ItaliaBound

I need to arrange a transfer service from Pompeii to my Amalfi hotel so will need to know how long it takes to tour Pompeii. I imagine we would take an average amount of time...I don't like to pour over every little thing but don't like to rush either. We get in by train around 1:30 and was thinking four hours might cover it?? I don't want to get into our hotel too late. Thanks!

sandi_travelnut

I know what you mean..you could spend many, many hours there. We took a tour that was about 4 hours. Still didn't see everything for sure but I thought it was an appropriate amount of time for our energy level. We then went to the top of Vesuvius which is NOT to be missed.

cambe

I agree, 4 hours will be long enough but you will not see all of Pompeii in that time - it is huge.

I would also advise taking a tour when you get there. I hired an audio which was OK but if doing it again would join a tour group as it is not, IMO, easy to navigate.

JSLee

If you study the map, get oriented, and do not back track, 3-4 hours will do.

TexasAggie

We spent an entire day and did not see everything. We will likely spend another 1/2 day at least when we return. Pompei is vast.

willit

I think it depends how interested you are in Roman history. If you are merely slightly curious, and it another on your list of "Sites I should see" then 4 hours should be fine.

I had wanted to see the ruins of Pompeii since I was in primary school, when I first saw pictures of the ruins, and the casts of the bodies. To me, the day I spent in the ruins was not nearly enough. I find it one of the most fascinating places on Earth, although I probably get more insight into the Eruption at Herculaneum.

tcreath

I agree with the others; Pompeii is huge and how long you need to explore will depend on your interests and energy level. 4 hours won't allow you to see everything, but will give you a good introduction if that is all the time that you have. My husband and I love ancient history so we could have spent 2 days there, although we only actually spent about 5 hours (we daytripped from Rome). There is still quite a large portion we did not get to see so we will return next time we are in that area.

Tracy

Mary_Fran

I agree strongly with the posters who recommend you join a tour. As noted, Pompeii is huge, and the ground surface is uneven, so you can spend a lot of time trying to navigate in physically challenging terrain. My sister and I were fascinated by Pompeii but regretted not having joined a tour.

JJ5

If you are interested in archeology, antiquities or any forensic anthropology- 4 hours will not put a dent into it.

If you are only mildly interested in those studies or in history in general, you will do better getting a tour and then seeing some things on your own after the tour is ended. This took about 3 to 4 hours for the people in my group in the latter category.

Not planned, I ended up spending two days there in the rain. If you know Etruscan history, have training in the fields etc.- you may want to hire a more detailed associate ahead of time, do the basic local knowledge with them, and then on your own, go looking.

I love the way the paths/streets were conformed so that no one was walking in the garbage etc. Ask about the elevated places in the middle if the tour guide doesn't explain.

Next time I will set aside at least a day for Pompeii and a day for other ruins nearby. I hear that some of the area has been put off limits. But I think you will definitely be in the 4 hour span category, if you aren't crazy about detail. I could spent about an hour in one of the bathhouses alone.

Eloise

Jsmith posted a link to a Times (of London) article that I thought was wonderful (I've been to Pompeii twice):

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34506220

You will probzbly go into Pompeii at the Pompeii Scavi stop; do not (repeat:
<b>not</b miss the Villa dei Misteri, which is a bit away from the rest of Pompeii but has the best preserved Roman fresco cycle against a splendid &quot;Pompeian red&quot; background. There is an exit at the Villa dei Misteri; I would suggest that you have your driver pick you up there.