Free walking tours in Pompeii and what to see

Must-sees

Pompeii is the Roman city buried by the eruption of Vesuvius in AD 79, and its archaeological site is a World Heritage Site together with Herculaneum and Torre Annunziata. Walking its paved streets, with stepping stones and cart ruts, gives a very clear idea of daily life. The forum, surrounded by temples and the basilica, is the natural starting point. Nearby are the Stabian Baths and the lupanar, with its small cells.

Among the houses, the large House of the Faun, with its mosaics, and the House of the Vettii, with very well-preserved paintings, stand out. At the eastern end is the amphitheatre, and next to the Great Theatre is the Odeon. Outside the walls, the Villa of the Mysteries holds a great fresco cycle. The casts of the victims, on display at several points, are deeply moving. The modern town revolves around the Sanctuary of Our Lady of the Rosary.

Free tours and guided visits

Civitatis offers group guided tours of Pompeii, another that includes the Villa of the Mysteries and private tours, very useful because the site is huge and hard to make sense of without explanations. There are also combos with Herculaneum and Vesuvius, trips to the volcano with an audio guide and outings to Capri. There is no regular free walking tour inside the archaeological park.

How long to spend

To see the essentials of the site allow about three or four hours; if you want to reach the Villa of the Mysteries and the amphitheatre at leisure, spend the whole day. Bring water, comfortable shoes and sun protection, as there is little shade. With a second day you can climb to the crater of Vesuvius or visit Herculaneum, smaller and more compact.

Where to stay

The modern town, next to the sanctuary and the site entrances, has simple hotels and guesthouses, practical for getting in first thing. Even so, many people prefer to stay in Sorrento or Naples, with more going on at night, and come on the Circumvesuviana train. Castellammare di Stabia, very close, is another option, with accommodation by the sea.