10 DO’s & DON’Ts When Visiting Pompeii
Planning a trip to Pompeii Archaeological Park? Here’s everything I wish I knew before going — insider tips, transport hacks, and ways to save money 👇
✅ DO:
1️⃣ Buy tickets from the official site
Avoid resellers and inflated prices. Book directly here:
🎟️ Pompeii Official Tickets
Bonus tip: Kids under 18 enter FREE (bring ID). Perfect for a family trip!
2️⃣ Choose the best transport for your Naples–Pompeii–Sorrento day trip
There are two great train options:
🚆 Budget-friendly: Take the local Circumvesuviana train from Naples to Pompeii and then to Sorrento for about €3.30 one way. Frequent, cheap, and perfect if you’re on a tight budget.
🔗 Circumvesuviana schedule
🚆 Comfortable tourist option: The Campania Express is air-conditioned, has reserved seats, and luggage space. One-way tickets are €15, round-trip ~€25.
🔗 Campania Express info & tickets
👉 Either way, you can do Pompeii in the morning and Sorrento in the afternoon — only 30 minutes by train!
3️⃣ Upgrade to include the Villas (worth it!)
For about €5 more, you can explore Pompeii’s suburban villas — they are stunning.
Don’t miss:
🏛️ Villa of the Mysteries
Other must-see villas inside the city:
The frescoes here are breathtaking — deep reds, life-size figures, and incredible storytelling on the walls.
4️⃣ Plan to go for more than one day
Pompeii is HUGE. A single day isn’t enough to see it all.
💡 Your pass allows 3 consecutive days of entry, so pace yourself and explore different sections each day.
I suggest staying in pompeii and visiting the ruins in the morning and then going to the coast in the afternoon, using the trains from point number 2
5️⃣ Watch a documentary before you go (and save money)
Guides can cost around €50 per person, so knowing the story beforehand is a big savings.
Recommended:
- Pompeii: The Last Day (BBC 2003) — Watch https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wPwhP1r9U_khere
- Pompeii: New Secrets Revealed (PBS NOVA) — Watch here
- Pompeii: The Mystery of the People Frozen in Time (Channel 5) — Watch here
You’ll recognize streets, forums, and Mount Vesuvius when you’re there.
6️⃣ Visit the exhibition with the plaster casts (next to the big amphitheatre)
One of the most emotional parts of Pompeii is seeing the plaster casts of the victims.
They are displayed in areas near the large Roman amphitheatre, mainly in the Palestra Grande.
Seeing the casts preserves the exact positions people were in during the eruption — powerful and unforgettable.
🔗 More info: Pompeii Exhibitions
7️⃣ Bring water — and consider packing a picnic
There’s only one main café inside Pompeii, and lines can get long.
Bring water, and if you only have one day, pack a small lunch.
If you’re coming from Naples, there are many shops selling fresh panini to take with you. A picnic inside Pompeii is a perfect way to recharge.
8️⃣ Wear proper shoes (you’ll walk A LOT)
Expect 20,000 steps in a day!
The streets are uneven volcanic stone, with raised stepping stones and smooth surfaces that can be slippery.
Wear thick, cushioned running shoes with good grip — don’t skimp here, your feet will thank you.
❌ DON’T:
9️⃣ Don’t skip the Villas inside the city
Check out named villas like:
The frescoes, courtyards, and mosaics bring ancient Roman life vividly to life.
🔟 Don’t leave without a souvenir
Walking Pompeii with Mount Vesuvius in the background is unforgettable.
I designed a Pompeii mug inspired by that exact feeling — perfect if you forgot a souvenir or couldn’t fit one in your luggage 😉
🛍️ Shop it here: Pompeii Mug
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