Pompeii is magnificent. This ancient Roman city in Italy was destroyed on August 24, 79 CE. It wasn’t until 1748, when explorers intent on discovering ancient artifacts, began to dig in the area. The ash which had so quickly extinguished life in 79 CE had also served as a marvelous preservative. The explorers found Pompeii exactly as it had been with some buildings still completely intact.
They even discovered bread that had been baked!
Is Pompeii worth visiting? YES! Today, you can visit the ruins of Pompeii and discover this bucket-list destination as it offers a vivid glimpse into history. Discover things to do in Pompeii will be among the highlights of your entire experience in Italy.
History to Know Before Visiting Pompeii
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A little history before you visit Pompeii…
On the eve of the eruption of Mount Vesuvius, a volcano only a short distance from the ancient Roman city of Pompeii began to rumble. The bustling town of Pompeii, a flourishing resort for many wealthy citizens and vacationers, was located miles from the base of the volcano.
In 79 CE, Pompeii showcased elegant homes and villas along the “paved” roads. The city was popular for its shops, taverns, bakeries, cafes, brothels, and bathhouses. Residents often gathered in the colosseum and frequented markets and open-air squares to meet up with friends.
As the volcano erupted, it flooded Pompeii and the surrounding area in a blanket of ash and volcanic debris. Of the 12,000 people living in Pompeii at that time, approximately 2,000 residents were unable to escape the deadly destruction.
Today, a visit to the bucket-list destination of Pompeii offers visitors a vivid glimpse into history.
Tick off Your Bucket List by Visiting Pompeii
During a recent visit to Italy, our family had the opportunity to visit Rome, Florence, and some amazing small towns outside of Florence.
Visiting Pompeii in Italy was a bucket list item for me. I learned about Pompeii in elementary school and remember being instantly enthralled. Since then, I have always wanted to visit.
Is it on your bucket list too!
One of the Best Things To Do in Pompeii is to Get in FREE!
Did you know that on the first Sunday of every month in Italy (and much of Europe), many museums and parks are FREE to visit? That means the Pompeii tickets and entrance fees are waived.
If you already plan to be in the area on the first Sunday of the month, getting in FREE has got to be one of the best things to do in Pompeii!
To help regulate the flow of crowds on these FREE Sundays, Pompeii is open from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm and then again from 2:30 pm until closing. If more than 15,000 people enter Pompeii before 12:30 pm, they may close earlier.
The benefit to visiting on a Sunday? There are no school groups and we found very few tour groups as well.
15 Things To Do In Pompeii
We walked from the entrance into Pompeii and it was… simply awesome and a dream come true. If you are planning day trips while in Italy, the ruins of Pompeii are an excellent option.
My husband, Chris, who was a little skeptical of spending an entire afternoon at Roman ruins and who visited Pompeii only because I wanted to, was quite impressed. The site was moderately busy for a FREE Sunday. I was still able to get some “people-free photographs”.
The following is a short list of things to do in Pompeii, Italy.
1. Artifacts in Pompeii
As you can imagine, the need to have substantial storage areas is huge as the archaeological site of Pompeii continues to be excavated. As you walk toward the Forum, you’ll pass one of the main storage areas where you can see a large number of clay urns, household products, and artifacts.
This iconic plaster cast of a figure, like many others, was frozen in time.
2. The Antiquarium Museum
Pompeii’s Antiquarium was closed when we visited, but has been since reopened after 36 long years. The Antiquarium was originally built in 1874 and became the venue for exhibiting recent finds that represented the day-to-day life in Pompeii as well as more casts of the victims of the Mount Vesuvius eruption.
I think if I had the chance, I would return to Pompeii to visit the museum and explore even more through the Pompeii ruins.
The museum, damaged over the years due to World War II and then an earthquake in 1980, reopened to the public in 2016 as a visitor center and museum. Since 2016, the Antiquarium has continued to undergo renovation and was inaugurated on January 25, 2021 with a new layout and permanent exhibits that trace the history of Pompeii until the destruction in 79 CE.
You will want to be sure to see:
- Frescoes of the House of the Golden Bracelet
- The Moregine Silver Treasure and the triclinium of the House of Menander
- Finds unearthed by the most recent excavations
- Fragments of First Style stucco from the fauces of the House of Orion
- The amulet treasure from the House with the Garden
- Recently produced casts of the victims from the Civita Giuliana villa (Pompeii.org)
3. The Forum at Pompeii
As you enter the excavated site, the Forum at Pompeii is one of the large, open areas that you will first encounter—it will be hard to miss. Anciently, the forum in any city was often the center of daily life and activity. It housed a variety of buildings:
- City administration
- Businesses
- Trade centers
- Markets and Shops
- Places of Worship
4. Temple of Jupiter
The Temple of Jupiter figures prominently in the landscape of Pompeii. Featured in the Forum with a view to Mount Vesuvius in the distance, the temple was placed in the center of Pompeii where citizens could worship their most important gods.
5. Temple of Apollo
The Temple of Apollo was built close to the Forum as well. Visiting the temples within the archeological site are easily accessible.
As a place of worship, the Temple of Apollo was placed strategically close to the Marina Gate of Pompeii which led into the heart of the city.
6. Men’s and Women’s Ancient Baths
With only the wealthiest of families able to afford their own bath houses, residents of ancient Pompeii regularly visited the baths. Not only were they used for bathing, but they could also be comparable to a gym or spa with facilities for swimming, cold water plunges, hot pools, massages, and exercise.
The baths were considered to be a very social part of life where residents might meet up to play a board game, exchange local gossip, conduct business meetings, or discuss politics.
Visiting the baths are one of the curious things to do in Pompeii. Anciently, these facilities were complete with lockers and places to relax.
7. Basilica
The Basilica in Pompeii was used for business and for the administration of justice. It was located close to the Forum and the Temple of Apollo.
8. Villas, Estates, and Homes
There are a number of excavated homes, villas, and estates within the walls of Pompeii. Many were modest dwellings but there is evidence of beautiful villas that were highly decorated with frescoes, floor mosaics, and gardens.
As you plan your day of things to do in Pompeii, be sure to visit some of the more elaborate villas and wander through the various rooms and gardens. A typical house usually lacked windows since most rooms faced an interior courtyard.
Merchants often had homes above their workshops and many homes featured vegetable gardens and plots of lands used for agriculture.
9. Inns, Restaurants, and Taverns
Visitors to the city of Pompeii were welcomed at inns. Some of the inns were simply one large room for numerous guests where they were also served a meal. For a little more privacy, other establishments offered private rooms.
Fast-food restaurants that we see today may have had their start in Pompeii and ancient Rome as residents and guests often ate out daily and frequented eating establishments with take-away windows or indoor seating.
If you were an ancient visitor to the city, visiting these establishments was definitely among your things to do in Pompeii back then!
10. Colosseum
Among the earliest amphitheaters built of stone, the Colosseum or Amphitheater of Pompeii had the ability to seat up to 20,000 spectators. Even today, performances are held in the Colosseum.
Though visiting the Colosseum was on our list of things to do in Pompeii, it was closed to visits to the interior when we toured the site in 2018. It was certainly an impressive building from the exterior.
11. Theater
The Theater served as the entertainment and meeting center within Pompeii. The stone structure was built into the hillside of the ancient city and could seat up to 5,000 spectators.
12. Bakeries in Pompeii
You will find bakeries that have been excavated over time complete with grinding stones and ovens. I imagine the smell would have been a huge draw back then (and masked a lot of other less pleasant smells). Perhaps a stop at the bakery was one of the early morning things to do in Pompeii as ancient citizens began their day.
13. Stepping Stones and Streets
Stepping or crossing stones set within the street allowed residents to easily walk from one side of the road to another whilst keeping their feet clean. You can see that the spacing of these large stones was just right to allow wagons and chariots easy passage as well. In fact, these stones were a common feature in Pompeii, more than any other Roman city at the time.
Ruts were sometimes even chiseled in the roads to help wagons and chariots more easily navigate the “paved” roads. Having these crossing stones also aided in the removal of garbage, debris, and sanitation as the streets were regularly flooded to wash away all of the garbage. You can imagine the water and drainage system in Pompeii was somewhat sophisticated for its time.
14. Get Herculaneum or Mt. Vesuvius Tickets
If you plan to explore Herculaneum or Mt. Vesuvius, you may need to plan for more than one day in Pompeii. But, the area is so cool that it is totally worth the extra time. Discover more facts of the Pompeii eruption as it relates to these two sites.
15. Enjoy Guided Tours of Pompeii
You can book tours through Viator to enjoy a guided tour of Pompeii with an archaeologist. These small-group tours are an excellent way to see the Pompeii ruins as you get to:
- Enjoy skip-the-line access
- Discover what life was like before the eruption
- See the Basilica, the Forum, the baths, residential homes, etc.
- Ask questions
Getting to Pompeii
Visiting Pompeii From Sorrento
30 minutes ~ €3*
Coming from Sorrento, you’ll need to hop on the Circumvesuviana train for a short 20-minute ride from Sorrento to the Pompeii Scavi train stop.
Visiting Pompeii From Naples
30 minutes ~ €4*
Catch the Circumvesuviana coming from Naples in the opposite direction from Sorrento. You will still want to exit at the Pompeii Scavi entrance. The ticket office for the archeological site is a short walk from the Circumvesuviana train station.
Visiting Pompeii From Rome
2 hours and 15 minutes ~ €13* (with advance purchase and early in the morning)
There is no direct train from Rome to Pompeii, so you will need to connect in Naples. Trains frequently depart from the Roma Termini to Napoli Central throughout the day.
*These costs are approximate and may vary at different times during the day.
Opening Hours
- April 1st – October 31st: Pompeii archaeological site is open from 9 AM to 7 PM with the last entry at 6 PM. It opens at 8:30 AM on the weekend.
- November 1st to March 31st: Pompeii is open from 9 AM to 5 PM with the last entry at 3:30 PM.
- Closing Days: January 1st, May 1st and December 25th.
Double check the official Pompeii website for more information as you plan your itinerary.
Facts About Pompeii and Tips for Your Visit
- Have fun exploring the Pompeii ruins. You might even find Waldo!
- You may be asked to check your bags and backpacks before you enter the ruins of Pompeii. We came with Chris’ backpack filled with the Camelbak reservoir filled ice water and my backpack filled with my camera gear and were surprised (and grateful) when we were allowed to bring the backpacks with us into the archeological site of Pompeii.
- There are water spigots throughout Pompeii where you can refill water bottles as necessary. If I remember correctly, the water was refreshing but not very cold.
- Be sure to pick up a map at the entrance so that you know where the restrooms, main attractions, and thecafe are located.
- What to do in Pompeii in one day? Pompeii is divided into 8 regions. It is a large area to cover and you will want a minimum of four hours to explore, but likely more.
- Wear good walking shoes.
- You must arrive at least one hour before the archeological site closes for the day.
- Even though entrance is FREE on the first Sunday of the month, you will still need to stand in line for complimentary tickets.
- There is a cafe just past the Forum and the Temple of Jupiter in Region 7 where you can stop for snacks, ice cream, gelato, and a visit to the restroom.
- You can sign up for a guided Pompeii tour.
- Don’t forget to pack the protein bars if you want to snack throughout the day. (Well, except you will want gelato. You still have to buy gelato!)
Discover Pompeii & Pompeii Tour Apps
We did not have the Discover Pompeii App available to us when we visited Pompeii, but it would have surely come in handy. It does seem to be highly rated, but I cannot speak to its quality. It is FREE to download with In-App Purchases.
We did, however, listen to the FREE Rick Steves Audio Tour of Pompeii. It was great. There are a lot of tours of Italy through his site. Be sure to download the app and this Pompeii tour prior to your visit.
Photographing Pompeii
Whatever your skill level with a camera, be prepared for some amazing photos as you explore Pompeii.
Canon Powershot G1 – This camera is great if you leave the camera in AUTO mode and work well with a point and shoot. Sometimes that is the best option when you are waiting for other tourists to exit your shot and only have moments for your photo opportunity.
Canon T8i – If you are just learning photography skills and want to switch back and forth between Auto, Aperture Priority, or Manual Mode, this makes a great entry level DSLR. The goal here is to give you ample opportunity to take your best shot.
Canon 6d Mark II – A great camera for advanced photographers who are comfortable with shooting in Manual Mode. You’ll get some outstanding shots with this DSLR.
TIP * I often keep my camera in Aperture Priority Mode when I travel because it is one less setting to worry about when I want to take a quick photo but don’t want to be in AUTO mode. Some of you skilled photographers may GASP! at the notion, but it works well for me.
Smart Phone – Cameras on your phone nowadays are amazing. If this is your picture-taking device, you will surely capture some amazing images. I usually “tourist” with my DSLR around my neck and my Smart Phone in hand! And yes, I probably don’t “blend in” that well.
My recommendation is to arrive at Pompeii early in the morning for the best photo opportunities and hopefully fewer tourists (though there is no guarantee at such a popular attraction). Whatever you choose as your camera as you discover all of the best things to do in Pompeii, you will want to have the battery charged and ready to go for the day (and maybe bring along a back up battery just in case)!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you visit both Pompeii and Herculaneum in one day?
It is possible, but you would miss out on a lot of the amazing sites in both locations with such quick visits.
How long did the Mt. Vesuvius eruption last?
Mt. Vesuvius erupted in August of 79 CE. The eruption lasted for 12 hours! First, a fine-grained ash, then coarse white pumice (a frothy, glass rock), and later a gray pumice, rained down on the city of Pompeii and the surrounding area.
Do you need guided tours of Pompeii?
No, there is plenty to see if you set off on your own.
What is the best time to visit Pompeii?
The best time of the day to visit Pompeii would be in the cooler, less busy morning hours. Summer in Pompeii tends to be crowded; November to March is the best time of the year to visit Pompeii.
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Final Thoughts on Roman Ruins: 15 Captivating Things To Do in Pompeii if You Love Exploring
This post contains only a small sprinkling of the best things to do in Pompeii during your visit. There is so much more to see and experience. I enjoyed our day exploring the archeological site immensely and would love to return and perhaps add Herculaneum or “Ercolano” as part of the experience.
If Pompeii has always been on your bucket list, or even if you just added it, you will LOVE your visit to the archeological site.
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I live fascinated by historic places. Italy is on my bucket list. In fact, I am learning Italian to connect better with Italians. I love that you included a Pompeii map. Thanks!
Kudos for learning Italian. I need to work on that as well.
We’ve always wanted to visit Pompeii and this is a super guide we are definitely saving this for later.
Pompeii is definitely a bucket-list item for me as well – I didn’t realize that there was bread found too! usually all you hear about are all the people… And visiting on the first Sunday is a great tip to save a little. Thanks for sharing.
I would love to visit Pompeii! The bread fact is wild but so cool. Great to know the Antiquarium is open now. I’ll definitely be downloading the app and the audio tour, great tips!
Wow I had no idea Pompeii was so close to Naples and Sorrento – and not even that far from Rome! I didnt get a chance to visit when I was in Italy, so its definitely on the bucket list when I go back!
You should definitely make a trip back!
I hope you make Italy happen soon.
I have been in Italy for so long and I love Campania, but I never made it to Pompeii. Shame on me, I know!! But your guide gives me all the wanderlust ? Will save it asap!
Wow, what a fascinating history! I’d visit simply to learn more about that, but there’s so much more to do here! Great tip about visiting (for free) on Sundays. I’d especially love to see the Antiquarium – how neat that it was closed for 36 years and is now reopened to the public! You have truly convinced me to visit Pompeii; adding it to my bucket list now. Thanks again for all of the great info! Xx Sara
Pompeii is so high up my bucket list! I had no idea there were specific days you could get in for free, thank you for sharing such a helpful guide.
I must admit I was far more fascinated with Pompeii than I expected. The site was massive and so much more was being uncovered. We did a tour from Sorrento included Mt Vesuvius. That would have been a long day from Rome.
I love history-centred trips. Pompeii is on my list and I hope to make it there soon. I will for sure save this guide for the future.
What a photographer’s dream spot to go and capture these ancient sites. Next I’m in Rome I’ll need to make sure I do this.
This is on my bucket list too. Wow, they found bread!?!
It must have been an amazing and vibrant city before the eruption. I like to do a mental reconstruction and imagine people and animals walking around. I would be looking forward to doing the tour as it must be super interesting.
I had no idea Pompeii is free on the first Sunday! This is great to know!
Awesome huh!?
i’ve always been so intrigued with the history and story of Pompeii – it’s almost surreal reading about your experience and contrasting it against all that i’ve learned!
Such an imformative post! great to learn about the history and grat tips…would love to visit!!
Totally worth the time and $ to explore Pompeii.
I have wanted to visit Pompeii since I was a young and this article is so helpful thank you! I had no idea that the first Sunday was free too! That’s fantastic!
I love the first Sunday free idea that you find in Europe.
Time and time again, I go to Italy and avoid Pompeii because I don’t know where to start! Thanks for the great guide to get me motivated!
I hope that you can visit. It is an awesome place.
I loved Pompeii when I visited – so interesting. This is such a comprehensive guide you provide and I wish I had seen it before my trip. Next time!
Wow! What a thorough guide. There’s so many points of interest in this historic site. I think I’d want to see Temple of Jupiter most. Saving for later!
It was an awesome destination for sure. You could spend all day and still have more to see.
The story and history of Pompeii absolutely fascinates me!! This is definitely on my bucket list, thanks for the awesome guide!
Wow! Thank you for sharing such a comprehensive guide. And yes, complimentary ticket on the first Sunday of the month sounds good 🙂
I’ve never been to Pompeii! This list is so helpful!
Great post. I went to Pompei a hundred years ago…LOL. Id love to go again now that I have a better understanding of the world history. Great photos…maybe I can visit again someday so saving this for later.
Fabulous post! I’ve been to Pompeii a couple of years ago. Anyway I’m pinning your post for a future visit.
Love the recommendations on apps to download and camera to bring along…. the Basilica would be at the top of my must see list…
The bath houses and the theatre would be pretty cool to see. I’m impressed by the size of the street stones too! Those are huge.
I love visiting spots like this! Good to know about the free entry on the first Sunday of the month. I’d definitely take advantage of that if it aligned with my travel plans. But, I’d also be more than happy to pay to see such a cool piece of history.
We were so surprised when we visited Pompeii. There was more to see and it was definitely more captivating that we expected. And so much is continuing to be excavated. Will be worth another visit in a few years to see more of the Roman ruins in Pompeii.
I didn’t prioritize Pompeii when I was in Italy, but after reading this I wish I went. But i’m sure I’ll be going back – great read