My husband and I will be in Naples for one day this fall, and have the option of going to Pompeii. My question is this- how much Pompeii is enough?
Would two hours do it? Or is it so amazing that we should do 3-4 hours?
We are interested in the archaeological stuff, but not writing a doctoral thesis on it, if you know what I mean.
Any info would really help! Thanks!
I’m not too sure about how many hours, maybe 2-3? I went there, but it’s been 18 years.
I remember there being glass cases where they displayed casting of the people who were buried by ash. I also remember the buildings, they were beautiful, lovely, colorful tiled floors, baths, etc.
I can’t remember how big the place was or how long we stayed there, but it’s well worth going.
I don’t think you’ll want to be there too long. I went last year and first off, it was oppressively hot. As in, about to keel over from heatstroke hot and they only sell water waaay back in the front. This may not be a problem if you’re going in the fall, but still. Secondly, they have removed nearly all of the artifacts. I saw maybe two or three casts and a few statues - everything else had been taken to other museums. They basically left the buildings and nothing else. Still, there was something extremely cool being in Pompei. You hear about it all the time and then you’re standing there - amazing. You could see Vesuvius in the background, looking grassy and benevolent, but imagining it spewing forth and destroying the city…
What was really enjoyable was a nearby town where we stayed called Positano - absolutely beautiful place and great exercise - millions of steps. So, if you have time, I would spend two to three hours in Pompeii and then go check out Positano.
I spent a couple of hours, and probably could have used another one. I didn’t get to see the stadium for instance (somehow). There aren’t any explanatory displays or anything though, so if you don’t have some kind of guidebook, you probably won’t spend that much time. OTOH, they sell picture guidebooks right outside the gate, so…
One really neat thing was that the sky was colored yellow when I was there. (Here’s a picture.) And the raindrops had dirt in them, so you actually got muddy standing in the rain. Apparently something to do with sand from Africa blowing across the Med. Very creepy effect.
In Naples, the Museo Archeologico Nazionale contains the best of the finds taken from Pompeii. But Pompeii is still well worth a visit.
We’ve been twice, and stayed about 3 hours each time. The weather might be perfect in the fall. Wear comfortable shoes, and bring water. Check out the Beware of the Dog mosaic at the House of the Tragic Poet. Don’t miss Hercules and other gods in murals in the House of the Vettii.
As Azure Eternity says, Positano and the rest of the towns of the Amalfi coast are enjoyable to visit; I actually preferred the town of Amalfi to Positano.
Being in Pompeii was one of the most amazing experiences of my life. Walking through chariot tracks, and antique buildings. Gazing at obscene murals and finding the bars and whorehouses. Trekking out to the theaters and arena. Astounding. I could easily spend days there, imersed in the history.
But I’m a geek like that.
I got to go there twice, and didn’t have nearly enough time on either visit. The first time was with a group tour, so we were bundled along. The second time I was with a friend and she and I wandered at will - and still didn’t see everything after several hours.
I want to go back…
Spend as little time in Naples as possible. It’s dirty and has a high crime rate. Just go to the archaeological museum, then beat a hasty retreat to Pompeii, Herculaneum (Pompeii’s lesser-visited comrade in lava), and the Amalfi Coast.
In Pompeii, you’ll see lots of backpackers doing the “porno tour” of the city. This includes locating several well endowed statues of the god Priapus, as well as vivid wall paintings in the city brothel. A good visit of the ruins will take you about 3 hours.
It’s been ten years for me; I went on a high school trip of all things. (Well, it was through ALL of Italy, not just Pompeii.) I seem to recall three hours, and I also recall oppressive heat.
I gotta warn you…I was in Italy in August of 2000, and I was lucky enough to be there for the HOTTEST recorded day in Italian history (up to that point, anyway), AND I was taking a twelve-mile hike with about 30 pounds of gear on my back. My life-saving suggestion: LOAD UP with fruit juices or bottled water.
SmackFu, thanks for the pic. I always pictured it as, well, ashy-colored!
I can’t wait for this trip! The “beware of dog” and porno murals sound particularly interesting!
How many days left until October?!?
What Menocchio said.
I spent a around 9 hours walking through and still didn’t want to leave.
I got bitten by a stray dog just outside Pompeii- watch out! (no, I didn’t end up with rabies.) Our visit was way too short, but at the same time I didn’t enjoy it that much (and I’m a classics PhD candidate, so that’s saying a lot) becasue we never went to the archaeological museum, so we didn’t get to see all the good stuff that’s been removed now.
So my advice would be to avoid stray dogs and make sure you go to both the museum and the actual site of Pompeii.
