Pompeii, the city destroyed by Mount Vesuvius.

Before the eruption in 79AD, Pompeii was an important port town for the ancient Roman empire, which controlled the entire Mediterranean Sea. Lives were lived in luxury and the city was a popular city of Roman architecture with temples for each Roman God made of ivory and marble, fountains of Roman figures made of marble. After the eruption that lasted two days, the whole city was buried under ashes and became frozen. The ruined city remained frozen in time until it was discovered by the architect Domenico Fontana.

Nowadays, there are ancient ruins still there, just like they were before the eruption, just like an open window to ancient world and there are parts that are open to public, including the plaster death casts, the Roman Forum, a theater, ancient fast food restaurants, cemetery, bakery, main street and even the supermarket.

Since its re-discovery in the mid-18th century, the site has hosted a tireless succession of treasure hunters and archaeologists. Pompeii still offers a precious information and great details about ancient world. Even after hundreds of years of work, about a third of the city still lies buried.

There is so much history and remains to see in Pompeii that it’s hard to understand all about that frozen city, if possible, I will suggest to take a guided tour, to make sure you will understand and know about the history of Pompeii.

We have gathered here some useful tips to know before you visit Pompeii:

Don’t take big bags with you. For security reasons, you are not allowed to take big bags with you. Also, they want to protect and reduce damage to the ruins themselves from people rubbing against the walls with their bags.

For security reasons, you are not allowed to take big bags with you. Also, they want to protect and reduce damage to the ruins themselves from people rubbing against the walls with their bags. Take water bottle with you. Especially during summer, when it’s super-hot and humid in Italy. There are water taps all the way along the main paths where you can refill your bottle with safe drinking water for free.

Especially during summer, when it’s super-hot and humid in Italy. There are water taps all the way along the main paths where you can refill your bottle with safe drinking water for free. Do protect yourself from the sun. Take some sunscreen and a hat, most of the buildings don’t have a roof and this means there’s a very little shade, don’t risk getting a heat stroke.

Take some sunscreen and a hat, most of the buildings don’t have a roof and this means there’s a very little shade, don’t risk getting a heat stroke. Ask for a map. When you buy your ticket there should be available a map of the site. Normally it’s more a matter of you asking for a map than them giving you one, but make sure you don’t leave the entrance area without one.

When you buy your ticket there should be available a map of the site. Normally it’s more a matter of you asking for a map than them giving you one, but make sure you don’t leave the entrance area without one. We recommend tour guide. There is very little information at site in Pompeii describing what you are viewing, it’s easier to understand it all when visiting Pompeii with a guided tour, if not possible, you should consider getting audio guide. They are available to rent them at a separate kiosk by the admissions desk.

There is very little information at site in Pompeii describing what you are viewing, it’s easier to understand it all when visiting Pompeii with a guided tour, if not possible, you should consider getting audio guide. They are available to rent them at a separate kiosk by the admissions desk. Wear comfortable shoes. Even if you visit just Pompeii and not Mount Vesuvius, we still recommend wearing comfortable shoes. You must walk a lot and the roads are dusty and uneven underfoot and some of the stones are slippery. If you decide to wear sandals, you most definitely end up getting dirty feet.

Even if you visit just Pompeii and not Mount Vesuvius, we still recommend wearing comfortable shoes. You must walk a lot and the roads are dusty and uneven underfoot and some of the stones are slippery. If you decide to wear sandals, you most definitely end up getting dirty feet. Don’t forget to visit Herculaneum. Another city destroyed by Mount Vesuvius. Many people and tourists say that Herculaneum is much easier to understand and to get around. Usually it’s also less crowded. Unlike Pompeii the deep pyroclastic material which covered it preserved wooden and other organic-based objects such as roofs, beds, doors, food and even some 300 skeletons which were discovered in recent years along the seashore.

Another city destroyed by Mount Vesuvius. Many people and tourists say that Herculaneum is much easier to understand and to get around. Usually it’s also less crowded. Unlike Pompeii the deep pyroclastic material which covered it preserved wooden and other organic-based objects such as roofs, beds, doors, food and even some 300 skeletons which were discovered in recent years along the seashore. Take time. If possible, don’t try to visit Pompeii and Vesuvius in one day. Yes, it’s possible if your goal is to cross off what you have visited, but if you have any interests in them then it requires more time to see those places. Pompeii itself can easily take 4-6 hours, also you must climb about 30 min to reach on top of Mount Vesuvius.

If possible, don’t try to visit Pompeii and Vesuvius in one day. Yes, it’s possible if your goal is to cross off what you have visited, but if you have any interests in them then it requires more time to see those places. Pompeii itself can easily take 4-6 hours, also you must climb about 30 min to reach on top of Mount Vesuvius. Don’t worry about the food. There’s a reasonably priced cafeteria with a good variety of sandwiches, pizza slices, salads and snacks inside the ruins, just behind the Forum.

There’s a reasonably priced cafeteria with a good variety of sandwiches, pizza slices, salads and snacks inside the ruins, just behind the Forum. Be careful! Only official ticket offices are inside the site, don’t but tickets or tours outside the main entrances.

Pompeii is such an special place, we recommend taking time visiting it, use the map and research a little bit and read a little about the history before you visit the frozen city! Have a great trip.