If you are looking to visit Italy, be sure to visit the Pompeii ruins. Italy is not only popular for its delicious food but also for its magnificent architecture that will definitely leave you in awe. Pompeii, once filled with luxurious villas and small shopsAnd the one-of-a-kind temple, is now a world famous historical site, visited by tourists from all over the world.
Located south of Naples, Pompeii was unfortunately destroyed due to the eruption of the Vesuvius volcano in 79 AD, the entire city and its surrounding area was buried under volcanic ash, leaving the city preserved for 1700 years. These ruins have been a must-see for over 250 years, and today it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site!
Here is a short travel guide that includes travel tips and some of the famous places to visit during your visit to Pompeii ruins in Italy.
Best time to visit Pompeii ruins
The best time for sightseeing in Pompeii ruins would be between mid-March and early June. The weather at this time is pleasant, dry and warm, making it comfortable to travel and easy for you to visit the sites, as any Pompeii Ruins guide would recommend.
How to reach Pompeii ruins
By air: Naples International Airport is located in the Capodichino area of Naples, just 7 km from the city centre, making it easy to travel to the Pompeii ruins.
by road: Pompeii ruins are located close to Naples, Rome and Sorrento and can be easily reached by road from these places.
Naples to Pompeii – 30 minutes
Sorrento to Pompeii – 45 minutes
From Rome to Pompeii ruins – 2.5 hours
Florence to Pompeii – 4.5 hours
by train: Since Pompeii is surrounded by cities, it is also easy to reach by train from Rome’s Naples Central Station and a few other train lines that travel back and forth from the site.
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time of pompeii ruins
The site is open every day except Christmas, January 1 and May 1. From April 1 to October 31, the ruins are open from 9 am to 7:30 pm (6 pm is the last entry time).
Pompeii ruins entry fee
To avoid waiting in line at the ticket booth, you can choose to order your Pompeii ruins tickets online, and even book tours in advance through the website. Admission is free for any visitor during regular hours on the first Sunday of the month. Remember to carry cash with you when visiting Pompeii ruins, as the ticket office does not accept any credit cards.
Pompeii Ticket Fee: INR 935
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10 most picturesque Pompeii ruins
You should not miss a visit to these fascinating Pompeii ruins, which people come from far and wide to see.
1. Temple of Apollo
Take a stroll and see the oldest structure still standing in Pompeii, the Temple of Apollo, which faces the city’s Forum, which displays the various changes adapted to the architecture from the beginning of the sixth century BC until its destruction in AD 79. You can also pay a national visit to the Archaeological Museum of Naples, and admire the grand bronze statues that once graced the Temple of Apollo.
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2. Waititi’s House
Vetti’s house is located in the western part of the Pompeii ruins, it is one of the best preserved Roman villas. The villa features beautifully painted frescoes on a black background that were once prized possessions of the wealthy merchants who lived in Pompeii. These villas were specifically designed to pamper and impress the guests and residents, designed around an enchanting courtyard surrounded by magnificent pillars, water spewing statues, sculptures, basins and fountains.
3. Lupnar
The Lupanare of Pompeii, also known as the Lupanare Grande, is one of the largest brothels in the city. It is located east of the Forum and consists of 10 rooms with brick platforms with mattresses that once served as beds. Some of the rooms in Lupanar have wall paintings depicting sexual scenes, which are considered signs of communion, giving it a unique significance in the history of Pompeii.
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4. House of the Tragic Poet
Located in the western part of Pompeii, the house is known for its beautifully painted frescoes and mosaics. This was the home of an important poet or writer who once lived here. The house also has beautiful mosaics on the floors and gorgeous frescoes that are surprisingly large for the size of the house.
5. Forum of Pompeii
A huge open area of rectangular shape, which serves as a market, commercial area for the political and commercial crowd of the city. The Forum of Pompeii also contained a court, baths, and temples. The grand scale of the space is still remarkable and it is easy to imagine the bustle of activity that took place where the city once stood in all its glory.
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6. Faun’s House
The famous House of the Faun takes its name from a beautiful bronze statue of the creature. It is still one of the largest villas in Pompeii and occupies an entire block. The house houses some of Italy’s most historic structures such as the Alexander Mosaic, which depicts the great ruler Alexander the Great preparing for battle with Darius III of Persia. Located in the Pompeii ruins, this house houses some of the most fascinating artefacts.
7. Pompeii Thermal Baths
Public baths were a common facility throughout the Roman Empire and were a great place for people to meet, bathe, and socialize with friends. Some houses had private bathrooms, and some were open to every social class, including slaves. There were always separate sections for men’s and women’s baths. The beautiful bathrooms were also elaborately decorated with intricate carvings on the ceilings.
8. Pompeii Amphitheater
See the magnificent amphitheater of Pompeii, which was built around 70 BC, and is considered one of the oldest structures still surviving in the world. This magnificent amphitheater was made of stone and was built a century before the construction of the Colosseum in Rome.
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9. Villa of Mysteries
The Villa dei Misteri, also known as the Villa of the Mysteries, has beautifully preserved frescoes that decorate the walls against a beautiful red background. This Roman villa shows a woman being inducted into the forbidden cult of Dionysus, known as Bacchus – the god of the fall. These paintings are meticulously executed with its details and craftsmanship, the outdoor terrace and thoughtfully designed rooms give you a feel of luxury.
10. Plaster Cast
The inhabitants of Pompeii who were not able to escape before the eruption were completely buried by the hot ash falling from the sky. Giuseppe Fiorelli used the technique of filling liquid plaster into the voids where corpses had decomposed, to reveal the true appearance of the victims of the Pompeii ruins. The “Garden of the Fugitives” contains the largest number of plastered corpses of victims of the explosion.
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What to pack for a trip to Pompeii ruins?
Since the site is completely exposed to the sun and there is very limited shade, it is best to come prepared with sunscreen, water bottles, a hat and sunglasses to stay cool. If you forget them, they can be purchased from small town shops located near the Pompeii ruins. Pompeii maps with easy audio tour guides are also readily available to help you understand the history of the Pompeii ruins in Italy.
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There is certainly a lot to see and learn about the Pompeii ruins in Italy. Don’t miss this once-in-a-lifetime experience of discovering the heritage and history of this country during your holidays in Italy.
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