A Complete Guide For a Trip to Pompeii

The Pompeii Ruins are the remains of an ancient Roman city buried by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. Once a thriving metropolis, Pompeii was known for its grand architecture, intricate mosaics, and vibrant culture. The eruption preserved much of the city under layers of ash and pumice, offering an incredible snapshot of Roman life.

Rediscovered in the 18th century, Pompeii has since become one of the most important archaeological sites in the world. Excavations have revealed homes, shops, temples, and even the remains of the city's residents. The ruins provide invaluable insight into the daily lives of Romans, offering a rare glimpse into the past that continues to captivate visitors today.

Located in between Naples and Sorento, Pompeii has great transport links and isn’t too hard to reach.

• From Naples, you can take the Circumvesuviana train to the Pompei Scavi – Villa dei Misteri stop where you'll find both the Porta Marina and Piazza Esedra entrances. For the other entrance, Piazza Anfiteatro, you need to get off at the Pompei Santuario train station.
• You can also get to the ruins by bus. The SITA bus line runs from both Naples and Salerno.
• Many visitors opt to drive to the ruins themselves. From Naples, you need to take the A3 motorway before turning off at the Pompei Ovest exit. From Salerno, you simply follow the A3 motorway to Pompeii, this time turning off at Pompei Est to reach the ruins.
• From Sorrento to Pompeii, it’s just a half an hour journey on the Circumvesuviana train to the ruins.
• If you don't feel like finding the ruins yourself, there are many organized tours of Pompeii that arrange to pick you up from either Naples, Salerno or even Rome.

When you visit Pompeii, it's important to note that there are in fact three entrances and there are a number of ways to reach each of them. It's a good idea to decide in advance which entrance you want to use so as to plan out your travel route accordingly.

• Porta Marina is the main entrance to visit Pompeii and lies just a short distance away from the Piazza Esedra entrance. Although Porta Marina has the best facilities, it is the most crowded of the three entrances.
• Piazza Esedra is much quieter and while it has fewer services available, you should be able to enter the site in the shortest amount of time. At both the entrances, you can take any of the Pompeii guided tours that are on offer.
• The Piazza Anfiteatro entrance lies about a 15-20 minute walk away from the other two and is also very popular as it is located right next to all of the main sights such as the forum and amphitheatre. While this does mean that it gets quite crowded, entering here means you are immediately greeted with many of the main attractions. However, you can’t book to go on one of the Pompeii tours here, hence the entrance is suggested only for those who want to explore the ruins on their own.

There is absolutely loads to see in Pompeii and the site sprawls over a very large area. Here are some of the main attractions which you really don't want to miss out on:

• House of the Faun. One of the largest and indeed most impressive houses in Pompeii, the House of the Faun showcases how wealthy Romans lived. Its name comes from the little faun statue that lies at its entrance.

• Plaster casts. Unlike anything you've seen before, the plaster casts are sombre to behold. The twisted figures were created by pouring plaster into gaps where human remains were once found. The plaster casts manage to be chilling and yet captivating at the same time.

• The Temple of Apollo. Once the most important religious building in the city, the Temple of Apollo now lies in ruins. Yet is no less impressive, and some of its columns are still standing defiantly amidst the debris. The oldest building in Pompeii, the temple dates all the way back to the sixth century BC.

• The amphitheatre. Marvellous to gaze upon, the amphitheatre is the oldest in the world of its kind. It is a highly impressive piece of architecture that was built to hold an audience of 12,000—20,000! Various gladiator games and circus shows were hosted there. Very well preserved, it is certainly one of the highlights of tours of Pompeii.

• The forum. Once the beating heart of the city, the forum was where all public events in Pompeii took place. It was the political and religious center of the town. Until this day you can still see the remains of all of the important buildings and temples that surrounded it.

Here are some of the tips for you that will help you while visiting Pompeii:

• Wear comfortable shoes for walking long distances while exploring the extensive ruins.

• Pompeii can get crowded, especially during peak tourist seasons. Arriving early will help you avoid large crowds and allow more time to explore the site in peace.

• There are limited food options inside the ruins, so it’s a good idea to bring water and some snacks to stay hydrated and energized during your visit.

• A guided tour offers rich historical context and helps you understand the significance of different areas within the ruins. Consider booking one to enhance your experience.

• Much of Pompeii is exposed to the sun, so protecting yourself from sunburn is important, especially during the hotter months is important. Wear a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen.

• Pompeii is vast, and exploring it thoroughly can take several hours. Plan to spend at least half a day or more to fully appreciate the site’s history and beauty.

In addition to following the standard rules such as not littering, not clambering over the ruins or disturbing other guests, there are a couple of other things to bear in mind.

• Only 15,000 visitors at a time are allowed to visit the site. You may find that you have to wait a while if the limit has already been reached.
• Guests and groups alike must follow the established itineraries and refrain from roaming off of the designated paths.
• The last entrance to the park is always an hour and a half before closing time.
• You are not allowed to take large bags inside the ruins of Pompeii for security purposes.

With so many incredible, historically-fascinating sites to explore in the ruins of Pompeii, including the forum, the amphitheatre and the Temple of Apollo, it is no wonder that the ruins will be the highlight of your Italy tour. The expansive archaeological site is one of the most impressive in the world and wandering around its ancient streets and crumbling ruins is an unforgettable experience. Whether you opt to take one of the Pompeii tours or decide to explore its wealth of wonders at your own leisure, a visit to Pompeii will certainly never fail to astonish.

Pompeii can be added to your itinerary as a part of your customized tour to Italy with the help of our local travel experts. Read more on how many days to spend in Italy. For a seasonal overview, check out our guide on the best time to visit Italy.