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 occasions through the years, (Laurence first visited in 1995) and on this information we’re going to share every thing it’s essential to know to plan your individual go to to Pompeii.
There’s quite a bit to see and find out about at Pompeii, and there are additionally numerous choices for visiting. You may take a guided tour or do a self-guided go to, and there are additionally numerous 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 it’s essential to know to go to Pompeii, from attending to Pompeii, to which excursions are value it, to different sights within the space, and much extra. Let’s get began with some background.
What’s Pompeii?
In AD 79, Pompeii (Pompei in Italian) was a comparatively giant and profitable city within the Roman Empire, residence to between 10 and 20 thousand 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 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 similar to Herculaneum surfaced again into public consciousness. This was when the primary scientific excavations on the website passed off.
Within the following centuries, large efforts have been taken to disclose the hidden metropolis, efforts that proceed in the present day.
Pompeii successfully serves as a snapshot of a Roman city on the top of the Roman Empire. The volcanic eruption was so violent and fast that an incredible many inhabitants perished, with their our bodies trapped within the ash. Plaster casts of the imprints these our bodies left behind are a picture that’s inextricably linked with Pompeii.
Planning your Go to to Pompeii
I’ll now undergo some useful info that can assist you plan your journey to Pompeii, from easy methods to get right here to the place to purchase tickets and much extra.
The place is Pompeii?
Pompeii is discovered within the Campania area of Italy on the southern finish of the Bay of Naples. It’s round 27km (16 miles) to the southeast of Naples, or roughly a 30-minute journey by automotive, bus or prepare.
It’s round 250km (155 miles) south of Rome, or roughly a three-hour journey by automotive, bus or prepare.
It’s attainable 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 straightforward to achieve, with good transport connections from numerous areas in Italy. We’ll undergo the choices for visiting Pompeii from among the extra fashionable departure factors.
The way to get to Pompeii from Rome?
It’s attainable 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 taking a look at round 2.5 – 3 hours of journey time every method from Rome to Pompeii.
The primary choices you’ve are to drive, take public transport, or take a guided tour.
Drive from Rome to Pompeii
Except 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 somewhat than driving.
For those who drive, you’ll need to undergo the trouble of discovering and renting a automotive, coping with site visitors round Rome, navigating, and paying tolls and fuel.
Taking public transport or a tour goes to be quite a bit simpler.
Public Transport from Rome to Pompeii
For public transport, you may take an categorical prepare from Rome to Naples Central prepare station. Then, from Naples you may take an area prepare 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 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 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 advisable choices are as follows.
When evaluating excursions and costs, at all times test how a lot time is definitely spent on the numerous sights, in addition to group measurement and what’s and isn’t included.
Paying just a little additional 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 may drive, take the prepare, take a shuttle bus, take a prepare, 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 think about if you have already got a automotive rental to your journey in Italy, however we’d not advocate renting a automotive particularly for this journey as the opposite choices are seemingly going to be simpler.
Shuttle Bus from Naples to Pompeii
A very easy choice for getting from Naples to Pompeii is to take the devoted Metropolis Sightseeing bus. This departs from central Naples and takes you on to the ruins.
The journey takes round 40 minutes relying on site visitors, and also you get round 4 hours on website. Observe that you must ebook a selected departure time, which ties you to a selected return time, you may’t select to remain longer and are available again on a later bus.
4 hours ought to offer you sufficient time to see quite a bit, however in the event you wished to spend longer on website then this won’t be the best choice.
Discover out extra and ebook tickets for this expertise on GetYourGuide right here.
Practice from Naples to Pompeii
There are two direct prepare choices for getting from Naples Central prepare station to Pompeii.
First, it’s essential to bear in mind that Pompeii itself has a few prepare stations. When taking the prepare to the Pompeii historic website you wish 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 prepare station, which is (just a little confusingly) situated instantly beneath Naples Centrale prepare station.
The most cost effective prepare choice from Naples to Pompeii is the Circumvesuviana service. This regional commuter prepare system runs trains throughout the world, and you’ll want to take a prepare which is heading to Sorrento.
Tickets will be bought on the station, and there are usually a number of trains each hour. Journey time to Pompeii is round 35 minutes. You may see prepare occasions on the official web site right here (Italian solely).
A barely costlier, however typically extra comfy prepare choice, is the tourist-oriented Campania Specific prepare. This additionally operates from Garibaldi prepare station and takes you on to the ruins.
Trains run much less steadily and value extra, however are much less crowded and extra comfy.
See timetables and purchase tickets with seat reservation for the Campania Specific prepare on-line right here. Tickets are additionally out there in particular person.
Observe that Trenitalia runs trains from Naples central prepare station to Pompeii, however these go to the principle prepare station in Pompeii somewhat 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 whenever you’re on website!
Excursions from Naples to Pompeii
You can too ebook a tour to Pompeii which incorporates round-trip transport to and from Naples. There are fairly a number of choices, with each half-day and full-day excursions out there.
Most full-day excursions embody a further attraction or two similar to a go to to Mount Vesuvius or time on the Amalfi Coast.
Listed below are some choices to think about.
The way to get to Pompeii from Sorrento
Sorrento is likely one of the main cities on Italy’s fashionable Amalfi coast, a preferred and spectacular vacation spot for vacationers visiting Italy. Sorrento makes for base for exploring the Amalfi Coast.
It’s additionally straightforward to get to, being related by rail on to Naples. That is on the identical prepare line that goes to Pompeii, that means you may simply attain Pompeii by prepare from Sorrento as effectively.
Listed below are some choices for easy methods 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 individual automotive rental that is undoubtedly an choice to think about. Nonetheless, you may discover taking the prepare to be simply as handy.
The 28km (17 mile) drive takes round 40 minutes relying on site visitors. Simply keep in mind you’ll must pay for parking whenever you get to Pompeii.
Public Transport from Sorrento to Pompeii
Getting from Sorrento to Pompeii by public transport is straightforward. There’s a common prepare service from Sorrento to Naples, which stops on the Pompeii Scavi prepare station. That is proper by the Pompeii website entrance.
Tickets will be bought on the station, and there are usually a number of trains each hour. Journey time to Pompeii is round 45 minutes. You may see prepare occasions on the official web site right here (Italian solely).
Excursions from Sorrento to Pompeii
You can too take a guided tour from Sorrento to Pompeii. These excursions typically embody round-trip transfers, and a guided tour of Pompeii lasting 2-3 hours.
Excursions then differentiate by different additions similar to lunch, and different locations like Mount Vesuvius or Herculaneum.
Observe that not all excursions embody your Pompeii entrance ticket, and any further sights might have further ticket necessities, similar to Mount Vesuvius and Herculaneum. So at all times test what’s and isn’t included earlier than reserving something.
Here’s a collection of excursions from Sorrento to Pompeii to think about.
As you may see there are many choices. We’d at all times advocate evaluating a number of totally different excursions to see which fits your necessities and funds, and at all times test what’s and isn’t included when evaluating excursions as effectively.
Pompeii Opening Occasions
Pompeii is often open year-round excluding twenty fifth December, 1st Could, and 1st January.
Typically, every thing at Pompeii opens at 9am, however closure occasions can differ. So if you wish to see every thing, then we advocate visiting within the morning. That is normally additionally the good time of day in the summertime months.
The primary Pompeii website is open as follows:
- 1st April – thirty first October, 9am – 7pm (final entrance 5.30pm)
- 1st November – thirty first March, 9am – 5pm (final entrance 3.30pm).
There are additionally a number of areas throughout the principle Pompeii website such because the Amphitheater, Backyard of the Fugitives, Home of the Menander and so on. which even have opening occasions 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 excluding Villa Regina.
These additional websites require a selected ticket to entry them and it’s essential to take a shuttle bus from the principle Pompeii website to achieve them, so in the event you plan to go to these areas you’ll want to give your self loads of time.
You may see extra info on opening occasions 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, nevertheless you even have to think about the time of 12 months you might be visiting and your private curiosity in historic archaeological websites when deciding how lengthy to go to.
Nearly all of guests come for two – 3 hours, which can also 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 tons to see), then 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 executed this and it was an effective way to be taught quite a bit from a information, after which we have been in a position to discover on our personal at our leisure.
One factor to notice, if you’re visiting in the summertime months it will possibly get very popular right here, and there isn’t a whole lot 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 12 months, there’s definitely tons to see! You possibly can simply spend an entire day exploring Pompeii, particularly in the event you head out to the villas. It’s solely as much as you!
Pompeii Ticket Info
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 upfront or in particular person on website.
How A lot does it Value to Go to Pompeii?
There are a selection of ticket choices for Pompeii, relying on what you wish to see. These are as follows. Costs are appropriate as of August 2024.
Tickets are for adults 18 and over solely. Youngsters beneath 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 wish to go to the villas, it’s attainable to buy a ticket improve for €8 on the Herculaneum Gate – Avenue 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 kids beneath 18 get free entry to Pompeii, though they nonetheless require a ticket.
There are at present no reductions for seniors.
The place to Purchase Pompeii Tickets
You will have 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 foremost 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 beneath 18, an EU resident aged 18-24, or fall into one other class for decreased worth tickets, then you will have to go to the ticket workplace to your ticket.
That is so your qualification for the decreased ticket will be verified, so you should definitely deliver any crucial paperwork, similar to a authorities issued Photograph ID doc (i.e. a passport or ID card).
On-line
You should purchase Pompeii tickets on-line from a variety of web sites, as follows:
In our expertise, the official web site tends to have the bottom price on-line tickets, however they don’t include free cancellation.
Tickets bought by third events do usually price a bit extra, however can have advantages similar to free cancellation in addition to the choice to ebook a guided tour.
We advocate evaluating costs and choices to see which fits you. It’s additionally vital to rigorously learn the redemption directions when shopping for a ticket on-line so you understand what it’s essential to do upfront of your go to.
Usually you may simply present a ticket in your smartphone, however generally you may must print one thing out or accumulate a ticket from a selected pick-up level.
By Cellphone
You should purchase tickets for Pompeii by cellphone. The quantity is +39 811 865 8177. The workplace is often open weekdays from 9.30 to 6pm. There’s a surcharge of €1.50 for reserving by cellphone.
Are you able to Skip the Strains at Pompeii?
There are two traces at Pompeii. First, there’s the road for the ticket workplace the place you should purchase tickets in particular person. Subsequent, there’s an entrance line for going into the positioning, which features a safety test.
For those who pre-book your ticket, most often you may 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 test if so with the ticket you’ve 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 lately 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 positioning can get very busy on the free days, and if it exceeds capability, the ticket places of work shut.
Observe 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 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 at all times advocate consulting the official web site.
You could find it on the following net tackle, with content material out there in a number of languages together with English. The location is superb and has a wealth of knowledge that can assist you plan your go to, and is effectively value testing.
Pompeii Format and Maps
Pompeii is a big attraction, masking round 65 hectares (170 acres). From the east aspect to the west aspect 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 exhausting to get misplaced in Pompeii. While a lot of the positioning is specified by a grid, there are additionally loads of slim lanes and twists and turns. Navigation isn’t helped by pretty restricted signage.
That can assist you discover your method round, it’s a good suggestion to have an concept 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 positioning 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 vast and three excessive.
The structure of the areas isn’t solely 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 concept of this grid and the numbering system will show you how to orient your self when you find yourself on website, because the Regio quantity you might be in is often printed on partitions and in indicators.
Every Regio can also be divided into “Insulae” or “Insula”. In Roman occasions, an Insulae was a metropolis block, or an condo constructing. For Pompeii, the Insulae are the blocks.
So, whenever you see an indication in Pompeii, it would normally let you know which Regio and Insulae you might be in, for instance REG VII INS XIII would imply you might be in Regio 7, Insula 13.
The Insula observe a structure system which I’m certain is smart to an archeologist however appears designed to confuse the common particular person in my view.
Nonetheless, it doesn’t actually matter, as a result of the official map has each the Regio and Insula numbers marked. So, you probably have the map, all it’s essential to do is discover a signal to know the place you might be.
You may obtain a map and information to the positioning from the official web site right here.
We extremely advocate doing this upfront and saving it to your smartphone for reference. It’s best to be capable to get a printed model of this information whenever you go to, however it’s good to be ready simply in case they aren’t out there.
There are additionally road names that can assist you orient your self. The foremost homes and sights even have names.
I’d additionally add that every home (and among the rooms within the homes) even have numbers. Nonetheless, that is actually extra for cataloging and archaeological functions somewhat than one thing guests would wish to use for navigating!
Additionally it is value noting that while most guests go to the principle Pompeii website, there are a variety of different websites which have been excavated, and which can be visited. These require you to have a distinct 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 readily available, and being conscious of the Regio and Insulae system. You can too orient your self with close by apparent landmarks, with Mount Vesuvius typically seen for instance.
What to see and do at Pompeii
There’s quite a bit 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 among 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, at all times test what they embody to make certain it covers your pursuits.
High Sights at Pompeii
Clearly, everybody may have barely totally 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 more likely to go to as effectively, though in fact it would differ, and never all excursions will go to each sight we listing.
These sights are ordered roughly as you’ll encounter them coming into town from the western aspect. There’s a wonderful map right here you may obtain for reference as effectively.
- Porta Marina – arguably essentially the most spectacular of the unique seven gateways to town, and the one which led to the ocean, therefore the identify. The barrel-vaulted ceiling is constituted of concrete and dates from 80BC.
- Plaster Casts of Pompeii’s victims – Some of the well-known sights at Pompeii are the plaster casts of those that misplaced their lives within the eruption, together with folks 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 rigorously injected into these cavities to kind the molds you may see in the present day. These will be seen at numerous 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 positioning. It have to be mentioned that the most effective 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 center of any Roman metropolis or city is the Discussion board, the place you’ll have discovered metropolis administration buildings, the principle temples and the market. If one thing vital was going to occur in Pompeii, this was in all probability the place it was going to occur.
- Basilica – discovered within the south-western nook of the Discussion board, the Basilica dates from round 80BC. Regardless of the 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. 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. Right this moment it’s the residence of 1000’s of artifacts which have been excavated from the ruins, in addition to plaster casts of among the victims of the catastrophe.
- Baths of the Discussion board (Terme del Foro) – No Roman city is full with out a bathtub 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 may see the female and male bathing homes together with the recent bathtub room, heat bathtub room and chilly plunge room.
- Through Abbondanza (foremost road) – the principle road (Decumanus Maximus in Roman occasions) of Pompeii runs west to east from the Discussion board all the way in which throughout the city to Sarno Gate. This may have been a busy, pedestrianized road full of retailers and foods and drinks distributors. The stretch which leads from the Discussion board has three upright stones, designed to dam chariot passage as this was a pedestrian 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 minimize out the place the meals would have been saved.
- Arches – Pompeii has a variety of arches which you will notice all through town. On the northern finish of the Discussion board is an honorary arch, while additional north on the intersection of Through Fortuna and Vicolo del Foro you will discover the Arch of Caligula. A few of these arches additionally served a extra sensible perform, hiding water tanks that equipped close by fountains. Right this moment many of those fountains have been modernized and supply clear consuming water for guests.
- Home of the Tragic Poet (Casa del Poeta Tragico) – One of many many homes you may go to in Pompeii, this one is simply to the north of the Discussion board by the Arch of Caligula. It’s notable for the attractive mosaic flooring which depict scenes from Greek mythology, which is the place the homes identify comes from.
- Home of the Faun (Casa del Fauno) – simply to the northeast of the Home of the Tragic Poet, on Vicolo del Fauno, this is 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 on 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 fantastically embellished property that includes many stunning fresco work which depict numerous mythological scenes. It’s additionally a really giant property.
- Brothel (Lupanare) – virtually as fashionable in the present day because it seemingly was in its heyday 2,000 years in the past (though with a considerably totally different clientele), the brothel was the place residents got here to seek out intercourse staff, 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 wish to skip this attraction.
- Stabian Baths (Terme Stabiane) – As beforehand talked about, Pompeii had at the very least 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 Through dell’Abbondanza and Through Stabiana. Right here you may see the totally different mens and girls’s bathing areas. We’d in all probability advocate selecting one bathtub home to go to, until you might be significantly into Roman bathtub homes.
Different websites that are just a little off the principle route and which aren’t at all times included on common excursions (though, once more, this varies!):
- Temple of Isis (Tempio di Iside) – this small and largely intact temple is discovered subsequent to the Grand Theatre, and is devoted to the Egyptian goddess Isis. The Cult of Isis was fashionable in Pompeii, regardless of proclamations in opposition to it by the Roman Senate. It’s believed that the composer Mozart visited this temple when he was 13, and it impressed his composition The Magic Flute
- Grand Theater (Teatro Grande) – Leisure was a key a part of Roman life, and there have been a variety of venues throughout 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 in the present day, and it’s effectively value a go to. It’s within the south a part of Pompeii, close to Porta di Stabia.
- Small Theater (Teatro Piccolo – Odeion) – Proper subsequent to the Grand Theater is the Small Theater, a extra intimate efficiency venue which was additionally used for council conferences. It additionally had a roof, primarily to enhance acoustics. On the time, it was typically used for mime performances, which have been fashionable. It was additionally used for music.
- Viewpoint / Panoramic View of Pompeii – To know the dimensions of Pompeii, you must contemplate visiting the point of view by Casina dell’Aquila, simply by the intersection of Through Dell’Abbondanza and Vicolo di Tesmo. The point of view is on the authentic degree of the bottom right here earlier than the excavation, and will provide you with an concept of simply how a lot floor needed to be moved to be able to unearth town.
- Home of Menander (Casa del Menandro) – owned by a excessive rating and rich household, this massive home (19,000 sq. ft) is known as for the fresco which depicts the Greek playwright Menander. There are a selection of rooms that may be visited.
- Backyard of the Fugitives (Orto dei Fuggiaschi) – discovered within the southeast a part of Pompeii, the Backyard of the Fugitives incorporates the plaster casts of 13 of the victims who died attempting to flee town.
- Amphitheater – an vital leisure middle in a Roman metropolis or city was the amphitheater, basically an enclosed theatre which was used for gladiatorial battles, circuses and extra. Probably the most well-known Amphitheatre is Rome’s Colosseum, however the one in Pompeii is definitely one of many oldest surviving amphitheaters from the Roman Empire. A lot of the construction nonetheless survives, with seating for round 20,000 folks.
- Aqueduct – The Romans have been unbelievable engineers, and while they didn’t invent the aqueduct, their aqueducts have been undoubtedly engineering wonders of their time. They allowed the distribution of water throughout the Roman Empire, and allowed cities like Pompeii to get recent water to their residents. The water in Pompeii was carried by the Augustan Aqueduct, sourcing water from 96km away, utilizing solely gravity to maneuver the water! Right this moment, you may see the place the aqueduct system arrived into town at Castellum Aqueduct, subsequent to Porto Vesuvio within the northern a part of town. From right here it was distributed to water towers and fountains throughout town.
As you may see, there’s lots to see and soak up at Pompeii!
Excursions of Pompeii
Top-of-the-line methods to go to Pompeii is to take a guided tour. There’s quite a bit to see and a whole lot of historical past and data to soak up, and having information can undoubtedly enhance your expertise.
You will have a number of choices for taking a tour. You may ebook a tour which incorporates transport from a significant metropolis similar to Rome or Naples. Or, you may make your individual solution to Pompeii and simply take a tour on website.
We’ll embody a variety of choices so that you can contemplate, relying in your preferences.
You can too ebook a tour information on arrival at Pompeii. Tour guides can be found simply inside the positioning entrance and will have an official badge.
Observe nevertheless that while accredited, the guides are freelance and costs should not mounted. You will want to barter worth, route and tour length with the out there on-site guides.
Typically, these guides may have a worth 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 customized expertise.
You may see extra on this course of right here.
Relying on how busy the day is, guides is probably not out there. So, we’d typically advocate reserving a guided tour upfront as an alternative.
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 prime. As well as, clothes that may very well be thought of disruptive can also be not allowed, and costumes, masks and banners should not permitted.
This clothes rule is often used to forestall protestors utilizing the positioning, so is unlikely to have an effect on most guests. Avoid any offensive clothes and also you’ll be effective!
You’ll nonetheless wish to assume by way of your clothes selections previous to visiting. Nearly all of your go to will likely be spent outdoors, and there’s minimal shade or shelter out there.
See the part of what to put on and pack for Pompeii for some recommendations on what to deliver to your go to.
Services at Pompeii
Pompeii has a variety of customer providers you need to use. These embody:
- two on-site bookshops, one at Piazza Esedra and one contained in the Antiquarium.
- audio information rent, out there on the Porta Marina entrance and Porta Anfiteatro entrance.
- first assist providers, out there close to the Chora Cafe on Vicolo degli Augustali
- A restaurant referred to as Chora the place you may get drinks and snacks like truffles, pastries and ice cream
- A number of free water fountains throughout the positioning
- A number of free bathroom services throughout the positioning
- Child altering services. There are three of those, one on Through dell’Abbondanza, one on Through di Nola, and one on the nook of Through Stabiana and Through della Fortuna
Smoking at Pompeii
Smoking is forbidden at Pompeii besides at designated smoking areas. These will be discovered close to the Casina dell’Aquila and the bathroom services.
Safety at Pompeii
All guests should undergo a safety test at Pompeii. Cumbersome objects, umbrellas, and baggage bigger than 30x30x15 cm (12 x 12 x 6 inches) should not permitted on the positioning and have to be left on the cloakroom. This can be a free service.
In any other case, the principles are fairly apparent, and largely deal with defending the positioning and guaranteeing 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 total 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 positioning is as accessible as attainable for all guests.
There are a selection of specifically designed accessible routes, referred to 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 positioning.
These routes embody most of the foremost buildings that guests would wish 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 exhausting to listening to to benefit from the website. Extra on this program, and accessibility on the positioning normally, will be discovered on the Pompeii for All web page.
Baggage storage Close to Pompeii
Guests to Pompeii should not allowed to deliver any baggage bigger than 30cm x 30cm x 15cm on website. So nothing bigger than a small backpack basically. We’d recommend leaving baggage in your resort room the place 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 may retailer baggage and different gadgets freed from cost.
There are additionally baggage storage lockers on the decrease ground of the Pompeii Scavi prepare station out there for a price.
Ideas for Visiting Pompeii
Based mostly on our experiences visiting Pompeii, we wished to share some ideas that can assist you get essentially the most out of your go to.
Plan your day upfront
The very first thing we advocate doing is planning your time out earlier than you go to. Determine what you wish to see at Pompeii, after which resolve if you wish to take a tour.
For those who resolve to take a tour, test what it contains, after which contemplate in the event you want further time. In case you are taking a tour that features round-trip transport, you won’t have a lot additional time.
In case you are taking a tour that begins on website, ensure you know the place the assembly level is and the assembly time, and plan how you’ll get to and from Pompeii.
In case you are doing a self-guided go to for any a part of your time at Pompeii, we propose wanting on the official map and planning out what you wish to see. You might even contemplate developing with a common path to observe. This can assist orient you when you find yourself really there.
Contemplate a Guided Tour or Audio Information
We will extremely advocate taking a guided tour of Pompeii. An skilled information goes to have the ability to deliver the positioning to life and actually show you how to perceive what you might be seeing.
On our most up-to-date go to to Pompeii we took this guided tour with Take Walks and might extremely advocate it. Nonetheless, there are a variety of choices.
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 may see another websites that the tour didn’t cowl.
For those who choose to not take a guided tour, then we’d recommend both selecting up an audio information on website, or on the very least a guidebook that features a self-guided Pompeii tour just like the Rick Steves Italy guidebook.
Costume and Pack Accordingly
In case you are visiting Pompeii within the hotter months of the 12 months, you’ll want to deliver a good solar hat to maintain the solar off your face, unfastened becoming clothes, and certain a small daypack to hold suncream, water and any snacks.
If rain is a risk, a gentle raincoat or poncho can also be a good suggestion. Umbrellas should not allowed on website.
In case you are visiting outdoors of the warmest months of the 12 months, then some hotter layers are a good suggestion simply in case it’s cooler on website.
Footwear can also be vital. The traditional streets of Pompeii will be uneven, various between unfastened filth and cobblestones. pair of comfy sneakers that you’re completely satisfied to spend time strolling in is a should.
For shoe recommendations, see our guides to the greatest journey sneakers for males and the greatest journey sneakers for girls for some concepts.
You’ll undoubtedly wish to deliver a water bottle with you. Recent consuming water is out there at fountains throughout the positioning, and on a scorching day you will have to drink loads of water. We use and love our Klean Kanteen water bottles for journey, however there are many choices on the market in fact.
We will additionally advocate bringing some form of guidebook with you. We expect 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 in the event you select to skip a guided tour.
Be Cautious of on-site Touts at Pompeii
Like every fashionable vacationer vacation spot, Pompeii has a few pitfalls to be careful for.
First, if you wish to take a tour and haven’t pre-booked one, then we’d advocate taking one of many excursions with an permitted tour information.
These will be discovered at Piazza Esedra and Porta Marina, after getting entered Pompeii, after the safety checks. These tour guides have official badges issued by the Vacationer Board of the Campania Area. In case you are not sure if a information is accredited, test with the ticket workplace.
Bear in mind that these guides will more than likely should be paid in money, and the worth of the tour goes to be one thing you’ll want to debate with the information upfront.
Once you arrive at Pompeii additionally, you will seemingly be provided excursions by guides outdoors the gates. These is not going to 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 threat, as with every 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 prepare and on the prepare station in the event you select to take public transportation.
We’ve by no means had a problem in Italy, however it’s at all times a good suggestion to take fundamental security precautions when touring wherever, as you’ll at residence.
Arrive Early and Head to the Again
Pompeii is a well-liked vacation spot, and as such it will possibly get fairly busy. As well as, there’s restricted shade on website, and in the summertime months significantly it will possibly get very popular on website.
All which means that for the most effective expertise we advocate arriving early within the day in the event you can. In case you are planning on taking a tour, ebook 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 key sights, a lot of that are situated not too removed from the doorway areas, significantly Porta Marina. Excursions teams additionally observe related routes. So if you’d like a much less crowded expertise, establish a number of sights that you’re concerned 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 value repeating. Pompeii will get extremely scorching in the summertime months and there’s not a lot shade.
There are many free consuming water fountains throughout the positioning, so deliver a water bottle and keep hydrated free of charge as you wander!
Escape the Crowds at Pompeii
Pompeii is a vastly fashionable attraction, and consequently it may be busy. The location has a restrict of 15,000 guests at anybody time, however regardless of the positioning being fairly giant folks have a tendency to move to a handful of areas such because the Discussion board, Brothel, and Bathtub homes, that means it will possibly 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 12 months. Peak season in Italy is usually 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 every week day if attainable.
- Head to a quieter a part of the positioning in the event you can, away from the teams. Most excursions observe an identical path to a handful of highlights, and in the event you head to the much less fashionable areas you will discover your self wandering virtually 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 prepare station. The Anfiteatro gate tends to be quieter, and brings you in proper subsequent to the Amphitheater as effectively, from the place you may discover the positioning at your leisure
Points of interest Close to Pompeii
Pompeii is likely one of the hottest sights within the Naples space, however it’s on no account the one attraction within the space! Listed below are another sights within the common space to think about including to your itinerary.
- Herculaneum – the opposite well-excavated city that was buried by the Vesuvius eruption is Herculaneum. That is nearer to Naples, and in addition simply accessible by the Circumvesuviana prepare service. It’s a smaller website however because it was a rich seaside resort, it has a excessive density of luxurious dwellings. It’s normally quieter than Pompeii, and a few excursions like this one go to each.
- Mount Vesuvius – the volcano which brought about all the difficulty remains to be energetic 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 see into the steaming crater and hike across the rim. There’s a small price to go to the park, and it may be reached by public transport or on a guided tour like this.
- Amalfi Coast – some of the fashionable and spectacular areas of Italy, the 50km lengthy Amalfi Coast is true subsequent to Pompeii. Beautiful seaside cities like Positano and Sorrento cling to the dramatic shoreline. It’s effectively value spending a number of days right here in the event you can. Alternatively, you may get a style of what’s on provide by taking a tour which incorporates the Amalfi Coast like this.
- Naples – the capital metropolis of the area, Naples tends to divide customer opinion. It may be crowded, and chaotic sure, however it’s additionally residence to superb meals and quite a few sights. Pompeii guests ought to undoubtedly take the time to go to the Naples Nationwide Archaeological Museum, which has the vast majority of the most effective preserved artefacts from Pompeii out there for viewing.
- Capri – a preferred island for a day journey (though keep in a single day in the event you can to keep away from the crowds!), Capri will be visited by ferry from each Naples and Sorrento. It’s a lovely island with quite a bit to see, however it will possibly get extremely crowded in the summertime months.
After all, there’s way more to see on this space, however this could offer you an concept of what’s on provide within the space round Pompeii!
The place to Keep Close to Pompeii
For those who’re searching for someplace to remain close to Pompeii, you’ve fairly a number of choices. You may keep near the positioning, or you would keep in close by Sorrento or Naples.
It’s additionally attainable to go to Pompeii as a day journey from Rome, however we’ll deal with nearer lodging for this a part of the information. See our information to spending 3 days in Rome for Rome lodging choices.
- Pompeii Ruins De Charme B&B – Actually throughout the highway from the Piazza Anfiteatro entrance this fashionable B&B presents air-conditioned rooms with breakfast included. Rooms even have a kitchen and dishwasher in the event you choose to prepare dinner for your self. Parking is out there for a price.
- 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 out there.
- Habita79 Pompeii – only a few minutes stroll from the Anfiteatro entrance, this 4* resort presents en-suite air conditioned rooms in addition to an on-site spa and wellness studio. Breakfast is out there. Observe there’s no on-site parking.
- Agora Hostel – 5 minutes stroll from the Anfiteatro entrance to Pompeii, this effectively rated hostel presents nice worth non-public and shared rooms with air con. There’s a bar and occasional home on website however no eating or parking out there.
- La Ferrovia Guesthouse Sorrento – discovered simply subsequent to Sorrento prepare station, this guesthouse presents non-public en-suite air-conditioned rooms with espresso makers. Paid parking is out there close by however there’s no on-site restaurant
- Grand Lodge Excelsior Vittoria Sorrento – in the event you’re searching for a 5* luxurious expertise in Sorrento, that is the resort to move for. Anticipate spectacular coastal views, a lovely backyard, beautiful rooms, and two eating places to select from.
After all, there are an incredible many extra choices to select from! We advocate wanting on reserving.com for every thing from motels to guesthouses, B&Bs, hostels and flats.
We use them for our reserving lodging for journey all around the world and love how straightforward it makes it to filter and discover the proper property for our funds and necessities.
See all their listings for the Pompeii space right here.
Additional Studying for Visiting Italy
Properly, 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 discover helpful when planning your journey.
Listed below are a few of these guides, in addition to hyperlinks to 3rd social gathering 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 show you how 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 essential to know to plan your visits to this outstanding sights
- Past Rome, we’ve got a information to Florence, recommended issues to do in Milan, a information to spending 2 days in Milan, and ideas for a day in Venice
- We even have an in depth 10 day Italy itinerary that can assist you plan a visit on this great nation. We even have a recommended 2-week Europe itinerary which naturally contains Italy!
- For those who’re searching for a bodily (or Kindle!) guidebook, we advocate the most recent version of Rick Steves Italy information, which has a number of sensible info that can assist you profit from your keep
And that’s it! As at all times, we hope you discovered this information helpful, and you probably have any questions or feedback about visiting Pompeii, simply pop them within the feedback under and we’ll reply as quickly as we will.
