Ancient Ruins | Pompeii, Italy

August 29, 2015 80045 Pompei, Metropolitan City of Naples, Italy

Pompeii Italy

Here's a guide to Pompeii, Italy.

Pompeii, Italy.
Upon arriving you will spot Mount Vesuvius in the distance and the views are unbelievable. Pompeii is a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the most visited archaeological sites in the world. It's crazy to think Pompeii was an ancient Roman city and within seconds it was destroyed by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. The people and buildings of this ancient metropolis were drowned in 25 meters deep of ash. The area wasn't discovered until 1,500 years later and it was discovered that the volcanic ash had preserved the entire town. It's now it's one of Italy's most popular attractions reigning in 2.5 million visitors a year.

Pompeii spans 170 acres, it's surely a massive place to explore. It's really impossible to see everything in one day. Even an expert tour guide would take at least two full days to explore Pompeii completely. It is recommend to carve out a few hours when visiting. Theres so much to see from the many squares, temples, theaters, and thermal baths. You get to see a slice of the past and how people lived during those times.

There are several ways to navigate your time in Pompeii whether its a pre-booked guided tour, hire local guide at the entrance (official tour guides are identified by specific badge), rent an audioguide, or go on a self guided tour. Every ticket includes a map and small pocket guide. There are also apps to download on your phone that guide you around Pompeii.

Also to note when making a trip to Pompeii that the modern city nearby the Pompeii archeological site is spelled Pompei with one i. The older Pompeii is where you want to go to see the ruins and depart/arrive at the Pompeii Scavi train station.


Getting Here.
There many ways of transportation to get to Pompeii whether it's by train, car, or a bus. 

By Car: Depending on traffic and season you plan to visit, by car it's around 2.5 hour ride from Rome to Pompeii. A 30 minute ride from Naples to Pompeii, 45 minute ride from Sorrento to Pompeii, and a 4.5 hour ride from Florence to Pompeii.

By Train:  From Rome to Pompeii, take a train to Naples Central Station and then the Circunvesuviana to Pompei Scavi. From Naples to Pompeii, take Circumvesuviana network train and get off at Pompei Scavi stop.

By Bus: From Rome to Pompeii, take a Flixbus from Rome to Pompeii. From Naples to Pompeii, take SITA from Naples to Pompeii (Piazza Esedra entrance)


Pompeii Tickets.
The ticket office doesn't accept credit cards so be sure to bring cash during your trip here You can get more information and view prices and book ahead by (clicking here). Pompeii can get very busy in peak season with long lines and many tour groups visiting so booking a time slot that best fits your schedule in advance.


Three Entrances.
There are three entrances to be aware of when visiting Pompeii. Make sure to plan out where you want to start your tour from if you're on a time crunch

Porta Marina is the main entrance . You can purchase audio guides, shop souvenirs, and have access to information kiosks.

Piazza Anfiteatro is an entrance thats closes to the amphitheater, the forum, and other important areas of Pompeii ruins. You can purchase audio guides at this entrance as well and there is a free luggage storage. If you plan to visit Mount Vesuvius after visiting the ruins, it departs from this entrance.

Piazza Esedra is close to the Porta Marina entrance but with less frills in terms of not much service if you are looking for helo. It's less crowded if you just want to get in and out with no crowds.


Hours.
Here are the hours of operation for this attraction. For the latest information for timed entrances (click here).

April to October: Monday-Friday (9am-7:30pm), Saturday-Sunday (8:30am- 7:30pm)
November to March: Monday -Friday (9am-5pm), Saturday-Sunday (8:30am-5pm)
Closed on January 1, May 1, and December 25.
* Last entrance is 1.5 hours before closing*


My Experience.
If you have been keeping up with my recent Euro trip, you'll know that I'm traveling with a group tour. For the total breakdown of this month long tour (click here) to read more about the experience. If you want to read the other places in Italy I visited (click here).

This day was a long one. We started the day exploring Rome and drove to Pompeii. We were greeted by a local guide who took us on detailed tour around Pompeii. She was very insightful and made the experience great with her outstanding energy. It was so fascinating to be able to walk through this well preserved area and be taken back into history. Being in Pompeii during a heat wave in summer, was challenging. I would highly recommend bringing water to stay hydrated, applying your sunscreen, and comfortable walking shoes. 

After our tour within the ruins ended, we were able to walk around the shops outside and fuel up on some food. There aren't many eatery options around but when you're hungry anything is better than nothing.  After a long day of exploring we were ready to head to our last accommodation in Italy. Our tour manager had advised us before leaving Pompeii to take some cash out from any nearby ATM or bank for our next destination which was Greece. During our trip just days before heading into the last leg of our tour which was in Greece, there was crisis with the banks occurring. We weren't aware of all the details, we just heard about protests that were happening and what was put out in the media. 

Our accommodation for our last night in Italy changed last minute and we ended up in staying at a great hotel located in Salerno, Italy. We were happy with this upgrade in accommodation and surprisingly there was a party reception outside the hotel that we could see from our windows. The music was great and there were also fireworks going off at night which was a great way to end our stay in Italy. The next stop was Greece, which was my favorite part of this trip, stay tuned for my Greece blog posts (click here)!

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Comment below,
Would you visit Pompeii?

Until the next post!

-WanderlustBeautyDreams ♡ 

44 comments

  1. We visited Pompeii and I was very impressed with the sense of history we got, just by walking around. It still is mind blowing to me that this whole city was just buried by a natural disaster.
    Thanks for all the great pictures!

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    1. I know right? It's so insane that all that happened. Thank you so much Karen for your kind words!

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  2. I just came back from Italy and Pompeii was a huge bucket list item for me, and I loved it! So much fascinating history.

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    1. How amazing! I loved my time here as well, learned a lot through the tour!

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  3. I would absolutely love to visit Pompeii, Italy. I have taught this unit of study and I am fascinated with it. Your photos are amazing!

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    1. That's so amazing. I hope you to visit Pompeii some day, you would have such a blast. Also thank you so much!

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  4. Oh Stephanie, now I desperatly want to travel!
    This looks like a perfect place to visit for a weekend, and I have always wanted to see so much more of Italy.

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    1. Italy is such a gem! I would love to go back as well and see more the country as well.

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  5. The Pompeii ruins are so amazing! I've been there, and it is absolutely fantastic to see the ruins up close and personally.

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    1. I highly recommend visiting when you're around the area!

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  6. It is one of my dreams to go to Italy and see this in person. So much history!

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    1. You will love it. The history, architecture, and the food just amazing in Italy!

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  7. I wish we had visited Pompeii on my group tour to Italy (group tours are the best!) Great photos! I now have to add this to my bucket list. THanks for sharing!

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  8. This is gorgeous! I'd love to visit one day.

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  9. I'd love to go here. Sometimes, I do find the ruins of Pompeii to be creepy at times but they are interesting, in general.

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    1. It's for sure a mix of emotions. It's interesting to be able to walk around history but sad to know you're in the same exact place where many people died because of the eruption.

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  10. I would love to visit The ruins of Pompeii. Visit the Pompeii Ruins and experience a truly unique snapshot of life.

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  11. Archaeology is one of my main interests. It's too bad it doesn't pay better, as a profession. I would likely switch jobs immediately!

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  12. Great photos! I have not been able to travel to Italy but it is on my list of places I would love to visit.

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  13. Oh yeah, I definitely would....just look at that green?

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  14. I have been many times to Italy, but never to Pompeii, which is a shame. Hopefully, one day I will do so, I am just not sure about traveling to Europe yet. I am going to wait until next year to make plans. Blessings

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    1. I need to explore more of Italy! Love everything about the country, there's so much to see.

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  15. What a truly phenomenal experience! I really hope that one day I have the opportunity to visit Pompeii. I'm really fascinated by the history of the area and would love to see it in person. So cool!

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    1. It such a unique experience for sure. I highly recommend visiting!

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  16. Breathtaking photos! Definitely adding this to my bucket list.

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  17. I've never been to Italy before but it's absolutely a beautiful place to visit. I would love to go there and explore some historical sites.

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  18. Pompeii is certainly one of the most meaningful historic places on earth. Yet, the nearby Ercolano impressed me even more.

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  19. Such a great place to visit. Beautiful pictcures.

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  20. This looks like such an amazing trip! I have always wanted to visit Pompeii! Thanks for sharing!

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  21. I am so happy for you! when I saw the ruins for my first time it struck me so hard! I will never forget the feeling of structures and lives being so old, so forgotten for a time only to be found and understood

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  22. I always wanted to visit Pompeii. I love learning about history and to see the place with my own eyes would be amazing!

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  23. I have nevr heard of Pompeii, but it seems a wonderful place. I love to vit because I love history!

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