The Ruins of Pompeii
The trip from Naples to Pompeii or from Sorrento to Pompeii takes about 30 minutes. Tickets cannot be purchased online, but are available directly at the station.
The archaeological site of Pompeii is closed on Mondays
Hours for Pompeii ruins
April through October: 9am - 7:30pm (last entry at 6pm)
November through March: 9am - 5pm (last entry at 3:30pm)
Closed: 1 January, 25 December
Tickets can be purchased at the ticket offices at the entrance to each site or through the https://www.tiqets.com/en/pompei-attractions-c71657/tickets-for-pompeii-skip-the-line-p974390/?partner%3Dvisitpompeiivesuvius Do not purchase tours or tickets from street vendors who may approach you at the Circumvesuviana train station!
Prices / tickets
Pompeii ruins daily ticket: Full price EUR 16; discounted EUR 2
Mastercard and Visa are accepted
Discounted tickets
Entrance is free to all EU citizens under 18.
EU citizens under 24 have a special discount.
Luggage deposit
Next to the ticket office at the entrance, there is a free baggage check. Bags or backpacks larger than 30x30x15 cm cannot be brought into either Pompeii.
The Ruins of Pompeii
Recommended because:
It's a unique example of a perfectly preserved Roman city with temples, theaters, homes, restaurants, and public buildings.
More sites open to the public and a greater variety of architectures to visit.
You can experience first-hand the majesty of a Roman forum, theater, and amphitheater.
Not recommended if:
You only have an hour or two, as it takes a significant amount of time and energy to visit.
It's a particularly hot day, as there is little shade.
Visiting Pompeii ruins with Kids
It isn't easy to get around Pompeii ruins with a stroller or pushchair, as the ancient Roman roads that cross the city are not navigable on wheels. Wheelchair users can follow a special marked route with the free map provided at the entrance, and the same itinerary can be followed with a stroller. Regardless, the best way to visit with infants and young children is by using a carrier or backpack. There are a number of Baby Points inside the archaeological park, which are small bungalows marked on the map. You can request keys at the park entrance and use these spaces to change and feed your infant in complete privacy.
Where to Eat
If you have decided to dedicate a full day to Pompeii ruins, the best option for lunch is packing a picnic to eat inside the park. On the park map available at the entrance, you will find a number of picnic areas marked around the ruins. Large bags are not allowed inside, so you will have to pack your food and beverages in small bags or backpacks. Purchase your supplies in Naples or Sorrento, as the snack bars inside the park are expensive.
Top Ten Pompeii Sites
1. Large Theater and Odeon (VIII - 10)
2. Garden of the Fugitives (I- 16)
3. Amphitheater (II – 5)
4. Praedia of Giulia Felice (II – 3)
5. Lupanar (VII - 18)
6. House of the Faun (VI – 1)
7. Villa of the Mysteries (VI – 19)
8. Forum (VII – 6a)
9. Basilica (VIII – 2)
10. Sanctuary of Venus (VIII – 1)
What to see in Pompeii in a single day
Pompeii has ancient origins, almost as Rome. Rich in monuments and squares, Pompeii is the city of the beautiful country – perhaps more than any other – where history lives and it is shown to the enchanted eyes of millions of tourists. Even you have not been able to resist its charm, aren’t you?
Do not be afraid, even if you have little time or you are just passing through on business you can visit Pompeii. Nothing is impossible if you really want, as long as the alarm sounds early in the morning. Try to be in town for 8:00, Pompeii is well connected, arriving there and moving around is quick and easy. But what to see in Pompeii in a single day? You can choose between two options:
Dedicate a full day to the ruins of Pompeii.
Have shopping in the city centre after visiting the Villa of the Mysteries and the Shrine of the Virgin of the Rosary.
Pompeii ruins
First option, the ruins of Pompeii, here is what to see inside:
Few tips for you: wear comfortable shoes and bring with you sandwich, water, smartphone for photos, sunscreen in summer and umbrella in winter… there is much to see and you have to walk.
The Forum and the Temple of Apollo
From Via Marina you have now the opportunity to see the historical centre of Pompei inside the archaeological site. The Forum is the beating heart of the city, economic ,cultural and religious centre, political Agora of the debates that inflamed the population.
During the second century a.D. the Forum was expanded: the traditional flooring made in tuff was replaced by travertine, widely used today, the square was enriched with numerous workshops and public buildings.
In the middle stands the temple of Apollo, one of the oldest religious buildings of Pompeii. This place is worshiped different gods such as Apollo and Mercury. The statuettes found are now at the Archaeological Museum of Naples.
The amphitheatre
It is the oldest stone building ever found, dating back to 80 BC, was the scene of bloody battles between gladiators and has a capacity of 20,000 spectators, you can easily reach it from the hole into Via dell’Abbondanza.
The arena was accessed through a tunnel, the crypt is connected to four inputs. Unlike other Roman amphitheatres the Pompeian one has not underground, at the top are visible the holes used to support the roof of the arena in order to protect the spectators from the sun when it was too hot and from the rain.
Did you know that Pink Floyd played in this timeless place in 1971? They recorded their Live at Pompeii, a concert without an audience, as if to pay homage to the souls of fallen warriors in battle. One of his most exciting in the history of Rock.
I want to give you a little tip: if you have the opportunity to stay until sunset, Via dell’Abbondanza is a very surreal scenery for a walk. It gives you the sensation of being suspended time between dream and reality.
House of the Faun
If you are a lover of ancient history, you should not miss the House of the Faun: it is located not far from the Forum, in Via della Fortuna. This ancient Roman villa occupies inside the archaeological site about 3000 square meters, and it is one of the oldest and majestic city buildings.
Its size suggests that it belonged to an outstanding member of the Roman nobility. It owes its name to the Faun, Roman god of woods and nature: his small bronze statue is located in the atrium at the center of the impluvium.
Surrounded by huge gardens, the hotel is characterized by more entrances. The right door introduces to environments of personal use: bathrooms, stables, baths and kitchen. The door opened to the left instead of sector representation. The floors are covered with mosaics and decorations date back to the Pompeian style.
The center of the house was decorated with a mosaic depicting the victory of Alexander the Great against Darius, king of Persia, currently on display at the museum in Naples. Small curiosity: it is thought that the villa had belonged to the grandson of the tyrant Silla.
The large theatre
Located not far from the House of the Faun and the Sanctuary, the Large Theatre was built in the second century BC .The stairs were realized by exploiting the cavity of the slope. The structure could accommodate about 5,000 spectators, to each one was reserved a number.
The upper tier is divided into seven sectors and is supported by a ring–shaped corridor. The stairway was protected by a wall that supported the awning, a mobile tarp sheltered spectators from the elements. The stage and the set were accompanied by statues and marble. On stage they were performed the famous comedies of Plautus and Terence.
Garden of the fugitives in the Ruins of Pompeii
Sixth wonder to see in Pompeii is the Garden of the fugitives, space dedicated to growing that will preserve forever the moment when time made life eternal: the casts of some inhabitants surprised during the escape from the devastating fury of the eruption. During the excavation works, the bodies of 13 victims of the eruption were found , the volcano’s devastating fury surprised them during their attempted escape to the sea. Thanks to the technique of plaster, leaking today retain expressions, body postures and a piece of history forever. Always with the same technique, today we managed to get even the casts of the roots of much of the vegetation of the area. Thanks to the ash that has covered the rests of the bodies and the vegetation, with passing the time they had a solidification process that has conserved the shape in spite of the decomposition, creating the print of the bodies in the land.http://pompeiisites.org/
The Shrine of the Virgin of the Rosary
The Shrine of Pompeii was founded by Bartolo Longo who has headed the eponymous square as the cathedral. It is one of the major centers of Marian devotion in Italy, on 8 May and the first Sunday of October it hosts hundreds of thousands of pilgrims from all over the world to celebrate the Supplication to Our Lady of Pompeii: the prayer written by Bartolo Longo and transmitted from radio and television around the world.
The monument was built between 1876 and 1891 under the direction of Antonio Cua, later replaced by Giovanni Rispoli, it has been expanded several times over the centuries to receive the huge flow of faithful who go still to visit picture of the Virgin.
With regard to the painting I want to tell you an anecdote. It is said that a young woman suffering from a severe form of epilepsy went to the Shrine to ask the Virgin to be healed and it seems that the miracle happened for real, that’s one of the reasons for which the site attracts millions of travelers.
The basilica is a cross with three aisles accompanied by three altars that are joined behind the apse. The nave culminates in a dome 57 meters high.
As a guardian never dozed a few steps from the cathedral stands the bell tower, designed by Aristide and Pio Leonori, impressive in its 5 floors. With a single glance you can see Vesuvius, the ruins and the entire Gulf of Naples. Here you can find all the information you need, visiting hours and celebrations:http://www.santuario.it/
Villa of the Mysteries
The Villa of the Mysteries is one of the most visited sites of Pompeii, especially for the series of frescoes showing Dionysian mysteries of that we still ignore the real meaning.
Featuring more than seventy rooms finely decorated and painted, many of which were used for dinners and social events. The building is located slightly outside the ancient walls of the city but if you love the mystery and you’re willing to push beyond the boundaries of known this is the place for you.
Getting to Pompeii Ruins from Napoli by Circumvesuviana train
Inside the Station Piazza Garibaldi in Naples down below and take the Circumvesuviana train to Sorrento
(must get off at the Pompei Scavi stop) ).Trains depart about every 30 minutes and the trip to Pompeii takes about 30 minutes
The Circumvesuviana of Naples Piazza Garibaldi station is located on the lower level of the station, below the one where the high-speed trains arrive.
The Sorrento trains generally depart from platform 3, to access this binary there are no escalators or elevators. Attention to the message on the display that announce the incoming train to be sure to take the train to Sorrento, or else you risk finding yourself in Sarno!
Here is the schedule for the Circumvesuviana train that runs between Naples and Pompei approximately every half hour.
The schedules published on this page are the official annual schedules, but we strongly suggest contacting the transport companies directly to confirm if specific routes are running.
Note that at this time that all residents and visitors in Italy can only move around in cases of pressing need and with an "autocertificazione" pass.
https://www.eavsrl.it/web/sites/default/files/eavferro/NAPOLI%20SORRENTO%20L1.pdf
Getting to Pompeii Ruins from Sorrento by Circumvesuviana train
In Sorrento, the station is located in the center of town opposite Pizza Angelina Lauro and is the only train line between Sorrento and Naples, so you can't get on the wrong train! Trains depart about every 30 minutes and the trip to Pompeii takes about 30 minutes
exit the Pompei Scavi station ( Pompei Scavi ) the Porta Marina Superiore entrance is directly opposite the Pompei Scavi Villa dei Misteri station along the Circumvesuviana line, and the Porta Marina Inferiore (Piazza Esedra) entrance, where our recommended itinerary begins, is a few meters further down.
Getting to Pompeii Ruins from Positano by sita bus and circumvesuviana train
If you are staying in Positano i, you'll have to travel first to Sorrento to take circumvesuviana train to Pompeii ruins . The Sita bus from Positano will drop you right in front of the Circumvesuviana train station in Sorrento. Trains depart about every 30 minutes
Getting to Pompeii by Car
The highway A3 Pompei Ovest exit leads directly to the archaeological park entrance, and there are a number of parking lots near the entrances.
