Places to visit near Pompeii
Places to visit near Pompeii
Explore the captivating wonders beyond the city walls of Pompeii. Venture into suburban villas that reveal the luxurious lifestyle of Pompeii’s elite inhabitants. Uncover archaeological treasures housed in the museum, shedding light on the daily lives and culture of this ancient civilization.
Beyond the renowned ruins of Pompeii, these additional sites offer a deeper understanding of the historical richness that extends into the outskirts of Pompeii. Join us, as we uncover the most fascinating places to visit near Pompeii.
Top Places to visit near Pompeii
Archeological Parc Herculaneum
UNESCO World Heritage Site Herculaneum boasts several well-preserved public buildings, including a spacious palaestra with a monumental entrance, two sets of public baths, one of which, the Central Thermae, is richly adorned, the College of the Priests of Augustus, and a standard-form theatre. The opulent Villa of the Papyri, situated beyond the city walls, adds to the town’s grandeur. Herculaneum stands out for the remarkable preservation of its shops, complete with equipment like large wine jars.
The town’s urban districts and waterfront showcase a higher level of preservation, particularly in upper floors, thanks to the pyroclastic material that engulfed the city. The preservation extends to organic matter, often carbonized due to high temperatures, with exceptional finds including everyday objects, foodstuffs, architectural elements, and well-preserved wooden furniture.
- Address: Archeological Parc Herculaneum, Corso Resina, 187, 80056 Ercolano NA, Italy
- >> Find on Google Maps
- >> Find all visitor information
Vesuvius National Park
The Vesuvius National Park encompasses a region teeming with natural resources, a rich history of volcanology, stunning landscapes, ancient cultivations, and traditions, establishing the Vesuvius area as one of the world’s most captivating and visited destinations.
Formally established on June 5, 1995, the Vesuvius National Park aims to safeguard a myriad of elements, including animal and plant species, diverse forest associations, geological peculiarities, paleontological formations, biological communities, biotopes, scenic values, natural processes, hydraulic and hydrogeological balance, and the ecological equilibrium inherent to the Vesuvius territory.
- Address: Vesuvius National Park, Sentiero del Gran Cono, 80056 Ercolano NA, Italy
- Find on Google Maps: Vesuvius National Park
- Find all visitor information; Vesuvius National Park
Boscoreale
Nestled to the north of Pompeii and at the foothills of Mount Vesuvius, Boscoreale stands as a historical gem intertwined with the legacy of the Roman era. Its roots delve into protohistory, evidenced by the Fossakultur tombs, and the region was resettled after the infamous eruption of 79 A.D., as seen in the thermal baths of Via Casone Grotta dating back to the 2nd-3rd century A.D.
Flourishing with fertile lands, Boscoreale housed numerous villas and farms duringRoman times, focusing on the cultivation of grapes, olives, and cereals.
- Antiquarium
Established in 1991 near the archaeological site of Villa Regina, the Antiquarium serves as a testament to the favorable Roman life and environment in the Vesuvian countryside. Through educational tools, it unveils a rich display of finds from excavations conducted between the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
These discoveries, preserved remarkably under layers of ash and Vesuvian lava, provide intricate insights into the daily lives, economic conditions, and customs of the ancient inhabitants, both in Pompeii and the surrounding farmhouses and elegant villas. The Antiquarium stands as a captivating window into the past, unraveling the tapestry of Boscoreale’s history during the Roman era.
- Villa Regina
This rural villa comprises various rooms surrounding an open courtyard, featuring a wine cellar with 18 dolia. Notable areas include a wide arcade, a triclinium with Third to Fourth style transition-phase paintings, a kitchen with a brick oven, and a granary for preserving hay, cereals, and beans. Casts of wooden fixtures from doors and windows are preserved, offering insights into the villa’s structure.
>> Click here to read the Guide to Antiquarium of Boscoreale
Oplontis
UNESCO World Heritage Site Oplontis, among the Vesuvian archaeological sites, stands as a significant testament to thePompeii suburbs, buried by the catastrophic eruption in 79 A.D. Located in the modern city of Torre Annunziata, it functioned as a veritable city suburb, administratively falling under Pompeii’s jurisdiction.
What distinguishes Oplontis is the presence of two monumental buildings: Villa A, known as theVilla of Poppea, a lavish residential complex, and Villa B of L. Crassius Tertius, not accessible to the public, which served as a business center, particularly for processing agricultural products like wine and oil.
- Villa Poppaea
The main monument currently open to visitors in Oplontis is a large residential villa from the mid-1st century B.C., expanded during the early Imperial Age. Originally offering a panoramic view of the sea, the villa featured magnificent décor, some of which is remarkably preserved.
An inscription on an amphora suggests it might have belonged to Poppaea Sabina, Emperor Nero’s second wife, or her family. The eruption likely caught the villa during ongoing renovations, leading to the removal of architectural elements. Despite being only partially unearthed, the villa offers glimpses into the opulence of ancient Oplontis.
Address: Scavi di Oplontis, Via Sepolcri, 80058 Torre Annunziata NA, Italy
Stabiae
Stabiae, during the Archaic period (8th century B.C.), held strategic and commercial importance, with its peak population density occurring between its destruction by Sulla (89 B.C.) and the eruption of Mount Vesuvius (79 A.D.).
Many villas, taking advantage of panoramic views, were constructed on the northern edge of the Varano hill during this period. These residential villas featured beautifully decorated apartments, thermal baths, porticoes, and nymphaea.
- Villa Ariana
Named after a mythological fresco on the triclinium wall, Villa Ariana was excavated by Karl Weber between 1757 and 1762. The excavation method focused on recovering noteworthy objects, leading to the detachment of well-preserved furnishings and frescoes.
- Villa San Marco
Deriving its name from an ancient chapel dedicated to St. Mark,Villa San Marco is a Roman residential villa perched on the edge of the hill, providing a breathtaking panoramic view. It was first excavated between 1749 and 1754, with a systematic re-excavation taking place between 1950 and 1962.
>> Villa San Marco Guide and Map
Important Note: From Pompeii to the Roman villas of Boscoreale, Oplontis and Stabiae, you can use the Pompeii Arte Bus shuttle service free of charge.
>> Click here to see the Timetable
Book Pompeii Tickets, Guided Tours & Day Trips
Explore below our curated selection of Pompeii tickets, guided tours and day trips:
Pompeii: Entry Ticket with Optional Audio Guide
8227 Reviews
From €24
GetYourGuide
“WOW!! Absolutely amazing walk into history. Honestly reading history books and seeing pictures does not even come close to experiencing this place in real life!
Pompeii Skip-the-Line Guided Tour
4.823 Reviews
From €36.75
Headout
“The explanation in the emails of how to get to the meeting point was very easy and detailed.”
Pompeii: Entry Ticket and Guided Tour with an Archaeologist
6901 Reviews
From €47.97
GetYourGuide
“Judas accompanied us inside Pompeii with a determined awareness of the topics covered, not sparing himself with anecdotes and details.”
Combo: Pompeii Entry Tickets + Campania Express One-Way Tickets: Naples to/from Pompei
9.713 Reviews
From €36.95
Headout
“Easy to book. Downloaded app and then showed the link at the entrance. Very easy. Pompei ruins were fabulous.”
From Naples: Pompeii Ruins & Mount Vesuvius Day Tour
Tickets for a Pompeii Day Trip:
6474 Reviews
From €105.00
GetYourGuide
“Fantastic day! Met our tour guide promptly outside the Hotel and the day started with climbing Mount Vesuvius, beautiful clear day! We then headed to Pompeii and had a lovely lunch which included pizza!”
Pompeii: Entry Ticket with Optional Audio Guide
Explore Pompeii at your own pace with a Reserved Pompeii ticket, offering options like Pompei Express and Pompei+ visits. Elevate your experience by opting for an enriching audio guide, providing essential information about the ancient city.
“WOW!! Absolutely amazing walk into history. Honestly reading history books and seeing pictures does not even come close to experiencing this place in real life! Having the audio guide was great. You can actually imagine being there, living their daily lives. Definitely didn’t disappoint! We explored for several hours and still missed areas. Put aside a whole day. It is worth it!” Rachel – New Zealand, March, 2024 [Source: GetYourGuide]
Pompeii Skip-the-Line Guided Tour
See the marvels of the archaeological site of Pompeii on a comprehensive 2 or 3-hour guided tour with a knowledgeable guide. Select a guide fluent in English, German, Japanese, Spanish, French, or Portuguese, and delve into insights about the early Romans’ lifestyle.
“The explanation in the emails of how to get to the meeting point was very easy and detailed. The guided tour started at the agreed time and the guide’s explanations were clear and interesting. Highly recommended. You are left wanting more tour but Pompeii is very big and in just one visit you can’t see everything.” Jorge – Jan, 2024 [Source: Headout]
Pompeii: Entry Ticket and Guided Tour with an Archaeologist
Join a 2-hour walking tour of Pompeii with a local archaeologist, featuring a Pompeii ticket with skip-the-line access. Explore top landmarks such as the Casa del Fauno, the Temple of Jupiter, the Basilica, the Forum, and ancient baths in the company of a small group.
“Judas accompanied us inside Pompeii with a determined awareness of the topics covered, not sparing himself with anecdotes and details. Her friendliness was the added value as was her sensitivity in dealing with certain topics even for children. 🔝”* GetYourGuide traveler – Italy; Jan, 2024 [Source: GetYourGuide]
Combo: Pompeii Entry Tickets + Campania Express One-Way Tickets: Naples to/from Pompei
Save time and money with this combo package, which includes a Pompeii Ticket and a direct one-way transfer between Naples Porta Nolana and Pompei Scavi station.
“Easy to book. Downloaded app and then showed the link at the entrance. Very easy. Pompei ruins were fabulous. Although I did wish there were more signs at places with explanations. But overall an amazing experience!” Christine, Jan, 2024 [Source: Headout]
From Naples: Pompeii Ruins & Mount Vesuvius Day Tour
Tickets for a Pompeii Day Trip:
Embark on a Pompeii Ruins & Mount Vesuvius Day Tour from Naples, guided by a live guide or audio guide based on your chosen option. This 7-hour adventure includes a Pompeii Ticket, entry to Vesuvius, pizza lunch, and convenient pickup and drop-off.
“Fantastic day! Met our tour guide promptly outside the Hotel and the day started with climbing Mount Vesuvius, beautiful clear day! We then headed to Pompeii and had a lovely lunch which included pizza! Afterwards we then went to see the Ruins with our own audio headset. Our tour guide was very friendly, would highly recommend!” GetYourGuide traveler – United Kingdom; Jan, 2024 [Source: GetYourGuide]
From Rome: Pompeii, Amalfi Coast and Positano Day Trip
Join in a 13-hour Pompeii, Amalfi Coast, and Positano Day Trip departing from Rome, exploring three of Italy’s most famous destinations. Travel comfortably on an air-conditioned minibus, gain insights from your local expert guide, and enjoy the convenience of the included Skip-the-Line Pompeii ticket.
“Long trip but we’ll worth it, best excursion we booked during our two week trip so far. Downside is the time on the coach but Pompeii is absolutely fantastic, very educational. The two guides on the day were both approved by all, not a bad word to say about either. Personally we had Enzo and he was superb.[…] 5 stars all round thankyo” Greg – Germany; Jan, 2024 [Source: GetYourGuide]
From Naples or Sorrento: Pompei Half-Day Tour
Embark on a half-day guided excursion from Sorrento or Naples to explore the ruins of ancient Pompeii in an air-conditioned vehicle. Admire one of the world’s most famous archaeological sites with skip-the-line Pompeii tickets.
“The staff was punctual and professional, the guide was excellent, kind and very clear in his explanations, my family and I were very satisfied, I will return with you again, there is still a lot to see in Pompeii. Thank you.” Nicolè – Italy; Dec, 2023 [Source: GetYourGuide]
>> Dive into our comprehensive guide to explore the ruins within Pompeii.
