Pompeii is among the most well-known archaeological websites in Italy, and a well-liked attraction for guests. We’ve visited Pompeii a lot of instances over time, (Laurence first visited in 1995) and on this information we’re going to share all the things it is advisable to know to plan your individual go to to Pompeii.
There’s lots to see and study at Pompeii, and there are additionally varied choices for visiting. You possibly can 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 places in Italy, together with Rome, Naples and the Amalfi Coast.
On this information we’ll cowl all the things it is advisable to know to go to Pompeii, from attending to Pompeii, to which excursions are value it, to different sights within the space, and much extra. Let’s get began with some background.
What’s Pompeii?
In AD 79, Pompeii (Pompei in Italian) was a comparatively giant and profitable city within the Roman Empire, residence to between 10 and 20 thousand individuals.
That every one got here to an finish within the autumn of 79 AD when the close by Mount Vesuvius volcano erupted. This had catastrophic penalties for the encircling cities and villages.
Inside 24 hours of the eruption, the large quantity of ash and pumice produced by the volcanic eruption had coated the cities within the area to a depth of 13 – 20 ft (4 – 6 metres).
Hundreds of people that had tried to shelter misplaced their lives, and the cities had been successfully misplaced to historical past.
It wasn’t actually till the 18th century that Pompeii and neighboring cities similar to Herculaneum surfaced again into public consciousness. This was when the primary scientific excavations on the website came about.
Within the following centuries, large efforts had been taken to disclose the hidden metropolis, efforts that proceed as we speak.
Pompeii successfully serves as a snapshot of a Roman city on the peak of the Roman Empire. The volcanic eruption was so violent and fast that an amazing many inhabitants perished, with their our bodies trapped within the ash. Plaster casts of the imprints these our bodies left behind are a picture that’s inextricably linked with Pompeii.
Planning your Go to to Pompeii
I’ll now undergo some useful data that can assist you plan your journey to Pompeii, from tips on how to get right here to the place to purchase tickets and much extra.
The place is Pompeii?
Pompeii is discovered within the Campania area of Italy on the southern finish of the Bay of Naples. It’s round 27km (16 miles) to the southeast of Naples, or roughly a 30-minute journey by automotive, bus or practice.
It’s round 250km (155 miles) south of Rome, or roughly a three-hour journey by automotive, bus or practice.
It’s potential to go to Pompeii as a day journey from each Rome and Naples, choices I’ll cowl beneath.
The way to get to Pompeii?
Pompeii is comparatively simple to achieve, with good transport connections from varied places in Italy. We’ll undergo the choices for visiting Pompeii from among the extra common departure factors.
The way to get to Pompeii from Rome?
It’s potential to go to Pompeii as a day journey from Rome as lengthy you are ready for a protracted day with a good bit of journey time. You’re typically round 2.5 – 3 hours of journey time every approach from Rome to Pompeii.
The primary choices you could have are to drive, take public transport, or take a guided tour.
Drive from Rome to Pompeii
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 the event you drive, you’ll must undergo the trouble of discovering and renting a automotive, 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 possibly can take an specific practice from Rome to Naples Central practice station. Then, from Naples you possibly can take an area practice to Pompeii.
See particulars beneath within the part on getting from Naples to Pompeii for a way to do that.
Excursions from Rome to Pompeii
Our advisable approach for getting from Rome to Pompeii as a day journey is to take a guided tour. It will make your day much more stress-free as you received’t have to fret about logistics.
You’ll even have a greater time at Pompeii with an expert information to elucidate what you might be seeing. There are a selection of tour choices to Pompeii from Rome, some advisable 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 a bit further for a tour that features extra may work out less expensive!
The way to get to Pompeii from Naples?
There are a number of choices for getting from Naples to Pompeii. You possibly can drive, take the practice, take a shuttle bus, take a practice, or take a tour.
Drive from Naples to Pompeii
The drive from Naples to Pompeii is round half-hour by way of the A3 toll highway, and there’s paid parking on website.
That is going to be an choice to think about if you have already got a automotive rental to your journey in Italy, however we’d not advocate renting a automotive particularly for this journey as the opposite choices are seemingly going to be simpler.
Shuttle Bus from Naples to Pompeii
A very easy choice for getting from Naples to Pompeii is to take the 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 website. Notice that it’s a must to e-book a particular departure time, which ties you to a particular return time, you possibly can’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 in the event you wished to spend longer on website then this won’t be the best choice.
Discover out extra and e-book tickets for this expertise on GetYourGuide right here.
Practice from Naples to Pompeii
There are two direct practice choices for getting from Naples Central practice station to Pompeii.
First, it is advisable to bear in mind that Pompeii itself has a few practice stations. When taking the practice to the Pompeii historic website you wish 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 (a bit confusingly) situated immediately beneath Naples Centrale practice station.
The most cost effective practice choice from Naples to Pompeii is the Circumvesuviana service. This regional commuter practice system runs trains throughout the realm, and it would be best to take a practice which is heading to Sorrento.
Tickets might be bought on the station, and there are usually a couple of trains each hour. Journey time to Pompeii is round 35 minutes. You possibly can 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 ceaselessly and price extra, however are much less crowded and extra comfy.
See timetables and purchase tickets with seat reservation for the Campania Specific practice on-line right here. Tickets are additionally out there in particular person.
Notice that Trenitalia runs trains from Naples central practice station to Pompeii, however these go to the principle 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 actually, we’d advocate taking one of many different choices because it’s going to be simpler. You received’t be having a scarcity of strolling whenever you’re on website!
Excursions from Naples to Pompeii
You can too e-book a tour to Pompeii which incorporates round-trip transport to and from Naples. There are fairly a couple of choices, with each half-day and full-day excursions out there.
Most full-day excursions embrace a further attraction or two similar to a go to to Mount Vesuvius or time on the Amalfi Coast.
Listed here are some choices to think about.
The way to get to Pompeii from Sorrento
Sorrento is among the main cities on Italy’s common Amalfi coast, a well-liked and spectacular vacation spot for vacationers visiting Italy. Sorrento makes for an excellent base for exploring the Amalfi Coast.
It’s additionally simple to get to, being related by rail on to Naples. That is on the identical practice line that goes to Pompeii, which means you possibly can simply attain Pompeii by practice from Sorrento as nicely.
Listed here are some choices for tips on how to get from Sorrento to Pompeii.
Driving from Sorrento to Pompeii
You possibly can drive from Sorrento to Pompeii, so if you have already got your individual automotive rental that is undoubtedly an choice to think about. Nonetheless, you may discover taking the practice to be simply as handy.
The 28km (17 mile) drive takes round 40 minutes relying on visitors. Simply keep in mind you’ll have to pay for parking whenever you get to Pompeii.
Public Transport from Sorrento to Pompeii
Getting from Sorrento to Pompeii by public transport is simple. There’s a common practice service from Sorrento to Naples, which stops on the Pompeii Scavi practice station. That is proper by the Pompeii website entrance.
Tickets might be bought on the station, and there are usually a couple of trains each hour. Journey time to Pompeii is round 45 minutes. You possibly can see practice instances on the official web site right here (Italian solely).
Excursions from Sorrento to Pompeii
You can too take a guided tour from Sorrento to Pompeii. These excursions typically embrace round-trip transfers, and a guided tour of Pompeii lasting 2-3 hours.
Excursions then differentiate by different additions similar to lunch, and different locations like Mount Vesuvius or Herculaneum.
Notice that not all excursions embrace your Pompeii entrance ticket, and any extra sights could have extra ticket necessities, similar to Mount Vesuvius and Herculaneum. So all the time test what’s and isn’t included earlier than reserving something.
Here’s a choice of excursions from Sorrento to Pompeii to think about.
As you possibly can see there are many choices. We’d all the time advocate evaluating a couple 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 nicely.
Pompeii Opening Occasions
Pompeii is often open year-round except for twenty fifth December, 1st Might, and 1st January.
Usually, all the things at Pompeii opens at 9am, however closure instances can fluctuate. So if you wish to see all the things, then we advocate visiting within the morning. That is normally additionally the good time of day in the summertime months.
The primary Pompeii website is open as follows:
- 1st April – thirty first October, 9am – 7pm (final entrance 5.30pm)
- 1st November – thirty first March, 9am – 5pm (final entrance 3.30pm).
There are additionally a number of places throughout the principle Pompeii website such because the Amphitheater, Backyard of the Fugitives, Home of the Menander and so forth. which even have opening instances to concentrate on. 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 embrace Villa Regina, Villa Arianna, Villa San Marco and Villa de Poppea. These places are all closed on Tuesdays except for Villa Regina.
These further websites require a particular ticket to entry them and it is advisable to take a shuttle bus from the principle Pompeii website to achieve them, so in the event you plan to go to these places it would be best to give your self loads of time.
You possibly can see extra data on opening instances in addition to any distinctive closure data for Pompeii on the official web site right here.
How Lengthy to Go to Pompeii For
There’s a nice deal to see at Pompeii, nevertheless you even have to think about the time of 12 months you might be visiting and your private curiosity in historic archaeological websites when deciding how lengthy to go to.
Nearly all of guests come for two – 3 hours, which can be how lengthy the vast majority of guided excursions are.
In the event you suppose it would be best to spend extra time on website (there’s tons to see), then an excellent choice is to take a guided tour that finishes on website, after which discover by yourself when the tour is completed. Your tour information ought to be capable to direct you to specific highlights as soon as the tour is over.
We now have executed this and it was an effective way to be taught lots from a information, after which we had been capable of discover on our personal at our leisure.
One factor to notice, if you’re visiting in the summertime months it could possibly get extremely popular right here, and there isn’t plenty of shade, so visiting for for much longer than 2 or 3 hours might be fairly difficult.
Nonetheless, if you’re actually eager to discover and spend extra time on website, and are both ready for the warmth or are visiting at a cooler time of 12 months, there’s definitely tons to see! You would simply spend a complete day exploring Pompeii, particularly in the event you head out to the villas. It’s fully as much as you!
Pompeii Ticket Data
We’ll now cowl ticketing data for Pompeii, together with ticket sorts and prices, discounted tickets, the place to purchase tickets and extra.
Do You Want a Ticket for Pompeii?
Sure, all guests want a ticket for Pompeii, even these eligible totally free and discounted entry.
You should purchase tickets on-line prematurely or in particular person on website.
How A lot does it Price to Go to Pompeii?
There are a selection of ticket choices for Pompeii, relying on what you wish 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 the event you arrive at Pompeii with an Specific ticket and resolve you wish 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 at the moment no reductions for seniors.
The place to Purchase Pompeii Tickets
You might have 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 may find yourself standing in line for some time, however it’s an choice.
In the event you below 18, an EU resident aged 18-24, or fall into one other class for decreased value tickets, then you will have to go to the ticket workplace to your ticket.
That is so your qualification for the decreased ticket might be verified, so make sure to deliver any obligatory paperwork, similar to a authorities issued Photograph ID doc (i.e. a passport or ID card).
On-line
You should purchase Pompeii tickets on-line from 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 offered by third events do usually price a bit extra, however can have advantages similar to free cancellation in addition to the choice to e-book a guided tour.
We advocate evaluating costs and choices to see which fits you. It’s additionally vital to fastidiously learn the redemption directions when shopping for a ticket on-line so you realize what it is advisable to do prematurely of your go to.
Usually you possibly can simply present a ticket in your smartphone, however typically you may have to print one thing out or accumulate a ticket from a particular pick-up level.
By Cellphone
You should purchase tickets for Pompeii by telephone. The quantity is +39 811 865 8177. The workplace is often open weekdays from 9.30 to 6pm. There’s a surcharge of €1.50 for reserving by telephone.
Are you able to Skip the Traces at Pompeii?
There are two traces at Pompeii. First, there’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 positioning, which features a safety test.
In the event you pre-book your ticket, usually you possibly can skip the ticket line. Nonetheless, it will rely upon the ticket you buy, as some on-line tickets require you to swap a voucher for an precise ticket, so do test if so with the ticket you could have bought.
The safety / ticket-check line can’t be skipped by any guests, however in our expertise it strikes fairly shortly.
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 is no such thing as a price for buying it.
Tickets for the free days might be bought on-line on the official Ticketone website right here, or in particular person on the ticket workplace on website.
We’d recommend doing the web ticket choice as the positioning can get very busy on the free days, and if it exceeds capability, the ticket places of work shut.
Notice that some third-party websites will nonetheless cost you for the free ticket days, so solely purchase tickets for the free days on the official website!
What’s the Pompeii Official Web site?
There are a number of websites providing 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 all the time advocate consulting the official web site.
Yow will discover it on the following net tackle, with content material out there in a number of languages together with English. The location is superb and has a wealth of data that can assist you plan your go to, and is nicely value trying out.
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 slim lanes and twists and turns. Navigation isn’t helped by pretty restricted signage.
That can assist you discover your approach 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 approach again within the nineteenth century when the positioning began to be excavated and stays in use to this present day.
Every regio is assigned a Roman quantity, from I (one) to IX (9). The regio is in a grid sample, 3 vast and three excessive.
The structure of the areas isn’t fully intuitive. It’s a counterclockwise spiral ranging from the decrease center grid sq.. You possibly can consider it like a tic-tac-toe board, or a desk that appears as follows.
| VI | V | IV |
| VII | IX | III |
| VIII | I | II |
Having an thought of this grid and the numbering system will show you how to orient your self if you end up on website, because the Regio quantity you might be in is commonly printed on partitions and in indicators.
Every Regio can be divided into “Insulae” or “Insula”. In Roman instances, an Insulae was a metropolis block, or an house constructing. For Pompeii, the Insulae are the blocks.
So, whenever you see an indication in Pompeii, it should normally let you know which Regio and Insulae you might be in, for instance REG VII INS XIII would imply you might be in Regio 7, Insula 13.
The Insula observe a structure system which I’m certain is sensible to an archeologist however appears designed to confuse the typical particular person in my view.
Nonetheless, it doesn’t actually matter, as a result of the official map has each the Regio and Insula numbers marked. So, in case you have the map, all it is advisable to do is discover a signal to know the place you might be.
You possibly can obtain a map and information to the positioning from the official web site right here.
We extremely advocate doing this prematurely and saving it to your smartphone for reference. You must be capable to get a printed model of this information whenever you go to, but it surely’s good to be ready simply in case they aren’t out there.
There are additionally avenue names that can assist you orient your self. The foremost homes and sights even have names.
I’d additionally add that every home (and among the rooms within the homes) even have numbers. Nonetheless, that is actually extra for cataloging and archaeological functions slightly than one thing guests would wish to use for navigating!
It is usually value noting that while most guests go to the principle Pompeii website, there are a variety of different websites which have been excavated, and which will also be visited. These require you to have a special ticket, and to take a shuttle bus from the principle website.
In abstract, if you’re visiting Pompeii with no information, we advocate having a map available, and being conscious of the Regio and Insulae system. You can too orient your self with close by apparent landmarks, with Mount Vesuvius typically 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. This is the reason we’d advocate taking a guided tour, or on the very least getting an audio information.
That can assist you work out what to see, we’re going to share what we predict are among the unmissable sights at Pompeii. Most excursions will embrace no less than a few of these, though tour routes can fluctuate. In case you are taking a tour, all the time test what they embrace to make sure it covers your pursuits.
High Sights at Pompeii
Clearly, everybody could have barely totally different pursuits, nevertheless we predict this can be a good overview of the principle highlights at Pompeii. These are the sights that the majority excursions are more likely to go to as nicely, though after all it should fluctuate, and never all excursions will go to each sight we listing.
These sights are ordered roughly as you’ll encounter them coming into the town from the western facet. There’s a wonderful map right here you possibly can obtain for reference as nicely.
- Porta Marina – arguably essentially the most spectacular of the unique seven gateways to the town, and the one which led to the ocean, therefore the title. 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 canine. The victims had been encased in ash and asphyxiated, and their our bodies entombed. Over time the our bodies decomposed, leaving gaps within the hardened ash layer. In the course of the excavations, plaster was fastidiously injected into these cavities to kind the molds you possibly can see as we speak. These might be seen at varied places in Pompeii, together with on the Antiquarium and the Discussion board Granary
- Antiquarium di Pompei (Pompeii archaeological museum) – discovered by the Porta Marina, this museum homes a group of artifacts from the positioning. It should be stated that one of the best artefacts from Pompeii might be discovered within the Naples Archaeological Museum, nevertheless there’s a lot to see right here nonetheless, together with plaster casts of Pompeii’s victims.
- The Discussion board (Foro) – the center 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 most likely the place it was going to occur.
- Basilica – discovered within the south-western nook of the Discussion board, the Basilica dates from round 80BC. Regardless of the spiritual sounding title, 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 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. Immediately it’s the residence of 1000’s of artifacts which have been excavated from the ruins, in addition to plaster casts of among 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 no less than 5 of them. The Baths of the Discussion board are the closest to the Discussion board. Right here you possibly can see the female and male bathing homes together with the recent bathtub room, heat bathtub room and chilly plunge room.
- By way of Abbondanza (foremost avenue) – the principle avenue (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 could have been a busy, pedestrianized avenue stuffed with retailers and foods and drinks distributors. The stretch which leads from the Discussion board has three upright stones, designed to dam chariot passage as this was a pedestrian avenue.
- Eateries – alongside lots of the streets, and particularly the principle streets, you will note proof of historic Roman eateries. Search for marble counter tops with holes reduce out the place the meals would have been saved.
- Arches – Pompeii has a lot of arches which you will note all through the town. On the northern finish of the Discussion board is an honorary arch, while additional north on the intersection of By way of Fortuna and Vicolo del Foro one can find the Arch of Caligula. A few of these arches additionally served a extra sensible operate, 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 possibly can go to in Pompeii, this one is simply to the north of the Discussion board by the Arch of Caligula. It’s notable for the attractive mosaic flooring which depict scenes from Greek mythology, which is the place the homes 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 on 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 embellished property that includes many lovely fresco work which depict varied mythological scenes. It’s additionally a really giant property.
- Brothel (Lupanare) – nearly as common as we speak because it seemingly was in its heyday 2,000 years in the past (though with a considerably totally different clientele), the brothel was the place residents got here to seek out intercourse employees, in addition to drinks and social interplay. The title Lupanare comes from the Latin title for a wolf-den, as prostitutes had been generally known as she-wolves. The brothel has pretty graphic frescoes and graffiti, and fogeys may wish to skip this attraction.
- Stabian Baths (Terme Stabiane) – As beforehand talked about, Pompeii had no less than 5 bathtub homes, of which the Stabian Baths are the biggest and oldest. Actually, they’re one of many oldest Roman baths on this planet. They’re discovered on the intersection By way of dell’Abbondanza and By way of Stabiana. Right here you possibly can see the totally different mens and girls’s bathing areas. We’d most likely advocate choosing one bathtub home to go to, until you might be significantly into Roman bathtub homes.
Different websites that are a bit off the principle 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 common 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 a lot of venues throughout the town the place performances would have taken place. The Grand Theater was constructed within the Greek model, 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 as we speak, and it’s nicely 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 typically used for mime performances, which had been common. It was additionally used for music.
- Viewpoint / Panoramic View of Pompeii – To understand the size of Pompeii, it is best to think about visiting the perspective by Casina dell’Aquila, simply by the intersection of By way of Dell’Abbondanza and Vicolo di Tesmo. The perspective is on the authentic degree of the bottom right here earlier than the excavation, and offers you an thought of simply how a lot floor needed to be moved as a way to unearth the town.
- Home of Menander (Casa del Menandro) – owned by a excessive rating and rich household, this huge home (19,000 sq. toes) is known as for the fresco which depicts the Greek playwright Menander. There are a selection of rooms that may be visited.
- Backyard of the Fugitives (Orto dei Fuggiaschi) – discovered within the southeast a part of Pompeii, the Backyard of the Fugitives accommodates the plaster casts of 13 of the victims who died attempting to flee the 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. Essentially the most well-known Amphitheatre is Rome’s Colosseum, however the one in Pompeii is definitely one of many oldest surviving amphitheaters from the Roman Empire. A lot of the construction nonetheless survives, with seating for round 20,000 individuals.
- Aqueduct – The Romans had been unimaginable engineers, and while they didn’t invent the aqueduct, their aqueducts had been undoubtedly engineering wonders of their time. They allowed the distribution of water throughout the Roman Empire, and allowed cities like Pompeii to get recent water to their residents. The water in Pompeii was carried by the Augustan Aqueduct, sourcing water from 96km away, utilizing solely gravity to maneuver the water! Immediately, you possibly can see the place the aqueduct system arrived into the town at Castellum Aqueduct, subsequent to Porto Vesuvio within the northern a part of the town. From right here it was distributed to water towers and fountains throughout the town.
As you possibly can see, there’s a lot to see and soak up at Pompeii!
Excursions of Pompeii
Among the best methods to go to Pompeii is to take a guided tour. There’s lots to see and plenty of historical past and knowledge to soak up, and having an excellent information can undoubtedly enhance your expertise.
You might have a couple of choices for taking a tour. You possibly can e-book a tour which incorporates transport from a significant metropolis similar to Rome or Naples. Or, you can also make your individual approach to Pompeii and simply take a tour on website.
We’ll embrace a lot of choices so that you can think about, relying in your preferences.
You can too e-book a tour information on arrival at Pompeii. Tour guides can be found simply inside the positioning entrance and may have an official badge.
Notice nevertheless that while accredited, the guides are freelance and costs will not be fastened. You’ll need to barter value, route and tour period with the out there on-site guides.
Usually, these guides could have a value they cost for a tour, regardless of group dimension. By having a bigger group you’ll pay much less per particular person, however clearly have a much less customized expertise.
You possibly can see extra on this course of right here.
Relying on how busy the day is, guides will not be out there. So, we’d typically advocate reserving a guided tour prematurely as a substitute.
Practicalities for Visiting Pompeii
Costume Code at Pompeii
Pompeii isn’t a spiritual website and as such there is no such thing as a particular costume code for visiting.
There are a few guidelines round clothes. First, you can’t be naked chested, you should be sporting a high. As well as, clothes that may very well be thought-about disruptive can be not allowed, and costumes, masks and banners will not be permitted.
This clothes rule is often used to stop protestors utilizing the positioning, so is unlikely to have an effect on most guests. Avoid any offensive clothes and also you’ll be positive!
You’ll nonetheless wish to suppose via your clothes decisions previous to visiting. Nearly all of your go to can be spent outdoors, and there’s minimal shade or shelter out there.
See the part of what to put on and pack for Pompeii for some options on what to deliver to your go to.
Amenities at Pompeii
Pompeii has a lot of customer companies you should use. These embrace:
- two on-site bookshops, one at Piazza Esedra and one contained in the Antiquarium.
- audio information rent, out there on the Porta Marina entrance and Porta Anfiteatro entrance.
- first help companies, out there close to the Chora Cafe on Vicolo degli Augustali
- A restaurant known as Chora the place you may get drinks and snacks like muffins, pastries and ice cream
- A number of free water fountains throughout the positioning
- A number of free bathroom services throughout the positioning
- Child altering services. 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 might 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) will not be permitted on the positioning and should be left on the cloakroom. It is a free service.
In any other case, the principles are fairly apparent, and largely concentrate on defending the positioning and guaranteeing an excellent expertise for all. So that you’re not allowed to play music, deface objects, climb on the ruins, decide fruits or flowers, construct fires, enter fenced off areas and so forth.
You possibly can see the complete listing of guidelines and laws right here.
Accessibility at Pompeii
Pompeii is clearly an historic metropolis, and as such there are accessibility challenges. Nonetheless, efforts have been made to make sure the positioning is as accessible as potential for all guests.
There are a selection of specifically designed accessible routes, known as Pompeii for All, that are designed to permit entry for mobility impaired customers, in addition to dad and mom with buggies, to a big a part of the positioning.
These routes embrace lots of the foremost buildings that guests would wish 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, might be discovered on the Pompeii for All web page.
Baggage storage Close to Pompeii
Guests to Pompeii will not be allowed to deliver any luggage bigger than 30cm x 30cm x 15cm on website. So nothing bigger than a small backpack basically. We’d recommend leaving baggage in your resort room the place potential.
In the event you should journey with a bag which is bigger than the allowed dimension, there’s a cloakroom at Pompeii itself the place you possibly can retailer baggage and different gadgets freed from cost.
There are additionally baggage storage lockers on the decrease ground of the Pompeii Scavi practice station out there for a price.
Suggestions for Visiting Pompeii
Based mostly on our experiences visiting Pompeii, we wished to share some ideas that can assist you get essentially the most out of your go to.
Plan your day prematurely
The very first thing we advocate doing is planning your day trip earlier than you go to. Determine what you wish to see at Pompeii, after which resolve if you wish to take a tour.
In the event you resolve to take a tour, test what it consists of, after which think about in the event you want extra time. In case you are taking a tour that features round-trip transport, you won’t have a lot further time.
In case you are taking a tour that begins on website, ensure you know the place the assembly level is and the assembly time, and plan how you’re going to get to and from Pompeii.
In case you are doing a self-guided go to for any a part of your time at Pompeii, we propose wanting on the official map and planning out what you wish to see. You could even think about arising with a basic path to observe. It will assist orient you if you end up truly there.
Take into account a Guided Tour or Audio Information
We will extremely advocate taking a guided tour of Pompeii. An skilled information goes to have the ability to deliver the positioning to life and actually show you how to 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 advocate it. Nonetheless, there are a variety of choices.
In the event you take a guided tour that meets on website, we extremely advocate planning on staying no less than an hour extra on website as soon as the tour ends so you possibly can see every other websites that the tour didn’t cowl.
In the event you decide to not take a guided tour, then we’d recommend both choosing 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
In case you are visiting Pompeii within the hotter months of the 12 months, it would be best to deliver a good solar hat to maintain the solar off your face, free 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 be a good suggestion. Umbrellas will not be allowed on website.
In case you are visiting outdoors of the warmest months of the 12 months, then some hotter layers are a good suggestion simply in case it’s cooler on website.
Footwear can be vital. The traditional streets of Pompeii might be uneven, various between free filth and cobblestones. pair of comfy footwear that you’re comfortable to spend time strolling in is a should.
For shoe options, see our guides to the finest journey footwear for males and the finest journey footwear for girls for some concepts.
You’ll undoubtedly wish to deliver a water bottle with you. Recent consuming water is out there at fountains throughout the positioning, and on a scorching day you will have to drink loads of water. We use and love our Klean Kanteen water bottles for journey, however there are many choices on the market after all.
We will additionally advocate bringing some kind of guidebook with you. We expect the Rick Steves guidebook is among the finest choices, both his Italy information or Naples & the Amalfi Coast snapshot information.
Each have a self-guided Pompeii tour which is a wonderful choice in the event you select to skip a guided tour.
Be Cautious of on-site Touts at Pompeii
Like all common vacationer vacation spot, Pompeii has a few pitfalls to be careful for.
First, if you wish to take a tour and haven’t pre-booked one, then we’d advocate taking one of many excursions with an accredited tour information.
These might be discovered at Piazza Esedra and Porta Marina, upon getting entered Pompeii, after the safety checks. These tour guides have official badges issued by the Vacationer Board of the Campania Area. In case you are uncertain if a information is accredited, test with the ticket workplace.
Remember that these guides will almost definitely have to be paid in money, and the worth of the tour goes to be one thing you’ll want to debate with the information prematurely.
Whenever you arrive at Pompeii additionally, you will seemingly be supplied excursions by guides outdoors the gates. These won’t be led by Pompeii’s accredited guides, so the standard of the tour isn’t 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 in the event you select to take public transportation.
We’ve by no means had a problem in Italy, but it surely’s all the time a good suggestion to take primary security precautions when touring anyplace, as you’ll at residence.
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’s restricted shade on website, and in the summertime months significantly it could possibly get extremely popular on website.
All because of this for one of the best expertise we advocate arriving early within the day in the event you can. In case you are planning on taking a tour, e-book it for earlier within the day. In case you are planning to information your self, plan out your route so that you head away from the doorway first, and work your approach again in direction of it.
Many guests solely go to the main sights, lots of that are situated not too removed from the doorway areas, significantly Porta Marina. Excursions teams additionally observe comparable routes. So if you need a much less crowded expertise, establish a couple of sights that you’re all for which can be off the overwhelmed path, and head to these first.
Carry a Water Bottle
We talked about this already within the “what to pack for Pompeii” part of this information, however we predict it’s 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 positioning, so deliver a water bottle and keep hydrated totally free as you wander!
Escape the Crowds at Pompeii
Pompeii is a massively common attraction, and because of this it may be busy. The location has a restrict of 15,000 guests at anybody time, however regardless of the positioning being fairly giant individuals have a tendency to go to a handful of places such because the Discussion board, Brothel, and Bathtub homes, which means it could possibly really feel extra crowded than it’s.
Listed here are some ideas for escaping the crowds at Pompeii.
- Go to at a quieter time of the week or 12 months. Peak season in Italy is usually from Might via August, with weekends being busier than weekdays. In the event you can’t keep away from visiting in excessive season, attempt visiting on per week day if potential.
- Head to a quieter a part of the positioning in the event you can, away from the teams. Most excursions observe an analogous path to a handful of highlights, and in the event you head to the much less common areas you’ll find your self wandering nearly abandoned streets, even at a busy time of 12 months
- Use a quieter gate. Many individuals enter via the Porta Marina because it’s subsequent to the practice station. The Anfiteatro gate tends to be quieter, and brings you in proper subsequent to the Amphitheater as nicely, from the place you possibly can discover the positioning at your leisure
Points of interest Close to Pompeii
Pompeii is among the hottest sights within the Naples space, however it’s in no way the one attraction within the space! Listed here are another sights within the basic space to think about including to your itinerary.
- Herculaneum – the opposite well-excavated city that was buried by the Vesuvius eruption is Herculaneum. That is nearer to Naples, and likewise simply accessible by the Circumvesuviana practice service. It’s a smaller website however because it was a rich seaside resort, it has a excessive density of luxurious dwellings. It’s normally quieter than Pompeii, and a few excursions like this one go to each.
- Mount Vesuvius – the volcano which precipitated all the difficulty continues to be lively and nonetheless posing a menace 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 see into the steaming crater and hike across the rim. There’s a small price 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 common and spectacular areas of Italy, the 50km lengthy Amalfi Coast is true subsequent to Pompeii. Beautiful seaside cities like Positano and Sorrento cling to the dramatic shoreline. It’s nicely value spending a couple of days right here in the event you can. Alternatively, you may get a style of what’s on provide by taking a tour which incorporates the Amalfi Coast like this.
- Naples – the capital metropolis of the area, Naples tends to divide customer opinion. It may be crowded, and chaotic sure, but it surely’s additionally residence to wonderful meals and quite a few sights. Pompeii guests ought to undoubtedly take the time to go to the Naples Nationwide Archaeological Museum, which has the vast majority of one of the best preserved artefacts from Pompeii out there for viewing.
- Capri – a well-liked island for a day journey (though keep in a single day in the event you can to keep away from the crowds!), Capri might be visited by ferry from each Naples and Sorrento. It’s a gorgeous island with lots to see, however it could possibly get extremely crowded in the summertime months.
After all, there’s way more to see on this space, however this could provide you with an thought of what’s on provide within the space round Pompeii!
The place to Keep Close to Pompeii
In the event you’re searching for someplace to remain close to Pompeii, you could have fairly a couple of choices. You possibly can keep near the positioning, or you might keep in close by Sorrento or Naples.
It’s additionally potential to go to Pompeii as a day journey from Rome, however we’ll concentrate on nearer lodging for this a part of the information. See our information to spending 3 days in Rome for Rome lodging choices.
- Pompeii Ruins De Charme B&B – Actually throughout the highway from the Piazza Anfiteatro entrance this common B&B gives air-conditioned rooms with breakfast included. Rooms even have a kitchen and dishwasher in the event you want to prepare dinner for your self. Parking is out there for a price.
- Resort Discussion board – additionally simply subsequent to the Piazza Anfiteatro entrance, this can be a well-reviewed 4* resort providing free non-public parking, air-conditioned en-suite rooms and a restaurant. Breakfast is out there.
- Habita79 Pompeii – just some minutes stroll from the Anfiteatro entrance, this 4* resort gives en-suite air conditioned rooms in addition to an on-site spa and wellness studio. Breakfast is out there. Notice there’s no on-site parking.
- Agora Hostel – 5 minutes stroll from the Anfiteatro entrance to Pompeii, this nicely rated hostel gives nice worth non-public and shared rooms with air con. There’s a bar and occasional home on website however no eating or parking out there.
- La Ferrovia Guesthouse Sorrento – discovered simply subsequent to Sorrento practice station, this guesthouse gives non-public en-suite air-conditioned rooms with espresso makers. Paid parking is out there close by however there’s no on-site restaurant
- Grand Resort Excelsior Vittoria Sorrento – in the event you’re searching for a 5* luxurious expertise in Sorrento, that is the resort to go for. Anticipate spectacular coastal views, a gorgeous backyard, beautiful rooms, and two eating places to select from.
After all, there are an amazing many extra choices to select from! We advocate wanting on reserving.com for all the things from inns to guesthouses, B&Bs, hostels and residences.
We use them for our reserving lodging for journey all around the world and love how simple it makes it to filter and discover the correct property for our funds 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 one can find helpful when planning your journey.
Listed here are a few of these guides, in addition to hyperlinks to 3rd social gathering assets we advocate.
- We now have a information to spending 1 day in Rome, in addition to guides for 2 days in Rome and 3 days in Rome, which ought to show you how to plan your time in Rome. We even have a information to the finest meals excursions in Rome, the finest gelato in Rome and the finest cafes to drink espresso in Rome
- We now have a information to visiting the Colosseum, in addition to a information to visiting the Vatican. These have all the things it is advisable to know to plan your visits to this outstanding sights
- Past Rome, we’ve got a information to Florence, urged issues to do in Milan, a information to spending 2 days in Milan, and ideas for a day in Venice
- We even have an in depth 10 day Italy itinerary that can assist you plan a visit on this fantastic nation. We even have a urged 2-week Europe itinerary which naturally consists of Italy!
- In the event you’re searching for a bodily (or Kindle!) guidebook, we advocate the most recent version of Rick Steves Italy information, which has a number of sensible data that can assist you profit from your keep
And that’s it! As all the time, we hope you discovered this information helpful, and 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.
