Things to do in  Pompeii

Tourists visit Pompeii to explore the ruins of an ancient Roman city preserved under volcanic debris for centuries after the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD 79. Visitors can walk freely among the ruins, which include a forum, one of the oldest-surviving Roman amphitheaters, and upscale villas with well-preserved frescoes.

Yes, guided tours of Pompeii are worthwhile. Tours cover a lot of ground in a few hours and guides are often archeologists or historians who are able to give layered perspectives on the archeological site, Mount Vesuvius, and the history of the region.

At minimum, you need four hours. The fastest tours speed through the main sights in about two hours, and one-way transportation from Naples or the Amalfi Coast requires at least one hour. Pompeii is among the largest archeological sites in the world, and seeing everything requires more than one day.

Don’t miss the Garden of the Fugitives, holding plaster castes of Pompeiian citizens frozen in time during the volcanic eruption of AD 79. Other top sights include the forum, aka the heart of the ancient town; the amphitheater, which once hosted gladiator games; and the Villa of the Mysteries with its ancient frescoes.

The frescoes in the Villa of the Mysteries, showing a bride’s initiation into a cult, are among the most well-preserved ancient Roman paintings in the world. Also of interest: the floor mosaics in the House of the Faun and erotic art in the National Archaeological Museum of Naples.

By most accounts, about one-third of Pompeii is buried in volcanic debris today. Archeologists continually unearth discoveries, from buildings to historical artifacts and human remains. Volcanic ash and pumice stone completely covered the city through the mid-18th century, acting as a preservative and keeping it intact for nearly 2,000 years.