Pompeii is among the most well-known archaeological websites in Italy, and a preferred 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 thing you might want to know to plan your individual go to to Pompeii.
There’s lots to see and find out about at Pompeii, and there are additionally varied choices for visiting. You’ll be able to take a guided tour or do a self-guided go to, and there are additionally varied 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 every thing you might want to know to go to Pompeii, from attending to Pompeii, to which excursions are value 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 giant and profitable city within the Roman Empire, house to between 10 and 20 thousand individuals.
That each one got here to an finish within the autumn of 79 AD when the close by Mount Vesuvius volcano erupted. This had catastrophic penalties for the encircling cities and villages.
Inside 24 hours of the eruption, the large quantity of ash and pumice produced by the volcanic eruption had coated the cities within the area to a depth of 13 – 20 ft (4 – 6 metres).
Hundreds of people that had tried to shelter misplaced their lives, and the cities 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 web site befell.
Within the following centuries, big efforts have been taken to disclose the hidden metropolis, efforts that proceed right this moment.
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 incredible many inhabitants perished, with their our bodies trapped within the ash. Plaster casts of the imprints these our bodies left behind are a picture that’s inextricably linked with Pompeii.
Planning your Go to to Pompeii
I’ll now undergo some useful info that will help you plan your journey to Pompeii, from the right 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 practice.
It’s round 250km (155 miles) south of Rome, or roughly a three-hour journey by automobile, bus or practice.
It’s potential to go to Pompeii as a day journey from each Rome and Naples, choices I’ll cowl beneath.
How you can get to Pompeii?
Pompeii is comparatively simple to succeed in, with good transport connections from varied areas in Italy. We’ll undergo the choices for visiting Pompeii from a number of the extra fashionable departure factors.
How you can get to Pompeii from Rome?
It’s potential to go to Pompeii as a day journey from Rome as lengthy you are ready for a protracted day with a good bit of journey time. You’re typically round 2.5 – 3 hours of journey time every means 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
Until you might be 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.
In case you drive, you’ll must undergo the trouble of discovering and renting a automobile, coping with visitors round Rome, navigating, and paying tolls and gasoline.
Taking public transport or a tour goes to be lots simpler.
Public Transport from Rome to Pompeii
For public transport, you may take an categorical practice from Rome to Naples Central practice station. Then, from Naples you may take a neighborhood practice to Pompeii.
See particulars beneath within the part on getting from Naples to Pompeii for the way to do that.
Excursions from Rome to Pompeii
Our really helpful means for getting from Rome to Pompeii as a day journey is to take a guided tour. This may make your day much more stress-free as you gained’t have to fret about logistics.
You’ll even have a greater time at Pompeii with an expert information to clarify what you might be seeing. There are a variety of tour choices to Pompeii from Rome, some really helpful choices are as follows.
When evaluating excursions and costs, all the time test how a lot time is definitely spent on the varied sights, in addition to group dimension and what’s and isn’t included.
Paying slightly additional for a tour that features extra would possibly work out more economical!
How you can get to Pompeii from Naples?
There are a number of choices for getting from Naples to Pompeii. You’ll be able to drive, take the practice, take a shuttle bus, take a practice, or take a tour.
Drive from Naples to Pompeii
The drive from Naples to Pompeii is round half-hour by way of the A3 toll highway, and there’s paid parking on web site.
That is going to be an choice to contemplate if you have already got a automobile rental in 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 visitors, and also you get round 4 hours on web site. Word that you need to guide a particular departure time, which ties you to a particular return time, you may’t select to remain longer and are available again on a later bus.
4 hours ought to provide you with sufficient time to see lots, however should you needed to spend longer on web site then this may not be the most suitable choice.
Discover out extra and guide tickets for this expertise on GetYourGuide right here.
Practice from Naples to Pompeii
There are two direct practice choices for getting from Naples Central practice station to Pompeii.
First, you might want to remember that Pompeii itself has a few practice stations. When taking the practice to the Pompeii historic web site you need to get off at Pompeii Scavi-Villa dei Misteria Station as that is the one immediately by the ruins.
Direct trains from Naples to Pompeii all depart from the Garibaldi practice station, which is (slightly confusingly) positioned immediately beneath Naples Centrale practice station.
The most affordable practice choice from Naples to Pompeii is the Circumvesuviana service. This regional commuter practice system runs trains throughout the realm, and you’ll want to take a practice which is heading to Sorrento.
Tickets could be bought on the station, and there are usually a number of trains each hour. Journey time to Pompeii is round 35 minutes. You’ll be able to see practice instances on the official web site right here (Italian solely).
A barely costlier, however typically extra comfy practice choice, is the tourist-oriented Campania Specific practice. This additionally operates from Garibaldi practice station and takes you on to the ruins.
Trains run much less often and value extra, however are much less crowded and extra comfy.
See timetables and purchase tickets with seat reservation for the Campania Specific practice on-line right here. Tickets are additionally accessible in particular person.
Word that Trenitalia runs trains from Naples central practice station to Pompeii, however these go to the primary practice station in Pompeii slightly 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 once you’re on web site!
Excursions from Naples to Pompeii
You can even guide 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 a further attraction or two reminiscent of a go to to Mount Vesuvius or time on the Amalfi Coast.
Listed here are some choices to contemplate.
How you can get to Pompeii from Sorrento
Sorrento is among the main cities on Italy’s fashionable Amalfi coast, a preferred and spectacular vacation spot for vacationers visiting Italy. Sorrento makes for an excellent base for exploring the Amalfi Coast.
It’s additionally simple to get to, being linked by rail on to Naples. That is on the identical practice line that goes to Pompeii, that means you may simply attain Pompeii by practice from Sorrento as effectively.
Listed here are some choices for the right way to get from Sorrento to Pompeii.
Driving from Sorrento to Pompeii
You’ll be able to drive from Sorrento to Pompeii, so if you have already got your individual automobile rental that is positively an choice to contemplate. Nonetheless, you would possibly discover taking the practice to be simply as handy.
The 28km (17 mile) drive takes round 40 minutes relying on visitors. Simply bear in mind you’ll have to pay for parking once you get to Pompeii.
Public Transport from Sorrento to Pompeii
Getting from Sorrento to Pompeii by public transport is straightforward. There’s a common practice service from Sorrento to Naples, which stops on the Pompeii Scavi practice station. That is proper by the Pompeii web site entrance.
Tickets could be bought on the station, and there are usually a number of trains each hour. Journey time to Pompeii is round 45 minutes. You’ll be able to see practice instances on the official web site right here (Italian solely).
Excursions from Sorrento to Pompeii
You can even take a guided tour from Sorrento to Pompeii. These excursions typically 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 extra sights might have extra ticket necessities, reminiscent of Mount Vesuvius and Herculaneum. So all the time test what’s and isn’t included earlier than reserving something.
Here’s a collection of excursions from Sorrento to Pompeii to contemplate.
As you may see there are many choices. We’d all the time suggest evaluating a number of totally different excursions to see which fits your necessities and funds, and all the time test what’s and isn’t included when evaluating excursions as effectively.
Pompeii Opening Occasions
Pompeii is often open year-round aside from twenty fifth December, 1st Could, and 1st January.
Usually, every thing at Pompeii opens at 9am, however closure instances can fluctuate. So if you wish to see every thing, then we suggest visiting within the morning. That is normally additionally the good time of day in the summertime months.
The primary Pompeii web site is open as follows:
- 1st April – thirty first October, 9am – 7pm (final entrance 5.30pm)
- 1st November – thirty first March, 9am – 5pm (final entrance 3.30pm).
There are additionally a number of areas throughout the primary Pompeii web site such because the Amphitheater, Backyard of the Fugitives, Home of the Menander and many others. which even have opening instances to pay attention to. You’ll be able to see these right here.
Moreover, there are a selection of close by websites linked to Pompeii which have a final entrance time half-hour after the primary web site final entrance time.
These embody Villa Regina, Villa Arianna, Villa San Marco and Villa de Poppea. These areas are all closed on Tuesdays aside from 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 web site to succeed in them, so should you plan to go to these areas you’ll want to give your self loads of time.
You’ll be able to see extra info on opening instances in addition to any distinctive closure info 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 contemplate the time of yr you might be visiting and your private curiosity in historical archaeological websites when deciding how lengthy to go to.
The vast majority of guests come for two – 3 hours, which can also be how lengthy nearly all of guided excursions are.
In case you assume you’ll want to spend extra time on web site (there’s heaps to see), then an excellent choice is to take a guided tour that finishes on web site, after which discover by yourself when the tour is completed. Your tour information ought to have the ability to direct you to explicit highlights as soon as the tour is over.
We’ve got performed this and it was a good way to study lots 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 extremely popular right here, and there isn’t a number of shade, so visiting for for much longer than 2 or 3 hours could be fairly difficult.
Nonetheless, in case you are actually eager to discover and spend extra time on web site, and are both ready for the warmth or are visiting at a cooler time of yr, there’s definitely heaps to see! You may simply spend a complete day exploring Pompeii, particularly should you head out to the villas. It’s completely as much as you!
Pompeii Ticket Data
We’ll now cowl ticketing info for Pompeii, together with ticket varieties and prices, discounted tickets, the place to purchase tickets and extra.
Do You Want a Ticket for Pompeii?
Sure, all guests want a ticket for Pompeii, even these eligible at no cost and discounted entry.
You should purchase tickets on-line prematurely or in particular person on web site.
How A lot does it Price to Go to Pompeii?
There are a 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. Youngsters below 18 have free entry, though they do nonetheless require a ticket which might solely be collected in particular person on the ticket workplace.
In case you 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 – Road of the Tombs entrance. This solely accepts card fee.
Are there Discounted Pompeii Tickets?
Sure, discounted Pompeii Tickets can be found.
EU residents between the ages of 18 and 24 inclusive with ID can enter the park for €2.
All youngsters below 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 purchase tickets for Pompeii on-site at Pompeii itself. There are ticket places of work on the three foremost entrances: Porta Marina, Piazza Anfiteatro and Piazza Esedra.
We’d typically advise in opposition to this the place potential as you would possibly find yourself standing in line for some time, however it’s an choice.
In case you below 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 in your ticket.
That is so your qualification for the diminished price tag could be verified, so make sure you convey any obligatory paperwork, reminiscent of a authorities issued Photograph ID doc (i.e. a passport or ID card).
On-line
You should purchase 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 price on-line tickets, however they don’t include free cancellation.
Tickets bought by third events do usually price a bit extra, however can have advantages reminiscent of free cancellation in addition to the choice to guide a guided tour.
We suggest evaluating costs and choices to see which fits you. It’s additionally essential to fastidiously learn the redemption directions when shopping for a ticket on-line so you understand what you might want to do prematurely of your go to.
Typically you may simply present a ticket in your smartphone, however typically you would possibly have to print one thing out or gather a ticket from a particular pick-up level.
By Cellphone
You should purchase 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 Strains at Pompeii?
There are two strains at Pompeii. First, there’s the road for the ticket workplace the place you should purchase tickets in particular person. Subsequent, there’s an entrance line for going into the location, which features a safety test.
In case you pre-book your ticket, normally you may skip the ticket line. Nonetheless, this can rely upon the ticket you buy, as some on-line tickets require you to swap a voucher for an precise ticket, so do test if 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 price for buying it.
Tickets for the free days could be bought on-line on the official Ticketone web site right here, or in particular person on the ticket workplace on web site.
We’d recommend doing the net ticket choice as the location can get very busy on the free days, and if it exceeds capability, the ticket places of work 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 web site!
What’s the Pompeii Official Web site?
There are a number of websites providing info on visiting Pompeii, together with this one.
Nonetheless, for the newest info on visiting Pompeii together with ticket costs, updates, opening hours and extra, we all the time suggest consulting the official web site.
You will discover it on the following net handle, 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 effectively value testing.
Pompeii Format and Maps
Pompeii is a big attraction, overlaying round 65 hectares (170 acres). From the east facet to the west facet is round a kilometer (0.67 miles), and it’s 0.8km (0.5 miles) from north to south.
Suffice to say, it’s not onerous to get misplaced in Pompeii. While a lot of the location is specified by a grid, there are additionally loads of slim lanes and twists and turns. Navigation isn’t helped by pretty restricted signage.
That will help you discover your means 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 means again within the nineteenth century when the location began to be excavated and stays in use to today.
Every regio is assigned a Roman quantity, from I (one) to IX (9). The regio is in a grid sample, 3 broad and three excessive.
The format of the areas isn’t completely intuitive. It’s a counterclockwise spiral ranging from the decrease center grid sq.. You’ll be able to consider it like a tic-tac-toe board, or a desk that appears as follows.
| VI | V | IV |
| VII | IX | III |
| VIII | I | II |
Having an thought of this grid and the numbering system will aid you orient your self when you’re on web site, because the Regio quantity you might be 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 house constructing. For Pompeii, the Insulae are the blocks.
So, once you see an indication in Pompeii, it’s going to normally inform you which Regio and Insulae you might be in, for instance REG VII INS XIII would imply you might be in Regio 7, Insula 13.
The Insula comply with a format system which I’m positive is sensible to an archeologist however appears designed to confuse the typical particular person for my part.
Nonetheless, it doesn’t actually matter, as a result of the official map has each the Regio and Insula numbers marked. So, if in case you have the map, all you might want to do is discover a signal to know the place you might be.
You’ll be able to obtain a map and information to the location from the official web site right here.
We extremely suggest doing this prematurely and saving it to your smartphone for reference. It’s best to have the ability to get a printed model of this information once 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 foremost 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 slightly than one thing guests would need to use for navigating!
It’s also value noting that while most guests go to the primary Pompeii web site, there are a selection of different websites which have been excavated, and which may also be visited. These require you to have a unique ticket, and to take a shuttle bus from the primary web site.
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 can even 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. Because of this we’d 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 embody at the least a few of these, though tour routes can fluctuate. In case you are taking a tour, all the time test what they embody to make sure it covers your pursuits.
Prime Sights at Pompeii
Clearly, everybody may have barely totally different pursuits, nonetheless we expect it is a good overview of the primary highlights at Pompeii. These are the sights that almost all excursions are more likely to go to as effectively, though after all it’s going to fluctuate, and never all excursions will go to each sight we listing.
These sights are ordered roughly as you’ll encounter them getting into town from the western facet. There’s a wonderful map right here you may obtain for reference as effectively.
- Porta Marina – arguably probably the most spectacular of the unique seven gateways to town, and the one which led to the ocean, therefore the identify. The barrel-vaulted ceiling is constituted of concrete and dates from 80BC.
- Plaster Casts of Pompeii’s victims – One of the well-known sights at Pompeii are the plaster casts of those that misplaced their lives within the eruption, together with individuals and canines. The victims 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 type the molds you may see right this moment. These could be seen at varied 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 location. It have to be mentioned that the most effective artefacts from Pompeii could 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 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 identify, it was truly extra of a civic corridor, used for enterprise and as a courtroom for dealing with authorized issues. Non secular Basilicas got here later, basing their identify and format on the Roman buildings!
- Discussion board Granary – The Granary is positioned by the Discussion board and would initially have been the primary produce market. Immediately it’s the house of 1000’s of artifacts which have been excavated from the ruins, in addition to plaster casts of a number of the victims of the catastrophe.
- Baths of the Discussion board (Terme del Foro) – No Roman city is full with no tub 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 may see the female and male bathing homes together with the recent tub room, heat tub room and chilly plunge room.
- Through Abbondanza (foremost road) – the primary road (Decumanus Maximus in Roman instances) of Pompeii runs west to east from the Discussion board all the way in which throughout the city to Sarno Gate. This is able to have been a busy, pedestrianized road crammed with retailers and food and drinks distributors. The stretch which leads from the Discussion board has three upright stones, designed to dam chariot passage as this was a pedestrian road.
- Eateries – alongside most of the streets, and particularly the primary streets, you will notice proof of historical Roman eateries. Search for marble counter tops with holes minimize out the place the meals would have been saved.
- Arches – Pompeii has 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 see that the Arch of Caligula. A few of these arches additionally served a extra sensible perform, hiding water tanks that provided close by fountains. Immediately 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 identify comes from.
- Home of the Faun (Casa del Fauno) – simply to the northeast of the Home of the Tragic Poet, on Vicolo del Fauno, this is among the largest and most well-known of the homes in Pompeii, and is a must-visit. It occupies a complete block, taking on round 32,000 sq. toes, and would have been owned by a really rich household. The identify comes from a bronze statue of a faun which was discovered right here, the unique of which is within the Naples Archaeological Museum (a duplicate is viewable in the home).
- Home of the Vetti (Casa dei Vetti)– discovered to the northeast of the Home of the Faun, the Home of the Vetti is a fantastically embellished property that includes many stunning fresco work which depict varied mythological scenes. It’s additionally a really giant property.
- Brothel (Lupanare) – nearly as fashionable right this moment 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 seek out intercourse staff, in addition to drinks and social interplay. The identify Lupanare comes from the Latin identify for a wolf-den, as prostitutes have been generally known as she-wolves. The brothel has pretty graphic frescoes and graffiti, and oldsters would possibly need to skip this attraction.
- Stabian Baths (Terme Stabiane) – As beforehand talked about, Pompeii had at the least 5 tub homes, of which the Stabian Baths are the biggest and oldest. The truth is, they’re one of many oldest Roman baths on the planet. They’re discovered on the intersection Through dell’Abbondanza and Through Stabiana. Right here you may see the totally different mens and girls’s bathing areas. We’d in all probability suggest choosing one tub home to go to, until you might be notably into Roman tub homes.
Different websites that are slightly off the primary route and which aren’t all the time included on common excursions (though, once more, this varies!):
- Temple of Isis (Tempio di Iside) – this small and largely intact temple is discovered subsequent to the Grand Theatre, and is devoted to the Egyptian goddess Isis. The Cult of Isis was fashionable in Pompeii, regardless of proclamations in opposition to 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 type, which meant benefiting from a pure hill slope to create the auditorium, which might have had seating for five,000 spectators. A lot of the Theatre survives right this moment, and it’s effectively value 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 fashionable. It was additionally used for music.
- Viewpoint / Panoramic View of Pompeii – To understand the size of Pompeii, it’s best to think about visiting the perspective by Casina dell’Aquila, simply by the intersection of Through Dell’Abbondanza and Vicolo di Tesmo. The perspective is on the authentic degree of the bottom right here earlier than the excavation, and provides you with an thought of simply how a lot floor needed to be moved with a purpose to unearth town.
- Home of Menander (Casa del Menandro) – owned by a excessive rating and rich household, this huge home (19,000 sq. toes) 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 heart in a Roman metropolis or city was the amphitheater, primarily an enclosed theatre which was used for gladiatorial battles, circuses and extra. Probably the most well-known Amphitheatre is Rome’s Colosseum, however the one in Pompeii is definitely one of many oldest surviving amphitheaters from the Roman Empire. A lot of the construction nonetheless survives, with seating for round 20,000 individuals.
- Aqueduct – The Romans have been unbelievable 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 recent water to their residents. The water in Pompeii was carried by the Augustan Aqueduct, sourcing water from 96km away, utilizing solely gravity to maneuver the water! Immediately, 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
Probably the greatest methods to go to Pompeii is to take a guided tour. There’s lots to see and a number of historical past and data to soak up, and having an excellent information can positively enhance your expertise.
You might have a number of choices for taking a tour. You’ll be able to guide a tour which incorporates transport from a significant metropolis reminiscent of Rome or Naples. Or, you can also make your individual approach to Pompeii and simply take a tour on web site.
We’ll embody quite a lot of choices so that you can think about, relying in your preferences.
You can even guide a tour information on arrival at Pompeii. Tour guides can be found simply inside the location entrance and will have an official badge.
Word nonetheless that while accredited, the guides are freelance and costs usually are not fastened. You’ll need to barter worth, route and tour period with the accessible on-site guides.
Usually, these guides may have a worth 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’ll be able to see extra on this course of right here.
Relying on how busy the day is, guides might not be accessible. So, we’d typically suggest reserving a guided tour prematurely as a substitute.
Practicalities for Visiting Pompeii
Costume Code at Pompeii
Pompeii shouldn’t be a spiritual web site 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 prime. As well as, clothes that could possibly 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 location, so is unlikely to have an effect on most guests. Avoid any offensive clothes and also you’ll be fantastic!
You’ll nonetheless need to assume via your clothes decisions previous to visiting. The vast majority of your go to might be spent exterior, and there’s minimal shade or shelter accessible.
See the part of what to put on and pack for Pompeii for some options on what to convey in your go to.
Services at Pompeii
Pompeii has quite a lot of customer companies 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 companies, accessible close to the Chora Cafe on Vicolo degli Augustali
- A restaurant known as Chora the place you may get drinks and snacks like desserts, pastries and ice cream
- A number of free water fountains throughout the location
- A number of free bathroom services throughout the location
- Child altering services. There are three of those, one on Through dell’Abbondanza, one on Through di Nola, and one on the nook of Through Stabiana and Through della Fortuna
Smoking at Pompeii
Smoking is forbidden at Pompeii besides at designated smoking areas. These could be discovered close to the Casina dell’Aquila and the bathroom services.
Safety at Pompeii
All guests should undergo a safety test at Pompeii. Cumbersome objects, umbrellas, and luggage bigger than 30x30x15 cm (12 x 12 x 6 inches) usually are not permitted on the location and have to be left on the cloakroom. It is a free service.
In any other case, the principles are fairly apparent, and largely deal with defending the location and guaranteeing an excellent 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’ll be able to see the complete listing of guidelines and laws 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 location is as accessible as potential for all guests.
There are a variety of specifically designed accessible routes, known 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 location.
These routes embody most of the foremost buildings that guests would need to see, and canopy a complete of three.5km. You’ll be able to see particulars of those routes on the Pompeii for All web page.
There are additionally accessible bathrooms discovered on web site.
Pompeii has additionally developed a program to assist these onerous to listening to to benefit from the web site. Extra on this program, and accessibility on the location normally, could be discovered on the Pompeii for All web page.
Baggage storage Close to Pompeii
Guests to Pompeii usually are not allowed to convey any luggage bigger than 30cm x 30cm x 15cm on web site. So nothing bigger than a small backpack primarily. We’d recommend leaving baggage in your resort room the place potential.
In case you 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 practice station accessible for a payment.
Ideas for Visiting Pompeii
Primarily based on our experiences visiting Pompeii, we needed to share some suggestions that will help you get probably the most out of your go to.
Plan your day prematurely
The very first thing we suggest doing is planning your day trip earlier than you go to. Determine what you need to see at Pompeii, after which determine if you wish to take a tour.
In case you determine to take a tour, test what it consists of, after which think about should you want extra time. In case you are taking a tour that features round-trip transport, you may not have a lot additional time.
In case you are taking a tour that begins on web site, be sure to know the place the assembly level is and the assembly time, and plan how you’ll get to and from Pompeii.
In case you are doing a self-guided go to for any a part of your time at Pompeii, we advise wanting on the official map and planning out what you need to see. Chances are you’ll even think about developing with a basic path to comply with. This may assist orient you when you’re truly there.
Think about a Guided Tour or Audio Information
We are able to extremely suggest taking a guided tour of Pompeii. An professional information goes to have the ability to convey the location to life and actually aid you perceive what you might be 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.
In case you take a guided tour that meets on web site, we extremely suggest planning on staying at the least an hour extra on web site as soon as the tour ends so you may see some other websites that the tour didn’t cowl.
In case you decide to not take a guided tour, then we’d recommend both choosing up an audio information on web site, or on the very least a guidebook that features a self-guided Pompeii tour just like the Rick Steves Italy guidebook.
Costume and Pack Accordingly
In case you are visiting Pompeii within the hotter months of the yr, you’ll want to convey a good solar hat to maintain the solar off your face, unfastened becoming clothes, and certain a small daypack to hold suncream, water and any snacks.
If rain is a chance, a mild raincoat or poncho can also be a good suggestion. Umbrellas usually are not allowed on web site.
In case you are visiting exterior of the warmest months of the yr, then some hotter layers are a good suggestion simply in case it’s cooler on web site.
Footwear can also be essential. The traditional streets of Pompeii could be uneven, various between unfastened dust and cobblestones. pair of comfy sneakers that you’re completely happy to spend time strolling in is a should.
For shoe options, see our guides to the greatest journey sneakers for males and the greatest journey sneakers for ladies for some concepts.
You’ll positively need to convey a water bottle with you. Recent consuming water is accessible at fountains throughout the location, and on a scorching 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 predict 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 wonderful choice should you select to skip a guided tour.
Be Cautious of on-site Touts at Pompeii
Like every fashionable vacationer vacation spot, Pompeii has a few pitfalls to be careful for.
First, if you wish to take a tour and haven’t pre-booked one, then we’d suggest taking one of many excursions with an authorised tour information.
These could be discovered at Piazza Esedra and Porta Marina, after you have entered Pompeii, after the safety checks. These tour guides have official badges issued by the Vacationer Board of the Campania Area. In case you are uncertain if a information is accredited, test with the ticket workplace.
Bear in mind that these guides will probably should 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 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 danger, as with all vacation spot like this, of pickpockets. So simply be aware of your belongings and hold valuables in sight, or safely away in zippered pockets. That is additionally the case on the practice and on the practice station should you select to take public transportation.
We’ve by no means had a problem in Italy, however it’s all the time a good suggestion to take fundamental security precautions when touring anyplace, as you’ll at house.
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 web site, and in the summertime months notably it may get extremely popular on web site.
All which means that for the most effective expertise we suggest arriving early within the day should you can. In case you are planning on taking a tour, guide 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 means again in the direction of it.
Many guests solely go to the foremost sights, a lot of that are positioned not too removed from the doorway areas, notably Porta Marina. Excursions teams additionally comply with comparable routes. So if you would like a much less crowded expertise, establish a number of sights that you’re eager about which can be off the overwhelmed 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 value repeating. Pompeii will get extremely scorching in the summertime months and there’s not a lot shade.
There are many free consuming water fountains throughout the location, so convey a water bottle and keep hydrated at no cost as you wander!
Escape the Crowds at Pompeii
Pompeii is a vastly fashionable attraction, and because of this it may be busy. The location has a restrict of 15,000 guests at anyone time, however regardless of the location being fairly giant individuals have a tendency to go to a handful of areas such because the Discussion board, Brothel, and Tub homes, that means it may really feel extra crowded than it’s.
Listed here are some suggestions for escaping the crowds at Pompeii.
- Go to at a quieter time of the week or yr. Peak season in Italy is usually from Could via August, with weekends being busier than weekdays. In case you can’t keep away from visiting in excessive season, strive visiting on per week day if potential.
- Head to a quieter a part of the location should you can, away from the teams. Most excursions comply with an identical path to a handful of highlights, and should you head to the much less fashionable areas yow will discover your self wandering nearly abandoned streets, even at a busy time of yr
- Use a quieter gate. Many individuals enter via the Porta Marina because it’s subsequent to the practice station. The Anfiteatro gate tends to be quieter, and brings you in proper subsequent to the Amphitheater as effectively, from the place you may discover the location at your leisure
Sights Close to Pompeii
Pompeii is among the hottest points of interest within the Naples space, however it’s on no account the one attraction within the space! Listed here are another points of interest within the basic space to contemplate including to your itinerary.
- Herculaneum – the opposite well-excavated city that was buried by the Vesuvius eruption is Herculaneum. That is nearer to Naples, and in addition simply accessible by the Circumvesuviana practice service. It’s a smaller web site however because it was a rich seaside resort, it has a excessive density of luxurious dwellings. It’s 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 hundreds of 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 – one of the vital fashionable and spectacular areas of Italy, the 50km lengthy Amalfi Coast is correct subsequent to Pompeii. Beautiful seaside cities like Positano and Sorrento cling to the dramatic shoreline. It’s effectively value spending a number of days right here should you can. Alternatively, you may 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 nearly all of the most effective preserved artefacts from Pompeii accessible for viewing.
- Capri – a preferred island for a day journey (though keep in a single day should you can to keep away from the crowds!), Capri could be visited by ferry from each Naples and Sorrento. It’s a good looking island with lots to see, however it may get extremely crowded in the summertime months.
After all, there’s rather 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
In case you’re in search of someplace to remain close to Pompeii, you could have fairly a number of choices. You’ll be able to keep near the location, or you could possibly keep in close by Sorrento or Naples.
It’s additionally potential to go to Pompeii as a day journey from Rome, however we’ll deal with nearer lodging for this a part of the information. See our information to spending 3 days in Rome for Rome lodging choices.
- Pompeii Ruins De Charme B&B – Actually throughout the highway from the Piazza Anfiteatro entrance this fashionable B&B provides air-conditioned rooms with breakfast included. Rooms even have a kitchen and dishwasher should you choose to prepare dinner for your self. Parking is accessible for a payment.
- Resort Discussion board – additionally simply subsequent to the Piazza Anfiteatro entrance, it is a well-reviewed 4* resort providing free non-public parking, air-conditioned en-suite rooms and a restaurant. Breakfast is accessible.
- Habita79 Pompeii – only a few minutes stroll from the Anfiteatro entrance, this 4* resort provides 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 effectively rated hostel provides nice worth non-public and shared rooms with air-con. There’s a bar and low home on web site however no eating or parking accessible.
- La Ferrovia Guesthouse Sorrento – discovered simply subsequent to Sorrento practice station, this guesthouse provides non-public en-suite air-conditioned rooms with espresso makers. Paid parking is accessible close by however there’s no on-site restaurant
- Grand Resort Excelsior Vittoria Sorrento – should you’re in search of a 5* luxurious expertise in Sorrento, that is the resort to go for. Count on spectacular coastal views, a good looking backyard, pretty rooms, and two eating places to select from.
After all, there are an incredible many extra choices to select from! We suggest wanting on reserving.com for every thing from motels 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 appropriate property for our funds and necessities.
See all their listings for the Pompeii space right here.
Additional Studying for Visiting Italy
Effectively, that completed up our information to visiting Pompeii! It’s only a small a part of our content material on Italy and Europe, which we hope you will see that helpful when planning your journey.
Listed here are a few of these guides, in addition to hyperlinks to 3rd social gathering sources we suggest.
- We’ve got a information to spending 1 day in Rome, in addition to guides for 2 days in Rome and 3 days in Rome, which ought to aid you 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
- We’ve got a information to visiting the Colosseum, in addition to a information to visiting the Vatican. These have every thing you might want to know to plan your visits to this exceptional points of interest
- Past Rome, now we have a information to Florence, instructed 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 great nation. We even have a instructed 2-week Europe itinerary which naturally consists of Italy!
- In case you’re in search of a bodily (or Kindle!) guidebook, we suggest the newest version of Rick Steves Italy information, which has numerous sensible info that will help you take advantage of your keep
And that’s it! As all the time, we hope you discovered this information helpful, and if in case you have any questions or feedback about visiting Pompeii, simply pop them within the feedback beneath and we’ll reply as quickly as we are able to.
