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Ancient city near modern Naples, Italy
Photo: Niels Elgaard Larsen - (WT-en) Elgaard at English Wikivoyage, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Pompeii is in Campania, Italy, not far from Naples. The ruined ancient Roman city of the same name was engulfed by Mt. Vesuvius in AD 79, and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is considered to be one of the few sites where an ancient city has been preserved in detail. Everything from jars and tables to paintings and people was frozen in time, yielding, together with neighbouring Herculaneum which suffered the same fate, an unprecedented opportunity to see how Romans lived two thousand years ago.
From the travel guide. Select a place for details, a map and what is nearby.
Anfiteatro
This is in the most easterly corner of the excavated area, near the Sarno Gate entrance. It was completed in 80 BC, measures 135 x 104 metres and could hold about 20,000 people. It is the earliest surviving permanent amphitheatre in Italy and one of the best preserved anywhere. It was used for gladiator battles, other sports and spectacles involving wild animals.
Gymnasium
This occupies a large area opposite the Amphitheatre. The central area was used for sporting activities and there was a pool in the middle. On three sides are lengthy internal porticos or colonnades.
Casa dei Vettii
This is believed to have been the home of two brothers who were freed slaves and became very affluent. It contains many frescoes. In the vestibule there is a striking fresco of a well-endowed Priapus, God of Fertility and among the frescos in other parts of the building are illustrations of couples making love, of cupids and of mythological characters.
Casa del Fauno
This is named after a statue of a dancing faun found on the site. It is considered to be an excellent example of the fusion of Italian and Greek architectural styles, and occupies an entire block.
This was the centre of public life, although it is now in the southwestern part of the excavated area. It was surrounded by many of the important government, religious and business buildings.
This is to the north of the Basilica on the western side of the Forum. It has the oldest remains discovered, with some, including Etruscan items, dating back to 575BC, although the layout we see now was later than that.
Theatre built in the hollow of a hill for acoustic advantage; it seated 5,000.
Street of Tombs)
A long street with worn ruts from carts.
An ancient brothel with pornographic frescoes over the entrance to each room, presumably indicating the services on offer. Even allowing for the smaller size of ancient Romans the beds seem rather small.
Attractive, open-style house with many frescoes of hunting scenes.
This is to the west of the Forum. It was the most important public building of the city where both justice was administered and trade was carried on.
Artifacts like amphorae (storage jars) and plaster casts of people who did not escape the eruption are stored in this building, which was designed to be the public market but may not have been finished before the eruption.
There are several baths to be inspected. The Forum Baths are just north of the forum and close to the restaurant. They are well-preserved and roofed. Be careful not to miss them as the entranceway is a long passage with no indication of the delights inside. The Central Baths occupy a much larger area but are less well-preserved. Close to these are the Stabian baths which have some interesting decorations and give a good idea of how baths used to function in Roman times.
Casa del Poeta Tragico
This small atrium house is best known for the mosaic at the entrance depicting a chained dog, with the words Cave Canem or "Beware of the Dog".
Villa of the Mysteries
One of the "suburban houses", with curious frescoes, perhaps of women being initiated into the Cult of Dionysus. Contains one of the finest fresco cycles in Italy, as well as humorous ancient graffiti.
Santuario, or in full: Pontificio Santuario della Beata Virgine del Santo Rosario di Pompei
A church which is a place of pilgrimage for Roman Catholics. For others, it is not a must-see, but should you arrive or leave via the Pompei Santuario station on the Circumvesuviana, rather than Pompei Scavi, you may find it worth at least a brief look inside at this place of veneration of the Virgin Mary.
A few minutes walk from the excavations and the centre of town. Free parking.
A quiet and comfortable hotel set back from the road. Good breakfast. Free parking close to the hotel.
By train
It takes 30 to 40 minutes to get to Pompeii from either Naples or Sorrento.80 (2025). Pompeii is served by three train stations.
By bus
SITA runs buses from Naples. The cost is the same as the train.
By boat
If you are on a cruise, you can set up an excursion to explore the ruins (bus transfer) and tickets and tour will be included.
Disability
Disabled travellers should aim for the entrance at the Piazza Anfiteatro, where an itinerary has been designed to meet the needs of visitors with reduced mobility (and of parents with strollers).
This is a walking site only. There are a few bicycles for rent, but the surfaces make them rather impractical.
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