Top Things to do in Pompeii
The 10 Best Things to do in Pompeii, Campania
Pompeii is a Roman town frozen in time, thanks to a devastating eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. Explore houses from modest to majestic; see Roman shops, baths and brothels; or apply your high-school Latin to the graffiti that's still visible on some of the walls. End your visit at the Villa of the Mysteries, and try to interpret its amazing, bizarre frescoes—scholars have debated their meaning for years.
Restaurants in Pompeii
1. Bosco de Medici Winery
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 303 reviews
Bosco de' Medici Winery is a brand new Restaurant and Winery in Pompeii. We offer for lunch the Tasting Pompeii Tour, a 20 minutes guided tour of the 4 hectares of vineyards and wine cellars next to a Roman Necropolis of the 79 AD, among History, Nature and an elegant Cellar. At the end in the Winery Dining Room, you'll have a Wine and Typical Products tasting. We offer different options of menu, paired with our special wines. You can also just come for a wine tasting and a tour of the property. We are on Instagram, boscodemedici_winery!
Reviewed By friendlyobserver2
wonderful little relaxing spot. lovely light lunch and a nice tour of the small vineyards. An awesome bonus was the outer pompeii ruins right on the vineyard that are currently being excavated. Perfect ambiance and tour guide.
2. Forum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,217 reviews
Reviewed By MalcH - Loughborough, United Kingdom
The focal point of the Pompeii ruins and a great photo spot for the ruins with Vesuvius in the background. Lots of interesting exhibits on the left hand side including some of the plaster casts of those that fell victim to this tragic fate. Best to go early or late as it gets very busy once the site is open. Really gives a feel to how the ancient Romans used to live.
3. Pontificio Santuario della Beata Maria Vergine del Santo Rosario di Pompei
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,865 reviews
Reviewed By pablucho35 - Savannah, United States
Though the church is beautiful and imposing, what I found most rewarding was visiting the tomb of Blessed Bartolo Longo which is in a chapel accessed through the side of the sanctuary.
4. Villa dei Misteri
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,125 reviews
Reviewed By christosorl - Thessaloniki, Greece
The first house that you meet at the pompei is that place.Excellent and beautiful wall paintings in aplace that emit wealth.
5. Teatro Grande
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 825 reviews
Reviewed By Seeking_True_Quality
We visited the larger of the two theatres, which are located next to each other, in the Insula 7 of the Regio VIII, on the Via Stabiana. The Teatro Grande was built in the II. century BC. It was heavily damaged during the eruption in 79 AD, only a relatively small portion of the auditorium is original (the white stones), the rest is a reconstruction. Nevertheless, it is a big theatre for 5000 spectators, showing us that in ancient time people loved to watch comedies and tragedies in a theatre. The inhabitants of ancient Pompeii also held political debates in this theatre.
6. Casa del Fauno
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 487 reviews
Reviewed By Seeking_True_Quality
The magnificent House of the Faun is located on the Via della Fortuna and it was the only private house that we visited. It is large, one of the largest in Pompeii and occupies the whole block (Insula) 12 of the Regio VI, a whole 3000 square meters! It was built in the II. century BC. We found the main entrance elegant and robust at the same time. Behind the entrance is the lobby (vestibulum) with a copy of a decorative and delicate bronze statue, the dancing Faun. It is in an impluvium, a shallow basin for catching rainwater with a nice, geometrical mosaic, actually an Opus sectile. The original of the statue is in the National Archaeological Museum in Naples. A second ornamental, geometrical Opus sectile is on the floor a room behind the first atrium. It is made of thin rhombi in three shades, tiled in a hexagonal pattern, creating an effect of 3D cubes, a design very popular in XX. century op-art. Behind that room is the first atrium. a little garden, surrounded by a collonaded porch (a peristyle). We then arrived at the beautiful copy of the famous Alexander Mosaic, on the floor of a room behind the first atrium. The original, also in the National Archaeological Museum in Naples, was created around 120 BC and depicts the victory of Alexander the Great over Darius III of Persia in the Battle of Issus in 333 BC. Behind the room with the Alexander Mosaic is second, larger atrium with a garden and a peristyle. We did not go there, instead, we visited the many rooms of this magnificent house.
7. Lupanar
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 517 reviews
Reviewed By tomj932 - London, United Kingdom
Lupanar really is an interesting one! Located a couple of blocks from the forum there was a queue to enter from outside. Inside the building is complete with walls and roof of which there are not many of in Pompeii. This isn’t the “interesting feature” however, adorning the walls are rather erotic (albeit faded) frescoes that may have once served as instruction or a menu for paying customers visiting the site. The concrete beds paint a harsh reality for the working women that appear to be exotic and probable slaves in the time from their fair complexions. Definitely an interesting visit, and I dare say what many people will consider their only visit to a brothel!
8. Stabian Baths (Terme Stabiane)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 420 reviews
Reviewed By SoCalOregonian - Murrieta, United States
This is one of many baths located within the Pompeii complex, this dating from 2nd century BC. There were separate sections for men and women. Each bathhouse had a changing room, cold bath area, warm bath area then the hot bath area. In addition to a place for public function and relaxation, they provided a social setting. The interior of the building provides a look into how the systems worked and the ornate walls. One of the better-preserved areas in Pompeii.
9. Anfiteatro Romano
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 185 reviews
Reviewed By Jo_and_Tom - Anna, United States
What is interesting besides the structure is that this coliseum is older than Rome's and the Gladitorial Academy is across the street from it. We saw both the Gladitory entrance as well as where the wild animals would enter.
10. Pompeii Archaeological Park
Home of the world's most famous volcanic disaster when Mount Vesuvius erupted in 79 A.D., Pompeii is now a significant archeological site that provides an amazing glimpse into the daily life of an average Roman town over two thousand years ago.
Reviewed By diogobrav0 - Porto, Portugal
wow... We can say Pompeii is breathtaking... so many beautiful things to see. The place is huge, so take comfortable shoes, because you will walk a lot. Take at least 5-6 hours. You can take the Circumvesuviana train line from Napoli Garibaldi Central Station (direction Sorrento) and get out at Pompei Scavi - Villa Dei Misteri station, the station is about a 2 min walk from the Ticket office. Its a must when you visit Napoli.
