Pompeii is likely one of the most well-known archaeological websites in Italy, and a preferred attraction for guests. We’ve visited Pompeii quite a few instances through the years, (Laurence first visited in 1995) and on this information we’re going to share every thing it’s good to know to plan your personal go to to Pompeii.
There’s rather a lot to see and study at Pompeii, and there are additionally varied choices for visiting. You may take a guided tour or do a self-guided go to, and there are additionally varied transport choices for attending to Pompeii from completely different areas in Italy, together with Rome, Naples and the Amalfi Coast.
On this information we’ll cowl every thing it’s good to know to go to Pompeii, from attending to Pompeii, to which excursions are price it, to different sights within the space, and much extra. Let’s get began with some background.
What’s Pompeii?
In AD 79, Pompeii (Pompei in Italian) was a comparatively giant and profitable city within the Roman Empire, dwelling to between 10 and 20 thousand folks.
That each one got here to an finish within the autumn of 79 AD when the close by Mount Vesuvius volcano erupted. This had catastrophic penalties for the encompassing cities and villages.
Inside 24 hours of the eruption, the huge quantity of ash and pumice produced by the volcanic eruption had lined the cities within the area to a depth of 13 – 20 ft (4 – 6 metres).
1000’s 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 equivalent to Herculaneum surfaced again into public consciousness. This was when the primary scientific excavations on the website occurred.
Within the following centuries, big efforts had been taken to disclose the hidden metropolis, efforts that proceed at this time.
Pompeii successfully serves as a snapshot of a Roman city on the top of the Roman Empire. The volcanic eruption was so violent and fast that an incredible many inhabitants perished, with their our bodies trapped within the ash. Plaster casts of the imprints these our bodies left behind are a picture that’s inextricably linked with Pompeii.
Planning your Go to to Pompeii
I’ll now undergo some useful data that will help you plan your journey to Pompeii, from the best way to get right here to the place to purchase tickets and much extra.
The place is Pompeii?
Pompeii is discovered within the Campania area of Italy on the southern finish of the Bay of Naples. It’s round 27km (16 miles) to the southeast of Naples, or roughly a 30-minute journey by automobile, bus or practice.
It’s round 250km (155 miles) south of Rome, or roughly a three-hour journey by automobile, bus or practice.
It’s attainable to go to Pompeii as a day journey from each Rome and Naples, choices I’ll cowl beneath.
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 in style departure factors.
get to Pompeii from Rome?
It’s attainable to go to Pompeii as a day journey from Rome as lengthy you’re ready for an extended day with a good bit of journey time. You’re typically round 2.5 – 3 hours of journey time every method from Rome to Pompeii.
The principle choices you’ve gotten 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.
For those who drive, you’ll must undergo the trouble of discovering and renting a automobile, coping with site visitors round Rome, navigating, and paying tolls and gasoline.
Taking public transport or a tour goes to be rather a lot simpler.
Public Transport from Rome to Pompeii
For public transport, you possibly can take an categorical practice from Rome to Naples Central practice station. Then, from Naples you possibly can take a neighborhood practice to Pompeii.
See particulars beneath within the part on getting from Naples to Pompeii for the way to do that.
Excursions from Rome to Pompeii
Our advisable method for getting from Rome to Pompeii as a day journey is to take a guided tour. This can make your day much more stress-free as you gained’t have to fret about logistics.
You’ll even have a greater time at Pompeii with an expert information to elucidate what you might be seeing. There are a variety of tour choices to Pompeii from Rome, some advisable 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 a little bit further for a tour that features extra may work out less expensive!
get to Pompeii from Naples?
There are a number of choices for getting from Naples to Pompeii. You may 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 through the A3 toll highway, and there’s paid parking on website.
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 advocate 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 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 offer you sufficient time to see rather a lot, however should you needed to spend longer on website then this won’t be the most suitable 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, it’s good to remember that Pompeii itself has a few practice stations. When taking the practice to the Pompeii historic website you need to get off at Pompeii Scavi-Villa dei Misteria Station as that is the one instantly by the ruins.
Direct trains from Naples to Pompeii all depart from the Garibaldi practice station, which is (a little bit confusingly) situated instantly 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 world, and you’ll want to take a practice which is heading to Sorrento.
Tickets will be bought on the station, and there are usually just a few trains each hour. Journey time to Pompeii is round 35 minutes. You may see practice instances on the official web site right here (Italian solely).
A barely dearer, however typically extra comfy practice choice, is the tourist-oriented Campania Categorical 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 Categorical practice on-line right here. Tickets are additionally obtainable 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 attainable 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 gained’t be having a scarcity of strolling while you’re on website!
Excursions from Naples to Pompeii
You can even 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 obtainable.
Most full-day excursions embody a further attraction or two equivalent to a go to to Mount Vesuvius or time on the Amalfi Coast.
Listed below are some choices to contemplate.
get to Pompeii from Sorrento
Sorrento is likely one of the main cities on Italy’s in style 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 related 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 below are some choices for the best way to get from Sorrento to Pompeii.
Driving from Sorrento to Pompeii
You may 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 website entrance.
Tickets will be bought on the station, and there are usually just a few trains each hour. Journey time to Pompeii is round 45 minutes. You may see practice instances on the official web site right here (Italian solely).
Excursions from Sorrento to Pompeii
You can even take a guided tour from Sorrento to Pompeii. These excursions typically embody round-trip transfers, and a guided tour of Pompeii lasting 2-3 hours.
Excursions then differentiate by different additions equivalent to lunch, and different locations like Mount Vesuvius or Herculaneum.
Notice that not all excursions embody your Pompeii entrance ticket, and any further sights might have further ticket necessities, equivalent to Mount Vesuvius and Herculaneum. So all the time verify what’s and isn’t included earlier than reserving something.
Here’s a choice of excursions from Sorrento to Pompeii to contemplate.
As you possibly can see there are many choices. We’d all the time advocate evaluating just a few completely different excursions to see which fits your necessities and finances, 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 aside from twenty fifth December, 1st Could, 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 advocate visiting within the morning. That is often additionally the best time of day in the summertime months.
The principle Pompeii website is open as follows:
- 1st April – thirty first October, 9am – 7pm (final entrance 5.30pm)
- 1st November – thirty first March, 9am – 5pm (final entrance 3.30pm).
There are additionally a number of areas throughout the principle Pompeii website such because the Amphitheater, Backyard of the Fugitives, Home of the Menander and many others. which even have opening instances to pay attention to. You may see these right here.
Moreover, there are a variety of close by websites linked to Pompeii which have a final entrance time half-hour after the principle website final entrance time.
These embody Villa Regina, Villa Arianna, Villa San Marco and Villa de Poppea. These areas are all closed on Tuesdays aside from Villa Regina.
These further websites require a particular ticket to entry them and it’s good to take a shuttle bus from the principle Pompeii website to succeed in them, so should you plan to go to these areas you’ll want to give your self loads of time.
You may 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 contemplate the time of yr 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.
For those who assume you’ll want to spend extra time on website (there’s heaps to see), then a superb 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’ve got carried out this and it was a good way to study rather a lot 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 might probably get very popular right here, and there isn’t loads of shade, so visiting for for much longer than 2 or 3 hours will 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 yr, there’s definitely heaps to see! You may simply spend a complete day exploring Pompeii, particularly should you head out to the villas. It’s completely as much as you!
Pompeii Ticket Data
We’ll now cowl ticketing 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 without spending a dime and discounted entry.
You should buy tickets on-line prematurely or in particular person on website.
How A lot does it Value to Go to Pompeii?
There are a variety of ticket choices for Pompeii, relying on what you need to see. These are as follows. Costs are right as of August 2024.
Tickets are for adults 18 and over solely. Youngsters underneath 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 Categorical ticket and determine you need to go to the villas, it’s attainable 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 kids underneath 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 quite a few choices for buying Pompeii tickets.
In particular person
First, you should buy tickets for Pompeii on-site at Pompeii itself. There are ticket workplaces on the three fundamental entrances: Porta Marina, Piazza Anfiteatro and Piazza Esedra.
We’d typically advise in opposition to this the place attainable as you may find yourself standing in line for some time, however it’s an choice.
For those who underneath 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 on your ticket.
That is so your qualification for the decreased price tag will be verified, so make sure you deliver any mandatory paperwork, equivalent to a authorities issued Picture ID doc (i.e. a passport or ID card).
On-line
You should buy Pompeii tickets on-line from quite a few web sites, as follows:
In our expertise, the official web site tends to have the bottom price on-line tickets, however they don’t include free cancellation.
Tickets bought by third events do usually price a bit extra, however can have advantages equivalent 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 essential to fastidiously learn the redemption directions when shopping for a ticket on-line so what it’s good to do prematurely of your go to.
Typically you possibly can simply present a ticket in your smartphone, however typically you may have to print one thing out or gather a ticket from a particular pick-up level.
By Telephone
You should buy tickets for Pompeii by telephone. The quantity is +39 811 865 8177. The workplace is generally open weekdays from 9.30 to 6pm. There’s a surcharge of €1.50 for reserving by telephone.
Are you able to Skip the Traces at Pompeii?
There are two strains at Pompeii. First, there’s the road for the ticket workplace the place you should buy tickets in particular person. Subsequent, there’s an entrance line for going into the location, which features a safety verify.
For those who pre-book your ticket, generally you possibly can skip the ticket line. Nonetheless, this may rely upon the ticket you buy, as some on-line tickets require you to swap a voucher for an precise ticket, so do verify if so with the ticket you’ve gotten bought.
The safety / ticket-check line can’t be skipped by any guests, however in our expertise it strikes fairly rapidly.
When is Pompeii Free in 2024?
Pompeii is free to go to on the primary Sunday of each month. On as of late you’ll nonetheless want a ticket, however there isn’t a price for buying it.
Tickets for the free days will be bought on-line on the official Ticketone website right here, or in particular person on the ticket workplace on website.
We’d recommend doing the net ticket choice as the location can get very busy on the free days, and if it exceeds capability, the ticket workplaces 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 internet tackle, with content material obtainable in a number of languages together with English. The positioning is superb and has a wealth of knowledge that will help you plan your go to, and is effectively price testing.
Pompeii Format and Maps
Pompeii is a big attraction, protecting 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 arduous 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 method 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 method again within the nineteenth century when the location began to be excavated and stays in use to at the present time.
Every regio is assigned a Roman quantity, from I (one) to IX (9). The regio is in a grid sample, 3 huge and three excessive.
The structure of the areas isn’t completely intuitive. It’s a counterclockwise spiral ranging from the decrease center grid sq.. You may 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 provide help to orient your self when you’re on website, because the Regio quantity you might be in is often 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 condominium constructing. For Pompeii, the Insulae are the blocks.
So, while you see an indication in Pompeii, it would often 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 comply with a structure system which I’m certain is sensible to an archeologist however appears designed to confuse the typical particular person for my part.
Nonetheless, it doesn’t actually matter, as a result of the official map has each the Regio and Insula numbers marked. So, when you’ve got the map, all it’s good to do is discover a signal to know the place you might be.
You may obtain a map and information to the location from the official web site right here.
We extremely advocate doing this prematurely and saving it to your smartphone for reference. It’s best to be capable to get a printed model of this information while you go to, nevertheless it’s good to be ready simply in case they aren’t obtainable.
There are additionally road names that will help you orient your self. The fundamental homes and points of interest even have names.
I’d additionally add that every home (and a number of the rooms within the homes) even have numbers. Nonetheless, that is actually extra for cataloging and archaeological functions slightly than one thing guests would need to use for navigating!
Additionally it is price noting that while most guests go to the principle Pompeii website, there are a variety of different websites which have been excavated, and which may also be visited. These require you to have a unique ticket, and to take a shuttle bus from the principle website.
In abstract, if you’re visiting Pompeii with out a information, we advocate having a map available, and being conscious of the Regio and Insulae system. You can even orient your self with close by apparent landmarks, with Mount Vesuvius typically seen for instance.
What to see and do at Pompeii
There’s rather a lot to see and do in Pompeii, and it may be a reasonably overwhelming place to go to. That is why we’d advocate taking a guided tour, or on the very least getting an audio information.
That can assist you determine what to see, we’re going to share what we expect are a number of the unmissable sights at Pompeii. Most excursions will embody at the very least a few of these, though tour routes can differ. In case you are taking a tour, all the time verify what they embody to make certain it covers your pursuits.
High Sights at Pompeii
Clearly, everybody may have barely completely different pursuits, nevertheless we expect this can be a good overview of the principle highlights at Pompeii. These are the sights that almost all excursions are prone to go to as effectively, though after all it would differ, and never all excursions will go to each sight we listing.
These sights are ordered roughly as you’d encounter them coming into the town from the western facet. There’s a superb map right here you possibly can obtain for reference as effectively.
- 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 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 folks 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. Through the excavations, plaster was fastidiously injected into these cavities to kind the molds you possibly can see at this time. These will 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 group of artifacts from the location. It have to be mentioned that one of the best artefacts from Pompeii will be discovered within the Naples Archaeological Museum, nevertheless there’s a lot to see right here nonetheless, together with plaster casts of Pompeii’s victims.
- The Discussion board (Foro) – the guts of any Roman metropolis or city is the Discussion board, the place you’d have discovered metropolis administration buildings, the 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 truly extra of a civic corridor, used for enterprise and as a court docket for dealing with authorized issues. Spiritual Basilicas got here later, basing their identify 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 dwelling 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 tub home (the extra the higher), and Pompeii had at the very least 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 tub room, heat tub room and chilly plunge room.
- By way of Abbondanza (fundamental road) – the principle road (Decumanus Maximus in Roman instances) of Pompeii runs west to east from the Discussion board all the best way throughout the city to Sarno Gate. This could have been a busy, pedestrianized road crammed with outlets and foods and drinks distributors. The stretch which leads from the Discussion board has three upright stones, designed to dam chariot passage as this was a pedestrian road.
- 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 lower out the place the meals would have been saved.
- Arches – Pompeii has quite a few 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 one can find the Arch of Caligula. A few of these arches additionally served a extra sensible perform, hiding water tanks that equipped 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 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 a complete block, taking over round 32,000 sq. toes, and would have been owned by a really rich household. The identify comes from a bronze statue of a faun which was discovered right here, the unique of which is within the Naples Archaeological Museum (a duplicate is viewable in the home).
- Home of the Vetti (Casa dei Vetti)– discovered to the northeast of the Home of the Faun, the Home of the Vetti is a superbly adorned property that includes many lovely fresco work which depict varied mythological scenes. It’s additionally a really giant property.
- Brothel (Lupanare) – nearly as in style at this time because it doubtless was in its heyday 2,000 years in the past (though with a considerably completely different clientele), the brothel was the place residents got here to seek out intercourse employees, in addition to drinks and social interplay. The identify Lupanare comes from the Latin identify for a wolf-den, as prostitutes had been referred to as she-wolves. The brothel has pretty graphic frescoes and graffiti, and oldsters may need to skip this attraction.
- Stabian Baths (Terme Stabiane) – As beforehand talked about, Pompeii had at the very least 5 tub homes, of which the Stabian Baths are the most important and oldest. In truth, 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 completely different mens and girls’s bathing areas. We’d most likely advocate choosing one tub home to go to, except you might be significantly into Roman tub homes.
Different websites that are a little 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 in style in Pompeii, regardless of proclamations in opposition to it by the Roman Senate. It’s believed that the composer Mozart visited this temple when he was 13, and it impressed his composition The Magic Flute
- Grand Theater (Teatro Grande) – Leisure was a key a part of Roman life, and there have been quite a few 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 at this time, 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 had been in style. It was additionally used for music.
- Viewpoint / Panoramic View of Pompeii – To know the dimensions of Pompeii, you must take into account visiting the point of view by Casina dell’Aquila, simply by the intersection of By way of Dell’Abbondanza and Vicolo di Tesmo. The perspective is on the unique stage of the bottom right here earlier than the excavation, and will provide you with an thought of simply how a lot floor needed to be moved with the intention to unearth the town.
- Home of Menander (Casa del Menandro) – owned by a excessive rating and rich household, this massive home (19,000 sq. toes) is called for the fresco which depicts the Greek playwright Menander. There are a variety of rooms that may be visited.
- Backyard of the Fugitives (Orto dei Fuggiaschi) – discovered within the southeast a part of Pompeii, the Backyard of the Fugitives comprises the plaster casts of 13 of the victims who died making an attempt to flee the town.
- Amphitheater – an essential leisure heart in a Roman metropolis or city was the amphitheater, primarily an enclosed theatre which was used for gladiatorial battles, circuses and extra. 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 folks.
- Aqueduct – The Romans had been unimaginable engineers, and while they didn’t invent the aqueduct, their aqueducts had been positively engineering wonders of their time. They allowed the distribution of water throughout the Roman Empire, and allowed cities like Pompeii to get recent water to their residents. The water in Pompeii was carried by the Augustan Aqueduct, sourcing water from 96km away, utilizing solely gravity to maneuver the water! Immediately, you 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 lots to see and absorb at Pompeii!
Excursions of Pompeii
Among the best methods to go to Pompeii is to take a guided tour. There’s rather a lot to see and loads of historical past and knowledge to soak up, and having a superb information can positively enhance your expertise.
You’ve just a few choices for taking a tour. You may e-book a tour which incorporates transport from a significant metropolis equivalent to Rome or Naples. Or, you can also make your personal option to Pompeii and simply take a tour on website.
We’ll embody quite a few choices so that you can take into account, relying in your preferences.
You can even e-book a tour information on arrival at Pompeii. Tour guides can be found simply inside the location entrance and may have an official badge.
Notice nevertheless that while accredited, the guides are freelance and costs will not be fastened. You will have to barter value, route and tour period with the obtainable on-site guides.
Typically, these guides may have a value they cost for a tour, regardless of group measurement. By having a bigger group you’ll pay much less per particular person, however clearly have a much less customized expertise.
You may see extra on this course of right here.
Relying on how busy the day is, guides might not be obtainable. So, we’d typically advocate reserving a guided tour prematurely as a substitute.
Practicalities for Visiting Pompeii
Costume Code at Pompeii
Pompeii is just not a spiritual website and as such there isn’t a particular costume code for visiting.
There are a few guidelines round clothes. First, you can’t be naked chested, you have to be carrying a high. As well as, clothes that could possibly be thought-about disruptive can be not allowed, and costumes, masks and banners will not be permitted.
This clothes rule is generally used to forestall protestors utilizing the location, so is unlikely to have an effect on most guests. Avoid any offensive clothes and also you’ll be effective!
You’ll nonetheless need to assume by way of your clothes selections previous to visiting. Nearly all of your go to might be spent outdoors, and there’s minimal shade or shelter obtainable.
See the part of what to put on and pack for Pompeii for some recommendations on what to deliver on your go to.
Amenities at Pompeii
Pompeii has quite a few customer providers you should utilize. These embody:
- two on-site bookshops, one at Piazza Esedra and one contained in the Antiquarium.
- audio information rent, obtainable on the Porta Marina entrance and Porta Anfiteatro entrance.
- first support providers, obtainable close to the Chora Cafe on Vicolo degli Augustali
- A restaurant known as Chora the place you will get drinks and snacks like muffins, pastries and ice cream
- A number of free water fountains throughout the location
- A number of free bathroom services throughout the location
- Child altering services. There are three of those, one on 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 will be discovered close to the Casina dell’Aquila and the bathroom services.
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) will not be permitted on the location and have to be left on the cloakroom. It is a free service.
In any other case, the foundations are fairly apparent, and largely give attention to 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, decide fruits or flowers, construct fires, enter fenced off areas and so forth.
You may see the complete listing of guidelines and rules 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 attainable for all guests.
There are a variety of specifically designed accessible routes, known as Pompeii for All, that are designed to permit entry for mobility impaired customers, in addition to dad and mom with buggies, to a big a part of the location.
These routes embody most of the fundamental buildings that guests would need to see, and canopy a complete of three.5km. You may 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 arduous to listening to to benefit from the website. Extra on this program, and accessibility on the location usually, will be discovered on the Pompeii for All web page.
Baggage storage Close to Pompeii
Guests to Pompeii will not be allowed to deliver any baggage bigger than 30cm x 30cm x 15cm on website. So nothing bigger than a small backpack primarily. We’d recommend leaving baggage in your resort room the place attainable.
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 flooring of the Pompeii Scavi practice station obtainable for a charge.
Suggestions for Visiting Pompeii
Primarily based on our experiences visiting Pompeii, we needed to share some ideas that will help you get essentially the most out of your go to.
Plan your day prematurely
The very first thing we advocate doing is planning your day trip earlier than you go to. Determine what you need to see at Pompeii, after which determine if you wish to take a tour.
For those who determine to take a tour, verify what it contains, after which take into account should you want further 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, be sure you know the place the assembly level is and the assembly time, and plan how you’re going to get to and from Pompeii.
In case you are doing a self-guided go to for any a part of your time at Pompeii, we advise trying on the official map and planning out what you need to see. Chances are you’ll even take into account developing with a common path to comply with. This can assist orient you when you’re truly there.
Take into account a Guided Tour or Audio Information
We will extremely advocate taking a guided tour of Pompeii. An knowledgeable information goes to have the ability to deliver the location to life and actually provide help 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.
For those who take a guided tour that meets on website, we extremely advocate planning on staying at the very least 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.
For those who 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 yr, you’ll want to deliver a good solar hat to maintain the solar off your face, unfastened becoming clothes, and sure a small daypack to hold suncream, water and any snacks.
If rain is a risk, a gentle 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 yr, then some hotter layers are a good suggestion simply in case it’s cooler on website.
Footwear can be essential. The traditional streets of Pompeii will be uneven, various between unfastened grime and cobblestones. A great pair of comfy footwear that you’re pleased to spend time strolling in is a should.
For shoe recommendations, see our guides to the greatest journey footwear for males and the greatest journey footwear for girls for some concepts.
You’ll positively need to deliver a water bottle with you. Contemporary consuming water is accessible at fountains throughout the location, and on a sizzling 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 form of guidebook with you. We predict the Rick Steves guidebook is likely one of the greatest choices, both his Italy information or Naples & the Amalfi Coast snapshot information.
Each have a self-guided Pompeii tour which is a wonderful choice should you select to skip a guided tour.
Be Cautious of on-site Touts at Pompeii
Like every in style 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 will be discovered at Piazza Esedra and Porta Marina, after you have entered Pompeii, after the safety checks. These tour guides have official badges issued by the Vacationer Board of the Campania Area. In case you are not sure if a information is accredited, verify with the ticket workplace.
Remember that these guides will most definitely should be paid in money, and the value of the tour goes to be one thing you’ll want to debate with the information prematurely.
Whenever you arrive at Pompeii additionally, you will doubtless be supplied excursions by guides outdoors the gates. These won’t be led by Pompeii’s accredited guides, so the standard of the tour is just not 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 preserve valuables in sight, or safely away in zippered pockets. That is additionally the case on the practice and on the practice station should you select to take public transportation.
We’ve by no means had a problem in Italy, nevertheless it’s all the time a good suggestion to take fundamental security precautions when touring wherever, as you’d at dwelling.
Arrive Early and Head to the Again
Pompeii is a well-liked vacation spot, and as such it might probably get fairly busy. As well as, there’s restricted shade on website, and in the summertime months significantly it might probably get very popular on website.
All which means that for one of the best expertise we advocate arriving early within the day should you can. In case you are planning on taking a tour, e-book it for earlier within the day. In case you are planning to information your self, plan out your route so that you head away from the doorway first, and work your method again in the 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 comply with comparable routes. So in order for you a much less crowded expertise, determine just a few sights that you’re keen on which might be off the crushed path, and head to these first.
Carry a Water Bottle
We talked about this already within the “what to pack for Pompeii” part of this information, however we expect it’s price repeating. Pompeii will get extremely sizzling in the summertime months and there’s not a lot shade.
There are many free consuming water fountains throughout the location, so deliver a water bottle and keep hydrated without spending a dime as you wander!
Escape the Crowds at Pompeii
Pompeii is a massively in style attraction, and because of this it may be busy. The positioning has a restrict of 15,000 guests at anyone time, however regardless of the location being fairly giant folks have a tendency to move to a handful of areas such because the Discussion board, Brothel, and Tub homes, that means it might probably really feel extra crowded than it’s.
Listed below are some ideas for escaping the crowds at Pompeii.
- Go to at a quieter time of the week or yr. Peak season in Italy is mostly from Could 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 attainable.
- Head to a quieter a part of the location should you can, away from the teams. Most excursions comply with an analogous path to a handful of highlights, and should you head to the much less in style areas you’ll find your self wandering nearly abandoned streets, even at a busy time of yr
- 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
Points of interest Close to Pompeii
Pompeii is likely one of the hottest points of interest within the Naples space, however it’s certainly not the one attraction within the space! Listed below are another points of interest within the common space to contemplate including to your itinerary.
- Herculaneum – the opposite well-excavated city that was buried by the Vesuvius eruption is Herculaneum. That is nearer to Naples, and in addition simply accessible by the Circumvesuviana practice service. It’s a smaller website however because it was a rich seaside resort, it has a excessive density of luxurious dwellings. It’s often quieter than Pompeii, and a few excursions like this one go to each.
- Mount Vesuvius – the volcano which precipitated all the difficulty continues to be lively and nonetheless posing a risk to the tens of millions of people that stay within the space. It’s a dominant a part of the skyline, and you’ll head all the best way as much as the summit to see into the steaming crater and hike across the rim. There’s a small charge 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 in style and spectacular areas of Italy, the 50km lengthy Amalfi Coast is correct subsequent to Pompeii. Beautiful seaside cities like Positano and Sorrento cling to the dramatic shoreline. It’s effectively price spending just a few days right here should you can. Alternatively, you will 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, nevertheless it’s additionally dwelling to superb meals and quite a few points of interest. Pompeii guests ought to positively take the time to go to the Naples Nationwide Archaeological Museum, which has the vast majority of one of the best preserved artefacts from Pompeii obtainable for viewing.
- Capri – a preferred island for a day journey (though keep in a single day should you can to keep away from the crowds!), Capri will be visited by ferry from each Naples and Sorrento. It’s a fantastic island with rather a lot to see, however it might probably get extremely crowded in the summertime months.
After all, there’s way more to see on this space, however this could offer you an thought of what’s on provide 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’ve gotten fairly just a few choices. You may keep near the location, or you possibly can keep in close by Sorrento or Naples.
It’s additionally attainable to go to Pompeii as a day journey from Rome, however we’ll give attention to nearer lodging for this a part of the information. See our information to spending 3 days in Rome for Rome lodging choices.
- Pompeii Ruins De Charme B&B – Actually throughout the highway from the Piazza Anfiteatro entrance this in style B&B gives air-conditioned rooms with breakfast included. Rooms even have a kitchen and dishwasher should you want to cook dinner for your self. Parking is accessible for a charge.
- Lodge 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 accessible.
- 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 accessible. Notice there’s no on-site parking.
- Agora Hostel – 5 minutes stroll from the Anfiteatro entrance to Pompeii, this effectively rated hostel gives nice worth non-public and shared rooms with air-con. There’s a bar and low home on website however no eating or parking obtainable.
- 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 accessible close by however there’s no on-site restaurant
- Grand Lodge Excelsior Vittoria Sorrento – should you’re on the lookout for a 5* luxurious expertise in Sorrento, that is the resort to move for. Count on spectacular coastal views, a fantastic backyard, pretty rooms, and two eating places to select from.
After all, there are an incredible many extra choices to select from! We advocate trying on reserving.com for every thing from motels 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 proper property for our finances and necessities.
See all their listings for the Pompeii space right here.
Additional Studying for Visiting Italy
Nicely, that completed up our information to visiting Pompeii! It’s only a small a part of our content material on Italy and Europe, which we hope one can find helpful when planning your journey.
Listed below are a few of these guides, in addition to hyperlinks to 3rd celebration sources we advocate.
- We’ve got a information to spending 1 day in Rome, in addition to guides for 2 days in Rome and 3 days in Rome, which ought to provide help to plan your time in Rome. We even have a information to the greatest meals excursions in Rome, the greatest gelato in Rome and the greatest cafes to drink espresso in Rome
- We’ve got a information to visiting the Colosseum, in addition to a information to visiting the Vatican. These have every thing it’s good to know to plan your visits to this exceptional points of interest
- Past Rome, we have now a information to Florence, steered issues to do in Milan, a information to spending 2 days in Milan, and ideas for a day in Venice
- We even have an in depth 10 day Italy itinerary that will help you plan a visit on this fantastic nation. We even have a steered 2-week Europe itinerary which naturally contains Italy!
- For those who’re on the lookout 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 will help you benefit from your keep
And that’s it! As all the time, we hope you discovered this information helpful, and when you’ve got any questions or feedback about visiting Pompeii, simply pop them within the feedback beneath and we’ll reply as quickly as we will.
