Pompeii Archaeological Park

Pompeii is the extraordinary Roman city preserved by the eruption of Vesuvius and deserves at least half a day of exploration. Paved streets, frescoed houses, baths, the forum, and theaters reveal ancient everyday life with extraordinary immediacy.

Pompeii is one of the world's most extraordinary archaeological sites, about 30 minutes from Villa Lorelei. The simplest route is to drive or bus to Sorrento station, then take the Circumvesuviana train directly to the Pompei Scavi - Villa dei Misteri stop. Allow at least half a day, ideally a full one, for the 66-hectare archaeological park.

It is a Roman city buried by the eruption of Vesuvius in AD 79 and preserved in near-perfect condition for centuries, with paved streets, painted villas, bathhouses, theatres, bakeries, and taverns exactly as they were 2,000 years ago. Don't miss the House of the Vettii with its frescoes, the Lupanar (the Roman brothel), the Villa of the Mysteries, the Forum Baths, and the Amphitheatre, while chariot ruts in the streets and ancient graffiti reveal everyday life with extraordinary immediacy.

Mamy Lucia's tip: go early to beat the heat and the crowds, with comfortable shoes, a hat, and plenty of water, because the site is huge and shade is scarce. A guide or good audio guide brings the ruins to life and is well worth it for first-time visitors. Spring and autumn are the most comfortable seasons, while summer middays can be very hot among the stones.

The park is open from 9am year-round, with last entry at 5:30pm and closing at 7pm in summer hours (April to October), and last entry at 3:30pm with closing at 5pm in winter hours (November to March); it is closed on 25 December and 1 January. 2025 tickets range from 20 euros for Pompeii Express (urban area only), to 25 euros for Pompeii Plus (adding the suburban villas), up to 30 euros for the 3-day Grande Pompei pass covering all sites; entry is free for under-18s and on the first Sunday of the month.

Good to know: buy tickets online in advance to skip the queue, and pick up a free map at the entrance, because the site is enormous and easy to underestimate. Comfortable shoes are essential for the uneven ancient streets. Many couples combine Pompeii with a climb up Vesuvius or a stop at nearby Herculaneum or Villa Oplontis, smaller and better-preserved sites that make a memorable day of ancient history.