Pompeii - how long to allow?

[hellsBells246]

We're going to Italy over Easter, to Rome and Pompeii. How many nights should we stay in Pompeii? What is the town like? We're going to book a guided tour of the ruins.

There are nicer places to stay than Pompeii which is not really a town. A guided tour is definitely a good idea. It would probably be a short day or half day - we've only ever been in summer with children so the heat restricted how long we could stay but Easter will be much cooler.

I'd also recommend Herculaneum which is actually more intact than Pompeii.

How long have you got? If a few days I'd stay somewhere on the coast like Vico Equense as the coastline is beautiful. Then you can get the train to Pompeii and Herculaneum from there or down to Sorrento for the day.

I'd say half a day. I've done Pompeii twice & I think that's how long we spent. However, I much preferred Herculaneum which is quite small (or at least the bits they've excavated are, most of it is under the town).
You can stay elsewhere & catch the train/taxi/tour bus.

You can do as a day trip from Rome. I wouldn’t stay there. With trains there and back it’s a full day

Don’t stay in Pompeii- we stayed in Sorrento (with a pool which was popular with the kids) but the train makes travel easy so anywhere pretty along that line will work. Definitely do Herculaneum as well - it’s on the same train line. You could do a couple of days in each of you wanted - there is a lot to see.

But I’m a classicist 🤓

Yes I wouldn't stay in Pompeii, there is not much in the actual town other than the ruins. Stay in Sorrento and do Pompeii as a day trip on the train.

You don't usually stay in Pompeii itself. Most tourists stay in Naples and take a train to Pompeii (about 30 minutes). We went early in the morning and left after 1pm for lunch. We didn't see all the sights but we quite tired by then. If the weather is good lots of tourists will leave for Mt Vesuvius after lunch, but it was closed due to bad weather when we were there.

We did same as PP. Stayed in Sorrento. Then day trips to Pompeii, Herculaneum, Vesuvius and Capri.

Oh that's really helpful, thank you. I would like to do Herculaneum too. Would you advise booking guided tours for both?

Off to check a map and the rail network...

Sorrento and day trips sounds like a slay!

There is a coastal train you take from Naples to Pompeii. One day is plenty. Splash out a private guided tour. We joined up with another couple for ours. I preferred Herculaneum though.

We stayed in Naples in a nice air B&B.

Ive never done guided tours (except for the Colosseum as you got in extra places). There is loads of info around on the sites and decent mals. But we are quite antisocial and like being by ourselves. 😳

I think the extra detail you get from a private guided tour and the ability to ask questions is fantastic. I don't like big guided tours though.

We stayed in Naples and travelled by train for the day. I don't think I would choose to stay in Pompeii itself.

We spent most of the day there just wandering around on our own. There wasn't much food on offer so maybe take something with you.

We liked Herculaneum much more. It was smaller but more intact and it was easier to imagine how it would have functioned as a town.

We didn't do a tour but I regret that. I wish we had done. We had a tour guide round the coliseum in Rome and it was brilliant. I'd definitely have a guide if we visited again.

We went at Easter time too and it was warm and sunny but not too hot.

how long to allow?
That is a bit 'how long is a piece of string?' We took all day at Pompeii.

Have a look at the Artecard.

Yes, definitely, Herculaneum is at the foot of Vesuvius, so do both in one day. You don't need a guide, imo.Train is easy. Pompeii, we took a short day and did a tour

Don't do both in one day - you'll be knackered! Especially if it's hot. Recommend a guided tour of both to get the most from the experience. Easy to get to both from Naples or Sorrento.

I meant Vesuvius and Herculaneum in one day, we did that easily. Definitely not Pompeii and Herculaneum

I went to Pompeii recently and I'd say comfiest shoes ever are needed, I also took a posh packed lunch with a little wine and lots
Of water. The queues for bland and overpriced sandwiches were too long and it was a hot day. I sat and ate it in the courtyard bit at the back of main cafe.
It's great but I agree that you should stay outside Pompeill and get train in - Naples is brilliant and has so much to do including the museum with Pompeii artefacts.

3 nights

We've been to Pompeii about 4 times but the last time we hired a private guide and we go so much more out of our visit, so would definitely recommend that.

We took the train down from Rome, it’s very close to the station.

Don't try to do Pompeii and Herculaneum on same day. There are other sites you can visit from Pompeii if you buy a inclusive ticket. Allow 2 if not 3 days minimum.

Ostia Antica is also amazing and is known as 'The better Pompeii' it's a short train ride from Rome.

I stayed in Sorrento (beautiful), did a day trip to Capri, whole day in Pompeii, whole day in Rome and half a day in Herculaneum.