{"id":12692,"date":"2019-10-25T11:49:08","date_gmt":"2019-10-25T10:49:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogadmin.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/?p=12692"},"modified":"2025-11-26T10:51:07","modified_gmt":"2025-11-26T10:51:07","slug":"herculaneum-vesuvius-pompeii-visitors-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/herculaneum-vesuvius-pompeii-visitors-guide","title":{"rendered":"Pompeii Guide: 10 Essential Tips to Know Before Visiting the Ancient Roman City"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n<p>One of the most famous Ancient Roman cities, <a href=\"https:\/\/walksofitaly.com\/pompeii-tours\/\">Pompeii<\/a> has become synonymous with history, as well as tragedy. Buried by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD, the town and many of its inhabitants were simultaneously destroyed and preserved in Volcanic debris. It remained frozen in time until it was discovered by archeologists during the 18th century and excavations into its intricate history began. It is no wonder it is one of the most intriguing sites in the world today. So, here is a Pompeii Guide of things to know before you visit this remarkable city.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n<div id=\"attachment_1041\" style=\"width: 1210px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1041\" class=\"wp-image-1041\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/07\/DSC_0598-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"In the shoulder season, even Pompeii is uncrowded. A pompeii guide will help you to understand the events of the fateful day \" width=\"1200\" height=\"797\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/07\/DSC_0598-scaled.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/07\/DSC_0598-768x510.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/07\/DSC_0598-1536x1020.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-1041\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Keep reading our Pompeii guide to make the most of your trip to the ancient city.<\/p><\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_80 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/herculaneum-vesuvius-pompeii-visitors-guide\/#A_Pompeii_Guide_of_all_you_need_to_know\" >A Pompeii Guide of all you need to know\u00a0<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/herculaneum-vesuvius-pompeii-visitors-guide\/#1_Dont_go_in_blindly\" >1. Don&#8217;t go in blindly<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/herculaneum-vesuvius-pompeii-visitors-guide\/#2_Do_be_prepared_to_go_with_the_flow\" >2. Do be prepared to go with the flow<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/herculaneum-vesuvius-pompeii-visitors-guide\/#3_Do_visit_Mount_Vesuvius\" >3. Do visit Mount Vesuvius<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/herculaneum-vesuvius-pompeii-visitors-guide\/#4_Dont_forget_about_Herculaneum\" >4. Don&#8217;t forget about Herculaneum<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/herculaneum-vesuvius-pompeii-visitors-guide\/#5_Do_take_in_the_art_as_well_as_the_architecture\" >5. Do take in the art, as well as the architecture<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/herculaneum-vesuvius-pompeii-visitors-guide\/#6_Dont_forget_that_Pompeii_is_still_an_active_archaeological_site\" >6. Don&#8217;t forget that Pompeii is still an active archaeological site<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/herculaneum-vesuvius-pompeii-visitors-guide\/#7_Do_think_practically\" >7. Do think practically<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/herculaneum-vesuvius-pompeii-visitors-guide\/#8_Do_choose_the_best_entrance\" >8. Do choose the best entrance<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/herculaneum-vesuvius-pompeii-visitors-guide\/#9_Do_know_when_to_go\" >9. Do know when to go<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/herculaneum-vesuvius-pompeii-visitors-guide\/#10_Dont_worry_about_getting_there\" >10. Don&#8217;t worry about getting there<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/herculaneum-vesuvius-pompeii-visitors-guide\/#FAQ%C2%B4s_%E2%80%93_A_Pompeii_Guide\" >FAQ\u00b4s &#8211; A Pompeii Guide\u00a0<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/herculaneum-vesuvius-pompeii-visitors-guide\/#How_long_do_I_need_to_visit_Pompeii\" >How long do I need to visit Pompeii?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/herculaneum-vesuvius-pompeii-visitors-guide\/#Is_it_worth_taking_a_guided_tour_of_Pompeii\" >Is it worth taking a guided tour of Pompeii?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-15\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/herculaneum-vesuvius-pompeii-visitors-guide\/#Can_I_visit_Pompeii_Herculaneum_and_Mount_Vesuvius_in_one_day\" >Can I visit Pompeii, Herculaneum, and Mount Vesuvius in one day?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"A_Pompeii_Guide_of_all_you_need_to_know\"><\/span>A Pompeii Guide of all you need to know\u00a0<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>From tragedy comes knowledge, and now Pompeii offers a rare glimpse into the past. Whether you&#8217;re interested in art, archeology or anthropology, Pompeii is one of the best insights into human history. Walking its streets is like stepping through time, so it&#8217;s important to do some planning to make the most out of your visit. From incorporating <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/2019\/oct\/24\/roman-villa-reopened-to-public-in-site-near-pompeii-herculaneum\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Herculaneum<\/a> and Mount Vesuvius into your itinerary and separating Pompeii facts from fiction, to how to get there from Naples, follow these 10 steps for a stress-free Pompeii adventure. And f<em>or more, you can also see our complete <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/walksofitaly.com\/blog\/pompeii\/guide-visiting-pompeii\"><em>guide to visiting Pompeii<\/em><\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<div id=\"attachment_13608\" style=\"width: 1610px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-13608\" class=\"wp-image-13608 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/Walks-20190625-Rome-Pompeii-from-Rome-Amalfi-0180-16x9.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1600\" height=\"900\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/Walks-20190625-Rome-Pompeii-from-Rome-Amalfi-0180-16x9.jpg 1600w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/Walks-20190625-Rome-Pompeii-from-Rome-Amalfi-0180-16x9-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/Walks-20190625-Rome-Pompeii-from-Rome-Amalfi-0180-16x9-1536x864.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-13608\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Make the most of a once-in-a-lifetime visit to Pompeii!<\/p><\/div>\r\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"1_Dont_go_in_blindly\"><\/span>1. Don&#8217;t go in blindly<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\r\n<p>Once you&#8217;re inside Pompeii, the site offers very little by way of information about what you&#8217;re seeing, Though this helps to maintain authenticity, it&#8217;s also important to know what you&#8217;re looking at for an enriching experience.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n<p>A Pompeii guide is not automatically provided with your ticket,\u00a0 but <strong>you can purchase an audio guide at the entrance for a small charge.<\/strong> This will provide a good foundational knowledge of the sites you pass by. There are also some apps that can be used as audio guides during your visit. One of the top rated is <em>Discover Pompeii<\/em> which has six hours of audio content and an offline map that can be used during your visit.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Alternatively,<strong> you can opt for <a href=\"https:\/\/walksofitaly.com\/pompeii-tours\/best-of-pompeii-tour\/\">a guided tour of Pompeii<\/a><\/strong> which will show you the most interesting parts of the Ancient town and bring it to life with detailed stories and historical knowledge. While guides can generally be found loitering around the ticket desk, it&#8217;s definitely a <strong>good idea to book ahead of time<\/strong> so you can be assured of the quality of the tour and the guide&#8217;s knowledge of the area. One of the best ways to ensure quality is to go with a reputable tour operator (like <a href=\"https:\/\/walksofitaly.com\/blog\">Walks of Italy<\/a>!)<\/p>\r\n<div id=\"attachment_11998\" style=\"width: 1110px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-11998\" class=\"wp-image-11998 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Responsible-travel-Italy-tourism-small-group-tour-Pompeii-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1100\" height=\"733\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Responsible-travel-Italy-tourism-small-group-tour-Pompeii-1.jpg 1100w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Responsible-travel-Italy-tourism-small-group-tour-Pompeii-1-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1100px) 100vw, 1100px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-11998\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Looking for a way to visit Pompeii in one day? Make sure to sign up for a tour.<\/p><\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"2_Do_be_prepared_to_go_with_the_flow\"><\/span>2. Do be prepared to go with the flow<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>While planning is essential, any successful trip to Pompeii also requires a degree of spontaneity. Because this is primarily an archeological site, with new discoveries being made constantly, <strong>areas can be closed (or opened!) without warning<\/strong>. Keep an eye out for the graffiti and ancient carvings that mark many of the town&#8217;s walls and be open to wandering through any doors that are unlocked on the day. You could find anything from ancient mosaics to intricate paintings. As the Romans say, <em>Audaces fortuna iuvat &#8211;<\/em> fortune favours the bold!<\/p>\r\n<div id=\"attachment_23595\" style=\"width: 1210px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-23595\" class=\"wp-image-23595 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/Walks_Rome_Pompeii-Amalfi_0103.jpg\" alt=\"Pompeii frescos and arched walls.\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/Walks_Rome_Pompeii-Amalfi_0103.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/Walks_Rome_Pompeii-Amalfi_0103-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-23595\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Pompeii frescos and arched walls.<\/p><\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"3_Do_visit_Mount_Vesuvius\"><\/span>3. Do visit Mount Vesuvius<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\r\n<p>To fully take in what happened on that fateful day on 24th August 79 AD, a <strong>trip to Mount Vesuvius<\/strong> is necessary. Once you see the enormity of the Volcano you can fully appreciate what a catastrophic event its eruption must have been for the people in the vicinity.<\/p>\r\n<p>Though Vesuvius may be listed as one of the most dangerous volcanoes on earth, don&#8217;t let this deter you. This is largely due to the number of people that reside in its vicinity, meaning <em>if <\/em>it were to erupt it would have a larger impact than another volcano with a smaller settlement nearby (even if that one was more <em>likely<\/em> to become active).<\/p>\r\n<p>Vesuvius is also tracked minutely by an observation station (the Vesuvius\u00a0Observatory) who are alerted to the smallest murmurs inside the volcano&#8217;s depths. Connected with the legend of Hercules and long believed to be the residence of gods (and monsters) from Roman mythology, Vesuvius also offers one of the best vantage points to look down at the beautiful <a href=\"https:\/\/walksofitaly.com\/blog\/amalfi-coast\/how-to-get-to-amalfi-sorrento\">Amalfi Coast<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n<p><em>Read more about <a href=\"https:\/\/walksofitaly.com\/blog\/pompeii\/visiting-mount-vesuvius\">why Mount Vesuvius needs to be on your Pompeii itinerary<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\r\n<figure class=\"aligncenter is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"665\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-4050\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/05\/the-Vesuvius-view-Naple.jpg\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/05\/the-Vesuvius-view-Naple.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/05\/the-Vesuvius-view-Naple-768x511.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><br \/>\r\n<figcaption>A view of Mount Vesuvius from Naples<\/figcaption>\r\n<\/figure>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"4_Dont_forget_about_Herculaneum\"><\/span>4. Don&#8217;t forget about Herculaneum<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\r\n<p>When people hear &#8216;Mount Vesuvius&#8217; they automatically think of Pompeii. Few people realise that a number of other Ancient Roman towns and settlements were destroyed during the volcano&#8217;s unprecedented eruption in 79 AD. One of these towns was Herculaneum, Pompeii&#8217;s smaller yet wealthier rival. Because Herculaneum is much closer to the volcano, it was covered in molten lava when the volcano erupted, instead of the layer of thick ash (pumice) Pompeii was preserved by.<\/p>\r\n<p>Though both sites are incredibly well maintained, Herculaneum was covered in thicker mudflow which meant it was more fully encased and consequently, better preserved &#8211; albeit much more difficult to excavate for its original archeologists. Thankfully, it was excavated and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/2019\/oct\/24\/roman-villa-reopened-to-public-in-site-near-pompeii-herculaneum\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">today it provides another fascinating insight into the past<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n<p>An economic rival to the middle-class Pompeii, the upper-class Herculaneum contains many lavish houses and marble-work not to be found in its neighbouring towns. It&#8217;s also usually far less crowded because of its lesser-known status. Easily accessible by public transport, combine both towns in one day for an Ancient Roman odyssey.<\/p>\r\n<div id=\"attachment_12791\" style=\"width: 2058px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-12791\" class=\"wp-image-12791 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/herculaneum-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1365\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/herculaneum-scaled.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/herculaneum-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/herculaneum-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-12791\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">This amazing wall mosaic of Neptune and Amphitrite was unearthed in Herculaneum.<\/p><\/div>\r\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\r\n<h3 class=\"aligncenter is-resized\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"5_Do_take_in_the_art_as_well_as_the_architecture\"><\/span>5. Do take in the art, as well as the architecture<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<p>Stepping back in time and walking the streets that Ancient Romans once crossed is an uncanny experience, and you should appreciate this rare opportunity to its fullest. However, in addition to the temples and ancient restaurants preserved in this seaport town are masterful works of art depicting everything from everyday life to epic myths and legends.<\/p>\r\n<p>Many of the ancient villas have been named after the impressive works of art found inside &#8211; a testament to their importance. Depictions of everything from the legend of Hercules to Alexander the Great line this Ancient Roman town, and taking the time to admire the art in Pompeii fully is a thoroughly rewarding experience. As with any piece of art, it&#8217;s a good idea to get the full context. Research the stories behind the art ahead of time or book a guided tour for a more complete experience.<\/p>\r\n<p><em><strong>Traveler&#8217;s tip: <\/strong><\/em>Want to know more about the city&#8217;s stunning artwork? Read our <a href=\"https:\/\/walksofitaly.com\/blog\/pompeii\/pompeii-art-guide\">Art Lover&#8217;s guide to Pompeii.<\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\r\n<figure class=\"aligncenter is-resized\">\r\n<figcaption>\r\n<div id=\"attachment_22701\" style=\"width: 1210px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-22701\" class=\"wp-image-22701 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/pompeii.jpg\" alt=\"woman taking a photo inside an ancient room\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/pompeii.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/pompeii-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-22701\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The art and architecture that managed to survive is truly mind blowing.<\/p><\/div>\r\n<\/figcaption>\r\n<\/figure>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"6_Dont_forget_that_Pompeii_is_still_an_active_archaeological_site\"><\/span>6. Don&#8217;t forget that Pompeii is still an active archaeological site<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\r\n<p>Many visitors forget, but excavations in Pompeii and the surrounding area are still ongoing. New finds are constantly being uncovered within the area, giving us even more insight into Roman life and the history of this seaport town. For example, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.livescience.com\/ancient-pompeii-inscription-life-before-tragedy.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"an inscription (opens in a new tab)\">an inscription<\/a> was recently found which researchers believe could indicate the total population of Pompeii. (They now estimate that at one point the city had a total of 30,000 residents).<\/p>\r\n<div id=\"attachment_15079\" style=\"width: 1210px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-15079\" class=\"wp-image-15079 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Pompeii-e1734429092430.jpg\" alt=\"Pompeii\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-15079\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Pompeii is one of the world&#8217;s most unique places to visit.<\/p><\/div>\r\n<p>As such, there are a number of rules that visitors need to abide by in order to preserve the archaeological site. You can find a full list of these rules <a href=\"http:\/\/pompeiisites.org\/en\/visiting-info\/regulations-for-visitors\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"here (opens in a new tab)\">here<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>It should also be remembered that <strong>Pompeii is ultimately a burial site<\/strong>. It may have happened thousands of years ago, but over 2,000 people &#8211; including men women and children &#8211; perished when Mount Vesuvius erupted on the 24th of August, 79 AD. Death casts line the streets depicting the final moments, and often expressions, of the doomed. As such, it&#8217;s important to maintain a level of respect while inside.<\/p>\r\n<div id=\"attachment_22708\" style=\"width: 1210px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-22708\" class=\"wp-image-22708 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/pompeii-body.jpg\" alt=\"A glass display box with a decomposed body in Pompeii.\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/pompeii-body.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/pompeii-body-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-22708\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Take a moment to pay respects to the victims of the fateful day that changed this city forever.<\/p><\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"7_Do_think_practically\"><\/span>7. Do think practically<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\r\n<p>It&#8217;s easy to get swept up in the experience of visiting Pompeii for the first time, but there are some logistics that will make your trip more enjoyable:<\/p>\r\n<p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n<p><strong>Practical tips for visiting Pompeii<\/strong><\/p>\r\n<p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\r\n<li><em><strong>Bring a water bottle<\/strong><\/em> &#8211; particularly if you&#8217;re going on a hot day during the summer, but really this advice works year round. Pompeii is a large city and usually takes approximately 3-4 hours to get through, so stay hydrated!<\/li>\r\n<li><strong><em>Bring Food &#8211; <\/em><\/strong>as you might&#8217;ve guessed, this archeological site isn&#8217;t equipped to cater for a large amount of options or budgets. There is one cafe\/restaurant on site but we&#8217;d recommend bringing your own food. Porta Nola is a designated picnicking spot in Pompeii. Don&#8217;t use any other spaces within the site as<em> there are strict rules against eating outside of designated areas.<\/em><\/li>\r\n<li><em><strong>Wear flat shoes <\/strong>&#8211; <\/em>there&#8217;s a lot of ground to cover in Pompeii and you don&#8217;t want to fall behind because you weren&#8217;t wearing the right footwear. So many people walking through the ancient city can also cause wear and tear to the ancient streets, so wearing flat shoes will go a small way towards ensuring the next generation of visitors can see what we take for granted.<\/li>\r\n<li><em><strong>Wear Sunscreen<\/strong><\/em> &#8211; and plenty of it! The town is exposed and offers very little areas with shade, so you&#8217;ll want to wear a high SPF and bring it with you so you can top up during the day. If you&#8217;re visiting during the summer months, it&#8217;s a good idea to wear protective clothing such as a hat, sunglasses, and lightweight coverings to protect your skin from sun exposure.<\/li>\r\n<li><em><strong>No Large Bags &#8211; <\/strong><\/em><em>Large bags measuring over 30x30x15cm aren&#8217;t allowed into the site.<\/em>\u00a0Any bags larger than this can be stored at the train station. There is also a cloakroom on-site for any smaller items.<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\r\n<figure>\r\n<div id=\"attachment_12790\" style=\"width: 1210px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-12790\" class=\"wp-image-12790 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Streets-of-Pompeii-in-the-sun-scaled-e1734429202589.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-12790\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The ancient town offers little shade, so be prepared<\/p><\/div>\r\n<\/figure>\r\n<h3 class=\"aligncenter is-resized\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"8_Do_choose_the_best_entrance\"><\/span>8. Do choose the best entrance<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<p>There are three entrances to Pompeii, which one you use depends on your needs.<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>The main entrance is located at the <strong>Porta Marina<\/strong>. This entrance has the most facilities, so if you&#8217;re looking to hire an audio guide, need to ask questions at an information point, or purchase souvenirs, this is the gate you should use.<\/li>\r\n<li>The second largest entrance, the <strong>Piazza Anfiteatro,<\/strong> is where the public bus to Mount Vesuvius stops. Close to some of the most significant sites in Pompeii, including the Forum and town&#8217;s amphitheatre, there is also free luggage storage here. While it has audio guides for hire, there is no option to purchase a guided tour at this entrance so it&#8217;s best for those who are planning to explore the site on their own.<\/li>\r\n<li>The smallest entrance is <strong>Piazza Esedra<\/strong> which is adjacent to the Porta Marina. Though it doesn&#8217;t have much in terms of facilities, this gate is usually far less crowded than the others.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<div id=\"attachment_12793\" style=\"width: 2058px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-12793\" class=\"wp-image-12793 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Pompeii-amphitheatre--scaled.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1374\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Pompeii-amphitheatre--scaled.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Pompeii-amphitheatre--768x515.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Pompeii-amphitheatre--1536x1031.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-12793\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Pompeii&#8217;s ancient amphitheatre is amazing to see in person.<\/p><\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"9_Do_know_when_to_go\"><\/span>9. Do know when to go<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Luckily the archaeological site of Pompeii is open every day during the year with the exception of December 25th, January 1st and May 1st.<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>During the Summer schedule (running from the 1st April to the 31st October) the site is open from <strong>9am &#8211; 7.30pm<\/strong>, with the last entrance of the day at 6 pm.<\/li>\r\n<li>During the other half of the year the site opens from <strong>9am &#8211; 5.30pm<\/strong>. Visitors planning to go during the afternoon should take note that the last entrance is at <strong>3.30pm <\/strong>(two hours before closing time).<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>On the first Sunday of every month entrance to Pompeii is free. So it should comes as no surprise that this is also one of the busiest times to visit. Unless the budget for your trip is tight, we recommend visiting on a less-crowded day to have a more enjoyable and relaxed visit.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"mce_29\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"10_Dont_worry_about_getting_there\"><\/span>10. Don&#8217;t worry about getting there<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\r\n<p>Pompeii is located within the reach of public transport and is relatively easy to get to.<\/p>\r\n<p><strong>From Naples and Sorrento<\/strong><\/p>\r\n<p>You can get the <strong>Circumvesuviana train<\/strong> from Naples to Pompeii. This train is quite frequent coming twice, occasionally up to three times, per hour. It will take approximately 40 minutes from Naples. If you&#8217;re travelling from Sorrento the train trip will be half an hour.<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>For the Porta Marina and Piazza Esedra entrances you can get off at the <strong>Villa dei Misteri <\/strong>stop.<\/li>\r\n<li>For the Piazza Anfiteatro you&#8217;ll need to get off at <strong>Pompei Santuario<\/strong>.\u00a0<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p><strong>From Rome<\/strong><\/p>\r\n<p>It&#8217;s also possible to visit Pompeii and Herculaneum from Rome. Take a high-speed train to Naples from the Termini station, then proceed to the underground Circumvesuviana for a train to Pompeii. This will take about 2 hours in total, depending on train times.<\/p>\r\n<div id=\"attachment_12798\" style=\"width: 2058px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-12798\" class=\"wp-image-12798 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Ancient-Roman-town-of-Pompeii-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1365\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Ancient-Roman-town-of-Pompeii-scaled.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Ancient-Roman-town-of-Pompeii-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Ancient-Roman-town-of-Pompeii-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-12798\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">It may feel like you&#8217;re travelling through time but Pompeii is relatively easy to get to<\/p><\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h2 class=\"aligncenter is-resized\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"FAQ%C2%B4s_%E2%80%93_A_Pompeii_Guide\"><\/span>FAQ\u00b4s &#8211; A Pompeii Guide\u00a0<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\r\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_long_do_I_need_to_visit_Pompeii\"><\/span>How long do I need to visit Pompeii?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\r\n<p>Most visitors spend 3\u20134 hours exploring Pompeii, but history lovers often stay 5+ hours. Because the site is huge (an entire ancient city), plan for plenty of walking, bring water, and wear comfortable shoes. If you want to visit Herculaneum or Mount Vesuvius on the same day, it\u2019s best to join a guided tour or start early to fit everything in comfortably.<\/p>\r\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Is_it_worth_taking_a_guided_tour_of_Pompeii\"><\/span>Is it worth taking a guided tour of Pompeii?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\r\n<p>Absolutely. Pompeii has very few signs or explanations, so a guide makes a massive difference. A licensed guide brings the ruins to life with stories, context, and insights that are easy to miss on your own. Audio guides are available, but a guided tour is the best way to truly understand what you\u2019re seeing, especially if it\u2019s your first visit.<\/p>\r\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Can_I_visit_Pompeii_Herculaneum_and_Mount_Vesuvius_in_one_day\"><\/span>Can I visit Pompeii, Herculaneum, and Mount Vesuvius in one day?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\r\n<p>Yes, but it\u2019s ambitious unless you join an organised tour. Trains and buses are frequent, but coordinating the timing can be tricky. Most travellers choose either Pompeii + Vesuvius or Pompeii + Herculaneum for a richer, less rushed experience. If you\u2019re short on time, consider a full-day guided tour from Naples or Rome that handles all transportation and timings for you.<\/p>\r\n<div id=\"attachment_8015\" style=\"width: 610px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-8015\" class=\"wp-image-8015 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/pompeii-under-vesuvius.jpg\" alt=\"the ruins of the city of pompeii, with the mountain of vesuvius in the background, covered in steam or clouds?\" width=\"600\" height=\"398\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-8015\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The now deserted streets of Pompeii, feel eerie in the shadow of Mount Vesuvius<\/p><\/div>\r\n<p><strong><em>Of course, if you don&#8217;t want to deal with the logistics of getting to Pompeii you can also book a <a href=\"https:\/\/walksofitaly.com\/pompeii-tours\/pompeii-tours-from-rome\/\">Pompeii day trip from Rome<\/a> which includes the stunning Amalfi Coast. It\u2019s a day trip you\u2019ll want to repeat again and again. Don\u2019t miss it!<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>One of the most famous Ancient Roman cities, Pompeii has become synonymous with history, as well as tragedy. Buried by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD, the town and many of its inhabitants were simultaneously destroyed and preserved in Volcanic debris. It remained frozen in time until it was discovered by archeologists during [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":61,"featured_media":21004,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[20,63,94],"ppma_author":[166],"class_list":["post-12692","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-travel-tips","tag-attractions","tag-trip-planning","tag-pompeii"],"authors":[{"term_id":166,"user_id":61,"is_guest":0,"slug":"aoifewalks","display_name":"Aoife Bradshaw","avatar_url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/53df06eda4a4ad27ba2bcdeb3ba2913c?s=96&d=mm&r=g","user_url":"","last_name":"Bradshaw","first_name":"Aoife","job_title":"","description":"Aoife Bradshaw is a writer from Ireland with a serious case of wanderlust. Passionate about travel, food, and film, she writes about any and everything cultural. She's happiest when she\u2019s exploring new ideas in different cities, or delving into their history. When she\u2019s not writing she can usually be found on rambling walks, engrossed in a good book or trying her hand at a new recipe. Aoife also contributes to CultureTrip and Hotpress Magazine."}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12692"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/61"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=12692"}],"version-history":[{"count":27,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12692\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":24346,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12692\/revisions\/24346"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/21004"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=12692"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=12692"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=12692"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/ppma_author?post=12692"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}