Exploring Pompeii

Preserved for hundreds of years by the very volcanic eruption that destroyed it, the ancient city of Pompeii is one of those places that inspires you to travel. I’m happy to say it lives up to the hype! Exploring Pompeii was one of the top 3 things I experienced during my entire year-long sabbatical! The site is large enough you could fill an entire day exploring its every corner. With careful planning, you can even avoid being stuck in a large crowd.

Tips for visiting Pompeii

Use the Circumvesuviana train, not Trenitalia. The Trenitalia station will take you to the modern city of Pompei (with just one “i”). You want the ancient Pompeii Scavi, or Pompeii excavation (with two “i”s).

Don’t fall for the first ticket booth you see. These are tickets for guided tours, not for entry to Pompeii itself. Upon exiting the Circumvesuviana station, walk down the street past all the cafes until you see the official bigliaterria on your left.

Skip the guides. You can get a free map and very comprehensive guidebook in the little shop just to the right of the ticket stand. You don’t need to drop an extra 10 to 20 euro on an audio guide or a group tour to understand the sites.
Note: My trip was in 2016 and I’m not 100% sure this guidebook is still available.

Head to the outskirts first. The late morning is Pompeii’s busiest time and if you only stick to central sites in sections 6 and 7 like the Stabian Baths and the Lupanare, you’ll have to compete with lots of large tour groups. Instead, make your first stop the amphitheater in section 2 or the aristocratic houses of section 1. Once crowds start to clear after lunch, you can go back and enjoy the central sites.

Budget extra time and money for food. There is only one food option inside the ruins park: a cafe near the Forum. It may be a little overpriced, but you can still grab lunch or a snack. Plan your route carefully so you’ll be nearby when you’re ready for a break to eat.