What to see in Pompeii
The heart: the Forum and surroundings
The Forum is the square that puts everything else into perspective, and the Basilica next to it was the courthouse. The Forum Baths are small but intact enough to show how a Roman bath worked. The Macellum, the market, is just a short walk away. If you enter through Porta Marina, you’ll find yourself here in minutes, which is why that entrance works so well (entrances).
Houses
The House of the Faun is the largest and most photographed. The House of the Vettii and the House of Menander are where the frescoes are best preserved, and they’re in the western part of the city—the same area covered by private tours with an archaeologist. The Villa of the Mysteries and Villa of Diomedes are outside the walls and only included with the extended ticket (Express or Plus).
Shows and public life
The Great Theatre, the Great Palaestra, the Gladiators' Barracks, and above all the Amphitheatre, the oldest known Roman amphitheatre. It sits in the eastern corner, far from the Forum: if time is short, either start there by entering through Piazza Anfiteatro or resign yourself to skipping it. The Lupanare, which everyone looks for, is small and almost always has a queue—it’s worth the five minutes it takes, not a minute more.
The Plaster Casts
The plaster casts of the victims are the part of the visit that changes the tone for anyone. No preparation is needed, and you don’t need a guide to understand them—just a minute of silence.
With four hours, you can cover the main highlights; with two, you can’t. Decide beforehand what to sacrifice, or fatigue will decide for you: how much time you need.
Frequently asked questions
What shouldn’t you miss in Pompeii?
The Forum, the House of the Faun, the Forum Baths, the Great Theatre, and the Amphitheatre, the oldest known Roman amphitheatre. If you only have time for one thing, make it the Forum.
Where are the plaster casts of the victims?
In various parts of the site. They’re what almost everyone remembers afterward, and they don’t require any preparation—though a guided tour helps put them in context. See guide or audio guide.
Can I visit the Villa dei Misteri with the standard ticket?
No, it’s outside the walls and is included in Pompei+. Compare the two tickets in Express or Plus.