Porta Marina
Step back in time at Pompeii, a Roman city preserved by volcanic ash, offering an unparalleled glimpse into ancient life.

Highlights
Must-see attractions

Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Fewer crowds, cooler temperatures
Porta Marina
Best Time
Fewer crowds, cooler temperatures

Highlights
Must-see attractions
Step back in time at Pompeii, a Roman city preserved by volcanic ash, offering an unparalleled glimpse into ancient life.
"Walking through Pompeii is like stepping into a time capsule; the preservation is astounding."
Train to Pompeii
Take the Circumvesuviana train from Naples to Pompeii Scavi - Villa dei Misteri station for easy access to Porta Marina. :train2:
Book Tickets Online
Skip the onsite ticket lines by purchasing your Pompeii tickets in advance online. :ticket:
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Porta Marina Entrance
Main entrance to Pompeii
The historic gateway to Pompeii, offering a grand first impression of the ancient city. Explore its arches and imagine Roman arrivals.

Via Marina
Main street leading from Porta Marina
One of Pompeii's main arteries, lined with former shops indicated by distinctive grooves in the stone.

The Lupanar
Ancient Roman brothel
A unique glimpse into Roman social life, featuring explicit erotic frescoes that offer a stark historical perspective.

Ancient Crosswalks
Throughout Pompeii streets
Ingenious raised stones that allowed pedestrians to cross streets, which also served as drainage systems.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Navigating Pompeii's Entrances
Beat the Heat and Crowds
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Train to Pompeii
Take the Circumvesuviana train from Naples to Pompeii Scavi - Villa dei Misteri station for easy access to Porta Marina. :train2:
Book Tickets Online
Skip the onsite ticket lines by purchasing your Pompeii tickets in advance online. :ticket:
Free Audio Guides
Download a free audio guide app instead of paying for an onsite one. :iphone:
Hydration is Key
Bring plenty of water, as there's very little shade and it gets incredibly hot. :droplet:
Tips
from all over the internet
Train to Pompeii
Take the Circumvesuviana train from Naples to Pompeii Scavi - Villa dei Misteri station for easy access to Porta Marina. :train2:
Book Tickets Online
Skip the onsite ticket lines by purchasing your Pompeii tickets in advance online. :ticket:
Free Audio Guides
Download a free audio guide app instead of paying for an onsite one. :iphone:
Hydration is Key
Bring plenty of water, as there's very little shade and it gets incredibly hot. :droplet:
Comfortable Footwear
Wear sturdy, comfortable shoes for extensive walking on uneven ancient streets. :athletic_shoe:
Identify Shops Easily
Look for grooves in the main streets; these often indicate former shop locations. :shopping_bags:
Nighttime Navigation Stones
Notice small white stones on the roads; they reflected moonlight to help with nighttime travel. :moon:
Free Luggage Storage
Utilize free onsite luggage storage instead of paying at the train station. :briefcase:
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors consistently praise Pompeii for its incredible historical significance and the immersive experience of walking through an ancient city frozen in time. The preservation of the ruins, from streets to homes and public buildings, is awe-inspiring. However, many note the intense heat and lack of shade, advising visitors to come prepared with water and comfortable footwear, and some find the sheer scale overwhelming without a guide.
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
The most convenient way to reach Porta Marina, a main entrance to Pompeii, from Naples is by taking the Circumvesuviana train from Napoli Centrale station to the 'Pompeii Scavi - Villa dei Misteri' stop. This station is a short walk from the Porta Marina entrance.
Yes, Pompeii is a very popular day trip from Naples. The train journey is relatively short, and you can spend several hours exploring the ruins before returning.
While there are parking lots near the Pompeii archaeological site, they can fill up quickly, especially during peak season. It's often easier and more reliable to use public transport like the Circumvesuviana train.
If you're in Sorrento, you can also take the Circumvesuviana train directly to the 'Pompeii Scavi - Villa dei Misteri' station, which is close to Porta Marina.
While buses serve the general Pompeii area, the Circumvesuviana train is generally considered the most direct and reliable public transport option for reaching the Porta Marina entrance.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
It is highly recommended to buy your Pompeii tickets online in advance to avoid long queues at the ticket office. You can purchase them through the official Parco Archeologico di Pompei website or authorized third-party vendors.
Opening hours for Pompeii vary seasonally, but generally, the site opens around 9:00 AM and closes between 5:00 PM and 7:00 PM. Always check the official website for the most up-to-date hours before your visit.
Ticket prices can vary, but a standard adult ticket typically costs around €18-€20. There are often concessions for younger visitors and EU citizens under 18. Check the official website for current pricing.
While not always mandatory, booking a timed entry slot online can help manage crowd flow and ensure your entry, especially during busy periods.
Porta Marina Superiore is one of the main historical entrances to the Pompeii archaeological site, often used by visitors arriving via the Pompeii Scavi train station.
🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience
To truly explore Pompeii, you would ideally need three days. However, most visitors allocate at least one full day to see the major highlights. A minimum of 4-6 hours is recommended for a good overview.
While efforts have been made to improve accessibility, Pompeii is an ancient site with uneven terrain, cobblestones, and ruins, which can make it challenging for wheelchairs and strollers. Some accessible routes are available.
Yes, there are cafes and restaurants within the Pompeii archaeological site where you can purchase food and drinks. However, bringing your own snacks and water is also a good idea.
Key areas include the Forum, the Amphitheatre, the Lupanar (brothel), the House of the Vettii, and the Stabian Baths. Don't miss the raised crosswalks and the ancient street layouts.
Yes, photography is generally allowed inside Pompeii for personal use. However, tripods and professional photography equipment may require special permits.
📸 📸 Photography
The Forum offers grand vistas with Mount Vesuvius in the background. The ancient streets with their raised crosswalks and the detailed frescoes inside the villas also make for compelling shots.
Pompeii is typically closed after dark, so nighttime photography within the site is not possible. However, the small white stones on the roads were designed to reflect moonlight, hinting at how the streets were visible at night.
A versatile camera that can handle both wide-angle shots of the ruins and detailed close-ups of frescoes is ideal. A smartphone with good camera capabilities is also sufficient for most visitors.
Yes, drone usage is strictly prohibited within the Pompeii archaeological site to protect the ancient structures and ensure visitor safety.
Early morning or late afternoon offers the best light for photography, with softer shadows and a more atmospheric glow. This also coincides with fewer crowds.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
🚶 Budget Travelers
📸 Photography Enthusiasts
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
Understanding Pompeii's Streets and Infrastructure
Another intriguing detail is the presence of small white stones embedded in the road surface. These stones were strategically placed to reflect moonlight, providing a subtle illumination for those navigating the city after dark. The sheer scale of these ancient roadways, with their intricate design for both traffic and sanitation, highlights the advanced engineering capabilities of the Romans.
The Lupanar: A Glimpse into Roman Social Life
Visiting the Lupanar can be a sobering experience, reminding visitors that ancient history wasn't always about grand temples and noble pursuits. It highlights the diverse aspects of daily life, including its more pragmatic and sometimes controversial elements. While it might not be for everyone, understanding the Lupanar is crucial for a comprehensive grasp of Pompeii's complex society.
Navigating Pompeii: Practical Tips from Travelers
Getting to Pompeii is most easily done via the Circumvesuviana train from Naples, alighting at the 'Pompeii Scavi - Villa dei Misteri' station, which is conveniently located near the Porta Marina entrance. Some visitors also note that free luggage storage is available onsite, so you don't need to pay for it at the train station. Remember that Pompeii is an extensive archaeological site, and while you can see a lot in a day, truly absorbing its history might require more time.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit