What to see at Pompeii

A world-famous town. The entire town was destroyed in a Mt. Vesuvius (still active) eruption on 24 August 79 A.D. Now, it is also possible to go up to the crater and gaze into history. Pompeii is a large town but, obviously, except the ruins there is not a lot to see, and a half-day will be sufficient to see the entire centre. Tourists can visit by bus or by train using the local metropolitan service from Sorrento. Locals call this the “metro”. You cannot purchase tickets online for this service. Trains pass here every 20-30 minutes from 6:00am until 9:30pm. Tickets cost around 5 euros.

The antiquity of Pompeii

Many tourists think of Pompeii as a ‘town destroyed’ without realising that every single piece of it has history. The tombs which lie along the streets of stone, the houses and their simple and vibrant, yet elegant and complex frescoes, the shady arcades and the fresh fountains... It is perhaps the only remaining place where it is possible to establish direct contact with the Roman Empire. That is the reason why Pompeii leaves an unforgettable impression on its visitors.

It is equally a very beautiful place. Ensure you spend at least 3-4 hours among the streets to truly take it all in. On the map, you will find an advised route for visiting the ruins and returning to the centre of the town. Important: nearby you will find many tourist offices that will try to sell you audio guides and books. Do not buy from them! Head directly to the entrance, here you will find that the same are on sale and cost less. Entry costs 11 euros, with a 50% discount available for Europeans under 24 years of age and for teachers. The first Sunday of the month has free entry for all minors.

Shrine of the Virgin of the Rosary of Pompeii

The church building was designed by Antonio Qua and was erected between 1876 and 1891. The façade of the church was built under the direction of Giovanni Rispoli in 1893; he sculpted the 3m-high marble statue of the Virgin. The internal decorations of the Shrine of the Virgin of the Rosary of Pompeii impress for their sumptuousness: the walls and the vaults of the shrine are frescoed, the altar stands on a raised marble platform and the icons are decorated with precious stones. Near to the shrine, a bell tower standing at more than 80m has been constructed. At an extra cost, you can climb the tower and take in the beautiful panorama of Pompeii and Mt. Vesuvius.