Who’s behind this site
My name is Marilena Esposito. I’m from Naples and grew up in Torre Annunziata, just two stops on the Circumvesuviana from the ruins. I studied archaeology in Naples and for years I’ve been showing friends and family around Pompeii. This site is where I’ve written down all the things I always end up repeating.
Why I did it
Why the difference between a great morning in Pompeii and a wasted one is decided before you even arrive—and almost always for silly reasons: the wrong time slot, the wrong entrance, three hours in the July sun with no water. The ticket has a name and a time printed on it, the park covers 44 hectares, and if you walk in without a plan, you’ll walk twice as far and see half as much. I’ve compared the options in all the tours and laid out the full reasoning in the Pompeii guide.
What I’m not
I’m not a licensed tour guide, and I’m not saying that out of modesty—it’s a qualification you earn by exam in Italy, and I don’t have it. I don’t organize visits, I don’t sell tickets, and I don’t have a stall at Porta Marina. When it’s time to book, I send you to GetYourGuide, which is a legitimate booking platform, and the tour is run by an operator, not me.
How I choose what to write
The opening hours, ticket types, and entry rules come straight from the official information of the Archaeological Park. The ratings and review counts are the public ones from the listings, and I report them as they are—even when they’re low. In the reviews section, you’ll find my take on where each option falls short. The rest comes from the experience of those who’ve been there in every season, including the damp January one.
How I keep this going
Through affiliate commissions on bookings, at no extra cost to you. The details of how it works are in affiliate transparency. If you spot a mistake or something doesn’t add up, drop me a line—I’m happy to make corrections.