Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Pompeii?

Should you spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Pompeii?

Many travelers spend one to two days in Pompeii during their visit. After all, the famous archeological site has plenty to explore such as the famous sights and museums.

Pompeii is a world famous archaeological site that was once a large Roman city, but is now frozen in time after being covered in ash by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 A.D. The site is filled with archaeological ruins that tell the story of everyday life during Roman times. Today it is one of Italy's most popular tourist destinations, and you can explore as part of a tour or independently.

Do you have one or two days to visit Pompeii? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.


Is one day enough time in Pompeii?

With one day, you'll probably feel rushed to experience the major activities in Pompeii. You really need more time to appreciate the Pompeii Archaeological Ruins and the other attractions. Many visitors prefer to have one to two days to fully enjoy the area. If you have one day or less, we still have some suggestions of how best to spend your time here.

How to spend a day in Pompeii

When visiting Pompeii, you absolutely can't miss the Pompeii Archaeological Ruins as it's the main reason visitors come to this famous archeological site. It's very popular among families who will enjoy all of the activities available. When planning your trip, make sure you allow yourself enough time to fully experience the various areas, along with breaks to eat and relax, too. Keep in mind that many visitors spend one to two days here, so you'll probably be missing out if you don't allow yourself plenty of time.

Pompeii is a very walkable city. With only a day in the archeological site, you'll have no trouble exploring the local sights. You can walk around the entire site in about 4 hours, but you'll really want to allow a full day if you want to see everything in depth.

Is a weekend (two to three days) enough time in Pompeii?

A weekend is the perfect amount of time in Pompeii, as many visitors prefer to spend around one to two days here. You'll be able to spend time visiting the Pompeii Archaeological Ruins as well as wander through the museums. We have some suggestions for what to do and where to start your adventure below.

How to spend 2 days in Pompeii

With a weekend (two to three days) in Pompeii, you'll have a bit more time to enjoy everything that the archeological site has to offer.

Pompeii is famous for it's world-class attractions, museums, and landmarks. You'll want to spend at least a day exploring one or more that you're interested in the most.


A few tour suggestions include:

  • Pompeii: Skip-the-Line Ticket and Virtual Museum ($50)
  • Private Half Day Tour to the Royal Palace of Caserta ($112)

Public transit in Pompeii is easy and efficient. In just a few days, you should be able to get around the archeological site quite easily. Many visitors from Sorrento and Naples arrive via the the Circumvesuviana train. There are also buses from many different locations.

More Info

If you're looking for more information about Pompeii, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.

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