The Ultimate Guide to Visiting Pompeii (Updated 2025)

After I was rising up, I wished to be an archeologist. I cherished historical past (and nonetheless do), and the considered uncovering temples and tombs in jungles excited me. I used to learn books on Greek and Roman historical past and have discussions with my historical past trainer, at the same time as younger as 13. In brief, I used to be an enormous geek from the get-go.

Being such an enormous historical past geek, visiting Pompeii, the town destroyed by Mount Vesuvius in 79 CE, has at all times been excessive on my listing of issues to do.

When the volcano erupted, the falling ash got here so rapidly that it preserved the town simply because it was, burying Pompeii in 4–6 meters (13–20 toes) of ash. It’s a metropolis frozen in time.

The earliest settlements within the space date to the eighth century BCE, although most individuals know Pompeii because the Roman metropolis that it was on the time of its demise. The wealthy agricultural land mixed with its location on necessary buying and selling routes meant that, over time, Pompeii grew to become a rich provincial metropolis. it had a inhabitants of over 20,000 folks.

Town was additionally a regional cultural middle, with a big amphitheater, discussion board, public baths, numerous temples, and an intensive aqueduct system offering clear water. Many of those buildings, together with expansive personal villas within the surrounding countryside, had been buried throughout Vesuvius’s eruption.

The eruption itself lasted over two days, with the primary section of falling ash and pumice lasting over 18 hours. Whereas the 1,150 our bodies found is important, it was solely a fraction of the general inhabitants. Most inhabitants possible had an opportunity to flee throughout this preliminary eruptive section, although the ultimate casualty depend stays unknown.

Whereas the eruption was the most important tragedy of its time, the falling ash additionally stored the buildings, frescoes streets, pots, and our bodies extremely nicely preserved. And whereas there was some looting after the eruption, ultimately Pompeii’s location was misplaced with the passage of time.

It wasn’t till the rediscovery of the close by city of Herculaneum (buried in the identical Vesuvius eruption) that curiosity was renewed within the space. The primary excavations at Pompeii occurred in 1748, with archaeological work persevering with to this present day. There’s nonetheless a good portion of the location that continues to be unexcavated so who is aware of what they are going to uncover right here sooner or later!

I’ve traveled the world for some time and have seen loads of marvelous ruins over time. However this is among the greatest. Although an absence of maintenance has taken its toll on the location, I nonetheless discovered it a captivating place to spend the day. My solely hope is that the Italian authorities will get its act collectively to maintain this website from falling into additional disrepair.

Situated close to Naples in Italy, Pompeii takes a full day to see. In case you actually wish to indulge your internal Indiana Jones and go to each constructing right here, schedule an additional half day. At over 160 acres, it’s an enormous website and you may simply spend much more time than that.

I noticed loads on my full day, however there was loads that I missed. That can assist you take advantage of your go to, right here is every part that you must know to go to Pompeii:

The High 12 Sights in Pompeii

1. The Brothel

The traditional lupanar (brothel) is a tiny home with stone beds and scenes of the acts clients may pay for. It’s basically historic porn, although whether or not the frescoes served a sensible goal or had been merely ornament is unclear.

Unsurprisingly, this is among the most visited homes in all of Pompeii (it was in all probability simply as in style earlier than the eruption — no pun supposed — too). It’s the biggest of the pleasure homes uncovered in Pompeii (to date) and so historians suppose it was the town’s principal brothel. In any case, the Romans did take pleasure in their…relaxation and rest.

2. The Discussion board Baths

Situated close to the discussion board (the primary public house), these baths are extremely nicely preserved. You possibly can peek contained in the wall to see how they heated the baths again after they had been nonetheless in use. Their innovation is extremely spectacular, and it’s not exhausting to image the baths as they had been.

Whereas the discussion board baths are the smallest of the assorted tub ruins in Pompeii, they’re arguably probably the most elegant. There have been separate areas for women and men, together with separate entrances. The tub not solely had sizzling baths however chilly and tepid baths as nicely.

3. The Villa of the Mysteries

Situated exterior the primary space, the frescoes listed below are amazingly nicely preserved of their full vibrant coloration. In actual fact, they’re a number of the greatest examples of 1st-century Roman portray. The frescoes appear to depict a girl getting into into the initiations for a Greco-Roman thriller cult, therefore the identify the villa is thought by as we speak.

The villa, which is on the outskirts of Pompeii correct, was excavated lengthy after the remainder of the town (excavation of the villa started in 1909). Because it’s a little bit of a stroll, not many individuals come right here both, supplying you with the place just about to your self.

4. The Discussion board

Essentially the most crowded place in Pompeii, the discussion board is situated proper close to the primary gate. It was the primary middle of life in Pompeii, the cultural and civic nerve of the town. Any vital non secular or business occasions would happen right here; it was basically the primary sq. and coronary heart of the town. Whenever you wander round right here, you’ll be able to actually get a way for what life in Pompeii was like.

5. The Stabian Baths

One other well-preserved tub, this one is the oldest in Pompeii. It additionally has a barely larger chamber and sees an entire lot fewer crowds. You can even see some preserved our bodies right here, which is unsettling (although you’ll get used to it the extra you wander the ruins).

The tub space additionally had a health club and exercise space (for wrestling, as nicely) and a big, virtually Olympic-sized, swimming pool.

6. Home of the Small Fountain

An attractive home with a big again room, fantastic frescoes, and an attractive mosaic fountain. Nearly the entire rooms result in the central atrium and you’ll see that the home was owned by somebody who was rich.

The sloped roof was used to gather rainwater and doubled as a fountain, an awesome instance of innovation on the time.

7. Home of the Faun

That is the most important home in Pompeii and will get its identify from the statue within the entrance courtyard. Constructed within the 2nd century BCE, there’s a big courtyard within the again the place you can even discover a very detailed mosaic of a battle scene.

It’s probably the most full surviving examples of a rich and opulent personal residence from the time — even higher preserved than many websites in Rome itself!

8. Backyard of the Fugitives

Situated at the back of Pompeii, this previous winery has preserved casts of people that didn’t make it out of the town alive. There are 13 our bodies within the backyard, frozen in a grotesque and agonizing tableau that displays the horrible last moments of the town. It’s each extremely attention-grabbing and unsettling on the similar time.

9. Home of Venus within the Shell

One other place situated distant from the crowds, this home has a colourful fresco to the goddess Venus. There are additionally a couple of gardens right here and an in depth statue of Mars.

The home was really beneath renovation when Vesuvius erupted and was additionally broken through the bombing in World Conflict II (although it was restored within the Fifties).

10. The Amphitheater

This large amphitheater is the place the residents of Pompeii held the traditional video games that entertained them. It’s a quiet place to stroll round and given its place on the far finish of Pompeii, you’ll see only a few folks there, particularly through the early morning or late afternoon hours.

Inbuilt 70 BCE, it was one of many first amphitheaters to be constructed of stone. At present, it’s the oldest surviving Roman amphitheater in existence.

11. Nice Palestra

Proper subsequent to the amphitheater, the “nice palace” was an train park and place for youth teams. It was used for sports activities and video games, and there was additionally a swimming pool right here as nicely.

It’s one other an awesome place to flee the crowds as not so many vacationers make it right here.

12. Home of Sallustio

This is among the oldest homes in Pompeii, with sections courting to the 4th century BCE. It was probably an elite residence, owing to its location and dimension. The higher flooring might have even been used as an inn in some unspecified time in the future in its historical past.

There’s a small backyard and coated porch within the again, a fresco of the goddess Diana, a bakery, and even a bit meals store within the entrance. Throughout World Conflict II, a bomb partially destroyed the again partitions, although these had been restored within the Seventies.
 

12 Ideas for Visiting Pompeii

Listed here are 10 tremendous necessary issues to recollect when visiting Pompeii:

1. Be careful for closings – Not all of the sights are open, even when they are saying they’re. I discovered quite a lot of locations you had been supposed to have the ability to get into closed. They even began closing one whereas I used to be wanting round. Verify the hours once you arrive, since info on-line may not be correct.

2. Begin within the again – To keep away from the crowds, transfer from the farthest temples towards the entrance. The vast majority of folks keep on with the middle of Pompeii, and you’ll go to the primary space when the crowds have passed by late afternoon.

3. Don’t do the audio information – I purchased the audio tour and located it to be a waste of time. The free guide they offer you consists of sufficient info. The audio information doesn’t clarify rather more.

4. Restricted time? Do a guided tour – I listened to quite a lot of guided excursions whereas I used to be strolling round and I used to be impressed with their information. Plus, I like with the ability to ask questions that may additional clarify issues. The guided excursions merely take you to the highlights, until you do a private tour.

5. Deliver a lot of water – Throughout the summer time, it will get scorchingly sizzling. Deliver a lot of water and a few sunscreen to keep away from getting burnt. A hat is a good suggestion too.

6. Pack snacks – There are a couple of cafes and snack bars right here, however for those who wander far into the ruins, you may not be close to them for some time. It’s greatest to deliver some meals with you for the day’s explorations.

7. Take the prepare – That is the simplest strategy to go to. Simply ensure you go to Pompei Scavi – Villa Dei Misteri station as the primary Pompeii station solely takes you to the fashionable metropolis.

8. Be careful for scams and pickpockets – As Pompeii is such a well-liked attraction (over 2.5 million folks go to annually), there are numerous individuals who attempt to reap the benefits of guests. Widespread scams embody making an attempt to promote pretend (or overpriced) prepare and bus tickets or saying that the doorway is closed (however they will get you in). Additionally be careful for pickpockets across the entrances and prepare station.

9. Don’t deliver a big backpack – Safety possible gained’t allow you to herald a big rucksack, so solely include a smaller purse or day bag.

10. Select your tour rigorously – In case you’re going to do a tour, do an official tour from contained in the gate. There are many excursions supplied exterior of the gate, however they’re much bigger and never nearly as good (although they’re cheaper). I suggest going with Take Walks. I at all times study a ton on their excursions.

11. Put on sturdy footwear – The ruins are literally fairly unfold out and also you’ll be in your toes all day. Put on comfy, sturdy sneakers (no flip flops).

12. Purchase tickets prematurely – To beat the road, purchase your tickets on-line prematurely. Pompeii can get tremendous busy, that means lengthy traces after they open. Keep away from the effort and get your tickets forward of time.
 

How you can Get to Pompeii

The prepare is one of the best ways to get to Pompeii for those who’re coming from Naples. To get right here, catch the Sorrento Circumvesuviana prepare from Naples and get off at Pompeii. The journey takes about 40 minutes and prices round 3.50 EUR. The positioning is simply 5 minutes from the prepare station.

In case you’re coming by automobile, it’s a couple of 30-minute drive. Word that there isn’t any free car parking zone for the location, although there are numerous paid municipal and personal parking tons close by.

Beginning in 2025, the location has put restrictions on each day guests to assist protect the location:

From 9:00 am to 1:00 pm, a most of 15,000 admissions (subdivided into 12,000 for Pompeii specific and three,000 for Pompei +)

From 1:00 pm to five:30 pm, a most of 5,000 admissions?(subdivided into 3,000 for Pompeii specific and a pair of,000 for Pompei +)

From April 1st to October thirty first, the whole website is open from 9am-7pm (final entrance at 5:30pm). From November 1-March 31, the location is open from 9am-5pm (final entry at 3:30pm). Nevertheless, every particular person attraction has its personal opening and shutting occasions, with final entrances beginning 1-1.5 hours earlier than closing time of the whole website. For up to date hours, verify pompeiisites.org.
 

FAQ on Visiting Pompeii

How lengthy do you want in Pompeii?
You’ll wish to spend a full day right here if you wish to see every part. In case you simply wish to see the primary websites, 3–4 hours will suffice.

Do it’s a must to pay to go to Pompeii?
Sure! Tickets are 18 EUR per individual for the essential ticket (this will get you the primary websites) and 22 EUR for the great, all entry ticket.

Ought to I guide a guided tour?
In case you don’t have a guidebook or if you’d like a deeper, extra insightful go to then getting a information is a good suggestion. There’s minimal signage right here so that you’ll get rather more out of your go to if in case you have a information.

You possibly can both guide a information on arrival (you’ll see a bunch hanging across the entrance) or go together with a good firm like Take Walks. They’ve a complete and informative 3-hour tour of the location in addition to a full-day tour that features Pompeii and a drive alongside the Amalfi Coast. Tickets are 59 EUR for the three-hour tour and 189 EUR for the full-day tour (together with tickets that allow you to skip the road).

Do that you must guide tickets prematurely for Pompeii?
Tickets could be purchased on-line prematurely, which incorporates entry to Pompeii, Oplontis, and Boscoreale. In case you’re visiting on a Saturday or public vacation, you need to guide on-line prematurely.

What number of vacationers go to Pompeii annually?
Pompeii is among the hottest sights in Italy, bringing in over 2.5 million vacationers annually. It will get busy!

When ought to I go to Pompeii?
The summer time presents the perfect climate, however it’s also extremely sizzling and busy. Take into account visiting within the shoulder season (Could or October) with the intention to beat the crowds and still have cooler climate. But when you’re going to go to in the summertime, deliver sunscreen as the location may be very uncovered to the solar.

Within the time I used to be there, I barely scratched the floor of Pompeii — and I crammed an entire day! In the future, I’d love to return and go to all of the buildings I missed. However then once more, I’m a historical past geek and will spend days upon days amongst ruins. In case you don’t dwell and breathe historical past as I do, someday can be sufficient to see the highlights.

Be sure to transfer away from the town middle to see a number of the lesser-known and fewer crowded websites. Strolling among the many ruins is an eerie however stunning feeling.

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