The ruins of Pompeii: what to see
Pompeii is a Roman town, not a single monument. The forum, the private houses, the amphitheatre and the Antiquarium are different parts of a visit, and you will not do all of them at the same pace. The ruins you walk through are the ancient town; the modern town of Pompei next door is a later development.
One rule shapes every plan. A house or room on a map is not always open that day. The list of open buildings and the barriers on site come before any route, so use the pages here as a frame and adjust on the spot.
Forum, houses and amphitheatre
These are the parts of the site that most visitors ask about. What is open can change, so treat the list as a guide to what exists, not a promise.
| Part of the site | What to know |
|---|---|
| Forum | The centre of the ancient town and a separate part of the visit. |
| Private houses | The House of the Faun (Casa del Fauno) and the House of the Vettii (Casa dei Vettii) are ones people look for. Access can change day by day, so do not plan around a single house. |
| Amphitheatre | At present you can look in from the south entrance only. Do not plan on walking inside it. |
| Antiquarium | Included in the city ticket. The recommended entrance is Piazza Esedra. |
Houses and rooms can have different hours from the site as a whole. If a particular house is the point of your trip, check the building list for your date before you commit.
Our pick: a guided walk through the ruins
If the layout feels overwhelming, a two-hour guided tour with the Express ticket included is an easy way to see the main areas.
Hand-picked tours, booked through Viator. Prices are indicative starting prices in euros (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Pompeii guided tours with an archaeologist
Small-group walks through the ruins with an archaeologist, with live prices and availability. A guide helps you decide what to see on a day when parts are closed.
Pompeii museum and the finds from the ruins
People searching for a Pompeii museum are usually looking for one of two things. On site, the Antiquarium is a separate visit that your city ticket includes. Many of the original finds are shown in Naples rather than on site, and the archaeological museum there is the place for them. See the Naples guide for the Naples archaeological museum.
At Pompeii itself, originals, casts and reconstructions are different things. A guide will tell you which is which. Treat the casts of the people of Pompeii with respect, as you would a grave.
Frescoes and mosaics
Painted walls and floor mosaics are among the reasons people visit the houses. Which ones you can enter depends on the daily list, so treat them as bonuses rather than fixed stops. A well-known painted site outside the town centre is the Villa of the Mysteries, which needs a different ticket scope. See the page on the Villa of the Mysteries.
Planning your time
There is no single right length for the ruins. Adjust your plan to the building list and the weather.
- With a guide: a guided tour of 2 to 3 hours covers a selection of the main streets and houses and, in some offers, lets you stay on the site afterwards.
- On your own: pick the forum and a few open houses first, then add the Antiquarium and a look at the amphitheatre from the south entrance if time allows.
- Leaving and returning: your ticket allows one entry, so leave the site only when you are done.
Bags are limited to 30 by 30 by 15 centimetres, and larger items go to storage. Do not climb walls or cross barriers, and drones need permission. Tickets and sales are explained in Pompeii tickets and entry rules, and practical advice on heat and shoes is in visiting tips.
Pompeii ruins: frequently asked questions
Can I enter the amphitheatre?
At present you can look in from the south entrance only. Check the building list before you go.
Are all the well-known houses open?
No. Houses and rooms can have different hours, and access changes. Use the list for your date.
Is the Antiquarium in the ticket?
Yes, the city ticket includes it. The recommended entrance is at Piazza Esedra.
Where are the original finds from Pompeii?
Many are in the archaeological museum in Naples. On site, the Antiquarium is a separate visit.
What bags can I take into the ruins?
Bags are limited to 30 x 30 x 15 cm. Larger items belong in the left-luggage service.