Parco archeologico di Pompei
Large Roman city buried by the eruption of Vesuvius in 79 AD, with forums, baths, decorated houses, an amphitheatre and suburban villas; UNESCO site.
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About the museum
In 79 AD the eruption of Vesuvius buried Pompeii under a thick layer of ash and lapilli, preserving the city, its houses, its frescoes and even the imprints of its inhabitants. Together with Herculaneum and Stabia, Pompeii remained buried for almost seventeen centuries.
Excavations began in 1748 at the wish of Charles III of Bourbon, after the discoveries at Herculaneum, and in 1763 an inscription made it possible to identify the site with certainty. During the French decade the excavations were greatly expanded; after Italian unification Giuseppe Fiorelli reorganised the research, divided the city into regiones and insulae and in 1863 introduced the technique of plaster casts of the bodies. In the 20th century investigations continued with Vittorio Spinazzola and Amedeo Maiuri.
The earthquake of 1980 and various collapses, such as that of the House of the Gladiators in 2010, showed the fragility of the site; for this reason the Grande Progetto Pompei, financed by the European Union, was launched, devoted to restoration and securing. Since 1997 the site has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Today the park, directed by Gabriel Zuchtriegel, comprises the excavation area of the ancient city, of about 44 hectares, and also manages other places in the Vesuvian territory: Oplontis, Boscoreale, Stabia and the Reggia di Quisisana.
Highlights
- Forum with the Temple of Apollo, the Macellum and the Basilica
- House of the Faun, House of the Vettii and House of Menander
- Villa of the Mysteries with the Dionysiac fresco cycle
- Amphitheatre, one of the oldest in the Roman world, and the Great Theatre
- Stabian Baths and Lupanar
- Plaster casts of the victims of the eruption
- Operated by
- Parco archeologico di Pompei (Ministero della Cultura)
- Director
- Gabriel Zuchtriegel
- Visitors per year
- approx. 4,069,377 (2024)
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €20 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €2EU citizens aged 18 to 25 and non-EU citizens with residence permits in the cases provided for by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. |
| Groups (5+ people) | –Groups led by accredited operators enter with a group combined ticket; groups of at least 5 and at most 35 people are admitted. |
| Ancient city of Pompeii + suburban villas (Villa of the Mysteries, Villa of Diomedes) + Villa Regina with Antiquarium + shuttle | €25One entrance only. Reduced €2. |
| Pompeii Plus (Pompeii, Oplontis, Villa Arianna, Villa San Marco, Museo di Stabia + shuttle) | €30Valid for 3 days, one entrance per site. Reduced €2. |
| All sites of the park + shuttle | €45Valid for one year from first validation. Reduced €10. |
| Themed routes (Civic Pompeii, Everyday Pompeii, about one and a half hours) | €8To be paid in addition to the entrance ticket; free under 10. |
| Community MyPompeii (annual named card) | €45€10 for EU citizens under 25, plus an online advance-sale fee. Unlimited admission to all sites of the park. |
Free admission: Free admission on the first Sunday of every month.
Named tickets, purchasable online only through Vivaticket, at the entrance ticket offices and at vending machines. The €20 price is valid for the ancient city only; holders of the €20 ticket can add the suburban villas for €8 at the Porta Ercolano – via delle Tombe gate. With the Pompeii ticket it is possible to visit free of charge, within 30 days, the Museo di Volcei in Buccino, the Castello di Lettere, the Parco di Longola in Poggiomarino and the Museo di Terzigno. Prices in force from 12 January 2026.
Accessibility
- Partially wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The park offers routes that are easy for people with motor difficulties, but the ancient ground is uneven and the visit requires considerable physical effort. Wheelchair service at the entrances of Piazza Esedra and Piazza Anfiteatro has been strengthened. LIS routes are available. Guide dogs are admitted with certification to be shown at the entrance. Information and requests: infopoint, +39 081 857 5347.
Kids & families
- Family tours & workshops
Along the route there are three Baby Points (via dell'Abbondanza, via di Nola and the crossroads of via Stabiana and via della Fortuna). The park offers educational visits for schools and groups of children.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Pompei Scavi – Villa dei Misteri
Circumvesuviana Naples–Sorrento, stop Pompei Scavi – Villa dei Misteri (entrances Porta Marina and Piazza Esedra); Circumvesuviana Naples–Poggiomarino, stop Pompei Santuario (entrance Piazza Anfiteatro); Trenitalia Naples–Salerno, Pompei station, with a train and Pompei Link bus connection (about 15 minutes). SITA buses from Naples and Salerno; Busitalia Campania lines 4 and 50 from Salerno.
By car: A3 Naples–Salerno motorway, exit Pompei Scavi. Three entrances: Porta Marina (via Villa dei Misteri), Piazza Esedra (piazza Porta Marina Inferiore) and Piazza Anfiteatro (piazza Immacolata). Information office at Via Villa dei Misteri 2.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Café
- Restaurant
- Museum shop
- Coat check
Self-service “Pizza, Pasta & More” at the Casina dell'Aquila, with kiosks and a café in the courtyard. Bookshops at the entrances of Piazza Esedra and Piazza Anfiteatro and at the Antiquarium. Paid luggage storage at Porta Marina and Piazza Anfiteatro: backpacks and bags larger than 30 × 30 × 15 cm are not admitted to the excavations.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes · approx. 1.5 hrs |
|---|---|
| Audio guide | yes |
| School programs | yes |
| Photography | Photos and filming for personal use are allowed; professional equipment and drones require authorisation. |
| Good to know | Official audio guides for hire at Porta Marina, Piazza Esedra and Piazza Anfiteatro, with identity document: €9 for one, €14 for two, €5 for children. Only small dogs (up to 10 kg and 40 cm) are admitted, on a leash. First-aid service in Vicolo degli Augustali, at the Forum. |
