Pompeii Archaeological Areas, Pompei

We were able to visit two of the Pompeii Archaeological Areas: Pompeii and Herculaneum (aka Ercalano). Pompeii is huge. We spent several hours there and never saw all of it. Bring some water and some good walking shoes. There are places to refill your water bottles but only drink what you need because bathrooms are scarce throughout. There is plenty of parking nearby but you do have to pay for it. A few euros usually and actually the space we used allowed us free parking if we bought lunch. I believe it goes without saying that we drove but I have heard that public transportation is good throughout so it can be considered. Herculaneum was much smaller than Pompeii but just as impressive. We literally spent two hours and was able to see everything. Like Pompeii, you may want some water and good walking shoes. Parking was a little bit more difficult. There is official parking nearby (I believe it was to the south or the north about a block and a half - sorry I can't recall which) but there was construction blocking that off so we had to go through a large amount of Italian traffic to get around to the parking area. Driving can be a bit difficult. There is street parking as well when you can find an empty spot but the graffiti on the walls told me that was a gamble. Our car was safe and sound in the paid parking area. In both sites, there are street vendors outside of the parks and plenty of restaurants to choose from. As always, keep your personal items on you. The best thing about these places was that the number of visitors were small compared to the sizes of the place. We never had to wait our turn to see anything and most of our pictures are void of anyone except ourselves. It makes for a very personal trip and personal photos. We went on our own too but you can go with a tour especially if you are curious about what everything is. All of the information around the park is written in Italian so you can go the tour guide route or buy some info and maps from the vendors or do your own research. The parks were pretty clean but the cities outside are not. Bathrooms in the area are not pretty either and bring toilet paper just in case.

I am 13 and i went with my family! It was astonishing and amazing how it came to be!! It was the best place in the world!!! The food is fantastic too! All the amazing sites and shoppes really take your breath away!! The boat ride to the place from Positano is amazing too! I love it! Great for a work out with all the stairs! Amazing place to go to and to explore!

OMG I WAS SO AMAZED WHEN I HEARD THE STORY THE POMPEII AND TO ACTUALLY PHYSICALLY SEE THE CITY WAS SOOOO ASTONISHING! I STILL HAVE PICTURES! I WILL NEVER FORGET MY EXPERIENCE!

When I went it was raining but it did not stop my amazment. I could not belive that everything was just destroid. I found it heartwrenching to see all of the preserved bodies, by ash of course. No matter the temepture or weater it is a great place to go and see. But if you do go wear comftible shoes beacuse the stone is very hard. I recremend tenis shoes. I can tell you one thing that if you go there you will not be let down.

Pompei is an amazing and beautiful historic landmark....history in hardened ashe

The atmosphere is truly daunting, thousands of years and still a silence (even with tourists) pervades the area. Amazingly preserved artwork, bodies, and houses to walk through and experience. AMAZING history lesson to share with the kids.

What a great place!!! So much history!!! A lot of tourists but definetly worth the visit!!! Everyone has said it for me, an amazing place to go to!!!! I am going back to visit my family in Napoli over Christmas and would really like to go back and see more of Pompei. One visit will not do the place justice. If you plan on seeing everything take a few days and stay in Napoli or Sorrento(I recommend Napoli, more authentic Italian)!!!!

It's been years since I visited Pompeii, but the impression is lasting. Everyone should go and experience Pompeii - history buff or not - the place is incredible. With Mt. Vesuvius looming in the backgroud (and still active, by the way), Pompeii is a village frozen in time. The restored ruins are a glimpse into ancient history - vibrantly restored colors, advanced technology (for the time), and casts of Vesuvian victims bring the tragic loss of the bustling port city back to life. I was especially impressed with the city streets and public baths. A fascinating walk through time. . .I could have spent my entire vacation here.

I'm honestly not that interested in ancient cultures, but it's certainly worth a stop if you're in Napoli. Getting here is made convenient when using the light rail. The view of Vesuvius is nice. Be sure to wear decent (soft) shoes cause you'll be walking on a lot of rough stone.

If you are going to Italy you must make the trip to Pompeii. The ruins are stunning for their story frozen in the bricks and casts of bodies that adorn the place. Burried in ash in 79 CE, there are places along the main street where the ash has not been removed. The impact of the ash and the ruins is sobering. The volcano looms in the distance and everpresent reminder that this could all happen again. Beware of the dogs that wander through the ruins. Be prepared to walk the streets that Romans walkes 2000 years ago and soak in a bit of history.