Pompeii
Pompeii is the Roman town buried by Mount Vesuvius in AD 79. Its paved streets, shops and houses are still open to walk through, about 25 kilometers from Naples.
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Pompeii is a Roman city in the Campania region of southern Italy, about 25 kilometers southeast of Naples. The eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD 79 buried it under ash and pumice, and those layers kept its streets, shops, houses and many wall paintings. Walking the paved streets takes you past public baths, a forum and temples.
Day trips from Naples or the Sorrento coast are a common way to visit, and the site fits easily into a longer stay in the area. Allow at least half a day. A full morning or afternoon leaves time to see the houses, the amphitheater and the frescoes without rushing. Spring and autumn are the most comfortable seasons, since summer heat bears down on open stone with little shade. Pompeii suits travelers interested in history and archaeology, especially those who can handle uneven stone paving.
Pompeii in five
- Book a timed slot on the official ticket siteTickets are named and tied to a time slot, with a cap of 20,000 entries a day. Buy only from the park's official channel, and check the slot windows and ticket types on the official site.Pompeii tickets and how to visit
- Pack a small bagOnly small bags (30 x 30 x 15 cm maximum) are allowed on site. Leave luggage at your hotel, and bring water and a hat, as there is little shade on the streets.
- Go early or late to dodge the heatThe site is large and exposed, and midday in July and August is hard going. Take an early slot, and wear sturdy shoes for the uneven stone paving.
- Choose Pompeii, Herculaneum or bothHerculaneum is smaller and easier to cover in two hours. Both sit on the Naples to Sorrento rail corridor, so one day can include a shorter second site.Pompeii or Herculaneum
- Book Vesuvius separatelyThe Vesuvius Gran Cono trail needs a ticket bought online only, with 50 tickets released every 10 minutes and sales opening 30 days ahead. Plan it on a clear morning.Vesuvius National Park
Things to do in Pompeii
See all attractions in Pompeii
Need to know
- Airport
- Naples (NAP), about 1 hour by train or shuttle and rail
- Getting there
- Circumvesuviana from Naples or Sorrento; regional trains from Naples
- Getting around
- On foot; the site is large and has uneven paving
- Best base
- Naples or Sorrento; Pompeii town for early slots
- Time needed
- 3–5 hours; a full day with Vesuvius or Herculaneum
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Days with storms
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- JanuaryRain14 rainy daysHigh12°Low5°Cool, quietJanuaryRain
Mixed
- High
- 12°
- Low
- 5°
- Precipitation
- 137 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, quiet
- FebruaryPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh14°Low7°Cool, quietFebruaryPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 14°
- Low
- 7°
- Precipitation
- 115 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, quiet
- MarchRain14 rainy daysHigh16°Low8°MildMarchRain
Good
- High
- 16°
- Low
- 8°
- Precipitation
- 130 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild
- AprilRain12 rainy daysHigh19°Low10°Spring, idealAprilRain
Best
- High
- 19°
- Low
- 10°
- Precipitation
- 82 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Spring, ideal
- MayRain13 rainy daysHigh22°Low14°Warm, busyMayRain
Best
- High
- 22°
- Low
- 14°
- Precipitation
- 112 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, busy
- JuneClear6 rainy daysHigh29°Low19°Hot, busyJuneClear
Best
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 19°
- Precipitation
- 43 mm
- Rainy days
- 6
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, busy
- JulyClear4 rainy daysHigh32°Low21°Very hotJulyClear
Best
- High
- 32°
- Low
- 21°
- Precipitation
- 23 mm
- Rainy days
- 4
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Very hot
- AugustClear8 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh32°Low22°Very hot, busyAugustClear
Good
- High
- 32°
- Low
- 22°
- Precipitation
- 38 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Very hot, busy
- SeptemberPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh27°Low18°Warm, easierSeptemberPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 18°
- Precipitation
- 130 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, easier
- OctoberPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh23°Low14°Mild, idealOctoberPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 23°
- Low
- 14°
- Precipitation
- 120 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, ideal
- NovemberRain17 rainy daysHigh18°Low11°Rain riskNovemberRain
Mixed
- High
- 18°
- Low
- 11°
- Precipitation
- 262 mm
- Rainy days
- 17
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rain risk
- DecemberPartly cloudy12 rainy daysHigh14°Low7°Cool, quietDecemberPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 14°
- Low
- 7°
- Precipitation
- 149 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, quiet
Average daily high and low in Pompeii, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Pompeii
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
14
- Feels like
- 11°
- Humidity
- 81%
- Wind
- 18 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 100%
Pompeii
09:37 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today15°10°100%Monday: Rain. High 15°, Low 10°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Tue18°11°53%Tuesday: Rain. High 18°, Low 11°. Chance of rain 53%.
- Wed19°10°0%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 19°, Low 10°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Thu17°11°29%Thursday: Rain. High 17°, Low 11°. Chance of rain 29%.
- Fri16°13°37%Friday: Rain. High 16°, Low 13°. Chance of rain 37%.
- Sat19°13°33%Saturday: Cloudy. High 19°, Low 13°. Chance of rain 33%.
- Sun18°10°30%Sunday: Cloudy. High 18°, Low 10°. Chance of rain 30%.
Updated 07:05 PM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Every year
- Jun–JulNapoli Teatro Festival ItaliaNaples, a day trip
- SepFesta di PiedigrottaNaples, a day trip
Day trips by train
Day trips from Pompeii, the full guide- Herculaneumabout 20 min by train from NaplesA smaller Roman town with well-preserved upper floors, easier in two hours.Read the guide
- Naplesabout 35–45 min by trainA big city with an archaeological museum, pizza and street life.Read the guide
- Sorrentoabout 30–40 min by trainA resort base on the same Circumvesuviana line, with boats to Capri.Read the guide
Before you go to Pompeii
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Rules for Pompeii, checked
- Tickets are named and tied to a time slot with a 20,000 daily cap; the main-site ticket is listed at €20. Only small bags (30x30x15 cm) are allowed.Checked Oct 1, 2026 · Source
- Pompeii opens at 9am; last entry is 5:30pm from 16 March to 14 October and 3:30pm from 15 October to 15 March.Checked Oct 1, 2026 · Source
- Vesuvius Gran Cono trail tickets are sold online only, 50 every 10 minutes, with sales opening 30 days ahead.Checked Oct 1, 2026 · Source
Pompeii FAQ
Do you need to book Pompeii tickets in advance?
Yes. Tickets are named and tied to a time slot, with a daily cap of 20,000 entries. Book on the official site, where the slot windows are listed and the main-site ticket is shown at €20; prices change, so check on the day.
How long do you need at Pompeii?
Three to five hours covers the main streets, the forum and a few houses. A full day lets you add the amphitheater and the villas. Add Herculaneum for a second, smaller site.
How do you get from Naples to Pompeii?
By Circumvesuviana train toward Sorrento to Pompei Scavi, about 35 to 40 minutes, or by regional train to Pompei. Pompei Scavi is next to the Porta Marina entrance.
Is Pompeii or Herculaneum better?
Pompeii is bigger and more famous, with streets, a forum and an amphitheater. Herculaneum is smaller, quieter and has well-preserved upper floors. If you have one day, choose Pompeii, or both if you start early.
Can you climb Vesuvius from Pompeii?
Yes, but it is a separate trip with its own ticket, bought online only, with 50 tickets released every 10 minutes. Plan a morning on a clear day, and check the park's official site for rules and hours.