# Pompeii, near Naples > Pompeii is a Roman town at the foot of Vesuvius that lay under volcanic ash for almost two thousand years and survives with its streets, houses, frescoes and paving intact. Today it's a vast archaeological park 25 km from Naples: a forum framed by the volcano, baths, grand villas and the oldest surviving Roman amphitheatre. Entry is paid; allow 3 to 4 hours, about 40 minutes by train from Naples. Web page: https://yesgo.io/italy/naples/pompeii - City: [Naples](https://yesgo.io/italy/naples), Italy - YesGo score: 50/100 (Yes, go) - Time on site: 5 h - With kids: Fine with kids - Entry: Paid; free on the first Sunday of the month - Opening hours: Daily by day, longer in summer - Getting there: Circumvesuviana train to Pompei Scavi – Villa dei Misteri, ≈ 40 min - Highlights: Forum, baths, House of the Faun, Villa of the Mysteries, amphitheatre - Time needed: 3–4 hours; a full day for the whole park - Location: 25 km south-east of Naples - Coordinates: 40.75056, 14.48972 - Facts checked: 11.11.2026 ## Key facts - **AD 79** — ash from Vesuvius buried and preserved the town (source: English Wikipedia) - **1748** — excavations began (source: English Wikipedia) - **1997** — Pompeii joined the UNESCO list (source: UNESCO, no. 829) - **c. 66 ha** — area of the ancient town (source: English Wikipedia) - **c. 70 BC** — the amphitheatre was built, the oldest surviving Roman one (source: English Wikipedia) ## History of Pompeii **Pompeii** was a prosperous Roman town on the Bay of Naples, home to merchants, craftsmen and wealthy families with seaside villas. It had a forum, temples, public baths, theatres, shops and taverns, and streets paved with big stones and raised crossings for pedestrians. In **AD 79** an eruption of **Vesuvius** buried the town under a thick layer of ash and pumice. Pompeii lay hidden for almost seventeen centuries, which is why it survives as almost no other ancient town does, with wall paintings, mosaics, inscriptions and even cart ruts in the paving. Systematic excavation began in **1748** and continues today, with new houses and frescoes revealed every year. In **1997** Pompeii and neighbouring Herculaneum were inscribed on the **UNESCO World Heritage** list. ## What to see in Pompeii Start at the **forum**, the town's main square, with its famous view: the columns and arches of the Temple of Jupiter with Vesuvius rising behind. Around it are the basilica, where the law courts sat, the Temple of Apollo and the market. Nearby, the **Stabian Baths** have changing rooms, hot and cold halls and painted vaults. The grandest homes are the **House of the Faun**, with its bronze dancing faun and a copy of the huge Alexander mosaic (the original is in the Naples Archaeological Museum), and the **House of the Vettii**, with vivid frescoes. Outside the walls, the **Villa of the Mysteries** holds a cycle of paintings on a red ground, among the finest surviving ancient paintings. At the eastern edge stand the **amphitheatre**, built around 70 BC and the oldest surviving Roman amphitheatre, and the **Large Theatre**. Walk the main street, **Via dell'Abbondanza**, lined with shops, taverns with counters for hot food, and writing on the walls. ## Pompeii highlights - **The forum** — Temple of Jupiter columns and Vesuvius behind. - **Stabian Baths** — Roman baths with painted vaults. - **House of the Faun** — the largest house in town. - **House of the Vettii** — vivid frescoes in a rich home. - **Villa of the Mysteries** — paintings on a red ground. - **Amphitheatre** — the oldest surviving Roman one. - **Via dell'Abbondanza** — the main street of shops. > **Pace yourself** Pompeii is huge and there's little shade. Bring water, a hat and comfortable shoes for the big paving stones. Download the park map beforehand and pick 10 to 15 key stops: seeing the whole town in one visit is close to impossible. In summer, arrive at opening. ## Tickets and how long to spend Buy tickets on the archaeological park's official site or at the gate; entry is free on the first Sunday of the month, but queues are huge. Combined tickets cover other sites around Vesuvius, including **Herculaneum**. Allow **3 to 4 hours** for the highlights and a full day for the whole park. The main entrance is by Pompei Scavi – Villa dei Misteri station, with another on Piazza Anfiteatro. There are cafés, toilets and a left-luggage desk for large bags inside. ## How to get to Pompeii from Naples 1. The **Circumvesuviana** train from Napoli Garibaldi (by the main station) to **Pompei Scavi – Villa dei Misteri**, about 40 minutes. 2. The seasonal Campania Express tourist train, with reserved seats. 3. From Sorrento, the same Circumvesuviana line, about 30 minutes. 4. By car, 30 to 40 minutes on the A3, with paid parking by the gates. ## Pompeii, Herculaneum and Vesuvius in a day Pompeii pairs well with a climb up **Vesuvius**: buses run from Pompeii station to the car park near the crater, then it's about half an hour on foot to the rim. That makes a full day, with the volcano in the morning and the town after lunch. Alternatively, combine Pompeii and [Herculaneum](https://yesgo.io/italy/naples/herculaneum) on one ticket: Herculaneum is smaller but better preserved, with wooden details and upper floors. Short on time? Choose one: Pompeii for scale, Herculaneum for preservation. ## Before you go Tick off what's ready — your ticks are saved in this browser. - [ ] Buy tickets on the park's official site - [ ] Download the map and pick your key houses - [ ] Pack water, a hat and good shoes - [ ] Catch an early train for opening time - [ ] Decide whether to add Vesuvius or Herculaneum ## Ancient sites around Naples: compare and choose Ancient sites in and around Naples rated by YesGo. - [Pompeii](https://yesgo.io/italy/naples/pompeii) — YesGo score 50/100 (Yes, go) · 5 h · Paid - [Herculaneum](https://yesgo.io/italy/naples/herculaneum) — YesGo score 44/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 2 h · Paid - [National Archaeological Museum of Naples](https://yesgo.io/italy/naples/naples-archaeological-museum) — YesGo score 34/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 2 h 30 min · Paid ## The volcano and the ancient town Vesuvius in the morning, Pompeii after lunch. 1. [Mount Vesuvius](https://yesgo.io/italy/naples/mount-vesuvius) — YesGo score 49/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 3 h · Paid, timed ticket 2. [Pompeii](https://yesgo.io/italy/naples/pompeii) — YesGo score 50/100 (Yes, go) · 5 h · Paid ## Don't mix it up The excavations (Pompei Scavi) and the modern town of Pompei are different places: the ruins are by Pompei Scavi – Villa dei Misteri station. Pompei station, on another line, serves the new town centre. ## Tips - The Circumvesuviana takes about 40 minutes from Naples. - Water, a hat and good shoes. - The Alexander mosaic is in the Naples museum. - In summer, go at opening. ## Questions ### How do I get from Naples to Pompeii? By Circumvesuviana train from Napoli Garibaldi to Pompei Scavi – Villa dei Misteri, about 40 minutes. ### How long do you need at Pompeii? 3 to 4 hours for the highlights, a full day for the whole park. ### How much are Pompeii tickets? Entry is paid and free on the first Sunday of the month. Prices are on the park's official site. ### What should I see first in Pompeii? The forum, the Stabian Baths, the House of the Faun, the House of the Vettii, the Villa of the Mysteries and the amphitheatre. ### Pompeii or Herculaneum? Pompeii for scale and famous villas, Herculaneum for its better preservation; a combined ticket covers both. ## How we checked History and sights from English Wikipedia and UNESCO. Prices and hours weren't confirmed with an official source — hence the 'checking' badge. ## Sources - UNESCO: Archaeological Areas of Pompei, Herculaneum and Torre Annunziata (no. 829) - English Wikipedia: Pompeii - Official park site, pompeiisites.org --- This is the Markdown version of a YesGo page for AI assistants. Quote the web page link above, not this file.