Pompeii is among the most well-known archaeological websites in Italy, and a preferred attraction for guests. We’ve visited Pompeii quite a few occasions through the years, (Laurence first visited in 1995) and on this information we’re going to share all the pieces you could know to plan your personal go to to Pompeii.
There’s lots to see and find out about at Pompeii, and there are additionally numerous choices for visiting. You possibly can take a guided tour or do a self-guided go to, and there are additionally numerous transport choices for attending to Pompeii from totally different areas in Italy, together with Rome, Naples and the Amalfi Coast.
On this information we’ll cowl all the pieces you could 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 massive and profitable city within the Roman Empire, house to between 10 and 20 thousand folks.
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 large quantity of ash and pumice produced by the volcanic eruption had lined 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 have been successfully misplaced to historical past.
It wasn’t actually till the 18th century that Pompeii and neighboring cities reminiscent of Herculaneum surfaced again into public consciousness. This was when the primary scientific excavations on the website passed off.
Within the following centuries, large efforts have been taken to disclose the hidden metropolis, efforts that proceed in the present day.
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 a terrific 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 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 prepare.
It’s round 250km (155 miles) south of Rome, or roughly a three-hour journey by automobile, bus or prepare.
It’s potential to go to Pompeii as a day journey from each Rome and Naples, choices I’ll cowl beneath.
Tips on how to get to Pompeii?
Pompeii is comparatively straightforward to achieve, with good transport connections from numerous areas in Italy. We’ll undergo the choices for visiting Pompeii from a number of the extra well-liked departure factors.
Tips on how to get to Pompeii from Rome?
It’s potential to go to Pompeii as a day journey from Rome as lengthy you are ready for 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 principle choices you may have are to drive, take public transport, or take a guided tour.
Drive from Rome to Pompeii
Until you’re planning on taking a highway journey in Italy and persevering with on after Pompeii, we’d counsel taking public transport or a tour somewhat than driving.
For those who drive, you’ll should 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 lots simpler.
Public Transport from Rome to Pompeii
For public transport, you may take an specific prepare from Rome to Naples Central prepare station. Then, from Naples you may take a neighborhood prepare to Pompeii.
See particulars beneath within the part on getting from Naples to Pompeii for a way to do that.
Excursions from Rome to Pompeii
Our beneficial manner 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 an expert information to elucidate what you’re seeing. There are a variety of tour choices to Pompeii from Rome, some beneficial 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 somewhat additional for a tour that features extra would possibly work out more economical!
Tips on how 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 may be paid parking on website.
That is going to be an possibility 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 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 site visitors, and also you get round 4 hours on website. Word that it’s a must to e book a selected departure time, which ties you to a selected return time, you may’t select to remain longer and are available again on a later bus.
4 hours ought to offer you sufficient time to see lots, however when you wished to spend longer on website 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 prepare choices for getting from Naples Central prepare station to Pompeii.
First, you could remember 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 instantly by the ruins.
Direct trains from Naples to Pompeii all depart from the Garibaldi prepare station, which is (somewhat confusingly) situated instantly beneath Naples Centrale prepare station.
The most affordable prepare possibility from Naples to Pompeii is the Circumvesuviana service. This regional commuter prepare system runs trains throughout the world, and you’ll want to take a prepare which is heading to Sorrento.
Tickets may 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 occasions on the official web site right here (Italian solely).
A barely dearer, however usually extra comfy prepare possibility, 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 steadily and price extra, however are much less crowded and extra comfy.
See timetables and purchase tickets with seat reservation for the Campania Specific prepare on-line right here. Tickets are additionally accessible in individual.
Word that Trenitalia runs trains from Naples central prepare station to Pompeii, however these go to the principle prepare station in Pompeii somewhat than the station by the ruins.
It’s potential to take a shuttle out to the ruins or stroll (20 – half-hour), however truthfully, 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 if you’re on website!
Excursions from Naples to Pompeii
It’s also possible to 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 accessible.
Most full-day excursions embody an extra attraction or two reminiscent of a go to to Mount Vesuvius or time on the Amalfi Coast.
Listed below are some choices to think about.
Tips on how to get to Pompeii from Sorrento
Sorrento is among the main cities on Italy’s well-liked Amalfi coast, a preferred and spectacular vacation spot for vacationers visiting Italy. Sorrento makes for a very good base for exploring the Amalfi Coast.
It’s additionally straightforward to get to, being linked by rail on to Naples. That is on the identical prepare line that goes to Pompeii, that means you may simply attain Pompeii by prepare from Sorrento as properly.
Listed below are some choices for tips on how to get from Sorrento to Pompeii.
Driving from Sorrento to Pompeii
You possibly can drive from Sorrento to Pompeii, so if you have already got your personal automobile rental that is positively an possibility to think about. Nonetheless, you would possibly 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 if 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 may 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 occasions on the official web site right here (Italian solely).
Excursions from Sorrento to Pompeii
It’s also possible to 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 reminiscent of lunch, and different locations like Mount Vesuvius or Herculaneum.
Word that not all excursions embody your Pompeii entrance ticket, and any further sights might have further ticket necessities, reminiscent of Mount Vesuvius and Herculaneum. So at all times examine 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 may see there are many choices. We’d at all times suggest evaluating a number of 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 except twenty fifth December, 1st Could, and 1st January.
Usually, all the pieces at Pompeii opens at 9am, however closure occasions can fluctuate. So if you wish to see all the pieces, then we suggest visiting within the morning. That is often additionally the good time of day in the summertime months.
The principle Pompeii website is open as follows:
- 1st April – thirty first October, 9am – 7pm (final entrance 5.30pm)
- 1st November – thirty first March, 9am – 5pm (final entrance 3.30pm).
There are additionally a number of areas throughout the principle Pompeii website such because the Amphitheater, Backyard of the Fugitives, Home of the Menander and so forth. which even have opening occasions to pay attention to. You possibly can see these right here.
Moreover, there are a variety of close by websites linked to Pompeii which have a final entrance time half-hour after the principle website final entrance time.
These embody Villa Regina, Villa Arianna, Villa San Marco and Villa de Poppea. These areas are all closed on Tuesdays except Villa Regina.
These additional websites require a selected ticket to entry them and you could take a shuttle bus from the principle Pompeii website to achieve them, so when you plan to go to these areas you’ll want to give your self loads of time.
You possibly can see extra data on opening occasions 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, nonetheless you even have to think about the time of 12 months you’re visiting and your private curiosity in historical archaeological websites when deciding how lengthy to go to.
Nearly all of guests come for two – 3 hours, which can also be how lengthy the vast majority of guided excursions are.
For those who suppose you’ll want to spend extra time on website (there may be heaps to see), then a very good possibility is to take a guided tour that finishes on website, after which discover by yourself when the tour is completed. Your tour information ought to be capable of direct you to explicit highlights as soon as the tour is over.
Now we have completed this and it was an effective way to study lots from a information, after which we have been capable of discover on our personal at our leisure.
One factor to notice, in case you are visiting in the summertime months it could possibly get extremely popular right here, and there isn’t loads of shade, so visiting for for much longer than 2 or 3 hours may be fairly difficult.
Nonetheless, in case you are actually eager to discover and spend extra time on website, and are both ready for the warmth or are visiting at a cooler time of 12 months, there may be definitely heaps to see! You may simply spend a complete day exploring Pompeii, particularly when 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 free of charge and discounted entry.
You should purchase tickets on-line prematurely or in individual 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 appropriate as of August 2024.
Tickets are for adults 18 and over solely. Kids underneath 18 have free entry, though they do nonetheless require a ticket which may solely be collected in individual 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 potential to buy a ticket improve for €8 on the Herculaneum Gate – Avenue of the Tombs entrance. This solely accepts card cost.
Are there Discounted Pompeii Tickets?
Sure, discounted Pompeii Tickets can be found.
EU residents between the ages of 18 and 24 inclusive with ID can enter the park for €2.
All kids underneath 18 get free entry to Pompeii, though they nonetheless require a ticket.
There are at the moment no reductions for seniors.
The place to Purchase Pompeii Tickets
You could have quite a few choices for buying Pompeii tickets.
In individual
First, you should buy tickets for Pompeii on-site at Pompeii itself. There are ticket workplaces on the three predominant entrances: Porta Marina, Piazza Anfiteatro and Piazza Esedra.
We’d usually advise towards this the place potential as you would possibly find yourself standing in line for some time, however it’s an possibility.
For those who underneath 18, an EU resident aged 18-24, or fall into one other class for diminished worth tickets, then you will want to go to the ticket workplace to your ticket.
That is so your qualification for the diminished price tag may be verified, so be sure you deliver any crucial paperwork, reminiscent of 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 few 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 offered by third events do usually price a bit extra, however can have advantages reminiscent of 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 vital to fastidiously learn the redemption directions when shopping for a ticket on-line so you already know what you could do prematurely of your go to.
Usually you may simply present a ticket in your smartphone, however generally you would possibly have to print one thing out or acquire a ticket from a selected pick-up level.
By Telephone
You should buy tickets for Pompeii by cellphone. 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 cellphone.
Are you able to Skip the Traces at Pompeii?
There are two traces at Pompeii. First, there may be the road for the ticket workplace the place you should buy tickets in individual. Subsequent, there may be an entrance line for going into the positioning, which features a safety examine.
For those who pre-book your ticket, generally you may skip the ticket line. Nonetheless, it will rely on 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 may 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 today you’ll nonetheless want a ticket, however there isn’t any price for buying it.
Tickets for the free days may be bought on-line on the official Ticketone website right here, or in individual on the ticket workplace on website.
We’d counsel doing the web ticket possibility as the positioning can get very busy on the free days, and if it exceeds capability, the ticket workplaces shut.
Word 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 most recent 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 deal with, with content material accessible in a number of languages together with English. The location is great and has a wealth of knowledge that will help you plan your go to, and is properly price testing.
Pompeii Structure 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 onerous to get misplaced in Pompeii. While a lot of the positioning is specified by a grid, there are additionally loads of slender lanes and twists and turns. Navigation isn’t helped by pretty restricted signage.
That will help you discover your manner round, it’s a good suggestion to have an thought of the structure of Pompeii.
The very first thing to know is that Pompeii is split into 9 distinct areas, or “Regio“. This technique was developed manner again within the nineteenth century when the positioning 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 broad and three excessive.
The structure 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 allow you to orient your self if you find yourself on website, because the Regio quantity you’re in is repeatedly printed on partitions and in indicators.
Every Regio can also be divided into “Insulae” or “Insula”. In Roman occasions, an Insulae was a metropolis block, or an condominium constructing. For Pompeii, the Insulae are the blocks.
So, if you see an indication in Pompeii, it should 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 structure system which I’m certain is smart to an archeologist however appears designed to confuse the typical individual 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 have the map, all you could 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. You need to be capable of get a printed model of this information if you go to, however it’s good to be ready simply in case they aren’t accessible.
There are additionally road names that will help you orient your self. The predominant 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 somewhat than one thing guests would need to use for navigating!
It is usually price noting that while most guests go to the principle Pompeii website, there are a variety of different websites which have been excavated, and which may also be visited. These require you to have a distinct ticket, and to take a shuttle bus from the principle website.
In abstract, in case you are visiting Pompeii with no information, we suggest having a map readily available, and being conscious of the Regio and Insulae system. It’s also possible to orient your self with close by apparent landmarks, with Mount Vesuvius usually seen for instance.
What to see and do at Pompeii
There’s lots to see and do in Pompeii, and it may be a reasonably overwhelming place to go to. That is why we’d suggest taking a guided tour, or on the very least getting an audio information.
That will help you determine what to see, we’re going to share what we expect are a number of the unmissable sights at Pompeii. Most excursions will embody a minimum of 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 may have barely totally different pursuits, nonetheless we expect it is a good overview of the principle highlights at Pompeii. These are the sights that almost all excursions are more likely to go to as properly, though after all it should fluctuate, and never all excursions will go to each sight we record.
These sights are ordered roughly as you’ll encounter them coming into town from the western facet. There’s a superb map right here you may 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 produced from concrete and dates from 80BC.
- Plaster Casts of Pompeii’s victims – One of the crucial well-known sights at Pompeii are the plaster casts of those that misplaced their lives within the eruption, together with folks 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 fastidiously injected into these cavities to kind the molds you may see in the present day. These may be seen at numerous areas 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 mentioned that the very best artefacts from Pompeii may be discovered within the Naples Archaeological Museum, nonetheless there’s a lot to see right here nonetheless, together with plaster casts of Pompeii’s victims.
- The Discussion board (Foro) – the guts of any Roman metropolis or city is the Discussion board, the place you’ll have discovered metropolis administration buildings, the principle temples and the market. If one thing vital was going to occur in Pompeii, this was in all probability the place it was going to occur.
- Basilica – discovered within the south-western nook of the Discussion board, the Basilica dates from round 80BC. Regardless of the spiritual sounding title, it was really 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 structure on the Roman buildings!
- Discussion board Granary – The Granary is situated by the Discussion board and would initially have been the principle produce market. Right this moment it’s the house 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 a minimum of 5 of them. The Baths of the Discussion board are the closest to the Discussion board. Right here you may see the female and male bathing homes together with the new bathtub room, heat bathtub room and chilly plunge room.
- By way of Abbondanza (predominant road) – the principle road (Decumanus Maximus in Roman occasions) of Pompeii runs west to east from the Discussion board all the way in which throughout the city to Sarno Gate. This may have been a busy, pedestrianized road full of retailers and foods and drinks distributors. The stretch which leads from the Discussion board has three upright stones, designed to dam chariot passage as this was a pedestrian road.
- Eateries – alongside most of the streets, and particularly the principle streets, you will note proof of historical Roman eateries. Search for marble counter tops with holes lower out the place the meals would have been saved.
- Arches – Pompeii has quite a few arches which you will note all through town. On the northern finish of the Discussion board is an honorary arch, while additional north on the intersection of By way of Fortuna and Vicolo del Foro you’ll find the Arch of Caligula. A few of these arches additionally served a extra sensible perform, hiding water tanks that provided close by fountains. Right this moment many of those fountains have been modernized and supply clear consuming water for guests.
- Home of the Tragic Poet (Casa del Poeta Tragico) – One of many many homes you may 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 among the largest and most well-known of the homes in Pompeii, and is a must-visit. It occupies a complete block, taking over round 32,000 sq. toes, 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 replica is viewable in the home).
- Home of the Vetti (Casa dei Vetti)– discovered to the northeast of the Home of the Faun, the Home of the Vetti is a superbly adorned property that includes many lovely fresco work which depict numerous mythological scenes. It’s additionally a really massive property.
- Brothel (Lupanare) – virtually as well-liked in the present day because it possible 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 search out intercourse employees, in addition to drinks and social interplay. The title Lupanare comes from the Latin title for a wolf-den, as prostitutes have been often known as she-wolves. The brothel has pretty graphic frescoes and graffiti, and fogeys would possibly need to skip this attraction.
- Stabian Baths (Terme Stabiane) – As beforehand talked about, Pompeii had a minimum of 5 bathtub homes, of which the Stabian Baths are the most important and oldest. In truth, they’re one of many oldest Roman baths on the earth. They’re discovered on the intersection By way of dell’Abbondanza and By way of Stabiana. Right here you may see the totally different mens and girls’s bathing areas. We’d in all probability suggest selecting one bathtub home to go to, until you’re notably into Roman bathtub homes.
Different websites that are somewhat off the principle route and which aren’t at all times included on common excursions (though, once more, this varies!):
- Temple of Isis (Tempio di Iside) – this small and largely intact temple is discovered subsequent to the Grand Theatre, and is devoted to the Egyptian goddess Isis. The Cult of Isis was well-liked 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 few venues throughout town the place performances would have taken place. The Grand Theater was constructed within the Greek model, 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 in the present day, 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 usually used for mime performances, which have been well-liked. It was additionally used for music.
- Viewpoint / Panoramic View of Pompeii – To know the dimensions of Pompeii, it is best to contemplate visiting the perspective by Casina dell’Aquila, simply by the intersection of By way of Dell’Abbondanza and Vicolo di Tesmo. The point of view is on the unique stage of the bottom right here earlier than the excavation, and will provide you with an thought of simply how a lot floor needed to be moved to be able to unearth town.
- Home of Menander (Casa del Menandro) – owned by a excessive rating and rich household, this massive home (19,000 sq. toes) is known as 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 accommodates the plaster casts of 13 of the victims who died attempting to flee town.
- Amphitheater – an vital leisure middle in a Roman metropolis or city was the amphitheater, basically 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 folks.
- Aqueduct – The Romans have been unimaginable engineers, and while they didn’t invent the aqueduct, their aqueducts have been positively engineering wonders of their time. They allowed the distribution of water throughout the Roman Empire, and allowed cities like Pompeii to get contemporary water to their residents. The water in Pompeii was carried by the Augustan Aqueduct, sourcing water from 96km away, utilizing solely gravity to maneuver the water! Right this moment, you may 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 may see, there’s a lot to see and soak up at Pompeii!
Excursions of Pompeii
The most effective methods to go to Pompeii is to take a guided tour. There’s lots to see and loads of historical past and data to soak up, and having a very good information can positively enhance your expertise.
You could have a number of choices for taking a tour. You possibly can e book a tour which incorporates transport from a serious metropolis reminiscent of Rome or Naples. Or, you can also make your personal method to Pompeii and simply take a tour on website.
We’ll embody quite a few choices so that you can contemplate, relying in your preferences.
It’s also possible to 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.
Word nonetheless that while accredited, the guides are freelance and costs usually are not mounted. You will want to barter worth, route and tour length with the accessible on-site guides.
Usually, these guides may have a worth they cost for a tour, regardless of group dimension. By having a bigger group you’ll pay much less per individual, however clearly have a much less personalised expertise.
You possibly can see extra on this course of right here.
Relying on how busy the day is, guides might not be accessible. So, we’d usually suggest reserving a guided tour prematurely as an alternative.
Practicalities for Visiting Pompeii
Costume Code at Pompeii
Pompeii just isn’t a spiritual website and as such there isn’t any particular gown code for visiting.
There are a few guidelines round clothes. First, you can’t be naked chested, you have to be sporting a high. As well as, clothes that might be thought-about disruptive can also be not allowed, and costumes, masks and banners usually are not permitted.
This clothes rule is often used to forestall protestors utilizing the positioning, so is unlikely to have an effect on most guests. Avoid any offensive clothes and also you’ll be advantageous!
You’ll nonetheless need to suppose via your clothes decisions previous to visiting. Nearly all of your go to can be spent exterior, and there may be minimal shade or shelter accessible.
See the part of what to put on and pack for Pompeii for some recommendations on what to deliver to your go to.
Services at Pompeii
Pompeii has quite a few customer providers you should utilize. These embody:
- two on-site bookshops, one at Piazza Esedra and one contained in the Antiquarium.
- audio information rent, accessible on the Porta Marina entrance and Porta Anfiteatro entrance.
- first assist providers, accessible close to the Chora Cafe on Vicolo degli Augustali
- A restaurant referred to as Chora the place you will get drinks and snacks like desserts, pastries and ice cream
- A number of free water fountains throughout the positioning
- A number of free bathroom amenities throughout the positioning
- Child altering amenities. There are three of those, one on By way of dell’Abbondanza, one on By way of di Nola, and one on the nook of By way of Stabiana and By way of della Fortuna
Smoking at Pompeii
Smoking is forbidden at Pompeii besides at designated smoking areas. These may be discovered close to the Casina dell’Aquila and the bathroom amenities.
Safety at Pompeii
All guests should undergo a safety examine at Pompeii. Cumbersome objects, umbrellas, and baggage bigger than 30x30x15 cm (12 x 12 x 6 inches) usually are not permitted on the positioning and have to be left on the cloakroom. It is a free service.
In any other case, the foundations are fairly apparent, and principally give attention to defending the positioning and guaranteeing a very good expertise for all. So that you’re not allowed to play music, deface objects, climb on the ruins, decide fruits or flowers, construct fires, enter fenced off areas and so forth.
You possibly can see the total record 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 potential 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 dad and mom with buggies, to a big a part of the positioning.
These routes embody most of the predominant 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 bathrooms discovered on website.
Pompeii has additionally developed a program to assist these onerous to listening to to benefit from the website. Extra on this program, and accessibility on the positioning basically, may be discovered on the Pompeii for All web page.
Baggage storage Close to Pompeii
Guests to Pompeii usually are not allowed to deliver any baggage bigger than 30cm x 30cm x 15cm on website. So nothing bigger than a small backpack basically. We’d counsel leaving baggage in your resort room the place potential.
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 may retailer baggage and different gadgets freed from cost.
There are additionally baggage storage lockers on the decrease ground of the Pompeii Scavi prepare station accessible for a payment.
Suggestions for Visiting Pompeii
Based mostly on our experiences visiting Pompeii, we wished to share some suggestions 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. Determine 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, examine what it contains, after which contemplate when you want further time. If you’re taking a tour that features round-trip transport, you may not have a lot additional time.
If you’re 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.
If you’re doing a self-guided go to for any a part of your time at Pompeii, we advise wanting on the official map and planning out what you need to see. You could even contemplate arising with a normal path to observe. This may assist orient you if 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 skilled information goes to have the ability to deliver the positioning to life and actually allow 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 variety of choices.
For those who take a guided tour that meets on website, we extremely suggest planning on staying a minimum of an hour extra on website as soon as the tour ends so you may see some other websites that the tour didn’t cowl.
For those who choose to not take a guided tour, then we’d counsel both selecting up an audio information on website, or on the very least a guidebook that features a self-guided Pompeii tour just like the Rick Steves Italy guidebook.
Costume and Pack Accordingly
If you’re visiting Pompeii within the hotter months of the 12 months, you’ll want to deliver a good 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 risk, a gentle raincoat or poncho can also be a good suggestion. Umbrellas usually are not allowed on website.
If you’re visiting exterior of the warmest months of the 12 months, then some hotter layers are a good suggestion simply in case it’s cooler on website.
Footwear can also be vital. The traditional streets of Pompeii may be uneven, various between free dust and cobblestones. A superb pair of comfy footwear that you’re blissful to spend time strolling in is a should.
For shoe recommendations, see our guides to the greatest journey footwear for males and the greatest journey footwear for ladies for some concepts.
You’ll positively need to deliver a water bottle with you. Recent consuming water is accessible 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 after all.
We are able to additionally suggest bringing some type of guidebook with you. We expect the Rick Steves guidebook is among the greatest choices, both his Italy information or Naples & the Amalfi Coast snapshot information.
Each have a self-guided Pompeii tour which is a superb possibility when you select to skip a guided tour.
Be Cautious of on-site Touts at Pompeii
Like all well-liked 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 may 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. If you’re not sure if a information is accredited, examine with the ticket workplace.
Remember that these guides will probably have to be paid in money, and the value of the tour goes to be one thing you’ll want to debate with the information prematurely.
If you arrive at Pompeii additionally, you will possible be provided excursions by guides exterior the gates. These won’t be led by Pompeii’s accredited guides, so the standard of the tour just isn’t assured. We’d counsel ignoring these choices and heading inside to discover a information if that’s of curiosity.
One different factor to notice is that as Pompeii is a well-liked vacationer vacation spot that may be crowded, there’s a danger, as with every vacation spot like this, of pickpockets. So simply be aware of your belongings and maintain valuables in sight, or safely away in zippered pockets. That is additionally the case on the prepare and on the prepare station when you select to take public transportation.
We’ve by no means had a problem in Italy, however it’s at all times a good suggestion to take primary security precautions when touring wherever, as you’ll at house.
Arrive Early and Head to the Again
Pompeii is a well-liked vacation spot, and as such it could possibly get fairly busy. As well as, there may be restricted shade on website, and in the summertime months notably it could possibly get extremely popular on website.
All which means for the very 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 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 need a much less crowded expertise, determine a number of sights that you’re excited by which are off the overwhelmed path, and head to these first.
Carry a Water Bottle
We talked about this already within the “what to pack for Pompeii” part of this information, however we expect it’s price repeating. Pompeii will get extremely sizzling in the summertime months and there may be not a lot shade.
There are many free consuming water fountains throughout the positioning, so deliver a water bottle and keep hydrated free of charge as you wander!
Escape the Crowds at Pompeii
Pompeii is a massively well-liked attraction, and in consequence it may be busy. The location has a restrict of 15,000 guests at anybody time, however regardless of the positioning being fairly massive folks have a tendency to go to a handful of areas such because the Discussion board, Brothel, and Tub homes, that means it could possibly really feel extra crowded than it’s.
Listed below 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 Could via August, with weekends being busier than weekdays. For those who can’t keep away from visiting in excessive season, strive visiting on every week day if potential.
- Head to a quieter a part of the positioning when you can, away from the teams. Most excursions observe an identical path to a handful of highlights, and when you head to the much less well-liked areas you will discover your self wandering virtually abandoned streets, even at a busy time of 12 months
- Use a quieter gate. Many individuals enter via the Porta Marina because it’s subsequent to the prepare station. The Anfiteatro gate tends to be quieter, and brings you in proper subsequent to the Amphitheater as properly, from the place you may discover the positioning at your leisure
Sights Close to Pompeii
Pompeii is among the hottest points of interest within the Naples space, however it’s certainly not the one attraction within the space! Listed below are another points of interest within the normal space to think about including to your itinerary.
- Herculaneum – the opposite well-excavated city that was buried by the Vesuvius eruption is Herculaneum. That is nearer to Naples, and likewise simply accessible by the Circumvesuviana 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 often quieter than Pompeii, and a few excursions like this one go to each.
- Mount Vesuvius – the volcano which precipitated all the difficulty continues 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 way in which as much as the summit to look 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 – some of the well-liked 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 a number of days right here when 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, however it’s additionally house to superb meals and quite a few points of interest. Pompeii guests ought to positively take the time to go to the Naples Nationwide Archaeological Museum, which has the vast majority of the very best preserved artefacts from Pompeii accessible for viewing.
- Capri – a preferred island for a day journey (though keep in a single day when you can to keep away from the crowds!), Capri may be visited by ferry from each Naples and Sorrento. It’s a wonderful island with lots to see, however it could possibly get extremely crowded in the summertime months.
In fact, there may be rather more to see on this space, however this could offer you an thought of what’s on supply within the space round Pompeii!
The place to Keep Close to Pompeii
For those who’re in search of someplace to remain close to Pompeii, you may 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 potential to go to Pompeii as a day journey from Rome, however we’ll give attention to 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 well-liked B&B presents air-conditioned rooms with breakfast included. Rooms even have a kitchen and dishwasher when you choose to cook dinner for your self. Parking is accessible for a payment.
- Lodge Discussion board – additionally simply subsequent to the Piazza Anfiteatro entrance, it is a well-reviewed 4* resort providing free personal parking, air-conditioned en-suite rooms and a restaurant. Breakfast is accessible.
- Habita79 Pompeii – only a few minutes stroll from the Anfiteatro entrance, this 4* resort presents en-suite air conditioned rooms in addition to an on-site spa and wellness studio. Breakfast is accessible. Word there’s no on-site parking.
- Agora Hostel – 5 minutes stroll from the Anfiteatro entrance to Pompeii, this properly rated hostel presents nice worth personal and shared rooms with air con. There’s a bar and occasional home on website however no eating or parking accessible.
- La Ferrovia Guesthouse Sorrento – discovered simply subsequent to Sorrento prepare station, this guesthouse presents personal en-suite air-conditioned rooms with espresso makers. Paid parking is accessible close by however there’s no on-site restaurant
- Grand Lodge Excelsior Vittoria Sorrento – when you’re in search of a 5* luxurious expertise in Sorrento, that is the resort to go for. Count on spectacular coastal views, a wonderful backyard, pretty rooms, and two eating places to select from.
In fact, there are a terrific many extra choices to select from! We suggest wanting on reserving.com for all the pieces from resorts to guesthouses, B&Bs, hostels and flats.
We use them for our reserving lodging for journey everywhere in the world and love how straightforward 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
Nicely, that completed up our information to visiting Pompeii! It’s only a small a part of our content material on Italy and Europe, which we hope you’ll find helpful when planning your journey.
Listed below are a few of these guides, in addition to hyperlinks to 3rd celebration 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 allow you to plan your time in Rome. We even have a information to the greatest meals excursions in Rome, the greatest gelato in Rome and the greatest 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 all the pieces you could know to plan your visits to this outstanding points of interest
- Past Rome, now we have a information to Florence, steered 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 will help you plan a visit on this fantastic nation. We even have a steered 2-week Europe itinerary which naturally contains Italy!
- For those who’re in search of a bodily (or Kindle!) guidebook, we suggest the most recent version of Rick Steves Italy information, which has numerous 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 when you have any questions or feedback about visiting Pompeii, simply pop them within the feedback beneath and we’ll reply as quickly as we are able to.
