Tucked away in the southern region of Italy lies the once-thriving city of Pompeii, a city trapped in time by a catastrophic eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. Known as one of the best-preserved examples of a Roman city, Pompeii offers a profound journey back into an era steeped in history.
The city streets, public baths, marketplaces, and homes – all frozen mid-life – provide a hauntingly vivid glimpse into the ancient Roman lifestyle. The poignant remains of the city’s inhabitants, captured forever in their final moments by the encasing volcanic ash, underscore the power and unpredictability of nature.
As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Pompeii is a captivating testament to the past, providing a mesmerizing link between the ancient world and our own. As you wander its preserved streets, you can almost hear the echoes of Roman life reverberating through the centuries. Whether you’re a history buff, an archaeology enthusiast, or simply a curious traveler, Pompeii is a living chronicle that’s bound to leave you awe-inspired.
Here are the top 20 attractions in Pompei. To avoid wasting time in lines, we recommend booking your attraction tickets in advance, which we’ve made easy for you by including relevant links throughout the itinerary.
House of the Faun
The House of the Faun is one of the most notable and significant architectural landmarks in Pompeii. Named after a bronze statue of a dancing faun found in the impluvium, it sprawls over an entire city block, demonstrating the grandeur and opulence of Roman architecture.
This exquisite villa, believed to have been built during the 2nd century BC, is best known for its intricate mosaics, including the world-renowned ‘Alexander Mosaic’ which depicts the legendary battle between Alexander the Great and Darius III of Persia.
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The House of the Faun offers a profound glimpse into the domestic life of the Roman elite, highlighting the richness and sophistication of their art, culture, and lifestyle.
House of the Tragic Poet
The House of the Tragic Poet, another iconic site in Pompeii, holds an air of mystery and intrigue, bearing a unique glimpse into the domestic life during Roman times. Dating back to the 2nd century BC, this smaller, yet opulently decorated home is famed for its exquisite collection of floor mosaics and frescoes.
The house’s most famous mosaic greets you at the entrance, depicting a chained dog with the caption “Cave Canem” or “Beware of the Dog”. Another intriguing aspect of this house is the beautifully detailed frescoes that adorn its walls, depicting scenes from ancient Greek mythology, with tragic poets and actors, which gives the house its name. Though the original owner remains unknown, the elegance of the art suggests they were likely of high status.
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Visiting the House of the Tragic Poet is like stepping into a time machine, taking you back to the intimate everyday life of Pompeii’s citizens before the eruption of Vesuvius.
Amphitheater of Pompeii
The Amphitheater of Pompeii, constructed around 70 BC, holds the distinction of being the oldest known Roman amphitheater in existence. Built entirely of stone and designed to accommodate up to 20,000 spectators, this impressive structure predates even the iconic Colosseum in Rome.
The amphitheater played a crucial role in the social and cultural life of Pompeii, hosting a variety of public events, from gladiatorial combat and wild beast fights to theatrical plays and religious ceremonies. Its elliptical design enhanced acoustics and visibility, ensuring an immersive experience for spectators.
The Amphitheater of Pompeii is a testament to Roman engineering prowess and offers invaluable insights into the entertainment preferences and societal norms of the time. Remarkably well-preserved, it stands today as a powerful symbol of Pompeii’s past, offering modern visitors a tangible connection to the ancient world.
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Lupanare
The Lupanare in Pompeii is one of the most infamous buildings in the ancient city. Its name derives from the Latin word ‘lupa’, meaning ‘she-wolf’, which was a colloquial term for a prostitute in ancient Rome. The Lupanare was the largest brothel in Pompeii, strategically located near the city center for easy access.
The two-story building contained ten rooms, each furnished with a stone bed and a mural depicting various sexual positions – believed to have served as a kind of ‘menu’ for clients. Despite the risqué nature of its purpose, the Lupanare offers invaluable insights into the societal norms and sexual culture of ancient Rome.
Lupanare remains one of the most visited sites in Pompeii, largely due to the explicit nature of its frescoes and its historical significance in understanding Roman society.
House of the Vettii
The House of the Vettii is one of the most luxurious and well-preserved residences in Pompeii, offering a fascinating look at the domestic life of the city’s prosperous merchant class. Owned by the Vettii brothers, successful freedmen who climbed the social ladder, the house showcases a range of beautiful frescoes that are remarkable for their richness and detail.
The interior is laid out around two main peristyle courts, with rooms decorated in the so-called Fourth Style of Roman wall painting. The frescoes depict scenes from Roman mythology, demonstrating the artistic tastes and cultural aspirations of the city’s nouveau riche.
The house also features an intricate garden, ornamented with statues and fountains. The House of the Vettii is a must-visit location in Pompeii for anyone seeking to understand the subtleties of social mobility and daily life in the Roman world.
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Villa of the Mysteries
The Villa of the Mysteries, situated on the outskirts of Pompeii, is a remarkably well-preserved Roman villa famous for its stunning frescoes. Thought to have been constructed in the 2nd century BC, the villa offers a unique insight into Roman life and social practices. Its name, “The Villa of the Mysteries,” stems from a series of intricate frescoes found in one room, which depict a young woman undergoing the rites of initiation into the cult of Dionysus, the Greek god of wine, fertility, and religious ecstasy.
These scenes are shrouded in mystery, as they portray rituals that were secretive in nature. The villa’s design features several bedrooms, a kitchen, a dining room, a wine press, and a bathing area, reflecting the grandeur of elite Roman life. It is an extraordinary archaeological site that captures the opulence, culture, and spiritual life of Pompeii’s inhabitants before the catastrophic eruption of Vesuvius.
Forum Baths, Pompeii
Located near the Forum, the civic heart of Pompeii, the Forum Baths offer a fascinating glimpse into the social customs and daily routines of the city’s inhabitants. Built around 80 BC, these baths were crucial public facilities, serving as a place for cleanliness, relaxation, and social interaction.
The baths were meticulously designed with separate sections for men and women, each featuring a sequence of rooms with varying temperatures: the ‘tepidarium’ (warm room), ‘calidarium’ (hot room), and ‘frigidarium’ (cold room).
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The heating was provided by a sophisticated system known as a ‘hypocaust’, where hot air circulated beneath the floor and through the walls. Intricate mosaics and frescoes adorn the walls and floors, exemplifying the artistry and architectural grandeur of the time. The Forum Baths of Pompeii thus stand as a testament to the advanced engineering and social norms of the ancient Romans, embodying an integral part of their lifestyle.
Terme Stabiane
The Terme Stabiane, or Stabian Baths, hold the distinction of being the oldest baths in Pompeii, dating back to the 2nd century BC. Located at the intersection of Via dell’Abbondanza and Via Stabiana, the baths were named after the latter, which was one of the main streets in Pompeii.
The Stabian Baths feature a unique design layout with separate sections for men and women, and a series of rooms serving different functions in the bathing process – the apodyterium (changing room), frigidarium (cold bath), tepidarium (warm room), and calidarium (hot bath).
The baths were not just for bathing but also served as a social hub where the townsfolk could gather, converse, exercise and relax. The facility’s walls and floors are adorned with beautiful frescoes and stucco work, showcasing the rich cultural and artistic life of ancient Pompeii.
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Despite their age, the Terme Stabiane remain incredibly well-preserved, offering visitors a captivating look into the daily life of Pompeii’s citizens.
House of the Golden Cupids
The House of the Golden Cupids, also known as the House of Marcus Lucretius Fronto, is a captivating example of a luxurious Roman home in the ancient city of Pompeii. The house, named after the delicate golden statuettes of cupids or ‘amorini’ found within, is one of the most elegant and sizable residences in the city.
Its architectural design, featuring a central peristyle garden surrounded by a colonnade and multiple rooms, reflects the affluence of its inhabitants. The house is particularly noted for its frescoes and mosaics that depict various scenes from Roman mythology. One of the most beautiful is the fresco of Mars and Venus found in the triclinium (dining room).
Another unique feature is the private bath complex within the house, a symbol of luxury in Roman times. Visiting the House of the Golden Cupids provides a vivid snapshot of the opulence and elegance of elite Roman domestic life.
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Foro Civile di Pompei
The Foro Civile, or Civil Forum, was the political, economic, and religious center of Pompeii, serving as the heartbeat of the city’s social life. This large, rectangular plaza was surrounded by some of the most important buildings in Pompeii, including the Temple of Jupiter, the Basilica, and various administrative buildings, which stood as symbols of the city’s wealth and power.
The Forum was also a bustling marketplace where merchants and vendors would sell their goods. One of its most striking features is its colonnade, with two rows of columns creating a shaded walkway around the perimeter. Despite the devastation caused by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD, the Civil Forum has been remarkably well preserved.
Today, visitors can walk amongst the ruins, retracing the footsteps of the ancient Romans and imagining the vibrant daily life that once took place here.
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Large Theatre, Pompeii
The Large Theatre, also known as the Teatro Grande, is one of Pompeii’s most impressive architectural landmarks. Constructed in the 2nd century BC and later expanded, this grand open-air theatre could accommodate up to 5,000 spectators, highlighting the important role that entertainment and performance played in Roman society.
The theatre was ingeniously designed, with a semi-circular orchestra area and a tiered seating arrangement, ensuring that all attendees had a clear view of the performances. This seating was divided into different sections or ‘orders’ to separate the audience based on their social status. Moreover, the acoustics were exceptional, allowing even those seated at the back to hear the actors clearly.
Today, the Large Theatre stands as a testament to the advanced architectural skills and social organization of the Romans, providing a powerful echo of Pompeii’s vibrant cultural life.
Basilica, Pompeii
The Basilica in Pompeii, built around the 2nd century BC, was not a religious building as the term might suggest today, but rather the most important public building in the city, serving as a center for administration and justice. Located in the southwest corner of the Forum, the Basilica was a grand structure, its impressive architecture reflecting its significance in Roman society.
The layout included a central nave with an apse at one end, where magistrates would sit, flanked by two aisles separated by a row of Corinthian columns. The Basilica’s raised platform was used for delivering judicial decisions, reinforcing the building’s role as a law court. Despite the damage caused by the eruption of Vesuvius, the remaining ruins of the Basilica continue to inspire awe, offering a poignant testament to the advanced social and architectural standards of the Roman era.
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House and Thermopolium of Vetutius Placidus
The House and Thermopolium of Vetutius Placidus, located in the ancient city of Pompeii, offers an intriguing look into the life and commerce of the Roman era. A ‘thermopolium’ was essentially an ancient Roman fast-food eatery, where hot and cold food and drinks were sold.
The thermopolium in the House of Vetutius Placidus is particularly well-preserved, featuring a large, L-shaped counter with embedded terracotta vessels known as ‘dolia’, which were used to store food. The counter is adorned with colorful frescoes depicting the various foods and drinks that were likely sold there.
The house part of the establishment showcases typical Roman domestic architecture, with several rooms situated around a central courtyard. This site offers invaluable insight into the commercial and domestic aspects of Roman life, bringing us closer to understanding the everyday experiences of Pompeii’s inhabitants.
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Temple of Apollo, Pompeii
The Temple of Apollo, situated in the religious precinct of Pompeii, is one of the city’s oldest and most significant religious structures. Dedicated to the Greek and Roman god Apollo, known for his association with the sun, music, and prophecy, this temple underscores the influence of Greek culture on Roman religion.
The temple, standing on a high platform and surrounded by a colonnade, showcases an elegant fusion of Italic, Etruscan, and Greek architectural styles. In the sacred precinct, there are numerous statues, including those of Apollo and Diana, his sister and the goddess of the moon. Most iconic is the sun-dial, indicating Apollo’s connection with the sun.
The Temple of Apollo was not just a place of worship, but also a central point of social gathering, reflecting the deeply intertwined nature of religion and society in ancient Rome. Despite the ravages of time and the eruption of Vesuvius, the ruins of the Temple of Apollo remain a powerful testament to Pompeii’s spiritual life and its rich cultural heritage.
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Temple of Jupiter
The Temple of Jupiter, or the Capitolium, is one of the most prominent structures in Pompeii, strategically situated on the northern side of the Forum. It was dedicated to the highest gods of Roman religion – Jupiter, Juno, and Minerva – known collectively as the Capitoline Triad.
Built-in the mid-2nd century BC, this grand temple features a high podium with a wide staircase leading up to the colonnaded pronaos, or porch, in front of the cella, or inner sanctuary. The temple’s imposing size and central location underline the significance of Jupiter, the king of the gods, and the central role of religion in Roman civic life.
Despite its partial destruction during the eruption of Vesuvius in 79 AD, the remaining columns and podium of the Temple of Jupiter continue to dominate Pompeii’s cityscape, standing as a potent symbol of the city’s religious and cultural life.
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House of Menander
The House of Menander is one of the largest and most opulent residences in Pompeii, named after a small image of the Greek playwright Menander found in the home. This luxurious residence, thought to have belonged to Quintus Poppaeus Sabinus, a relative of the Roman Empress Poppaea Sabina, reflects the grandeur of Pompeii’s elite society.
The house is laid out around a central peristyle garden, with numerous rooms showcasing beautiful frescoes and intricate mosaics that depict scenes from Roman mythology and daily life. Notable artworks include a large fresco portraying the Iliad’s epic battle and a seal with the initials of the probable owner.
The House of Menander also features a private bath complex, a sign of significant wealth in Roman society. Today, this lavish residence offers an insightful look into the lifestyle of Pompeii’s wealthy inhabitants before the city’s catastrophic end.
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Macellum of Pompeii
The Macellum of Pompeii, located adjacent to the forum, was the primary marketplace or food market in the ancient city. Constructed around the 2nd century BC, this large, rectangular building played a central role in the daily life of Pompeii’s citizens. The design of the Macellum included a central open-air courtyard surrounded by a colonnade, with various shops and stalls around the periphery where traders sold their goods.
The remains of fish scales found on the premises suggest that it was a significant spot for buying and selling fish. One of the most notable features of the Macellum is a circular structure in the center, which was possibly a tholos, or a shrine for the imperial cult. Frescoes of various goods and produce, as well as statues found within, further attest to its function as a bustling marketplace.
Today, the ruins of the Macellum offer a fascinating glimpse into the commercial and social life of Pompeii.
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House of the Surgeon, Pompei
The House of the Surgeon is one of the oldest and most significant homes in Pompeii due to its unique collection of medical instruments. Named after the surgical tools found within, this residence offers a unique glimpse into the medical practices of ancient Rome. The house is constructed largely of tufa blocks, an indication of its age, as this material was used in Pompeii before the widespread use of brick.
The layout is a typical atrium style, with rooms leading off from a central courtyard. Despite its name and the array of medical tools found, it is uncertain if a surgeon lived here or if the instruments belonged to a wealthy citizen with an interest in medicine.
Nonetheless, the House of the Surgeon remains a site of significant archaeological value, providing insight into the early medical history of Pompeii.
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Garden of the Fugitives, Pompei
The Garden of the Fugitives in Pompeii is one of the most poignant locations in the city, named after the 13 bodies found there during excavations. These individuals, including children, were likely trying to escape the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD, but were overcome by the toxic gases and subsequent pyroclastic flows. They were found in the vineyard that existed at the time, and their bodies were preserved by the volcanic ash that buried them.
Using a technique developed in the 19th century, archaeologists were able to create detailed plaster casts of these bodies, capturing their final moments in a deeply human and moving way. The Garden of the Fugitives stands as a somber reminder of the tragic event that abruptly ended the vibrant life of Pompeii, offering a powerful connection to the individuals who once inhabited this ancient city.
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Piazza Anfiteatro, Pompei
Piazza Anfiteatro in Pompeii is a large public square that owes its name to the nearby Amphitheater. This open space, bounded by commercial establishments and homes, was an important part of the city’s social and commercial life. It is named after its distinct shape, reminiscent of an amphitheater, which is actually due to the presence of the large ancient structure at one end of the square. Today, Piazza Anfiteatro continues to serve as a bustling hub of activity, with visitors frequenting the shops and cafes around the square before or after visiting the historic sites. In the context of the archaeological city, the Piazza Anfiteatro offers a charming blend of Pompeii’s historic past and its vibrant present, seamlessly integrating the city’s daily life with its extraordinary history.
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How to get to Pompei
Reaching Pompeii from various parts of Italy is relatively straightforward due to the city’s proximity to Naples and its well-connected transport networks. Here are a few ways you can get there:
- By Train from Naples: The easiest and most popular way to reach Pompeii is by train from Naples. The Circumvesuviana train, which departs from Napoli Piazza Garibaldi station, a lower level of Napoli Centrale, has a route that goes to Pompeii (Pompei Scavi – Villa Dei Misteri station) and continues to Sorrento. The journey to Pompeii takes about 30-40 minutes.
- By Train from Rome: If you’re coming from Rome, you can take a train to Naples (Napoli Centrale) and then switch to the Circumvesuviana line to Pompeii. High-speed trains between Rome and Naples can take as little as an hour.
- By Car: If you’re driving, Pompeii is conveniently located near the A3 autostrada (motorway). Take the Pompei Ovest exit if you’re coming from Naples or the Pompei Est exit if you’re coming from Salerno. There is paid parking near the entrance of the archaeological site.
- By Tour Bus: Numerous tour operators offer day trips to Pompeii from Naples, Rome, and the Amalfi Coast. These tours often include transportation, entry tickets, and a guided tour of the ruins.
- By Ferry: If you’re staying in Sorrento or Capri during the summer, you can take a ferry to Naples and then catch the Circumvesuviana train to Pompeii.
Remember to check the latest travel information and schedules as these can change. Once you arrive in Pompeii, the archaeological site is just a short walk from the train station.
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