Are you thinking about visiting Pompeii, Italy? Here's what you need to know before planning your trip.
Is Pompeii worth visiting?
Yes, it's worth visiting this archeological site for one to two days because of the many great activities. During our first trip to Pompeii in the summer of 2008, we fell in love with its unique perspective on history. We've come back several times since then to experience it even more. 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. It's often mentioned as one of the best places to visit in major publications, such as in National Geographic's Best Places to Visit in 2024.
Pompeii, Italy
Reasons to Visit Pompeii
Museums
Pompeii is a city frozen in time and it is truly a one-of-a-kind destination. The streets remain as they once stood, lined with shops and homes. Highlights of a visit include the Forum, the Antiquarium, the Temple of Isis, and the Teatro Grande.
Is Pompeii worth visiting in the Summer?
Summer is the high season for travel in Pompeii, so expect more visitors and higher prices. This is an extremely popular destination, and in the high season it's busier than usual as this is when most people are able to travel. Expect large crowds of tourists, longer lines, and higher prices for hotels. On the other hand, you'll find that everything is open and you'll have a wide array of activities, things to do, and places to eat.
The warm weather in summer is one of the reasons people visit at this time of year. Temperatures average around 23°C (74°F) with daily high temperatures often more than 30°C (85°F).
You'll also find it quite easy to get around on foot, because this is a very walkable archeological site, especially in the nice weather. You'll find plenty to do during summer, as you'll be able to browse through museums.
Summer Weather in Pompeii
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| July | 23°C (74°F) | 26 mm (1 in) |
| August | 24°C (74°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
| September | 21°C (70°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
Is Pompeii worth visiting in the Autumn?
This is the shoulder season for travel in Pompeii. As a very touristy destination, even in the shoulder season you'll see plenty of tourists when you visit. However, good prices and deals are to be found at this time of year.
Keep in mind that it can be fairly rainy during autumn, and temperatures hover around 17°C (63°F).
Autumn is a great time of year to explore the numerous museums and landmarks around town. They are fun for the whole family as well great for couples. During this season it's fun to experience the famous sights and museums.
Autumn Weather in Pompeii
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| October | 17°C (63°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) |
| November | 12°C (54°F) | 161 mm (6.3 in) |
| December | 9°C (49°F) | 118 mm (4.6 in) |
Is Pompeii worth visiting in the Winter?
The weather in Pompeii can be quite cold during winter, and averages around 8°C (47°F). But be prepared for much lower temperatures, too.
The low season for travel in Pompeii is during the winter. This is an extremely touristy destination, so in the low season you'll still see plenty of other travelers when you visit, but less than other times of the year. Good deals are to be found on hotels and tours because it's not the best time of year to visit.
This is a great time of year to browse the museums.
Winter Weather in Pompeii
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| January | 8°C (47°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) |
| February | 9°C (48°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) |
| March | 11°C (51°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) |
Is Pompeii worth visiting in the Spring?
Spring is the shoulder season for travel in Pompeii. As a very touristy destination, even in the shoulder season you'll see plenty of tourists when you visit. However, good prices and deals are to be found at this time of year.
You'll find the weather to be very nice here during spring with average temperatures around 13°C (55°F).
You'll find plenty to do during spring, as you'll be able to spend time at the museums.
Spring Weather in Pompeii
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| April | 13°C (55°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) |
| May | 17°C (63°F) | 52 mm (2.1 in) |
| June | 21°C (69°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) |
Things to Consider Before Visiting Pompeii
Food
Pompeii doesn't top the list for most foodies. While there is a café near the Forum, the quality of the food isn't great and it can get crowded. You'd do best to bring your own food as the site is large and you'll want to eat on your own schedule.
Nightlife
Most people don't associate Pompeii with a lively nightlife scene. As a popular tourist destination, you'll find some bars nearby, but most people visit as a day trip and head out of town before the evening hours.
Shopping
Pompeii isn't exactly a shopper's destination. There are some souvenir stands outside of the site where you can buy trinkets to remember your visit.
Lots of Tourists
Pompeii sees a high number of visitors every year, which means you might have to wait in line and deal with large crowds during your visit.
The Cost
Depending on your budget, schedule, and travel style, Pompeii might be an expensive destination for you. You can find out the travel costs for Pompeii here or see if Pompeii is expensive here.
Related
What is Pompeii most famous for?
Pompeii is most famous for its well preserved archaeological ruins that are still intact following the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. People visit this impressive archeological site for its great museums. It is often described as ancient, famous, iconic, and one-of-a-kind.
What is the most famous sight in Pompeii?
The most popular sight in Pompeii is the Pompeii Archaeological Ruins. You can see prices and costs for this and other sights in Pompeii on our travel costs page.
Or, see tickets, activities, and tours for the Pompeii Archaeological Ruins and other attractions here.
How touristy is Pompeii? Is it a popular archeological site to visit?
Pompeii is a very touristy archeological site that attracts travelers from around the globe. Here are some of the most popular activities and tours. (Prices in US Dollars)
- Visit in Pompeii - Pompeii Private Tour with Ada: $206
- Best of Pompeii - 2 hour Private Tour with Alex: $271
- Semi - Private tour of Pompeii with an Archeologist: $44
- Pompeii Inside Out: Private Tour With Locals: $187
- Pompeii for Kids - Private Tour: $271
- Explore and Experience Pompeii: $218
- Private Guided Tour of Pompeii and Herculaneum: $196
- Pompeii Tour with experienced guide: $38
How long should I spend in Pompeii?
The ideal length of time for a trip to Pompeii is one to two days. Since Pompeii has a variety of activities such as museums, most people need this much time to see and do everything here.
If you have a specific amount of time for your trip, see our advice about how much time to spend here: Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Pompeii?, Should I spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Pompeii?, and Should I spend 1 or 2 weeks in Pompeii?.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.