Pompeii ticket

Pompeii ticket

1 | Plan your visit

As you probably know, Pompeii is Italy’s most emblematic archaeological site, located just 27 km from Naples. Before the volcanic eruption, did you know that Pompeii was a thriving Roman colony, reaching its apogee in the 1st century AD? Pompeii was a center of commerce, culture and leisure, with impressive public structures, sumptuous villas and luxurious thermal baths.

4 million visitors a year.

In 79 AD, Vesuvius erupted violently, burying Pompeii under tons of ash and pumice. The city was hit by a rain of volcanic debris, followed by fiery clouds that instantly killed those who didn’t flee. Inhabitants suffocated or were crushed to death, and the entire city was frozen in time.

Vesuvius erupted on August 24 in the year 79.

Buried for almost 1,700 years, Pompeii was rediscovered in the 18th century, offering an exceptional window on everyday life in the Roman Empire thanks to the unique preservation of its buildings and artifacts.

Plan your visit and your time slot.

1.1 Choosing a date

To discover the archaeological city of Pompeii, we advise you to choose the date and time slot that best suits your schedule. Early morning or late afternoon visits are the least popular time slots.

During the holiday season, it may be difficult to obtain a ticket, so we recommend that you book several days or even weeks in advance to ensure you have a slot. This will count towards the visit quotas imposed by the Cité Archéologique. Please note that once you have purchased your Pompeii ticket, it cannot be modified or refunded unless you select the cancellation option.

1.2 Buying your Pompeii ticket

Buying your Pompeii ticket online means you’ll be able to access the site without waiting in line. This will allow you to limit your waiting time when visiting the Pompeii archaeological site. tilckets allows you to make your reservation online with numerous visit options via the secure Tiqets platform. Please note that the tilckets site is not the official site but a brand affiliated with Tiqets. Tiqets is one of the partners of the Pompeii Archaeological Site. Booking is simple: choose the type of ticket you prefer (simple Pompeii express tour, more complete Pompeii Plus tour with access to Villa Regina + Villa Diomede + Villa Misteri, combined tour with Vesuvius discovery, etc.), and you’ll receive your Pompeii ticket directly by e-mail. You can then present your Pompeii ticket on your smartphone or in printed form.

2 | Before your visit

2.1 Itinerary

Plan and organize your route to the Pompeii archaeological site.

Use public transport or book a cab if necessary; you can find the route here.

2.2 Dress code

You are about to enter the highly-preserved Pompeii archaeological site. That’s why you’ll need to make sure you’re dressed appropriately. The site is vast and the terrain often uneven, with ancient cobblestones. Wear comfortable walking shoes or sneakers. Pompeii can be very hot, especially in summer.

Choose lightweight, breathable clothing, such as T-shirts, shorts or light pants. Wear a hat or cap, sunglasses and sunscreen to protect you from UV rays. Remember to bring a reusable water bottle; there are drinking water fountains on site where you can fill your bottle.

2.3 Luggage locker

If you have a backpack or luggage larger than 30 x 30 x 15 cm, it must be deposited in one of the two free luggage storage areas.

These are located at the Piazza Esedra entrance (Porta Marina Inferiore) and the other at Porta Marina Superiore (the entrance to the digs most used by those arriving by train), where you’ll find an automated baggage service. When you drop off your luggage, you’ll be given a receipt with a collection code. This code must then be entered on a monitor to retrieve your luggage or backpack.

2.4 Visiting time

Allow yourself enough time to fully enjoy your visit. Once inside the Pompeii archaeological site, your time will not be limited, and you can take as much time as you need to visit the different areas. This visit will allow you to imagine how the ancient Roman city was organized.

3 | Your arrival

3.1 How do I get in?

You can enter Pompeii through any door. However, you can only gain rapid entry through the Porta Marina Inferiore (Piazza Esedra). For all other entrances, you’re likely to have to queue in high season.

Quick entry to Porta Marina (Piazza Esedra).

On arrival, follow the signs to the visitors’ entrance. Present your Pompeii ticket at the entrance from your smartphone or in printed form. It’s important that your QR code is easy to read. Make sure you arrive at the time specified on your Pompeii ticket, so as to respect the visiting slots. After passing through the checkpoint, you can enter the Pompeii archaeological site and marvel at this Roman city.

4 | During your visit

4.1 Audioguide

If your visit includes an audio-guide, you can pick it up in front of the Piazza Esedra (see here). The exact meeting point will be indicated on the audioguide voucher.

Pick up your audio guide in Piazza Esedra.

4.2 Discovering the spaces

Explore the different parts of the Pompeii Archaeological City. Follow a logical itinerary to make sure you don’t miss a thing.

Pompeii Archaeological City.

The archaeological city of Pompeii is vast and full of fascinating areas to explore. Here are some of the main attractions not to be missed:

Forum: Pompeii’s political, economic and religious center, home to the Temple of Jupiter, the Basilica and the Market.

Pompeii Forum.

House of the Vettii (Casa dei Vettii): A well-preserved home of two wealthy merchants, famous for its vibrant frescoes and sculptures.

House of the Vettii.

Lupanar: Pompeii’s main brothel, known for its explicit frescoes and small rooms.

Villa of Mysteries (Villa dei Misteri): Located outside the city walls, famous for its frescoes depicting mystical rites.

Fresco in the Villa of Mysteries.

Théâtre Grande and Odeon: Two ancient theaters where shows, plays and concerts were staged.

Amphitheatre: One of the oldest surviving Roman amphitheaters, where gladiator fights and other public events were held.

Pompeii’s amphitheatre.

Baths (Thermae): The Stabies, Forum and Central thermal baths offer a glimpse of Roman public baths, with their different bathrooms and heating systems.

Stabies thermal baths.

Maison du Faune (Casa del Fauno): One of Pompeii’s largest and most luxurious residences, famous for its mosaics, including the famous Alexander mosaic.

House of Paquius Proculus: One of the most remarkable residences in this ancient Roman city, frozen in time by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 A.D. This house, belonging to a prominent citizen, Paquius Proculus, is distinguished by its colorful frescoes and elaborate mosaics, illustrating the wealth and social status of its owner.

House of Paquius Proculus.

Temple of Apollo: One of Pompeii’s oldest temples, with Doric columns and a well-preserved altar.

Via dell’Abbondanza: Pompeii’s main shopping street, lined with boutiques, taverns and houses.

Maison petite fontaine (Casa della Fontana Piccola): This is one of Pompeii’s most charming residences, known for its elegant mosaic fountain. The house takes its name from the small nymph fountain in its garden.

Little fountain house.

The fountain is decorated with colorful tesserae and shells, depicting maritime scenes and geometric motifs. Wall frescoes and mosaics testify to the refined taste of its owners and offer a fascinating insight into daily life and decorative art in Roman times.

Jardin des Fugitifs: A garden where plaster casts of the victims of the Vesuvius eruption were found, offering poignant testimony to the catastrophe.

House of hunting frescoes: Known for its detailed frescoes depicting hunting scenes and landscapes.

Hunting house with frescoes.

Temple of Venus: A temple dedicated to the goddess of love, located near the sea.

House of the Tragic Poet: Famous for its floor mosaic depicting a dog on a leash with the inscription “Cave Canem” (Beware of the dog).

By exploring these different areas, you’ll gain a comprehensive insight into the daily life, architecture and culture of ancient Pompeii.

5 | After your visit

5.1 Souvenir stores

You’ll find plenty of souvenir stores in Pompeii. Mainly located near the main entrance to the archaeological site and in the surrounding area, you’ll find replicas of ancient artifacts, books on the history of Pompeii, postcards, jewelry inspired by archaeological finds, as well as local products such as wine and olive oil.

5.2 Free time

If you have any free time, take the opportunity to discover Mount Vesuvius. Its ascent will take you through breathtaking scenery, with slopes covered in volcanic ash and Mediterranean vegetation.

Climb Mount Vesuvius.

Once at the summit, you can walk around the crater and observe the fumaroles escaping from the earth, reminiscent of the cataclysmic eruption of 79 AD that buried Pompeii and Herculaneum.

The panoramic view from the summit is breathtaking. Click here to discover the Pompeii + Vesuvius offer.

Pompeii Access

By train:

Train from Naples, line 21354.
Duration 45 min. Book your journey.
Approx. 50 trains per day.

By bus:

Bus stops Naples > Pompéi:
– Metropark Centrale. Corso Arnaldo Lucci 156.
– Fuorigrotta – Campi Flegrei FS.
– Via Amerigo Vespucci 100.
– Naples Afragola AV.
– Naples (Directional Center – Holiday Inn).

By tourist bus:

Return shuttle from Naples: See here.

By car:

Near the entrance to the Pompeii archaeological site, you’ll find a number of parking lots where you can park (approx. €3/hour). See Parking near the Porta Marina rapid entrance (Piazza Esedra).

Questo sito è affiliato alla piattaforma Tiqets. Tiqets è uno dei partner ufficiali del monumento per la rivendita dei biglietti. Questo sito non è il sito ufficiale; i biglietti sono venduti attraverso la piattaforma Tiqets, uno dei partner del sito archeologico di Pompei.