The Ruins of Pompeii are an essential stop on any trip to Southern Italy, and with good reason. A few hours spent exploring this ancient Roman city will leave you with an unforgettable glimpse into the distant past. The swift and sudden destruction of Pompeii turned it into a time capsule of ancient Roman life.

Two thousand years ago, on a late August afternoon, the people of Pompeii were going about their activities on a day like any other. The previous days’ early warning signs had been dismissed as unusual but harmless tremors and perhaps more-nervous-than-usual family dogs. The volcanic blast of flame, rocks and smoke on August 24th, 79 AD revealed that what they were not, in fact, living in the shadow of a mountain.

Pompeii was buried under 60 feet of ash and pumice. Most of the residents of Pompeii were able to escape to safety, but their city became a freeze frame of daily life, preserved under the ash for nearly 2,000 years until its rediscovery in the 1700s.

What to See in Pompeii

Thermal Baths:

There are three thermal baths in Pompeii: the Stabian Baths, Central Baths, and Forum Baths. The Forum Baths, the smallest but perhaps most elegant of the three, was Built in 80 BC. They have a dressing room, hot, warm, and cold rooms, an exercise field, and toilets. At the time of Mt. Vesuvius’ eruption it was the only functioning bath, the others having been damaged in the earthquake of 62 AD.

Temple of Isis

The Temple of Isis is one of the best preserved buildings in Pompeii, partly because it had recently been restored following the earthquake of 62 AD. This Roman temple to the Egyptian God Isis was among the first discoveries during Pompeii’s excavation in 1764. Isis was a compassionate goddess, and this temple is thought to have been frequented by women, freedmen, and slaves.

Amphitheater

The construction of Pompeii’s amphitheater began in 80 BC, making it the oldest known example of a Roman Amphitheater made with stone. The next oldest is the Colosseum in Rome, constructed more than a century later. The Amphitheater of Pompeii may have served as a model for such future amphitheaters, and in it’s day hosted everything from circus shows to gladiator games.

Forum

The Forum of Pompeii was originally situated at the juncture of old routes that connected Pompeii to other important cities, such as Naples. It was the heart of the community, where citizens gathered for religious, social, and economic purposes. Surrounding the Forum are the temples of Jupiter and Apollo, the Basilica, and other important buildings such as the food and grain markets.

Lupanare Brothel

Pompeii was a busy port town and had many brothels. The Lupanare Brother, or "wolves’ den," is the largest and most richly-decorated of them all; probably the only one built specifically to be a brothel. Of the two floors, the upper floor has a separate entrance and is more elaborately decorated. It was most likely reserved for wealthier patrons.

The famous wall paintings depicting various positions are some of the few examples of erotic art left at the Archaelogical site of Pompeii. Many were taken away to private collections in the years following Pompeii’s discovery and excavation, or they were hidden away for the sake of decency, now on display at the Archaeological Museum of Naples.

Plaster Casts of Victims:

In a courtyard near the Forum are glass cases showing the plaster casts of a few of Mt. Vesuvius' victims. When archaeologists were excavating the city, they noticed that the human remains they were uncovering were surrounded by empty spaces. By carefully pouring in liquid plaster, they were able to capture the final poses of the last citizens of Pompeii left in the city as it was buried in ash. It's a sight you definitely won't forget!

Entrance Into Pompeii

There are three official entrances - Porta Marina, Piazza Esedra, and Piazza Anfiteatro. Porta Marina is considered the main entrance to Pompeii since in addition to the ticket booth it also has an information point, bookshop, and audioguide rentals. Both the Porta Marina and Piazza Anfiteatro entrances have a free luggage drop off, so feel free to leave any heavy bags to explore the ruins more comfortably!

Tickets and Opening Hours of Pompeii

Tickets to Pompeii cost € 11 each and are valid for one day. European residents can enter for free with a valid ID. A map of the ruins and a small pocket guide are included with your ticket. There is an optional audio guide for € 6.50, which is a recording of the pocket guide available in a few different languages.

Pompeii is open every day (except January 1st, May 1st, and December 25th), for the following hours:

November - March: 8:30am - 5:00pm with last entrance at 3:30pm

April - October: 8:30am - 7:30pm with last entrance at 6:00pm

For more information about tickets and entrace into Pompeii, go to:

http://www.pompeiturismo.it/index.php?Itemid=28&lang=en

Guided Tours of Pompeii

The Pompeii Archaeological site is quite large and complex. It’s a good idea to book a guided tour so that you see all of the most important sites and understand the significance of all the wonderful details around you! Every Kiss From Italy guide is not only an officially licensed tour guide, but has a degree in Archaeology or Art History.

While waiting in line to buy your tickets, you’ll notice lots of people trying to sell you a guided tour. Prices depend on the season and how busy the day is, and the quality and length of the tour can vary widely from guide to guide, so be aware that you are taking your chances!

We recommend booking one of our private Pompeii tours!

How to Get to Pompeii:

By Private Transfer:

Our Daytrip packages include a private luxury sedan or minivan!

>>For Rome to Pompeii click here

>>For Naples to Pompeii click here

>>For The Port of Naples to Pompeii click here

By Train:

From the Napoli Centrale or Sorrento train stations, take the Napoli-Sorrento Circumvesuviana line. The trains leave about every half hour, and after about a 30 minute ride, get off at Pompeii Scavi – Villa dei Misteri

To look up train times, visit: http://www.eavcampania.it/web/

However you get there, this UNESCO world heritage site is a must-see that’s sure to be a highlight of your trip and a story to tell for years to come! For advice about your trip to Pompeii or questions about Pompeii tours, feel free to give us a call or email us!