Things to do in Ruins of Pompeii
UNESCO heritage listed since 1997, the ancient Roman city of Pompeii needs no introduction. Famously buried under a layer of volcanic ash and pumice, its detailed archaeological excavations offer an intimate look at Roman life - while also making for one hell of a cautionary tale about living next to a volcano.
Before almighty Vesuvius blew its top in 79 A.D, Pompeii was a rich commercial hub home to more than 10,000 inhabitants, with a dense network of residential buildings, shops and entertainment facilities that included an amphitheatre, multiple thermal spas and a brothel. While some of it still remains interred, most has been uncovered fantastically preserved.
Domenico Fontana accidentally discovered the lost city in 1594 while digging a tunnel, but it was only in 1748 that serious excavation began. Liquid plaster was used to take the place of organic material (including human bodies) creating emotionally fraught scenes. From the Forum, the center of political and social life in the city, to muted frescoes or scrawled graffiti on the walls, you’ll find evidence of a complex modern culture along with poignant details that tell its story.
The ruins of Pompeii are open from Tuesday to Sunday, from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm, with the last admission at 5:30 pm. There is a bookshop inside the archaeological site to help remember your visit.
Reaching the ruins is very easy by car, all you need to do is take freeway A3 to the Pompei Ovest exit. You will find many parking lots nearby. With the public transport service, the excavations can be reached with the Circumvesuviana, stop Pompei Scavi Villa dei Misteri.
Our recommendations in Ruins of Pompeii
Pompeii ruins small-group tour with local guide
Explore the UNESCO-listed ruins of Pompeii on this small group tour with an expert guide. Delve into ancient life from 79 AD visiting private and public spaces.
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Pompeii Skip-the-Line Tickets with Audio Guide
Learn more about Pompeii's history and the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius with an audio guide, and access the site to explore the city's remains.
en, it, fr, es, de, +2 pt, ru
Pompeii Guided Tour with Skip-the-Line Tickets
Benefit from skip-the-line access to Pompeii Archeological Site, and follow an expert guide on a 2-hour guided tour.
en
Pompeii's Villa of the Mysteries Exclusive Archaeologist-led Tour
Explore in the intimacy of a small group the best of Pompeii treasures with an expert guide, admire the ruins and jump back in time.
en, it, fr, es, de, +1 pt
Pompeii ruins small-group tour with local guide
Explore the UNESCO-listed ruins of Pompeii on this small group tour with an expert guide. Delve into ancient life from 79 AD visiting private and public spaces.
en, it
Pompeii Skip-the-Line Tickets with Audio Guide
Learn more about Pompeii's history and the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius with an audio guide, and access the site to explore the city's remains.
en, it, fr, es, de, +2 pt, ru
Pompeii Guided Tour with Skip-the-Line Tickets
Benefit from skip-the-line access to Pompeii Archeological Site, and follow an expert guide on a 2-hour guided tour.
en
Pompeii's Villa of the Mysteries Exclusive Archaeologist-led Tour
Explore in the intimacy of a small group the best of Pompeii treasures with an expert guide, admire the ruins and jump back in time.
en, it, fr, es, de, +1 pt
Pompeii self-guided audio tour
Enjoy having your personal on-demand guide provided by this digital solution, explore the streets, houses and ruins that have been incredibly preserved for centuries and discover Pompeii's ruins at your own pace.
en, it, fr, es, de, +1 zh
Pompeii and Herculaneum Small-Group Tour From Rome
Experience an unforgettable excursion travelling from Rome to Naples by fast train and visiting the archaeological sites of Pompeii and Herculaneum with an expert guide!
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Daily tour to Pompeii with transportation
Book your daily tour to Pompeii with transportation with Musement. Choose your departure time and get your skip-the-line entrance ticket and round trip transportation from Naples to Pompeii.
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Pompeii, Amalfi Coast and Positano day trip from Rome
Join this guided tour from Rome and see Pompeii, the Amalfi Coast and Positano all in one day. Learn about history, soak up sea views and unwind.
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Discovering Pompei guided tour
Book your guided tour to discover Pompeii today and visit the ancient Roman city with an expert guide!
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Pompeii and Naples from Rome, enjoy a full-day tour with lunch
Discover ancient Pompeii and vibrant Naples on this full-day tour from Rome, visit remarkably preserved Roman ruins, and enjoy authentic Neapolitan lunch.
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Entrance tickets to the Ruins of Pompeii
Buy your tickets to visit the perfectly preserved ruins of Pompeii and to discover the history of a city stopped in time since 79AD!
Group tour from Naples to Sorrento and Pompeii with lunch
Experience the beauty of southern Italy with a day trip from Naples to Sorrento and Pompeii.
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How to get there
Ruins of Pompeii
Naples
Italy
Reviews Ruins of Pompeii
“We were so excited for this trip, unfortunately it didn't live up to our expectations and on reflection we should have chosen a different experience. The tour was a whirlwind stop which didn't give enough time to properly see the site and its treasures. Our guide was a very nice lady with lots of knowledge, but we just didn't get enough time, and it was so busy it felt like we were rushing from one place to another trying not to bump into other groups and keep up with our guide. Disappointing.”
“2 hour pomeii part didn't see much at all. Maybe because it was a busy Sunday. But the entrance we used was just seeing 2 kitchens, baths and a court yard. The lunch took 1hour and 30mins. 1 hour waiting. Then eventually made it to Mount Vesuvius at 2.35pm. But the tour guide said be back down at 4pm. It takes 30mins up and 30mins down. Felt like we had 10-15mins on top. I wouldn't recommend this package. I would recommend 2 days seperate for both areas. At least then you can do more in pomeii”
“We were 30mins late getting picked up at hotel and instead of a 5 hour round trip it was nearer 7 by the time we got dropped off at out hotel as we went up into the mountains from Sorrento on a 2hour plus return trip, guide was good at pompei, but overall not great and won't be doing any more trips.”
“Group of 36 far to big We spent hour & half before we left sorrento due to the number of pick ups it took us hour &40 minutes to reach our destination meaning we had been on the coach for over 3 hours! Longer than travel to Italy! Lunch was inedible, eldente is ok but uncooked pasta is vile, everybody on our table that had the dish couldn't eat the meal, restaurant absolutely packed we were herded into a small room, boiling hot without ventilation staff so busy imp to complain Guide fabulous”
