What you’ll witness at the Pompeii archaeological site is unlike anything else you’ve ever seen before. If you’re planning to visit this year, we’ve put up an easy guide to Pompeii to help you get the most out of your time there.
Pompeii is 150 miles south of Rome and 15 miles south of Naples, in Italy’s Campania region. On the Amalfi Coast, it’s 16 miles from Sorrento and 22 miles from Positano, which are also two of the finest destinations in Italy.
The ancient city of Pompeii sits close to the modern town of Pompeii, which takes its name from the site (but with single “i”). However, Mount Vesuvius, the ancient volcano that devastated Pompeii is still active, which means the new town’s inhabitants continue to worry about another devastating eruption. This volcano can be seen from all parts of the area, and it towers over the terrain.
A Brief History of Pompeii
The ancient city of Pompeii was a thriving cultural hub, until the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in 79 AD. The blast was so powerful that the mountain’s summit launched rocks, ashes, and dusts over ten kilometers into the air.
Pompeii was pummelled with stones and ashes for nearly a day after the eruption. Most of the city’s population fled, but around 2,000 people stayed behind.
Soon after, a wall of ash, gas, and molten rock slammed onto Pompeii at a speed of about 100 miles per hour. Massive amounts of volcanic ashes buried the settlement. Decomposition of the victims’ bodies left hollow gaps in the hardened ashes where they had died.
Archaeologists were able to pour plaster into these crevices about 2,000 years later, exposing the final moments of the victims and making the renowned body casts of Pompeii.
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Pompeii is now one of Italy’s most popular tourist destinations and one of the world’s most famous archaeological sites.
Preparation is key to making the most of your time in this ancient site, so check out our easy Pompeii guide to help you truly enjoy the experience.
Why Visit Pompeii
The ruins of Pompeii provide a glimpse into the daily lives of Romans thousands of years ago. The ancient city of Pompeii is well worth a visit even if you are not a history enthusiast, as the city’s fascinating old streets can easily fill a half-day for a tourist.
It’s remarkable how much of Pompeii has been protected, from graffiti to shops to opulent homes. Some structures in the city are still covered in roofs; however, many of the walls still had their mosaics and frescoes intact.
The remains of those who died have also been preserved – a frozen reminder of the fear they felt as they crouched under tables or in groups during the eruption. As grim as it was, these plaster-casted remains serve as artifacts from one of the most devastating natural disasters in history.
Easy Guide to Pompeii
When Is the Best Time To Visit Pompeii?
Summer is the nicest time to visit Pompeii, but it’s also the most crowded and the heat can be unbearable. Visit during the off-season (May or October) to avoid the crowds while still taking advantage of the pleasant weather.
Note that Pompeii has different opening hours depending on the season. From 1 April to 31 October, the site is open from 9 AM to 7 PM. The last entrance is at 5:30 PM.
From 1 November to 31 March, Pompeii is open from 9 AM to 3:30 PM. The last entrance is at 5 PM.
Pompeii is closed on the following holidays: 25 December, 1 January, and 1 May.
How To Get to Pompeii
If you’re planning a trip to Italy with a stop at Pompeii in mind, we suggest going to Naples first. Pompeii and the Amalfi Coast may both be visited from Naples, Italy’s southernmost city, known for its Neapolitan food and as the origin of pizza.
Since Naples is only an hour’s drive from Pompeii, you’ll have plenty of time to relax before your visit. From Naples, there are a number of ways to get to Pompei.
– By Train
The Napoli Piazza Garibaldi Station has trains to Pompei departing every 30 minutes. Seat reservations are not possible, thus you do not need to purchase a ticket in advance. When you reach the station, simply purchase a ticket for the next available train.
Two direct trains are available at the Napoli Centrale station. Circumvesuviana and Metropolitano trains both travel the Napole-Pompei route and take 35 and 38 minutes to get to Pompeii, respectively.
Train tickets cost €2.80 ($3).
– By Bus
SITA local buses are the cheapest option to get to Pompeii if you’re on a tight budget. They take about 35 to 40 minutes to reach the archaeological site, and they run once or twice an hour, depending on the day of the week.
Even though they cost more, long-distance bus operators like Flixbus offer more comfort, larger seats, and extra legroom as well as air-conditioned coaches on this trip.
Bus travel between Naples and Pompeii costs an average of €3.50 ($3.74), which is significantly less expensive than any other mode of transportation.
– By Car
Pompeii may be accessed easily if you plan to rent a car and drive. To get to Pompei Ovest from Naples, take the A3 motorway and exit at the Pompei Ovest exit. If you’re driving from Salerno to Pompeii, take the A3 highway and exit at Pompei Est to get to the ruins.
Daily car rental rates in Naples start at €29 ($31). The Pompeii ruins have parking for a cost of €10 per day.
Must-see Attractions in Pompeii
The only way to explore Pompeii is by walking. Shuttles and other novelty tourist vehicles are not allowed inside as they would only detract from the experience and possibly destroy the remains of Pompeii.
Here are the must-see attractions in Pompeii.
1. The Forum
The most populated location of Pompeii, known as the Forum, can be found right next to the ancient city’s main entrance. It was the center of daily life in Pompeii, the city’s cultural hub, and the place where most activities took place. Any significant religious or economic events would be held here; in essence, this was the city’s main plaza and the beating heart of the community.
2. The Forum Baths
These baths, just a short walk from the forum, have been exceptionally well-kept. You may see inside the wall to see how they heated them when the baths were still in use. It’s easy to imagine the baths as they were, thanks to the incredible inventiveness of the ancient Pompeii residents.
For all their small size, Pompeii’s Forum baths are considered to be among the most beautiful. Both the men’s and women’s restrooms have their own distinct spaces and entrances. In addition to hot tubs, the bathroom offered ice-cold and lukewarm options.
3. The Villa of the Mysteries
The frescoes here, which are located outside the main area, are in remarkably good condition. One can argue that these paintings are among the original Roman art of the 1st century AD. It is thought that the frescoes portray a woman undergoing the ritual initiations of a Greco-Roman mysticism, hence the villa’s name.
Excavation of the villa located on the outskirts of Pompeii began in 1909, much later than the remainder of the city. This place doesn’t get a lot of visitors, so you’ll have the place to yourself when you visit.
4. House of the Faun
This is Pompeii’s largest house, and it’s named after the statue in the front yard. An impressive mosaic depicting a war scenario may also be found in the back courtyard, which was built in the 2nd century BC.
It is widely believed that this beautifully-preserved Roman structure was a wealthy family’s private dwelling from the time.
5. The Brothel
This structure is one of the most popular attractions in Pompeii. In the ancient lupanar (brothel), there are stone beds and scenes depicting the actions that customers might pay for. Apart from serving as decor, the frescoes, according to archaeologists, may have served as space enhancers for each brothel room, or some sort of menu to entice customers.
6. House of Venus in the Shell
Another must-see in Pompeii is a brightly-colored fresco of Venus in the Shell.
Apart from the remains of the people, this house features a colorful Venusian mural on the wall. There are also a few gardens and a life-size Mars statue here.
When Vesuvius erupted, the home was actually being renovated, and it was also bombed during World War II (though it was restored in the 1950s).
7. The Amphitheater
The ancient games that kept the people of Pompeii entertained were held in this massive amphitheater.
In the year 70 BCE, it became one of the earliest stone amphitheaters created. It’s the oldest Roman city amphitheater still standing today.
As it’s located at the farthest edge of Pompeii, you’re likely to be the only one there early in the morning or late in the day.
8. House of Sallust
Another of the absolute must-see attractions in Pompeii is the House of Sallust, said to be the oldest house in the city with some parts of it from the 4th century BCE.
Due to its location and size, it was believed to be a mansion for the wealthy. At some point in its long history, the top floors might have also been used as a hotel.
An enclosed porch in the back provides access to the small garden and fresco of Diana. A bakery and food shop are also located in front. The back walls were partially demolished by a bomb during World War II, but they were repaired in the 1970s.
9. Mount Vesuvius
For a truly unforgettable experience, visit Mount Vesuvius, where you can see – and smell – the smoke rising from the crater.
Mount Vesuvius can be reached via bus from the Pompei Scavi Circumvesuviana station, however, the station at Ercolano is the most convenient starting point. You’ll find yourself in a small square when you exit the station and head toward the ruins. There is a Vesuvio Express office on the left for the bus ride to Mount Vesuvius.
You will pay a €20 fee for the return trip from Ercolano to Mount Vesuvius, which includes the crater entrance. This isn’t a guided tour, but it does exactly what it says on the tin: it transports you to the trailhead so you can begin your ascent to the summit.
The bus winds its way up the lower reaches of the mountain in around 30 minutes. It takes about 1.5 hours to go up the mountain. Getting to the Vesuvius crater is a mile uphill from the top parking lot.
At the top, you can look around, then walk back down to catch your return bus once you’ve been dropped off at the upper parking lot. You’ll have to pay again or arrange your transportation if you don’t make it in time for your trip back.
Even though the ascent isn’t particularly steep, the ground is covered in powdery, dusty gravel, making it difficult to walk. In exchange for a tip, one of the men at the door will loan you a walking stick if you need one. Don’t forget to wear comfy shoes!
Travel Tips
• Purchase tickets ahead of your visit. You must now purchase your Pompeii ticket in advance due to recent regulations and visiting limits connected to COVID-19. You may book your ticket here.
• The area tends to get sweltering hot during summer. Bring plenty of water and sunscreen to save yourself from getting dehydrated and sunburned when visiting Pompeii.
• Cafés and snack bars are scattered around the site, but they might be hard to spot if you travel too far into the ruins. Be sure to bring some snacks for the day’s activities.
• Don’t even think about bringing a large backpack. Only bring in a little purse or day bag, as security is unlikely to let you in with an enormous bag.
• Wear a pair of sturdy walking shoes with good traction. The roads in this area are dusty and uneven, and some of the stones are slippery.
• To avoid the crowds, start exploring in the back of the ruins and work your way toward the front. Late afternoon is the best time to see Pompeii’s center, as the throng has dispersed by then.
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