The Pompeii ruins is a place with a captivating history that draws visitors from all over the world.
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If you’re planning a trip to this iconic destination, read on for tips that will help you prepare for your visit.
HOW TO GET TO THE POMPEII RUINS
To get to Pompeii from Rome, we booked the train through Omio, which cost €18.00 per person. We opted for the cheapest option and took roughly 4 hours. If you’re looking for a faster route to Pompeii there are trains that take just over 2 hours. If you’re embarking on a bit of a longer trip like ours, make sure you take some snacks and entertainment for the journey.
WHERE TO STAY:
As we were only staying in Pompeii for one night to explore the ruins, we booked a cozy B&B called Letto & Latte through booking.com. It was an excellent place to stay before a big day of exploring. The hosts were friendly and welcoming, and a delicious breakfast was included.
HOW TO TRAVEL WITHIN THE POMPEII RUINS:
Like most of Italy, we walked around Pompeii to explore the area. We only used a taxi once to get to the ruins and then returned on foot. If you’re not staying within the city, it’s easy to travel from outside Pompeii. Sorrento or Naples are good options, as it’s easy to make a day trip using the Circumvesuviana train. From Sorrento it will only take you about a half hour. Once you arrive at the Pompei Scavi station, take a right, and it’s only a short distance to the entrance of the Pompeii ruins.
TO DO'S:
A tour of the Pompeii ruins: This is what Pompeii is known for.
Climb Vesuvius: Unfortunately we didn’t have enough time to climb Vesuvius but I have heard it’s easily accessible by car, train and bus.
BEST PLACES TO EAT:
We didn’t get much time to explore the food options here. However, if you’re looking for something different, Misaki Pompei is a fantastic Japanese restaurant that we highly recommend. Although it’s a bit pricey, the food is delicious and a little different for Italy.
POMPEII RUINS FAQs
SELF GUIDED OR TOUR GUIDE?
There are a few options on how to navigate the Pompeii ruins. Going on your own with an audio guide is an option, which you can get from the ticket office. Alternatively, you can choose to go with a guide outside the ruins, or book a tour in advance.
Going on your own, even with a map and audioguide, would make things very hard as the site is vast with little signage. As for the guides that stand outside the ruins, they are cheaper than a pre-booked tour, but often have massive groups of 30 or more. The option we recommend is booking an organised tour with a guide before you get there. This way, it will be a small group of around 15 people, allowing for a more personal approach, the ability to ask questions, learn more, and fully immerse yourself.
Through online research, we went with Walks of Italy, and they didn’t disappoint.
HOW BIG ARE THE POMPEII RUINS?
The Pompeii ruins are vast, bigger than what you would imagine. Don’t expect to see all the main attractions in one day. Also, if you are on a tour and there’s anything particular you’d like to see, ask your guide. They might be able to slot it in for you.
WHAT SHOULD I TAKE ON THE DAY?
Take the essentials, such as a water bottle, sunhat, and sunscreen. Tours will typically last around 3 hours, and it can get hot.
As our tour company advised us beforehand, don’t take a big bag into the Pompeii ruins, as it can make it hard to see some of the main sites due to narrow entrances. Additionally, security may ask you to leave it at the entrance. It’s much better to bring a small bag or a backpack to carry the essentials, but don’t bring anything too bulky.
– Finally, it’s important to remember that Pompeii is not just a tourist attraction, but also a place of historical significance and cultural importance. As such, it’s important to be respectful and mindful of the ruins and the people who lived and died there. Some parts of the site can be quite sensitive and delicate, so be sure to follow the rules and regulations, and avoid touching or damaging anything.
WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT?
It’s important to remember that the Pompeii ruins are not just a tourist attraction, but a place of historical significance and cultural importance. As such, it’s important to be respectful and mindful of the ruins and the people who lived and died there. Some parts of the site can be quite sensitive and delicate. Also quite shocking, so be sure to follow the rules and regulations, and avoid touching or damaging anything.
Overall, visiting Pompeii can be a truly unforgettable experience, but it’s important to be well-prepared and informed before you go. I hope with these tips and recommendations, you can make the most of your visit and fully immerse yourself in the history and culture of this fascinating ancient city.