Photo: Mentnafunangann · CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
Pompeii
The Roman town buried by Vesuvius.
The Roman town buried by Vesuvius in 79 AD: whole streets, houses, baths and an arena, frozen in time under the volcano. Huge, hot and unforgettable; most people come for a long day from Naples or Sorrento.
Places to see
- The Forum and Temple of JupiterSight · The long open forum lined with broken columns, closed at one end by the Temple of…≈ A$32
House of the FaunSight · One of the grandest houses in town, taking up a whole block, with a bronze dancing faun…Free
House of the VettiiSight · The richest painted rooms in Pompeii: deep red walls with mythological scenes and a…Free
When to go
- Jan13° / 6°Often wetQuiet
- Feb14° / 6°Often wetQuiet
- Mar16° / 8°Some rainBusy
- Apr19° / 10°Some rainVery busy
- May23° / 14°Some rainVery busy
- Jun27° / 17°Mostly dryBusy
- Jul30° / 20°Mostly dryBusy
- Aug30° / 20°Mostly dryBusy
- Sep
Staying and getting around
Good areas to stay
Modern Pompei. The town around the ruins, with the sanctuary, hotels and B&Bs.
Flying in
Naples Capodichino (NAP): Alibus to Napoli Centrale, then the Circumvesuviana to Pompei Scavi, about 1 h 15 min, ≈ A$16.
Flewaway's estimate for the usual budget way into Pompei; check times and fares before you fly.
Getting around
You can walk everywhere. A single ticket is ≈ A$5. The ruins are a short walk from Pompei Scavi station on the Circumvesuviana. Inside, wear good shoes on the uneven stone streets, and bring water: there's little shade.
Tourist tax
Pompei's tourist tax: usually about €1.50–2 a person a night in hostels and B&Bs, more in hotels; under-14s don't pay. Paid at check-in (check).
Day trips
Naples, about 40 min by circumvesuviana train. Pizza and a lively old town.
Sorrento, about 30 min by circumvesuviana train. A cliff-top town on the bay.
