THINGS TO DO IN POMPEII – 12 SIGHTS NOT TO MISS

For ancient history lovers, Pompeii is an iconic destination. Walking through this archaeological site is like stepping back in time to AD 79, when nearby Mount Vesuvius erupted, burying this city in ash and pumice and freezing daily life.

Today, just outside Naples in southern Italy, this UNESCO World Heritage Site lets you stroll stone streets, step into frescoed houses and picture life as it was nearly 2,000 years ago.

Pompeii is a vast site to explore, but with a simple plan, you can see the main attractions in a day or two. Read on to discover the unmissable sights of a Pompeii holiday and how to make the most of your visit on our guided Pompeii, Sorrento, and the Bay of Naples tour.

A SHORT HISTORY OF POMPEII

Before the eruption, Pompeii was a bustling, prosperous Roman city known for its grand villas, spectacular amphitheatres and lively social scene. When Mount Vesuvius erupted in 79 AD, the entire city and its inhabitants were buried under a blanket of hot ash and pumice.

Rediscovered in the 18th century, Pompeii has been excavated and conserved as one of the world’s most remarkable archaeological parks. It’s now an open-air museum where visitors can walk ancient streets, explore the Roman baths and temples and view exquisite mosaics and frescoes.

WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO VISIT POMPEII?

With its fascinating history and exceptionally well-preserved buildings, Pompeii attracts visitors all year round.

The summer months are wonderfully warm with temperatures of around 30–35°C. For the most comfortable experience, however, visit in spring (April–June) and autumn (September–October), when temperatures are cooler and the crowds are less heavy. Winter can be cool but quiet.

Pompeii is open most days with seasonal hours and last entry well before closing; arriving early or later in the afternoon can help you dodge peak crowds.

Just You departures run throughout the year to Pompeii, Sorrento and the Bay of Naples making it easy to match your perfect season for visiting this historic archeological site.

Discover our top 10 tips for travelling solo.

HOW LONG DO I NEED IN POMPEII?

You can cover many of Pompeii’s highlights in 3-4 hours, but one or two days allows you to slow down, see more and soak up the details.

On Just You’s 8-day Pompeii, Sorrento & the Bay of Naples tour, you enjoy a guided tour of the site plus free days to return independently and explore at your own pace.

PRACTICAL TIPS FOR VISITING POMPEII

• Wear comfortable footwear for travelling on the uneven streets and terrain.

• Shade is limited, so take plenty of breaks in the shaded porticoes and theatres.

• Bring a reusable water bottle to refill at the public water fountains.

• There’s a café near the Forum and refreshment points by the entrances.

• Respect the ‘no flash’ photography signs – bright lights can cause frescoes to fade over time.

THINGS TO DO IN POMPEII – TOP 12 SIGHTS

Whether you explore just a few or manage to visit them all, each of these highlights captures the very best of Pompeii’s fascinating history.

1. The Forum

Once the beating heart of city life, the Forum was the centre of politics, religion and daily gatherings.

This grand rectangular square is framed by colonnades, with Mount Vesuvius looming beyond. Temple podiums, the Basilica’s civic halls and remains of the Macellum market are laid out with striking clarity.

Stand for a moment and imagine the space filled with senators debating, traders haggling and citizens gathering for ceremonies.

2. Stabian Baths or Forum Baths

Pompeii’s public bathhouses were more than just places to wash and relax. They were lively social hubs, complete with colourful mosaics and sophisticated underfloor heating.

The Stabian Baths are the oldest in Pompeii, with a spacious layout and beautiful frescoes. Meanwhile, the smaller Forum Baths are famous for their intricate stucco details and more intimate atmosphere.

One of the best things to do in Pompeii is to follow in the footsteps of the Romans as you move from the apodyterium (changing rooms) to the palaestra, used for exercise, to the frigidarium (cold room), the tepidarium (warm room), and the caldarium (hot room).

3. Forum Granary

Just off the Forum, the so-called “Granary” is where hundreds of amphorae, roof tiles and household objects, many recovered from the ash, are gathered.

You can even see haunting plaster casts of Pompeii’s last residents here – a tribute to the citizens who were unable to escape the volcano’s devastation. The Granary is a moving reminder of both ordinary life and sudden tragedy, with objects frozen in time by the eruption.

4. The Amphitheatre

Constructed around 70 BC, Pompeii’s incredible amphitheatre is one of the oldest surviving Roman arenas. Here, you can imagine crowds of 20,000 spectators cheering and roaring as gladiators fought each other and teams of skilled fighters hunted wild beasts.

You might take the opportunity to stand in the centre of the arena, or make the climb up the stone steps to take in the view as the Romans once did.

5. The Large Theatre and Odeon

This elegant, horseshoe-shaped theatre was the stage for tragedies and comedies, with the smaller Odeon (Teatro Piccolo) offering a more intimate venue for concerts and poetry readings.

Together, the venues helped to build Pompeii’s reputation as an entertainment capital of the ancient world.

Climb the Large Theatre’s seating for lovely views across tiled roofs and cypress trees. Thanks to skilful Roman acoustics, a whisper on stage carries up the steps. Close your eyes and you can almost hear the strum of a lyre and the murmur of an audience settling in for a performance.

6. House of the Faun

This vast mansion spans an entire city block and was home to one of Pompeii’s elite families.

Its name comes from the graceful bronze dancing faun in the atrium, and it houses a replica of the celebrated Alexander Mosaic (the original is now in the National Archaeological Museum of Naples).

The unknown owners spared no expense on their grand home, adorning every room with exquisite mosaics and sculptures.

Wander through multiple courtyards, colonnades and impressive reception rooms. Admire the intricate Nilotic floor mosaics and the playful Satyr and Nymph scene.

You can’t help but marvel at the sheer scale and artistry still evident here centuries later.

7. House of the Vettii

This opulent townhouse, once owned by wealthy Freedmen brothers, is a popular stop on any tour of Pompeii’s highlights. Its vivid wall frescoes of mythological scenes and elegant courtyards offer a glimpse into the luxurious lives of Pompeii’s wealthy residents.

Take your time to enjoy the preserved artwork, including the infamous ‘Priapus’ painting, as you wander through the impressive rooms. The House of the Vettii is on the Via del Vesuvio.

8. Villa of the Mysteries

A short stroll beyond the city walls takes you to this spacious countryside villa famous for its striking and elaborate frescoes.

The famous “mysteries” room is encircled with life-size figures, and the walls are deep Pompeian red. The scenes are thought to show the secret initiation rituals of a Dionysian cult.

The villa’s setting, surrounded by vineyards, adds to the atmosphere. Step into the cool interior and let your eyes adjust – the painted drapery and lifelike gazes from the wall paintings seem startlingly alive.

9. Lupanar

The Lupanar is one of the most interesting things to do in Pompeii, and a visit to the notorious brothel reveals one of the best-preserved examples from the Roman world. Tucked away on a side street, its compact rooms are adorned with explicit frescoes, believed to have been both decoration and a visual menu for clients.

Fascinating graffiti carved into the walls reveals names, jokes and even reviews left by customers and workers. Lupanar offers a candid – and often entertaining – glimpse into Pompeii’s social attitudes and morality, shining a light on the everyday reality of residents whose stories are rarely told.

10. Garden of the Fugitives

This poignant site sits near the southern edge of Pompeii. It’s a preserved vineyard that is also home to plaster casts of 13 men, women and children who were overcome by volcanic ash as they tried to escape the eruption of Mount Vesuvius.

You’ll see figures in sobering detail – shielding children, clutching bags, faces turned away from heat and ash.

Today, the casts are thoughtfully displayed among rows of ancient vines. The garden itself has been replanted with newer grapevines, allowing you to imagine Pompeii’s once-flourishing vineyards and the daily life that continued up to the city’s final moments.

11. Thermopolia and Pistrina (Street Food and Bakeries)

Did you know we have the Romans to thank for fast food? Thermopolia were counters with dolia (jars) sunk into the top, serving hot stews and wine spiced with herbs. You’ll find several beautifully preserved examples with colourful fresco panels.

Pompeii’s bakeries, or pistrina, are some of the most evocative sites in the city. Inside, you’ll see the heavy basalt millstones once turned by mules, while large brick ovens dominate the rooms.

Some bakeries even have a sales counter facing the street, where locals would buy fresh bread daily. Others show evidence of commercial-scale production to supply the wider city. Archaeologists have found carbonised loaves of bread inside, perfectly preserved by the eruption’s heat.

12. Street Life and Urban Engineering

Look down as much as you look up. Pompeii’s urban planning is a marvel in itself.

You’ll see raised stepping-stones at junctions, allowing pedestrians to cross when rainwater flows through the streets; between them, deep cart ruts record centuries of traffic.

Spot kerbstones, terracotta drain covers and thresholds with high step-ups. Public fountains stand on street corners fed with water from a city-wide aqueduct system.

If time allows, other worthy things to do in Pompeii include the Temple of Apollo, Temple of Jupiter, the Temple of Isis, the Suburban Baths, the Palaestra, the House of the Tragic Poet, the city walls, Porta Nocera necropolis and the Villa of Diomedes.

EXPLORE POMPEII WITH JUST YOU

Experiencing Pompeii on a Just You guided tour means you can focus on exploring and taking in the sights and history rather than worrying about the logistics of your trip.

Just You’s Pompeii, Sorrento & the Bay of Naples itinerary includes a guided tour of Pompeii with a Specialist Local Guide and a Just You Holiday Director, plus free days to explore at your own pace.

With a comfortable 4-star base, seamless transport and like-minded company, visiting Pompeii becomes richer, easier and more inspiring.

Ready to go? Browse Just You’s solo Italy holidays selection, or speak to one of our friendly expert advisors.