Seeing the ruins of Pompeii is like taking an incredible dive into the past. Here are our tips to better organize your visit.
As time passes, the charm of the Archaeological Park of Pompeii grows. Pompeii was once a Roman city inhabited by more than one hundred thousand people. In 79 AD, time stopped because of the catastrophic eruption of Vesuvius. The temples, theaters, stores, the market, brothels, everything was covered with lava, and remained unchanged for centuries. That’s why to this day, we are blessed with this beautifully preserved historical testimony, which tells us about the habits and daily life in ancient Rome.
The archaeological site is very large and organizing a visit can become overwhelming. Not to mention the fact that there are many other activities in the area you can do to make the experience that much better. Here are 5 useful tips to visit Pompeii at its best:
1. Choose the type of experience that’s right for you: Skip the Line Tickets and Guided Tours
Organizing a visit to Pompeii requires a bit of planning. Our advice is to always book tickets in advance and to check the opening hours and days on the official website. There are two main ways of visiting: buy skip-the-line tickets online or join a guided tour.
The first option is perfect for those who like to move around independently. But we always prefer the guided tour. The site is very large, full of things to see and curiosities to discover. Therefore, it is ideal to book a guided tour so you can experience the ruins to the fullest and without the stress of having to navigate between the many attractions.
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2. Plan your day
Guided tours last a couple of hours on average, but an excursion to Pompeii can last much longer, which is why we recommend that you organize your day as best as possible.
How to get there
The excavations of Pompeii can be reached both by car and by public transport. By public transportation, the most convenient route is the Circumvesuviana Napoli-Sorrento. From the station you can easily reach the archaeological site. If arriving by car, you can park in the parking lots.
Choose the right entrance
The excavations of Pompeii have three different entrances: Porta Marina (via Villa dei Misteri), the only access where the authorized audio guide service is available, Piazza Esedra (lower Piazza Porta Marina) and Piazza Anfiteatro (Piazza Immacolata). Pay attention to where you arrive and determine which access is most comfortable for you and the people you travel with. For people with limited mobility, the easiest entrance is in Piazza Anfiteatro.
Refreshment points and other services
History, you know, could make you very hungry! Eating inside the archaeological site grounds is prohibited. However, there is a picnic area at Porta Nola so you can bring your own packed lunch and eat there. Otherwise, you can buy food at the Autogrill food court behind the Temple of Jupiter.
A luggage storage service is available at the entrances of Porta Marina and Piazza Anfiteatro, as well as a bookshop in Piazza Esedra. If you’re visiting with children, you will be happy to know that there are also three baby points in Via dell’ Abbondanza, Via di Nola and between Via Stabiana and Via della Fortuna.
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3. What to see in Pompeii: attractions not to be missed
The archaeological park covers 66 hectares, so there are a countless number of things to see as you can imagine. Be sure to visit the Forum, the place where civil, religious, and economic life took place in Pompeii. Near the Forum there are three well-preserved temples, the Apollo, Venus, and Jupiter temples. One of the largest and most recognizable houses is the Casa del Fauno (House of the Faun). The house got its name from the statue that stood here once. However, the most famous villa is Villa dei Misteri (Villa of the Mysteries), with its cryptic paintings.
It is also worth visiting the Amphitheatre, the oldest building of its kind, dating back to 80 B.C., and the Garden of the Fugitives, a moving example of the last moments of Pompeii prior to the eruption.
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4. What to do in and around Pompeii
If planned well (or by booking an excursion that includes several activities), your visit to the excavations can be accompanied by other unforgettable experiences. Not everyone knows that Herculaneum is just a short distance from Pompeii. This ancient Roman city was caught by the same fate as Pompeii, its archaeological site is smaller but better preserved. If you are passionate about history, visiting the two sites in one day is a dream.
From the Circumvesuviana station, buses depart to the top of Vesuvius. If you love nature and want to do some great trekking, a hike up Vesuvius is a great option to end the day in style.
If, on the other hand, you want to explore modern Pompeii, its Sanctuary is truly spectacular.
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5. Some curiosities about Pompeii (which you may not have known)
There are so many curiosities about Pompeii that are extremely fascinating. For example, you may have thought “but what made the people of Pompeii build a city at the foot of a volcano? The reality is that at the time Vesuvius was thought to have been just a mountain. Before 79 AD, in fact, the volcano had been dormant for such a long time that thick vegetation had grown on its slopes. Or, did you know that Pompeii was the holiday resort of the ancient Romans? Even Roman emperor Nero is thought to have had a villa in the town.
If you love wine, make sure you try the wine from Pompeii! The Romans used to produce it quite often. This custom has been handed down and vines are still kept in the green parts of the park.
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