What to bring to Pompeii

Comfortable closed-toe shoes, a water bottle, a hat and some sun protection. There’s no dress code, but you’ll be walking a lot on uneven paving and there’s hardly any shade. Large backpacks and luggage aren’t allowed: there’s a paid left-luggage office near the Circumvesuviana Pompei Scavi stop.

ShoesClosed-toe and comfortable, always

WaterWater bottle, drinking fountains outside the entrances

Large luggageNot allowed

Left-luggageNear Pompei Scavi station

Inside the siteCafè by the Forum, restrooms at several locations

Dress codeNone

Your feet, first and foremost

The Roman paving is made of large, irregular stones with deep grooves left by carts. Flip-flops are the mistake I see most often, followed by brand-new shoes. You need closed, comfortable, broken-in shoes and lightweight, stretchy clothing: a four-hour visit means a lot of walking (how much time you need).

Water and sun

Bring a water bottle: there are fountains to refill it outside the entrances, and inside the site you’ll find drinking water and restrooms in several spots—though not always where you’d need them. A hat and sunglasses aren’t just for show: between the Forum and the Amphitheatre, shade is the exception. In summer, this matters more than anything else and even affects the time you choose to visit (when to visit).

What to leave behind

Large bags and backpacks aren’t allowed. If you arrive by train with a suitcase, the commercial luggage storage near Pompei Scavi station is the quickest solution; the ticket with an audio guide already includes free luggage storage. If you’re comparing options, the breakdown is in which ticket to choose.

Recommended by those who’ve been there

There’s a café near the Forum inside, the Pompeii Scavi Café, and it’s pretty much the only comfortable place to stop. Know where it is before you need it.

Check availability and book

We’re an independent guide, not a tour operator. The booking links take you to GetYourGuide and are affiliate links: if you book through them, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Read our affiliate disclosure.

Frequently asked questions

What shoes do you need for the Pompeii ruins?

Closed, comfortable, and already broken in. The paving is uneven and full of grooves, and you’ll walk a lot in half a day: flip-flops are the most common mistake.

Can I bring backpacks and suitcases into Pompeii?

Large luggage and backpacks are not allowed. There’s a commercial left-luggage office near the Pompeii Scavi station, handy if you arrive by train: see how to get here.

Is there water inside the site?

Yes, drinking water and restrooms are available at several points, plus a café near the Forum. Outside the entrances there are fountains to refill your water bottle before you go in.