Things to Do in Pompeii

Pompeii is perhaps the most important archaeological site in the world, and among Italy's most-visited attractions. The sixth-century-BC Temple of Apollo (Tempio di Apollo) overlooking the forum is one of the oldest religious buildings in this ancient Roman city and a highlight of any tour of these enormous ruins.

 

Pompeii was buried by the AD 79 eruption of Mount Vesuvius and many of its unearthed ruins were badly damaged by the blast. Only a few columns are still standing of the Temple of Apollo’s original 48, but its intact podium and staircase can still be seen, as well as replicas of the statues of Apollo and Diana found during excavation of the temple; the originals are now in the National Archaeological Museum in Naples.

 

To fully understand the history and importance of the Temple of Apollo, it’s best to visit Pompeii as part of a private tour led by an archaeological tour guide. Pompeii is an incredibly popular attraction, so tours including skip-the-line tickets are a must in the busy summer months. As the ruins are located not far from Herculaneum and Mount Vesuvius, Pompeii can easily be combined in a single full-day tour.

 

 

Pompeii is located just north of Naples at the foot of Mount Vesuvius and is an easy day tour or shore excursion from Sorrento, the Amalfi Coast, Capri, and even Rome. There is a Pompeii stop on the Circumvesuviana train line that runs between Naples and Sorrento, or take the Pompei Ovest exit off the A3 highway if arriving by car.

 

The archaeological site is almost entirely outdoors, so is best visited on mild days. In the summer, visit in early morning or late afternoon to avoid the heat of midday.

 

In addition to the Temple of Apollo, the most interesting sites in Pompeii include the theater and amphitheater, the brothel, House of the Faun, Villa of the Mysteries, the Basilica, the Sanctuary of Venus, and the baths.

Sitting astride the steep gorge that once divided the cliff-top center of Sorrento, Piazza Tasso is the pulsating heart of one of Italy’s most popular seaside resort towns. This bustling, café-lined main square is where locals and visitors alike come to see and be seen, and to admire the square’s baroque church and 18th-century palace.

Two of Sorrento’s main shopping streets lead from Piazza Tasso: Corso Italia, a busy thoroughfare lined with elegant restaurants and boutiques; and pedestrian-only Via San Cesareo, a narrow lane of shops overflowing with an array of products made with local Sorrentine lemons and other artisan goods. The square is named after Torquato Tasso (a statue dedicated to the Renaissance poet stands in one corner of the piazza), and its main attractions include the baroque Santuario della Madonna del Carmine and Palazzo Correale, an 18th-century palace built around a home owned by the aristocratic Correale family. Be sure not to miss the dramatic scenic overlook from Piazza Tasso, with views over the gorge below and Mediterranean sea beyond.

Most small-group walking tours and shore excursions to the city center begin in Piazza Tasso before moving on to explore the maze of tiny back streets in the historic district or heading down to Marina Grande, the sleepy fishing village on the water’s edge below town. Sorrento is just over an hour from Mt. Vesuvius and the Pompeii and Herculaneum archaeological sites, making it the perfect base for a private day trip.

Sorrento is located along the southern Campania coast, halfway between Naples and the Amalfi Coast. Below the city’s historic center, the Marina Piccola port is a hub for ferries to and from other destinations along the coast, including Capri and Positano. The train station is just a 5-minute walk from Piazza Tasso, with trains to Naples that connect with routes to Rome and other cities across Italy.

Sorrento is most crowded during summer; unlike other towns along the coast, however, businesses do not close during the winter season, so you can find Sorrento hotels and restaurants open year-round.

Limoni di Sorrento, or Sorrentine lemons, are Sorrento’s most famous local product and the main ingredient in many traditional recipes. You can sample the best artisanal limoncello—a tangy liqueur made from lemon peel—along with other excellent coastal specialties by joining a small-group food tour in Sorrento.