The Ultimate Guide to Visiting Pompeii

Since we had arrived in Naples, we thought that half a day, out of the four we had planned for Naples, should be reserved for visiting the city that was once covered by the ashes of the raging Vesuvius – Pompeii. We organised our trip to Pompeii Scavi on our own because we wanted to see the place in silence, really feel it and try to understand, although it is almost impossible, what happened in 79, in the last days of the city’s life, and today I want to take you with me on a journey through history and give you information that will help you organise your trip to Pompeii Naples, simply and cheaply.

A fragment of Pompeii history

It seems that Pompeii, Herculaneum and the other surrounding towns existed long before the Roman Empire, having been founded by descendants of the Oscans (the Oscans were an Indo-European people from ancient Italy, settled in the Campania region more than 2700 years ago) around the Sarno river. Later, this area came under Greek influence and then under Etruscan rule. A few centuries later, following a war, Campania came under Samnite occupation (tribes of Samnites
lived in the Apennine mountains). With the loss of the last Samnite War, Pompeii became part of the Roman Empire, and after the Social War, Pompeii officially became a Roman city under the rule of
Publius Sulla, who Romanized all institutions, introduced Latin as the official language and offered Roman citizenship to all inhabitants.

In the period that followed, Pompeii became an increasingly wealthy city. Its geographical position made Pompeii an important economic centre, which is why it is believed that Pompeii was a coveted paradise for the elite of the Roman Empire. Pompeii had everything: shops, cultural institutions, taverns, schools, water towers, markets and villas.

The residences of rich people in Pompeii

The houses of Pompeii’s noblemen confirmed how prosperous the city was. They were relatively large in size, and had as a defining feature an open space in the middle of which was a pool in which rainwater collected. From that room, which contemporaries would call the living room, there was access to the dining room, kitchen and bedrooms. Most houses had marble floors and a private inner garden decorated with statues and fountains. Some houses were also connected to a sewage system and others had running water.

At the other end of the scale, slaves and less wealthy people of Pompeii lived in small houses without access to utilities.

They didn’t know Vesuvius was a volcano…

The year 62 was an important year in the history of Pompeii because of the earthquake that destroyed many of the cities in the region, including Naples. However, this was not the only earthquake that the inhabitants of Pompeii felt, but it was preceded by many other seismic activities of low intensity. However, the Romans worked hard to rebuild the city, not knowing that 24 August 79 would be the day when the volcano they knew was just a mountain would get so angry that entire cities, not just Pompeii, would disappear in its ashes…

The city frozen in time has been rediscovered!

For centuries, Pompeii existed only in the history books and in the few documents that stood testament to its existence. But in the 16th century things changed, with architect Domenico Fontana discovering a small part of Pompeii’s ruins. Later, in 1748, work began on excavating the ruins. Today Pompeii is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the entire site is included in numerous rehabilitation and conservation projects

How to organise a day trip to Pompeii

Pompeii is a living history lesson and like the pyramids of Giza or the Acropolis, I firmly believe it’s a place you should visit at least once in your life, and even more so if you’re planning a holiday in Naples or on the Amalfi coast.

In the meantime, I want to give you some information on how you can organize a day trip to Pompeii from Naples.

How to get from Naples to Pompeii Scavi?

Circumsvesuviana is the train that connects Naples to Sorrento and makes two important stops: one at Herculaneum (Ercolano Scavi station) and another at Pompeii. The train runs along the coast and passes gently at the foot of the Vesuvius volcano (I recommend you sit on the left side of the train when going to Pompeii, you’ll see why :D).

Circumsvesuviana has two stops in Naples: Porta Nolana and
Napoli Garibaldi, the latter being the central station. (Cisrcumsvesuviana schedule)

The journey to Pompei Scavi from Naples Garibaldi takes about. 40 minutes and costs 2.60 euros, and tickets can be bought at the station.

Beware of pickpockets! Unfortunately, these trains are not very well looked after (anyone can travel on these trains, there aren’t many counters) and they are places where a lot of shady people hang around. For this reason, please don’t leave your bag or purse on the seat, but carry them in your arms, don’t leave anything of value in the back pocket of your trousers, and keep your rucksack in the front if you are standing.

We even saw an extremely shady man who was analyzing people, and every few stops he would run to another carriage. In addition the same man was on the train with us both outbound and inbound, about 4 hours between the two trips (not to mention that on the return trip he got off at another station, and then got on the train with us in Pompeii). So be careful at the station and on the train!

How much does it cost to enter Pompeii?

The main entrance is within a 5-minute walk from the train station, and we paid 16 euros/person to visit the complex. You can spend as much time as you like at Pompeii on your own or as part of a group led by a local guide. I understand that official guide prices start at 10 euros/person for a group visit of 10-12 people.

Tickets	Price	Reduced
*POMPEII ()**From 7th June and throughout the summer period open every dayThe ticket includes entrance to Villa Regina (Boscoreale)	€ 16.00 (reduced afternoon admission fee of €10.00 from 15:30)	€ 2.00 (#)(plus €1.50 online advance sale fee)
VILLA REGINA (BOSCOREALE)quota for visitors: 15 people maximum every 30 minutesPurchase possible at Pompeii and Oplontis ticket offices or online on the website www.ticketone.it	€ 2.00 (plus €1.50 online advance sale fee)	€ 2.00 (#)(plus €1.50 online advance sale fee)
VILLA DI POPPEA – OPLONTIS ()*The ticket includes entrance to Villa Regina (Boscoreale)quota for visitors: 40 people maximum every 15 minutesPurchase possible online or at Oplontis ticket offices	€ 5.00 (plus €1.50 online advance sale fee)	€ 2.00 (#)(plus €1.50 online advance sale fee)
VILLA ARIANNA and VILLA SAN MARCO (STABIAE)quota for visitors: 40 people maximum every 15 minutes	FREE
MUSEO ARCHEOLOGICO DI STABIA LIBERO D’ORSI visitor quota: 20 people maximum every 15 minutesPurchase possible exclusively online on the website www.ticketone.it	€ 6.00(plus €1.50 online advance sale fee)	€ 2.00 (#)(plus €1.50 online advance sale fee)