Visiting Pompeii, Italy: A Detailed Guide

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 quite a lot of instances over time, (Laurence first visited in 1995) and on this information we’re going to share every little thing you might want to know to plan your personal go to to Pompeii.

There’s quite a bit to see and study 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 little thing you might want 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 every 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).

1000’s of people that had tried to shelter misplaced their lives, and the cities have been successfully misplaced to historical past.

It wasn’t actually till the 18th century that Pompeii and neighboring cities comparable to Herculaneum surfaced again into public consciousness. This was when the primary scientific excavations on the website happened.

Within the following centuries, big efforts have been taken to disclose the hidden metropolis, efforts that proceed at present.

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 awesome 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 will help you plan your journey to Pompeii, from the best way 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 prepare.

It’s round 250km (155 miles) south of Rome, or roughly a three-hour journey by automobile, bus or prepare.

It’s doable to go to Pompeii as a day journey from each Rome and Naples, choices I’ll cowl under.

 

Easy 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 number of the extra common departure factors.

 

Easy methods 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 typically taking a look at round 2.5 – 3 hours of journey time every approach 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 highway journey in Italy and persevering with on after Pompeii, we’d recommend taking public transport or a tour slightly than driving.

For those who drive, you’ll must undergo the trouble of discovering and renting a automobile, coping with site visitors round Rome, navigating, and paying tolls and fuel.

Taking public transport or a tour goes to be quite a bit simpler.

 

Public Transport from Rome to Pompeii

For public transport, you’ll be able to take an specific prepare from Rome to Naples Central prepare station. Then, from Naples you’ll be able to take an area prepare 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 really useful approach for getting from Rome to Pompeii as a day journey is to take a guided tour. This may make your day much more enjoyable as you gained’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 variety of tour choices to Pompeii from Rome, some really useful choices are as follows.

When evaluating excursions and costs, at all times verify 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 additional for a tour that features extra may work out more economical!

 

Easy 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 prepare, take a shuttle bus, take a prepare, or take a tour.

Drive from Naples to Pompeii

The drive from Naples to Pompeii is round half-hour through the A3 toll highway, and there’s paid parking on website.

That is going to be an choice to think about if you have already got a automobile rental to your journey in Italy, however we’d not suggest renting a automobile particularly for this journey as the opposite choices are possible going to be simpler.

 

Shuttle Bus from Naples to Pompeii

A very easy choice 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 site visitors, and also you get round 4 hours on website. Be aware that you need to e-book a particular departure time, which ties you to a particular return time, you’ll be able to’t select to remain longer and are available again on a later bus.

4 hours ought to provide you with sufficient time to see quite a bit, however should you needed to spend longer on website then this won’t be the best choice.

Discover out extra and e-book tickets for this expertise on GetYourGuide right here.

 

Prepare from Naples to Pompeii

There are two direct prepare choices for getting from Naples Central prepare station to Pompeii.

First, you might want to bear in mind that Pompeii itself has a few prepare stations. When taking the prepare to the Pompeii historic website you need to get off at Pompeii Scavi-Villa dei Misteria Station as that is the one immediately by the ruins.

Direct trains from Naples to Pompeii all depart from the Garibaldi prepare station, which is (just a little confusingly) situated immediately beneath Naples Centrale prepare station.

The most affordable prepare choice from Naples to Pompeii is the Circumvesuviana service. This regional commuter prepare system runs trains throughout the realm, and you’ll want to take a prepare which is heading to Sorrento.

Tickets might be bought on the station, and there are usually a number of trains each hour. Journey time to Pompeii is round 35 minutes. You possibly can see prepare instances on the official web site right here (Italian solely).

A barely costlier, however typically extra snug prepare choice, is the tourist-oriented Campania Specific prepare. This additionally operates from Garibaldi prepare station and takes you on to the ruins.

Trains run much less continuously and value extra, however are much less crowded and extra snug.

See timetables and purchase tickets with seat reservation for the Campania Specific prepare on-line right here. Tickets are additionally obtainable in particular person.

Be aware that Trenitalia runs trains from Naples central prepare station to Pompeii, however these go to the primary prepare station in Pompeii slightly 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 gained’t be having a scarcity of strolling whenever you’re on website!

 

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 a number of choices, with each half-day and full-day excursions obtainable.

Most full-day excursions embrace an extra attraction or two comparable to a go to to Mount Vesuvius or time on the Amalfi Coast.

Listed below are some choices to think about.

 

Easy methods 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 a great 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 prepare line that goes to Pompeii, which means you’ll be able to simply attain Pompeii by prepare from Sorrento as properly.

Listed below are some choices for the best way 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 personal automobile rental that is undoubtedly an choice to think about. Nonetheless, you may discover taking the prepare to be simply as handy.

The 28km (17 mile) drive takes round 40 minutes relying on site visitors. Simply bear in mind you’ll have to 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 prepare service from Sorrento to Naples, which stops on the Pompeii Scavi prepare station. That is proper by the Pompeii website entrance.

Tickets might be bought on the station, and there are usually a number of trains each hour. Journey time to Pompeii is round 45 minutes. You possibly can see prepare 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 typically embrace round-trip transfers, and a guided tour of Pompeii lasting 2-3 hours.

Excursions then differentiate by different additions comparable to lunch, and different locations like Mount Vesuvius or Herculaneum.

Be aware that not all excursions embrace your Pompeii entrance ticket, and any extra sights could have extra ticket necessities, comparable to Mount Vesuvius and Herculaneum. So at all times verify what’s and isn’t included earlier than reserving something.

Here’s a number of excursions from Sorrento to Pompeii to think about.

As you’ll be able to see there are many choices. We’d at all times suggest evaluating a number of completely different excursions to see which fits your necessities and funds, and at all times verify what’s and isn’t included when evaluating excursions as properly.

 

Pompeii Opening Instances

Pompeii is generally open year-round excluding twenty fifth December, 1st Could, and 1st January.

Typically, every little thing at Pompeii opens at 9am, however closure instances can differ. So if you wish to see every little thing, then we suggest visiting within the morning. That is normally additionally the good time of day in the summertime months.

The primary 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 primary Pompeii website such because the Amphitheater, Backyard of the Fugitives, Home of the Menander and so on. which even have opening instances to concentrate on. You possibly can 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 website final entrance time.

These embrace Villa Regina, Villa Arianna, Villa San Marco and Villa de Poppea. These places are all closed on Tuesdays excluding Villa Regina.

These additional websites require a particular ticket to entry them and you might want to take a shuttle bus from the primary Pompeii website to achieve them, so should you plan to go to these places you’ll want to give your self loads of time.

You possibly can 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 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.

Nearly all of guests come for two – 3 hours, which can also be how lengthy nearly all of guided excursions are.

For those who suppose you’ll want to spend extra time on website (there’s tons to see), then a great 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 to direct you to specific highlights as soon as the tour is over.

Now we have executed this and it was a good way to study quite a bit from a information, after which we have been in a position to discover on our personal at our leisure.

One factor to notice, in case you are visiting in the summertime months it may get highly regarded right here, and there isn’t a whole lot of shade, so visiting for for much longer than 2 or 3 hours might 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’s actually tons to see! You can simply spend a complete day exploring Pompeii, particularly should you head out to the villas. It’s totally as much as you!

 

Pompeii Ticket Info

We’ll now cowl ticketing data 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 at no cost and discounted entry.

You should buy tickets on-line prematurely or in particular person on website.

 

How A lot does it Price to Go to Pompeii?

There are a variety 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. Kids beneath 18 have free entry, though they do nonetheless require a ticket which might solely be collected in particular person on the ticket workplace.

For those who 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 – Avenue 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 youngsters beneath 18 get free entry to Pompeii, though they nonetheless require a ticket.

There are presently no reductions for seniors.

 

The place to Purchase Pompeii Tickets

You might have quite a lot 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 essential entrances: Porta Marina, Piazza Anfiteatro and Piazza Esedra.

We’d typically advise towards this the place doable as you may find yourself standing in line for some time, however it’s an choice.

For those who beneath 18, an EU resident aged 18-24, or fall into one other class for lowered value tickets, then you will want to go to the ticket workplace to your ticket.

That is so your qualification for the lowered price tag might be verified, so make sure to convey any vital paperwork, comparable to a authorities issued Photograph ID doc (i.e. a passport or ID card).

 

On-line

You should buy Pompeii tickets on-line from quite a lot of web sites, as follows:

In our expertise, the official web site tends to have the bottom value on-line tickets, however they don’t include free cancellation.

Tickets bought by third events do usually value a bit extra, however can have advantages comparable to 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 rigorously learn the redemption directions when shopping for a ticket on-line so you already know what you might want to do prematurely of your go to.

Typically you’ll be able to simply present a ticket in your smartphone, however typically you may have to print one thing out or gather a ticket from a particular pick-up level.

By Telephone

You should buy tickets for Pompeii by telephone. 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 telephone.

 

Are you able to Skip the Traces at Pompeii?

There are two strains at Pompeii. First, there’s the road for the ticket workplace the place you should buy tickets in particular person. Subsequent, there’s an entrance line for going into the positioning, which features a safety verify.

For those who pre-book your ticket, most often you’ll be able to 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 verify 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 shortly.

 

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 isn’t any value for buying it.

Tickets for the free days might be bought on-line on the official Ticketone website right here, or in particular person on the ticket workplace on website.

We’d recommend doing the net ticket choice as the positioning can get very busy on the free days, and if it exceeds capability, the ticket places of work shut.

Be aware 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 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 could find it on the following internet handle, with content material obtainable in a number of languages together with English. The positioning is great and has a wealth of data that will help you plan your go to, and is properly price testing.

https://pompeiisites.org/en/

 

Pompeii Format and Maps

Pompeii is a big attraction, masking 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 laborious to get misplaced in Pompeii. While a lot of the positioning 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 will help you discover your approach 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 approach again within the nineteenth century when the positioning began to be excavated and stays in use to this present day.

Every regio is assigned a Roman quantity, from I (one) to IX (9). The regio is in a grid sample, 3 broad 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’re on website, because the Regio quantity you’re in is recurrently printed on partitions and in indicators.

Every Regio can also be divided into “Insulae” or “Insula”. In Roman instances, an Insulae was a metropolis block, or an residence constructing. For Pompeii, the Insulae are the blocks.

So, whenever you see an indication in Pompeii, it is going to 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 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, if in case you have the map, all you might want 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 web site right here.

We extremely suggest doing this prematurely and saving it to your smartphone for reference. It is best to be capable to get a printed model of this information whenever you go to, nevertheless it’s good to be ready simply in case they aren’t obtainable.

There are additionally avenue names that will help you orient your self. The essential homes and sights 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 slightly than one thing guests would need to use for navigating!

It’s also price noting that while most guests go to the primary Pompeii website, there are a selection of different websites which have been excavated, and which will also be visited. These require you to have a special ticket, and to take a shuttle bus from the primary website.

In abstract, in case you are visiting Pompeii with no information, we suggest having a map 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 quite a bit 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 will help 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 embrace at the least a few of these, though tour routes can differ. In case you are taking a tour, at all times verify what they embrace to make certain it covers your pursuits.

 

High Sights at Pompeii

Clearly, everybody may have barely completely 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 is going to differ, and never all excursions will go to each sight we listing.

These sights are ordered roughly as you’d encounter them coming into town from the western facet. There’s a wonderful map right here you’ll be able to obtain for reference as properly.

Porta Marina – arguably essentially the most spectacular of the unique seven gateways to town, and the one which led to the ocean, therefore the title. The barrel-vaulted ceiling is comprised of 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 canines. The victims have been encased in ash and asphyxiated, and their our bodies entombed. Over time the our bodies decomposed, leaving gaps within the hardened ash layer. Through the excavations, plaster was rigorously injected into these cavities to type the molds you’ll be able to see at present. These might 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 positioning. It have to be stated that the most effective artefacts from Pompeii might 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 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 title, it was truly extra of a civic corridor, used for enterprise and as a court docket for dealing with authorized issues. Non secular Basilicas got here later, basing their title and format on the Roman buildings!
Discussion board Granary  – The Granary is situated by the Discussion board and would initially have been the primary produce market. As we speak it’s the residence of hundreds 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 with no bathtub home (the extra the higher), and Pompeii had at the least 5 of them. The Baths of the Discussion board are the closest to the Discussion board. Right here you’ll be able to see the female and male bathing homes together with the recent bathtub room, heat bathtub room and chilly plunge room.
Through Abbondanza (essential 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 could have been a busy, pedestrianized avenue stuffed with outlets 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 primary streets, you will notice proof of historical Roman eateries. Search for marble counter tops with holes reduce out the place the meals would have been saved.
Arches – Pompeii has quite a lot of arches which you will notice all through 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 will discover the Arch of Caligula. A few of these arches additionally served a extra sensible perform, hiding water tanks that provided close by fountains. As we speak 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’ll be able to 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 title 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 a complete block, taking on round 32,000 sq. ft, and would have been owned by a really rich household. The title 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 adorned property that includes many lovely fresco work which depict numerous mythological scenes. It’s additionally a really massive property.
Brothel (Lupanare) – nearly as common at present because it possible 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 seek out intercourse staff, in addition to drinks and social interplay. The title Lupanare comes from the Latin title for a wolf-den, as prostitutes have been generally known as she-wolves. The brothel has pretty graphic frescoes and graffiti, and fogeys may need to skip this attraction.
Stabian Baths (Terme Stabiane) – As beforehand talked about, Pompeii had at the least 5 bathtub homes, of which the Stabian Baths are the biggest and oldest. In truth, they’re one of many oldest Roman baths on the earth. They’re discovered on the intersection Through dell’Abbondanza and Through Stabiana. Right here you’ll be able to see the completely different mens and girls’s bathing areas. We’d in all probability suggest selecting one bathtub home to go to, except you’re notably into Roman bathtub 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 quite a lot of venues throughout town the place performances would have taken place. The Grand Theater was constructed within the Greek model, 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 at present, 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 have been common. It was additionally used for music.
Viewpoint / Panoramic View of Pompeii – To know the size of Pompeii, it is best to take into account visiting the point of view by Casina dell’Aquila, simply by the intersection of Through Dell’Abbondanza and Vicolo di Tesmo. The perspective is on the authentic 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 with a view 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 variety 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 incorporates the plaster casts of 13 of the victims who died making an attempt to flee town.
Amphitheater – an essential leisure middle in a Roman metropolis or city was the amphitheater, basically an enclosed theatre which was used for gladiatorial battles, circuses and extra. Essentially 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 have been unimaginable engineers, and while they didn’t invent the aqueduct, their aqueducts have been undoubtedly 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! As we speak, you’ll be able to 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’ll be able to see, there’s loads to see and soak up at Pompeii!

 

 

 

Excursions of Pompeii

Among the finest methods to go to Pompeii is to take a guided tour. There’s quite a bit to see and a whole lot of historical past and data to soak up, and having a great information can undoubtedly enhance your expertise.

You might have a number of choices for taking a tour. You possibly can e-book a tour which incorporates transport from a significant metropolis comparable to Rome or Naples. Or, you may make your personal strategy to Pompeii and simply take a tour on website.

We’ll embrace quite a lot of choices so that you can take into account, 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 positioning entrance and will have an official badge.

Be aware nevertheless that while accredited, the guides are freelance and costs are usually not mounted. You have to to barter value, route and tour period with the obtainable on-site guides.

Typically, these guides may have a value they cost for a tour, no matter group dimension. By having a bigger group you’ll pay much less per particular person, however clearly have a much less customized expertise.

You possibly can see extra on this course of right here.

Relying on how busy the day is, guides will not be obtainable. So, we might typically suggest reserving a guided tour prematurely as an alternative.

 

 

 

Practicalities for Visiting Pompeii

Gown Code at Pompeii

Pompeii shouldn’t be a non secular website and as such there isn’t any 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 high. As well as, clothes that could possibly be thought of disruptive can also be not allowed, and costumes, masks and banners are usually not permitted.

This clothes rule is generally used to stop protestors utilizing the positioning, so is unlikely to have an effect on most guests. Avoid any offensive clothes and also you’ll be nice!

You’ll nonetheless need to suppose by your clothes selections previous to visiting. Nearly all of your go to shall be spent exterior, and there’s minimal shade or shelter obtainable.

See the part of what to put on and pack for Pompeii for some strategies on what to convey to your go to.

 

Services at Pompeii

Pompeii has quite a lot of customer companies you need to 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 companies, 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 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 might be discovered close to the Casina dell’Aquila and the bathroom amenities.

 

Safety at Pompeii

All guests should undergo a safety verify at Pompeii. Cumbersome objects, umbrellas, and luggage bigger than 30x30x15 cm (12 x 12 x 6 inches) are usually 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 largely concentrate on defending the positioning and making certain a great expertise for all. So that you’re not allowed to play music, deface objects, climb on the ruins, choose fruits or flowers, construct fires, enter fenced off areas and so forth.

You possibly can see the complete listing of guidelines and rules right 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 doable for all guests.

There are a variety 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 essential 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 web page.

There are additionally accessible bogs 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 typically, might be discovered on the Pompeii for All web page.

 

Baggage storage Close to Pompeii

Guests to Pompeii are usually not allowed to convey any luggage bigger than 30cm x 30cm x 15cm on website. So nothing bigger than a small backpack basically. We’d recommend leaving baggage in your lodge room the place doable.

For those who should journey with a bag which is bigger than the allowed dimension, there’s a cloakroom at Pompeii itself the place you’ll be able to retailer baggage and different gadgets freed from cost.

There are additionally baggage storage lockers on the decrease ground of the Pompeii Scavi prepare station obtainable for a payment.

 

Suggestions for Visiting Pompeii

Based mostly on our experiences visiting Pompeii, we needed to share some ideas that will help you get essentially 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.

For those who determine to take a tour, verify what it consists of, after which take into account should you want extra time. In case you are taking a tour that features round-trip transport, you won’t have a lot additional time.

In case you are taking a tour that begins on website, be sure you know the place the assembly level is and the assembly time, and plan how you’re going to 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 propose trying on the official map and planning out what you need to see.  You might even take into account developing with a common path to observe. This may assist orient you when you’re truly there.

 

Contemplate a Guided Tour or Audio Information

We are able to extremely suggest taking a guided tour of Pompeii. An knowledgeable 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 might extremely suggest it. Nonetheless, there are a selection of choices.

For those who take a guided tour that meets on website, we extremely suggest planning on staying at the least an hour extra on website as soon as the tour ends so you’ll be able to see some other websites that the tour didn’t cowl.

For those who choose to not take a guided tour, then we’d recommend 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, you’ll want to convey a great solar 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-weight raincoat or poncho can also be a good suggestion. Umbrellas are usually 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 essential. The traditional streets of Pompeii might be uneven, various between free dust and cobblestones. An excellent pair of snug sneakers that you’re comfortable to spend time strolling in is a should.

For shoe strategies, see our guides to the most effective journey sneakers for males and the most effective journey sneakers for ladies for some concepts.

You’ll undoubtedly need to convey a water bottle with you. Recent ingesting water is on the market at fountains throughout the positioning, and on a sizzling day you will want 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 kind of guidebook with you. We expect 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 superb choice should you select to skip a guided tour.

 

Be Cautious of on-site Touts at Pompeii

Like several 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 authorized tour information.

These might be discovered at Piazza Esedra and Porta Marina, upon 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 uncertain if a information is accredited, verify with the ticket workplace.

Bear in mind that these guides will most probably must be paid in money, and the worth 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 possible be supplied excursions by guides exterior the gates. These is not going to be led by Pompeii’s accredited guides, so the standard of the tour shouldn’t be assured. We’d recommend 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 aware of your belongings and preserve valuables in sight, or safely away in zippered pockets. That is additionally the case on the prepare and on the prepare station should you select to take public transportation.

We’ve by no means had a problem in Italy, nevertheless it’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 get fairly busy. As well as, there’s restricted shade on website, and in the summertime months notably it may get highly regarded on website.

All which means for the most effective expertise we suggest arriving early within the day should you can. In case you are planning on taking a tour, e-book 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 approach again in direction of it.

Many guests solely go to the main sights, lots of that are situated not too removed from the doorway areas, notably Porta Marina. Excursions teams additionally observe related routes. So if you would like a much less crowded expertise, establish a number of sights that you’re taken with which might be off the crushed path, and head to these first.

 

Convey 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 sizzling in the summertime months and there’s not a lot shade.

There are many free ingesting water fountains throughout the positioning, so convey a water bottle and keep hydrated at no 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 anyone time, however regardless of the positioning being fairly massive individuals have a tendency to move to a handful of places such because the Discussion board, Brothel, and Bathtub homes, which means it may really feel extra crowded than it’s.

Listed below 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 by August, with weekends being busier than weekdays. For those who can’t keep away from visiting in excessive season, attempt visiting on every week day if doable.
Head to a quieter a part of the positioning should you can, away from the teams.  Most excursions observe the same path to a handful of highlights, and should you head to the much less common areas you could find your self wandering nearly 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 prepare station. The Anfiteatro gate tends to be quieter, and brings you in proper subsequent to the Amphitheater as properly, from the place you’ll be able to discover the positioning at your leisure

 

Points of interest Close to Pompeii

Pompeii is without doubt one of the hottest sights within the Naples space, however it’s not at all the one attraction within the space! Listed below are another sights within the common 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 prepare 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 about all the difficulty remains to be lively and nonetheless posing a risk to the thousands and thousands of people that dwell 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 payment to go to the park, and it may be reached by public transport or on a guided tour like this.
Amalfi Coast – probably the most common 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 a number of days right here should you can. Alternatively, you will get a style of what’s on supply 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 residence to superb meals and quite a few sights. Pompeii guests ought to undoubtedly take the time to go to the Naples Nationwide Archaeological Museum, which has nearly all of the most effective preserved artefacts from Pompeii obtainable for viewing.
Capri – a well-liked island for a day journey (though keep in a single day should you can to keep away from the crowds!), Capri might be visited by ferry from each Naples and Sorrento. It’s a good looking island with quite a bit to see, however it may get extremely crowded in the summertime months.

In fact, there’s far more to see on this space, however this could provide you with an thought of what’s on supply within the space round Pompeii!

 

The place to Keep Close to Pompeii

For those who’re searching for someplace to remain close to Pompeii, you could have fairly a number of choices. You possibly can keep near the positioning, or you possibly 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 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 highway from the Piazza Anfiteatro entrance this common B&B gives air-conditioned rooms with breakfast included. Rooms even have a kitchen and dishwasher should you want to cook dinner for your self. Parking is on the market for a payment.
Lodge Discussion board – additionally simply subsequent to the Piazza Anfiteatro entrance, this can be a well-reviewed 4* lodge providing free personal parking, air-conditioned en-suite rooms and a restaurant. Breakfast is on the market.
Habita79 Pompeii – just some minutes stroll from the Anfiteatro entrance, this 4* lodge gives en-suite air conditioned rooms in addition to an on-site spa and wellness studio. Breakfast is on the market. Be aware there’s no on-site parking.
Agora Hostel – 5 minutes stroll from the Anfiteatro entrance to Pompeii, this properly rated hostel gives nice worth personal 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 prepare station, this guesthouse gives personal 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 – should you’re searching for a 5* luxurious expertise in Sorrento, that is the lodge to move for. Count on spectacular coastal views, a good looking backyard, pretty rooms, and two eating places to select from.

In fact, there are an awesome many extra choices to select from! We suggest trying on reserving.com for every little thing from resorts to guesthouses, B&Bs, hostels and residences.

We use them for our reserving lodging for journey everywhere in the world and love how simple it makes it to filter and discover the precise property for our funds and necessities.

See all their listings for the Pompeii space right here.

 

Additional Studying for Visiting Italy

Properly, 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 discover helpful when planning your journey.

Listed below are a few of these guides, in addition to hyperlinks to 3rd social gathering sources we suggest.

Now we 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 most effective meals excursions in Rome, the finest gelato in Rome and the finest cafes to drink espresso in Rome
Now we have a information to visiting the Colosseum, in addition to a information to visiting the Vatican. These have every little thing you might want to know to plan your visits to this exceptional sights
Past Rome, we now have a information to Florence, advised issues 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 will help you plan a visit on this fantastic nation. We even have a advised 2-week Europe itinerary which naturally consists of Italy!
For those who’re searching for a bodily (or Kindle!) guidebook, we suggest the newest version of Rick Steves Italy information, which has a number of sensible data that will help 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 under and we’ll reply as quickly as we are able to.