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.
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Ruins of Pompeii
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Reviews Ruins of Pompeii
“Pompeii great visit. Lunch was cheap basic very small proschetta, small tomato pasta , 1 glass of water 1 glass of local red wine( not great) . Not value for money Versuvius very good although it would have been helpful to know what the walking terrain was like. It was steep, loose gravelly and quite dangerous”
“We were the first pick up on the day and fully expected there would be other passengers to collect but we didn't expect to be waiting over 30 mins at each pickup because people were late. I appreciate this wasn't the fault of the driver but by the time we got to Pompeii we had been on the minibus for 2hrs. The tour guide (Erica) was very friendly and knowledgeable but the tour seemed very rushed and we kept losing sound via the audio headsets. Overall experience 6/10.”
“Getting into Pompei was mayhem. Crowds and then cruise groups barging their was through the queue. People were talking about leaving space in case there was a surge or fight -both were possible. Eventually the police were called and it was somewhat better. Second guide at Herculaneum was dull and missed most of the highlights. First guide and driver good.”
“On arriving in Pompei at the train station, we were directed upstairs by ticket touts, it was confusing to locate the collection point. Upon arriving at the collection point I had to surrender my passport to receive the audio guide and got it back upon returning the guide. I felt extremely uncomfortable, my passport was put in an unlocked box and then into an alphabetical folder, unsecured. At the entrance we waited in a queue to be told we could go straight through. Would NOT recommend.”
