The most important things: (1) Book tickets in advance — the site has a 20,000 daily cap and sells out in peak season. (2) Arrive at opening time (9:00 am) for the best experience. (3) Wear sturdy shoes — the basalt paving is hard and uneven. (4) Bring water and sun protection — Pompeii is very exposed in summer. (5) Your bag must fit within 30×30×15 cm or must be left at the free cloakroom. (6) Bring the ID you used when booking — tickets are nominative.
Pompeii is one of the most extraordinary archaeological sites in the world — but also one of the most physically demanding. 66 hectares of uneven basalt paving, minimal shade, and summer temperatures that regularly exceed 35°C make preparation important. These 15 tips are drawn from the real-world experience of visiting the site.
Top Tickets
# Entry Ticket with Audio Guide
# Guided Tour with an Archaeologist
# 2-Hour Small Group Tour
Table of Contents
Before You Go
1. Book your ticket in advance
Pompeii has a 20,000 visitor daily cap and timed entry slots from 16 March to 14 October. In July and August the site regularly fills its morning slot by mid-morning. Do not arrive without a pre-booked ticket in peak season — you may be turned away. Book on GetYourGuide (up to 6 months ahead) or the official site pompeiisites.org → Vivaticket (within 45 days). See entry ticket guide.
2. Bring the right ID
Since November 2024, all Pompeii tickets are nominative. The name on your ticket must match your passport or ID card exactly. Bring the same document you used when booking. A mismatch can mean entry refusal in peak season.
3. Decide: self-guided or guided tour
Pompeii has minimal on-site signage. A guided tour with an archaeologist transforms the ruins from impressive rubble into a living narrative. A 2-hour guided tour followed by independent exploration is the best combination for most first-time visitors. See our audio guide vs guided tour comparison.
4. Check what’s currently open
Individual buildings close at short notice for conservation work. Check pompeiisites.org the day before your visit for any closures — particularly if there is a specific house (House of the Vettii, Lupanar) you especially want to see.
Note: Large backpacks, bags (cm 30x30x15), and umbrellas are not allowed, but you can keep them in the cloakroom. Make sure you beat the crowd to get a spot, or else you better not bring them. Instead, you can rent a room and keep them all there in Pompeii.
On the Day
5. Arrive at opening
The site opens at 9:00 am. Being at the gate by 8:50 am gives you the first 60–90 minutes in significantly thinner crowds. The main sites — Lupanar, House of the Vettii — have their own queues that build from 10:30 am. The difference between visiting the Lupanar at 9:15 am (2-minute wait) and 11:30 am (30-minute queue) is dramatic.
6. Wear proper shoes
The basalt paving slabs are hard, uneven, and slippery when wet. Sandals, flip-flops, and flat-soled shoes make the site uncomfortable and increase the risk of ankle injuries. Sturdy trainers or walking shoes with good grip are essential. This applies to children too.
7. Sun protection is non-negotiable in summer
Pompeii has almost no shade. In July and August, the site temperature in the middle of the day regularly exceeds 38–40°C with no shelter from the sun. Bring: high-SPF sunscreen applied before entry (no time to apply inside), a hat, sunglasses, and a filled water bottle. The CHORA café sells cold drinks but at busy times the queue adds 15–20 minutes to a simple water purchase.
8. Bring a water bottle
Water fountains are available at all three entrances and at points inside the site. Fill your bottle before entering rather than relying on buying water inside. A 750 ml bottle is the minimum for a 3-hour summer visit; 1 litre for a full day.
9. Check your bag size
Bags larger than 30×30×15 cm must be deposited at the free cloakroom before entry — you cannot take them through the turnstile. If you are arriving from overnight accommodation with a rolling suitcase, deposit it at the cloakroom and enter with only a small daypack.
Inside the Site
10. Follow the main route first, explore freely after
The standard Porta Marina → Forum → Via dell’Abbondanza → Amphitheatre route covers the essential highlights efficiently. If you have a guided tour, the guide handles routing. If self-guided, follow this route for the first 2 hours, then use the map for whatever interests you most. See our Pompeii itinerary guide.
11. Visit the Lupanar early
The Lupanar is Pompeii’s most individually queued building. Peak queue: 30+ minutes from 10:30 am to 2:00 pm. If it’s on your list, visit before 10:00 am when the queue is typically 5 minutes or less.
12. Don’t touch the frescoes or plaster casts
This is more important than it sounds. Natural oils from hands cause irreversible damage to ancient pigments and surfaces. Even a light touch on a fresco can remove paint that has survived 2,000 years. The plaster casts are particularly vulnerable — please don’t touch them.
13. The site is bigger than you expect
Pompeii covers 66 hectares. First-time visitors consistently underestimate the scale. Allow at least 3 hours for a meaningful visit; 5+ hours for a thorough one. If you only have 2 hours, a guided tour that focuses on the highlights is significantly better than wandering independently.
Making the Most of Your Visit
14. The first Sunday of the month is free — but crowded
Entry is free on the first Sunday of every month under the Italian Domenica al Museo initiative. No advance booking is possible for free Sundays — entry is first-come, first-served, and the site is significantly more crowded than a normal day. If crowd density concerns you, avoid free Sundays. See our free entry guide.
15. Allow time after the guided tour
If you book a guided tour, it typically covers the main highlights in 2 hours. This still leaves the Amphitheatre, the Garden of the Fugitives, the Thermopolium of Regio V, and much of Via dell’Abbondanza for self-guided exploration afterwards. Budget an extra 1.5–2 hours after the tour to see the full site.
