Pompeii is likely one of the most well-known archaeological websites in Italy, and a preferred attraction for guests. We’ve visited Pompeii a variety of instances over time, (Laurence first visited in 1995) and on this information we’re going to share every thing you’ll want to know to plan your personal go to to Pompeii.
There’s lots to see and find out about 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 areas in Italy, together with Rome, Naples and the Amalfi Coast.
On this information we’ll cowl every thing you’ll want to know to go to Pompeii, from attending to Pompeii, to which excursions are price it, to different sights within the space, and plenty extra. Let’s get began with some background.
What’s Pompeii?
In AD 79, Pompeii (Pompei in Italian) was a comparatively massive and profitable city within the Roman Empire, residence to between 10 and 20 thousand individuals.
That every one got here to an finish within the autumn of 79 AD when the close by Mount Vesuvius volcano erupted. This had catastrophic penalties for the 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).
1000’s of people that had tried to shelter misplaced their lives, and the cities have been successfully misplaced to historical past.
It wasn’t actually till the 18th century that Pompeii and neighboring cities akin to Herculaneum surfaced again into public consciousness. This was when the primary scientific excavations on the web site passed off.
Within the following centuries, enormous efforts have been taken to disclose the hidden metropolis, efforts that proceed immediately.
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 info that can assist 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 under.
The way to 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 standard 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 an extended day with a good bit of journey time. You’re typically round 2.5 – 3 hours of journey time every manner from Rome to Pompeii.
The principle choices you have got 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 counsel taking public transport or a tour somewhat than driving.
For those who drive, you’ll need to undergo the effort of discovering and renting a automobile, coping with site 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 under within the part on getting from Naples to Pompeii for the way to do that.
Excursions from Rome to Pompeii
Our beneficial manner for getting from Rome to Pompeii as a day journey is to take a guided tour. This can make your day much more enjoyable as you gained’t have to fret about logistics.
You’ll even have a greater time at Pompeii with an expert information to elucidate what you might be seeing. There are a selection of tour choices to Pompeii from Rome, some beneficial choices are as follows.
When evaluating excursions and costs, all the time verify how a lot time is definitely spent on the varied sights, in addition to group measurement and what’s and isn’t included.
Paying slightly further for a tour that features extra may work out more economical!
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 may be paid parking on web site.
That is going to be an choice to contemplate if you have already got a automobile rental on your journey in Italy, however we’d not suggest renting a automobile particularly for this journey as the opposite choices are doubtless going to be simpler.
Shuttle Bus from Naples to Pompeii
A very easy choice for getting from Naples to Pompeii is to take the devoted Metropolis Sightseeing bus. This departs from central Naples and takes you on to the ruins.
The journey takes round 40 minutes relying on site visitors, and also you get round 4 hours on web site. Word that you must e book a selected departure time, which ties you to a selected return time, you possibly can’t select to remain longer and are available again on a later bus.
4 hours ought to provide you with sufficient time to see lots, however if you happen to wished to spend longer on web site then this won’t be the best choice.
Discover out extra and e book tickets for this expertise on GetYourGuide right here.
Prepare from Naples to Pompeii
There are two direct practice choices for getting from Naples Central practice station to Pompeii.
First, you’ll 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 instantly by the ruins.
Direct trains from Naples to Pompeii all depart from the Garibaldi practice station, which is (slightly confusingly) positioned instantly 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 it would be best to take a practice which is heading to Sorrento.
Tickets might be bought on the station, and there are usually just a few 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 regularly 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 principle practice station in Pompeii somewhat than the station by the ruins.
It’s potential to take a shuttle out to the ruins or stroll (20 – half-hour), however truthfully, we’d suggest taking one of many different choices because it’s going to be simpler. You gained’t be having a scarcity of strolling while you’re on web site!
Excursions from Naples to Pompeii
You may as well e book a tour to Pompeii which incorporates round-trip transport to and from Naples. There are fairly just a few choices, with each half-day and full-day excursions accessible.
Most full-day excursions embody an extra attraction or two akin to a go to to Mount Vesuvius or time on the Amalfi Coast.
Listed here are some choices to contemplate.
The way to get to Pompeii from Sorrento
Sorrento is likely one of the main cities on Italy’s standard Amalfi coast, a preferred and spectacular vacation spot for vacationers visiting Italy. Sorrento makes for a superb 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 possibly can 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 possibly can drive from Sorrento to Pompeii, so if you have already got your personal automobile rental that is positively an choice to contemplate. Nonetheless, you may discover taking the practice to be simply as handy.
The 28km (17 mile) drive takes round 40 minutes relying on site visitors. Simply keep in mind you’ll have to pay for parking while 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 might be bought on the station, and there are usually just a few 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 may as well 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 akin to lunch, and different locations like Mount Vesuvius or Herculaneum.
Word that not all excursions embody your Pompeii entrance ticket, and any further sights might have further ticket necessities, akin to Mount Vesuvius and Herculaneum. So all the time verify what’s and isn’t included earlier than reserving something.
Here’s a number of excursions from Sorrento to Pompeii to contemplate.
As you possibly can see there are many choices. We’d all the time suggest evaluating just a few totally different excursions to see which fits your necessities and price range, and all the time verify what’s and isn’t included when evaluating excursions as effectively.
Pompeii Opening Occasions
Pompeii is generally open year-round apart from twenty fifth December, 1st Might, and 1st January.
Typically, every thing at Pompeii opens at 9am, however closure instances can differ. So if you wish to see every thing, then we suggest visiting within the morning. That is often additionally the good time of day in the summertime months.
The principle 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 principle Pompeii web site 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 selection of close by websites linked to Pompeii which have a final entrance time half-hour after the principle 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 apart from Villa Regina.
These further websites require a selected ticket to entry them and you’ll want to take a shuttle bus from the principle Pompeii web site to succeed in them, so if you happen to plan to go to these areas it would be best to give your self loads of time.
You possibly can 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 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 nearly all of guided excursions are.
For those who assume it would be best to spend extra time on web site (there may be heaps to see), then a superb 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 be capable of direct you to specific highlights as soon as the tour is over.
We have now performed this and it was an effective way to be taught lots from a information, after which we have been capable of discover on our personal at our leisure.
One factor to notice, in case you are visiting in the summertime months it could get very popular right here, and there isn’t lots of shade, so visiting for for much longer than 2 or 3 hours might be fairly difficult.
Nonetheless, in case you are actually eager to discover and spend extra time on web site, and are both ready for the warmth or are visiting at a cooler time of 12 months, there may be actually heaps to see! You could possibly simply spend an entire day exploring Pompeii, particularly if you happen to head out to the villas. It’s solely as much as you!
Pompeii Ticket Data
We’ll now cowl ticketing info 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 free of charge and discounted entry.
You should buy tickets on-line prematurely or in particular person on web site.
How A lot does it Value to Go to Pompeii?
There are a selection of ticket choices for Pompeii, relying on what you need to see. These are as follows. Costs are appropriate as of August 2024.
Tickets are for adults 18 and over solely. Kids below 18 have free entry, though they do nonetheless require a ticket which might solely be collected in particular person on the ticket workplace.
For those who arrive at Pompeii with an Specific ticket and resolve 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 cost.
Are there Discounted Pompeii Tickets?
Sure, discounted Pompeii Tickets can be found.
EU residents between the ages of 18 and 24 inclusive with ID can enter the park for €2.
All 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’ve gotten a variety 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 predominant entrances: Porta Marina, Piazza Anfiteatro and Piazza Esedra.
We’d typically advise towards this the place potential as you may find yourself standing in line for some time, however it’s an choice.
For those who below 18, an EU resident aged 18-24, or fall into one other class for diminished value tickets, then you will want to go to the ticket workplace on your ticket.
That is so your qualification for the diminished price tag might be verified, so you should definitely carry any essential paperwork, akin to a authorities issued Picture ID doc (i.e. a passport or ID card).
On-line
You should buy Pompeii tickets on-line from a variety of web sites, as follows:
In our expertise, the official web site tends to have the bottom value on-line tickets, however they don’t include free cancellation.
Tickets bought by third events do usually value a bit extra, however can have advantages akin to free cancellation in addition to the choice to e book a guided tour.
We suggest evaluating costs and choices to see which fits you. It’s additionally essential to fastidiously learn the redemption directions when shopping for a ticket on-line so you understand what you’ll want to do prematurely of your go to.
Usually you possibly can simply present a ticket in your smartphone, however generally you may have to print one thing out or gather a ticket from a selected pick-up level.
By Cellphone
You should buy tickets for Pompeii by telephone. The quantity is +39 811 865 8177. The workplace is generally open weekdays from 9.30 to 6pm. There’s a surcharge of €1.50 for reserving by telephone.
Are you able to Skip the Traces at Pompeii?
There are two traces at Pompeii. First, there may be the road for the ticket workplace the place you should purchase tickets in particular person. Subsequent, there may be an entrance line for going into the location, which features a safety verify.
For those who pre-book your ticket, most often you possibly can skip the ticket line. Nonetheless, this can depend upon the ticket you buy, as some on-line tickets require you to swap a voucher for an precise ticket, so do verify if that is so with the ticket you have got 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 as of late you’ll nonetheless want a ticket, however there isn’t any value for buying it.
Tickets for the free days might be bought on-line on the official Ticketone web site right here, or in particular person on the ticket workplace on web site.
We’d counsel doing the web 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 most recent info on visiting Pompeii together with ticket costs, updates, opening hours and extra, we all the time suggest consulting the official web site.
You could find it on the following net handle, with content material accessible 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 effectively price trying out.
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 laborious to get misplaced in Pompeii. While a lot of the location is specified by a grid, there are additionally loads of slender lanes and twists and turns. Navigation isn’t helped by pretty restricted signage.
That can assist you discover your manner round, it’s a good suggestion to have an thought of the format of Pompeii.
The very first thing to know is that Pompeii is split into 9 distinct areas, or “Regio“. This method was developed manner again within the nineteenth century when the location began to be excavated and stays in use to 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 solely intuitive. It’s a counterclockwise spiral ranging from the decrease center grid sq.. You possibly can consider it like a tic-tac-toe board, or a desk that appears as follows.
| VI | V | IV |
| VII | IX | III |
| VIII | I | II |
Having an thought of this grid and the numbering system will allow you to orient your self if you find yourself on web site, because the Regio quantity you might be in is usually 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, while you see an indication in Pompeii, it can often 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 certain is sensible to an archeologist however appears designed to confuse the common 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, in case you have the map, all you’ll want to do is discover a signal to know the place you might be.
You possibly can obtain a map and information to the location from the official web site right here.
We extremely suggest doing this prematurely and saving it to your smartphone for reference. You need to be capable of get a printed model of this information while you go to, nevertheless it’s good to be ready simply in case they aren’t accessible.
There are additionally avenue names that can assist you orient your self. The predominant homes and sights even have names.
I’d additionally add that every home (and a number of the rooms within the homes) even have numbers. Nonetheless, that is actually extra for cataloging and archaeological functions somewhat than one thing guests would need to use for navigating!
Additionally it is price noting that while most guests go to the principle 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 principle web site.
In abstract, in case you are visiting Pompeii with out a information, we suggest having a map readily available, and being conscious of the Regio and Insulae system. You may as well orient your self with close by apparent landmarks, with Mount Vesuvius typically seen for instance.
What to see and do at Pompeii
There’s lots to see and do in Pompeii, and it may be a reasonably overwhelming place to go to. That is why we’d suggest taking a guided tour, or on the very least getting an audio information.
That can assist you work out what to see, we’re going to share what we expect are a number of the unmissable sights at Pompeii. Most excursions will embody a minimum of a few of these, though tour routes can differ. If you’re taking a tour, all the time verify what they embody to make sure it covers your pursuits.
High Sights at Pompeii
Clearly, everybody could have barely totally different pursuits, nonetheless we expect it is a good overview of the principle highlights at Pompeii. These are the sights that almost all excursions are prone to go to as effectively, though in fact it can differ, and never all excursions will go to each sight we checklist.
These sights are ordered roughly as you’d encounter them getting into the town from the western facet. There’s a wonderful map right here you possibly can obtain for reference as effectively.
- Porta Marina – arguably probably the most spectacular of the unique seven gateways to the town, and the one which led to the ocean, therefore the identify. The barrel-vaulted ceiling is comprised 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 kind the molds you possibly can see immediately. These might 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 should be mentioned that the very best artefacts from Pompeii might 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’d have discovered metropolis administration buildings, the principle temples and the market. If one thing essential was going to occur in Pompeii, this was most likely the place it was going to occur.
- Basilica – discovered within the south-western nook of the Discussion board, the Basilica dates from round 80BC. Regardless of the non secular sounding identify, it was really extra of a civic corridor, used for enterprise and as a court docket for dealing with authorized issues. 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 principle produce market. In the present day it’s the residence 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 out a bathtub home (the extra the higher), and Pompeii had a minimum of 5 of them. The Baths of the Discussion board are the closest to the Discussion board. Right here you possibly can see the female and male bathing homes together with the new bathtub room, heat bathtub room and chilly plunge room.
- By way of Abbondanza (predominant 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 might have been a busy, pedestrianized avenue stuffed with outlets and food and drinks distributors. The stretch which leads from the Discussion board has three upright stones, designed to dam chariot passage as this was a pedestrian avenue.
- Eateries – alongside most of the streets, and particularly the principle streets, you will notice proof of historic Roman eateries. Search for marble counter tops with holes reduce out the place the meals would have been saved.
- Arches – Pompeii has a variety of arches which you will notice 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 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. In the present day many of those fountains have been modernized and supply clear ingesting water for guests.
- Home of the Tragic Poet (Casa del Poeta Tragico) – One of many many homes you possibly can go to in Pompeii, this one is simply to the north of the Discussion board by the Arch of Caligula. It’s notable for the attractive mosaic flooring which depict scenes from Greek mythology, which is the place the homes identify comes from.
- Home of the Faun (Casa del Fauno) – simply to the northeast of the Home of the Tragic Poet, on Vicolo del Fauno, this is likely one of the largest and most well-known of the homes in Pompeii, and is a must-visit. It occupies an entire block, taking over round 32,000 sq. ft, 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 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 massive property.
- Brothel (Lupanare) – nearly as standard immediately because it doubtless was in its heyday 2,000 years in the past (though with a considerably totally different clientele), the brothel was the place residents got here to search out intercourse employees, in addition to drinks and social interplay. The identify Lupanare comes from the Latin identify for a wolf-den, as prostitutes have been referred to as she-wolves. The brothel has pretty graphic frescoes and graffiti, and fogeys may need to skip this attraction.
- Stabian Baths (Terme Stabiane) – As beforehand talked about, Pompeii had a minimum of 5 bathtub homes, of which the Stabian Baths are the biggest and oldest. In truth, they’re one of many oldest Roman baths on the earth. They’re discovered on the intersection By way of dell’Abbondanza and By way of Stabiana. Right here you possibly can see the totally different mens and ladies’s bathing areas. We’d most likely suggest choosing one bathtub home to go to, until you might be notably into Roman bathtub homes.
Different websites that are slightly 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 standard in Pompeii, regardless of proclamations towards it by the Roman Senate. It’s believed that the composer Mozart visited this temple when he was 13, and it impressed his composition The Magic Flute
- Grand Theater (Teatro Grande) – Leisure was a key a part of Roman life, and there have been a variety of venues throughout the town the place performances would have taken place. The Grand Theater was constructed within the Greek type, which meant making the most of a pure hill slope to create the auditorium, which might have had seating for five,000 spectators. A lot of the Theatre survives immediately, and it’s effectively price a go to. It’s within the south a part of Pompeii, close to Porta di Stabia.
- Small Theater (Teatro Piccolo – Odeion) – Proper subsequent to the Grand Theater is the Small Theater, a extra intimate efficiency venue which was additionally used for council conferences. It additionally had a roof, primarily to enhance acoustics. On the time, it was typically used for mime performances, which have been standard. 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 point of view is on the unique 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 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. ft) is called 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 incorporates the plaster casts of 13 of the victims who died attempting to flee the town.
- Amphitheater – an essential leisure middle in a Roman metropolis or city was the amphitheater, primarily an enclosed theatre which was used for gladiatorial battles, circuses and extra. Essentially the most well-known Amphitheatre is Rome’s Colosseum, however the one in Pompeii is definitely one of many oldest surviving amphitheaters from the Roman Empire. A lot of the construction nonetheless survives, with seating for round 20,000 individuals.
- Aqueduct – The Romans have been 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 contemporary water to their residents. The water in Pompeii was carried by the Augustan Aqueduct, sourcing water from 96km away, utilizing solely gravity to maneuver the water! In the present day, 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 absorb at Pompeii!
Excursions of Pompeii
The most effective methods to go to Pompeii is to take a guided tour. There’s lots to see and lots of historical past and knowledge to soak up, and having a superb information can positively enhance your expertise.
You’ve gotten just a few choices for taking a tour. You possibly can e book a tour which incorporates transport from a significant metropolis akin to Rome or Naples. Or, you may make your personal approach to Pompeii and simply take a tour on web site.
We’ll embody a variety of choices so that you can think about, relying in your preferences.
You may as well e book a tour information on arrival at Pompeii. Tour guides can be found simply inside the location entrance and will have an official badge.
Word nonetheless that while accredited, the guides are freelance and costs should not fastened. You have to to barter value, route and tour length with the accessible on-site guides.
Typically, these guides could have a value they cost for a tour, no matter group measurement. By having a bigger group you’ll pay much less per particular person, however clearly have a much less personalised expertise.
You possibly can see extra on this course of right here.
Relying on how busy the day is, guides is probably not accessible. So, we’d typically suggest reserving a guided tour prematurely as an alternative.
Practicalities for Visiting Pompeii
Costume Code at Pompeii
Pompeii will not be a non secular web site and as such there isn’t any particular gown code for visiting.
There are a few guidelines round clothes. First, you can’t be naked chested, you should be carrying a high. As well as, clothes that may very well be thought of disruptive can be not allowed, and costumes, masks and banners should not permitted.
This clothes rule is generally used to stop protestors utilizing the location, so is unlikely to have an effect on most guests. Keep away from any offensive clothes and also you’ll be wonderful!
You’ll nonetheless need to assume by way of your clothes decisions previous to visiting. Nearly all of your go to shall be spent outdoors, and there may be minimal shade or shelter accessible.
See the part of what to put on and pack for Pompeii for some options on what to carry on your go to.
Amenities at Pompeii
Pompeii has a variety of customer providers you should utilize. These embody:
- two on-site bookshops, one at Piazza Esedra and one contained in the Antiquarium.
- audio information rent, accessible on the Porta Marina entrance and Porta Anfiteatro entrance.
- first support providers, accessible 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 location
- A number of free bathroom amenities throughout the location
- Child altering amenities. There are three of those, one on By way of dell’Abbondanza, one on By way of di Nola, and one on the nook of By way of Stabiana and By way of della Fortuna
Smoking at Pompeii
Smoking is forbidden at Pompeii besides at designated smoking areas. These might be discovered close to the Casina dell’Aquila and the bathroom amenities.
Safety at Pompeii
All guests should undergo a safety verify at Pompeii. Cumbersome objects, umbrellas, and baggage bigger than 30x30x15 cm (12 x 12 x 6 inches) should not permitted on the location and should be left on the cloakroom. It is a free service.
In any other case, the principles are fairly apparent, and principally deal with defending the location and making certain a superb expertise for all. So that you’re not allowed to play music, deface objects, climb on the ruins, choose fruits or flowers, construct fires, enter fenced off areas and so forth.
You possibly can see the total checklist of guidelines and laws right here.
Accessibility at Pompeii
Pompeii is clearly an historic metropolis, and as such there are accessibility challenges. Nonetheless, efforts have been made to make sure the location is as accessible as 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 mother and father with buggies, to a big a part of the location.
These routes embody most of the predominant buildings that guests would need to see, and canopy a complete of three.5km. You possibly can see particulars of those routes on the Pompeii for All web page.
There are additionally accessible bogs discovered on web site.
Pompeii has additionally developed a program to assist these laborious to listening to to benefit from the web site. Extra on this program, and accessibility on the location on the whole, might be discovered on the Pompeii for All web page.
Baggage storage Close to Pompeii
Guests to Pompeii should not allowed to carry any baggage bigger than 30cm x 30cm x 15cm on web site. So nothing bigger than a small backpack primarily. We’d counsel leaving baggage in your lodge room the place potential.
For those who should journey with a bag which is bigger than the allowed measurement, there’s a cloakroom at Pompeii itself the place you possibly can retailer baggage and different objects freed from cost.
There are additionally baggage storage lockers on the decrease ground of the Pompeii Scavi practice station accessible for a price.
Ideas for Visiting Pompeii
Based mostly on our experiences visiting Pompeii, we wished to share some suggestions that can assist you get probably the most out of your go to.
Plan your day prematurely
The very first thing we suggest doing is planning your time out earlier than you go to. Determine what you need to see at Pompeii, after which resolve if you wish to take a tour.
For those who resolve to take a tour, verify what it consists of, after which think about if you happen to want further time. If you’re taking a tour that features round-trip transport, you won’t have a lot further time.
If you’re taking a tour that begins on web site, be sure you know the place the assembly level is and the assembly time, and plan how you’re going to get to and from Pompeii.
If you’re doing a self-guided go to for any a part of your time at Pompeii, we recommend wanting on the official map and planning out what you need to see. You might even think about developing with a basic path to comply with. This can assist orient you if you find yourself really there.
Contemplate a Guided Tour or Audio Information
We will extremely suggest taking a guided tour of Pompeii. An knowledgeable information goes to have the ability to carry the location to life and actually allow you 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 suggest it. Nonetheless, there are a selection of choices.
For those who take a guided tour that meets on web site, we extremely suggest planning on staying a minimum of an hour extra on web site as soon as the tour ends so you possibly can see some other websites that the tour didn’t cowl.
For those who decide to not take a guided tour, then we’d counsel 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
If you’re visiting Pompeii within the hotter months of the 12 months, it would be best to carry a good solar hat to maintain the solar off your face, free becoming clothes, and certain a small daypack to hold suncream, water and any snacks.
If rain is a risk, a mild raincoat or poncho can be a good suggestion. Umbrellas should not allowed on web site.
If you’re visiting outdoors of the warmest months of the 12 months, then some hotter layers are a good suggestion simply in case it’s cooler on web site.
Footwear can be essential. The traditional streets of Pompeii might be uneven, various between free filth and cobblestones. An excellent pair of comfy footwear that you’re completely satisfied 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 ladies for some concepts.
You’ll positively need to carry a water bottle with you. Contemporary ingesting water is offered at fountains throughout the location, and on a sizzling day you will want to drink loads of water. We use and love our Klean Kanteen water bottles for journey, however there are many choices on the market in fact.
We will additionally suggest bringing some type of guidebook with you. We expect the Rick Steves guidebook is likely one of the finest choices, both his Italy information or Naples & the Amalfi Coast snapshot information.
Each have a self-guided Pompeii tour which is a superb choice if you happen to select to skip a guided tour.
Be Cautious of on-site Touts at Pompeii
Like every standard 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 accepted tour information.
These might be discovered at Piazza Esedra and Porta Marina, after you have entered Pompeii, after the safety checks. These tour guides have official badges issued by the Vacationer Board of the Campania Area. If you’re not sure if a information is accredited, verify with the ticket workplace.
Remember that these guides will almost certainly have to be paid in money, and the value of the tour goes to be one thing you’ll want to debate with the information prematurely.
While you arrive at Pompeii additionally, you will doubtless be provided excursions by guides outdoors the gates. These won’t be led by Pompeii’s accredited guides, so the standard of the tour will not be assured. We’d counsel ignoring these choices and heading inside to discover a information if that’s of curiosity.
One different factor to notice is that as Pompeii is a well-liked vacationer vacation spot that may be crowded, there’s a threat, as with all vacation spot like this, of pickpockets. So simply be conscious of your belongings and maintain valuables in sight, or safely away in zippered pockets. That is additionally the case on the practice and on the practice station if you happen to select to take public transportation.
We’ve by no means had a difficulty in Italy, nevertheless it’s all the time a good suggestion to take primary security precautions when touring anyplace, as you’d at residence.
Arrive Early and Head to the Again
Pompeii is a well-liked vacation spot, and as such it could get fairly busy. As well as, there may be restricted shade on web site, and in the summertime months notably it could get very popular on web site.
All which means for the very best expertise we suggest arriving early within the day if you happen to can. If you’re planning on taking a tour, e book it for earlier within the day. If you’re planning to information your self, plan out your route so that you head away from the doorway first, and work your manner again in direction of it.
Many guests solely go to the key sights, a lot of that are positioned not too removed from the doorway areas, notably Porta Marina. Excursions teams additionally comply with related routes. So if you’d like a much less crowded expertise, establish just a few sights that you’re enthusiastic about which might 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 price repeating. Pompeii will get extremely sizzling in the summertime months and there may be not a lot shade.
There are many free ingesting water fountains throughout the location, so carry a water bottle and keep hydrated free of charge as you wander!
Escape the Crowds at Pompeii
Pompeii is a massively standard attraction, and in consequence it may be busy. The location has a restrict of 15,000 guests at anyone time, however regardless of the location being fairly massive individuals have a tendency to go to a handful of areas such because the Discussion board, Brothel, and Tub homes, that means it could really feel extra crowded than it’s.
Listed here are some suggestions for escaping the crowds at Pompeii.
- Go to at a quieter time of the week or 12 months. Peak season in Italy is mostly from Might by way of August, with weekends being busier than weekdays. For those who 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 location if you happen to can, away from the teams. Most excursions comply with an analogous path to a handful of highlights, and if you happen to head to the much less standard areas you could find your self wandering nearly abandoned streets, even at a busy time of 12 months
- Use a quieter gate. Many individuals enter by way of 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 possibly can discover the location at your leisure
Sights Close to Pompeii
Pompeii is likely one of the hottest sights within the Naples space, however it’s not at all the one attraction within the space! Listed here are another sights 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 likewise simply accessible by the Circumvesuviana practice service. It’s a smaller web site however because it was a rich seaside resort, it has a excessive density of luxurious dwellings. It’s often quieter than Pompeii, and a few excursions like this one go to each.
- Mount Vesuvius – the volcano which triggered all the difficulty remains to be lively and nonetheless posing a menace to the thousands and thousands of people that stay 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 price to go to the park, and it may be reached by public transport or on a guided tour like this.
- Amalfi Coast – probably the most standard and spectacular areas of Italy, the 50km lengthy Amalfi Coast is correct subsequent to Pompeii. Attractive seaside cities like Positano and Sorrento cling to the dramatic shoreline. It’s effectively price spending just a few days right here if you happen to 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, nevertheless it’s additionally residence to wonderful meals and quite a few sights. Pompeii guests ought to positively take the time to go to the Naples Nationwide Archaeological Museum, which has nearly all of the very best preserved artefacts from Pompeii accessible for viewing.
- Capri – a preferred island for a day journey (though keep in a single day if you happen to can to keep away from the crowds!), Capri might be visited by ferry from each Naples and Sorrento. It’s an attractive island with lots to see, however it could get extremely crowded in the summertime months.
After all, there may be 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
For those who’re on the lookout for someplace to remain close to Pompeii, you have got fairly just a few choices. You possibly can keep near the location, or you possibly can keep in close by Sorrento or Naples.
It’s additionally potential to go to Pompeii as a day journey from Rome, however we’ll 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 standard B&B affords air-conditioned rooms with breakfast included. Rooms even have a kitchen and dishwasher if you happen to favor to prepare dinner for your self. Parking is offered for a price.
- Lodge Discussion board – additionally simply subsequent to the Piazza Anfiteatro entrance, it is a well-reviewed 4* lodge providing free personal parking, air-conditioned en-suite rooms and a restaurant. Breakfast is offered.
- Habita79 Pompeii – just some minutes stroll from the Anfiteatro entrance, this 4* lodge affords en-suite air conditioned rooms in addition to an on-site spa and wellness studio. Breakfast is offered. Word there’s no on-site parking.
- Agora Hostel – 5 minutes stroll from the Anfiteatro entrance to Pompeii, this effectively rated hostel affords nice worth personal 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 affords personal en-suite air-conditioned rooms with espresso makers. Paid parking is offered close by however there’s no on-site restaurant
- Grand Lodge Excelsior Vittoria Sorrento – if you happen to’re on the lookout for a 5* luxurious expertise in Sorrento, that is the lodge to go for. Anticipate spectacular coastal views, an attractive backyard, pretty rooms, and two eating places to select from.
After all, there are an amazing many extra choices to select from! We suggest wanting on reserving.com for every thing from accommodations 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 best property for our price range 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 celebration assets we suggest.
- We have now a information to spending 1 day in Rome, in addition to guides for 2 days in Rome and 3 days in Rome, which ought to allow you to plan your time in Rome. We even have a information to the finest meals excursions in Rome, the finest gelato in Rome and the finest cafes to drink espresso in Rome
- We have now a information to visiting the Colosseum, in addition to a information to visiting the Vatican. These have every thing you’ll want 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 suggestions for a day in Venice
- We even have an in depth 10 day Italy itinerary that can assist you plan a visit on this great nation. We even have a urged 2-week Europe itinerary which naturally consists of Italy!
- For those who’re on the lookout for a bodily (or Kindle!) guidebook, we suggest the most recent version of Rick Steves Italy information, which has numerous sensible info that can assist you take advantage of 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 under and we’ll reply as quickly as we are able to.
