing you’ll want to debate with the information prematurely.
Once you arrive at Pompeii additionally, you will doubtless be supplied excursions by guides outdoors the gates. These is not going to be led by Pompeii’s accredited guides, so the standard of the tour is just not 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 threat, as with every 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 when you select to take public transportation.
We’ve by no means had a difficulty in Italy, nevertheless it’s at all times a good suggestion to take primary security precautions when touring anyplace, as you’d at dwelling.
Arrive Early and Head to the Again
Pompeii is a well-liked vacation spot, and as such it will possibly get fairly busy. As well as, there may be restricted shade on web site, and in the summertime months significantly it will possibly get highly regarded on web site.
All which means for one of the best expertise we suggest arriving early within the day when you can. If you’re planning on taking a tour, e book it for earlier within the day. If you’re planning to information your self, plan out your route so that you head away from the doorway first, and work your manner again in the direction of it.
Many guests solely go to the most important sights, lots of that are positioned not too removed from the doorway areas, significantly Porta Marina. Excursions teams additionally observe comparable routes. So if you’d like a much less crowded expertise, determine just a few sights that you’re considering which can be off the crushed path, and head to these first.
Deliver a Water Bottle
We talked about this already within the “what to pack for Pompeii” part of this information, however we expect 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 ingesting water fountains throughout the location, so deliver a water bottle and keep hydrated without cost as you wander!
Escape the Crowds at Pompeii
Pompeii is a massively common attraction, and consequently it may be busy. The positioning has a restrict of 15,000 guests at anybody time, however regardless of the location being fairly giant individuals have a tendency to move to a handful of places such because the Discussion board, Brothel, and Tub homes, which means it will possibly really feel extra crowded than it’s.
Listed here are some suggestions 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 Might by August, with weekends being busier than weekdays. When you can’t keep away from visiting in excessive season, strive visiting on every week day if doable.
- Head to a quieter a part of the location when you can, away from the teams. Most excursions observe an analogous path to a handful of highlights, and when you head to the much less common areas you’ll find your self wandering virtually abandoned streets, even at a busy time of 12 months
- Use a quieter gate. Many individuals enter by 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 location at your leisure
Points of interest Close to Pompeii
Pompeii is without doubt one of the hottest points of interest within the Naples space, however it’s certainly not the one attraction within the space! Listed here are another points of interest within the common space to contemplate 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 web site however because it was a rich seaside resort, it has a excessive density of luxurious dwellings. It’s often quieter than Pompeii, and a few excursions like this one go to each.
- Mount Vesuvius – the volcano which induced all the difficulty continues to be energetic and nonetheless posing a risk to the tens of millions of people that stay within the space. It’s a dominant a part of the skyline, and you’ll head all the best way as much as the summit to look 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 common and spectacular areas of Italy, the 50km lengthy Amalfi Coast is correct subsequent to Pompeii. Attractive seaside cities like Positano and Sorrento cling to the dramatic shoreline. It’s properly price spending just a few days right here when you can. Alternatively, you will get a style of what’s on provide by taking a tour which incorporates 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, nevertheless it’s additionally dwelling to wonderful meals and quite a few points of interest. Pompeii guests ought to undoubtedly take the time to go to the Naples Nationwide Archaeological Museum, which has the vast majority of one of the best preserved artefacts from Pompeii out there for viewing.
- Capri – a well-liked island for a day journey (though keep in a single day when you can to keep away from the crowds!), Capri could be visited by ferry from each Naples and Sorrento. It’s an attractive island with rather a lot to see, however it will possibly get extremely crowded in the summertime months.
After all, there may be far more to see on this space, however this could offer you an thought of what’s on provide within the space round Pompeii!
The place to Keep Close to Pompeii
When you’re on the lookout for someplace to remain close to Pompeii, you could have fairly just a few choices. You’ll be able to keep near the location, or you can keep in close by Sorrento or Naples.
It’s additionally doable to go to Pompeii as a day journey from Rome, however we’ll deal with 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 common B&B affords air-conditioned rooms with breakfast included. Rooms even have a kitchen and dishwasher when you choose to cook dinner for your self. Parking is on the market for a charge.
- Lodge Discussion board – 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 on the market.
- Habita79 Pompeii – only a few minutes stroll from the Anfiteatro entrance, this 4* resort affords en-suite air conditioned rooms in addition to an on-site spa and wellness studio. Breakfast is on the market. Notice there’s no on-site parking.
- Agora Hostel – 5 minutes stroll from the Anfiteatro entrance to Pompeii, this properly rated hostel affords nice worth non-public and shared rooms with air con. There’s a bar and low home on web site however no eating or parking out there.
- La Ferrovia Guesthouse Sorrento – discovered simply subsequent to Sorrento practice station, this guesthouse affords non-public en-suite air-conditioned rooms with espresso makers. Paid parking is on the market close by however there’s no on-site restaurant
- Grand Lodge Excelsior Vittoria Sorrento – when you’re on the lookout for a 5* luxurious expertise in Sorrento, that is the resort to move for. Count on spectacular coastal views, an attractive backyard, pretty rooms, and two eating places to select from.
After all, there are an excellent many extra choices to select from! We suggest trying on reserving.com for every part from resorts 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 fitting property for our finances and necessities.
See all their listings for the Pompeii space right here.
Additional Studying for Visiting Italy
Effectively, 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 can see helpful when planning your journey.
Listed here are a few of these guides, in addition to hyperlinks to 3rd celebration sources we suggest.
- We’ve got 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 assist you to plan your time in Rome. We even have a information to the finest meals excursions in Rome, the finest gelato in Rome and the finest cafes to drink espresso in Rome
- We’ve got a information to visiting the Colosseum, in addition to a information to visiting the Vatican. These have every part it is advisable to know to plan your visits to this exceptional points of interest
- Past Rome, we’ve a information to Florence, advised issues to do in Milan, a information to spending 2 days in Milan, and suggestions for a day in Venice
- We even have an in depth 10 day Italy itinerary that can assist you plan a visit on this great nation. We even have a advised 2-week Europe itinerary which naturally consists of Italy!
- When you’re on the lookout for a bodily (or Kindle!) guidebook, we suggest the newest version of Rick Steves Italy information, which has a lot of sensible data that can assist you profit from your keep
And that’s it! As at all times, we hope you discovered this information helpful, and when you’ve got any questions or feedback about visiting Pompeii, simply pop them within the feedback under and we’ll reply as quickly as we will.
