I am wondering if anyone who has visted both these sites can give me some feedback as to the comparison or if there is one. We loved Pompeii but our time in Athens is limited so starting to wonder whether to delete Delphi off the list if it is similar to Pompeii. (sorry for my ignorance - just started the planning on this and havent read up as yet) - Hoping a fodorite can save me a couple of hours.. thanks

Delphi is not as extensive as Pompeii IMO..and you won't see anything as "preserved" at Delphi as you will in Pompeii.

Delphi has a great museum, though.

Thanks for the reply - it's a real help. cheers

You can't compare the two. It's like asking whether one likes red wine or white wine. One surely must enjoy both at different times, on different occasions.

Delphi was never this sprawling town that Pompeii was. Pompeii is far more extensive, Delphi is more remains on an hillside, but still fascinating.

What else do you have to do besides Delphi? Compare the relative merits of each choice!

I kinda share M-Kingdom's thoughts and question. Delphi is, I think, better seen, if you can combine it with some of the other so-called "classical" sites such as Olympia, Naphlion/Epidaurus, and Corinth.

However, I realize this isn't always financially possible or even on the radar screen for a lot of folks.

I love Pompeii but as far as history is concerned, it was just one of *many* small cities in the Roman Empire and nothing special.

It's only claim to fame was it just happened to be downwind of Mt. Vesuvius and was then discovered many centuries later.

Delphi was 'The Center (or navel) of The World'.
By the 8thC BC it was internationally known and Kings would ask the Oracle for advice before going to war or for any other major decisions.
Alexander the Great and a few Roman Emperors also sought advice there. It's importance did decline during the Roman Empire but it did last until Christianity finally closed it.

Pompeii is a visit back in time to 'Anytown, Ancient Italy'.

Delphi is a visit to a major historical site that played a major role in history.
Regards, Walter

Thank you all ... decisions again..

I would like to add my two cents. Delphi is a beautiful side trip to savor scenery and history. The views are beautiful, especially when you imagine the ancient travellers journeying there in the past. If you are not going to Olympia or any other site out of Athens, then, by all means, fit in Delphi. You won't be disappointed.

Dear Cosmos,

Walter must have visited Pompei while still suffering from 'jetlag.'

Visitng Pompei is a wonderful experience. You will be able to see some excellent ruins, which will bring this ancient city to life right before your very eyes. What a wonderful experience!! Delphi does have a lot of history and the sight is very interesting but it will take some research on your part and a lot of imagination to enjoy a visit to Delphi. In any event, have a wonderful time whether it be Pompei or Delphi.

Margo, It was an *historical* comparison .

If Pompeii had never been discovered it would have just been a footnote in the history.
And even then it's only claim to fame probably would have been the closing of the Amphitheater for 10yrs by Nero for the fatal fan riots in 59AD.

[Historically] Delphi *was* revered and known throughout the Greek and Roman Empire and beyond.
Pompeii *was* just a non-descript Roman city of 20,000.

I have visited Pompeii 5x and next to the Roman Forum it's my favorite place on Earth.
Regards, Walter

Like comparing apples and oranges, sweetie darling. Loved the museum at Delphi--especially the One-Armed Charioteer. Fantastic! I have a fabulous photo of my friend, Heather, and I standing in front of the Oracle of Delphi. I will always treasure that lovely photo.

I loved Pompeii. I loved Delphi. I don't think they are anything alike.

Pompeii is a preserved Roman town. Delphi is a collection of Greek temples and religious sites of enormous importance in Greek mythology, drama, and philosophy. The oracle at Delphi is involved in much of Greek literature. Said there was nobody wiser than Socrates, and Socrates went about trying to disprove the oracle (with a predictably self-serving lack of success). Legions of kings sent away their children upon hearing the oracle predict their children would kill them. The oracle ended up being right. Just look at Oedipus.

The physical setting of Delphi high on the slopes of Mount Parnassus is spectacular and does make you realize why the Greeks would feel this was a holy place.

Can you do both? ;-)
Delphi can ostensibly be done as a daytrip from Athens. However, instead of doing it as a tourist-group bus tour, I recommend being adventurous and taking the regular bus. I did this (solo) back in '96. I seem to remember taking a bus that left about 7:30 am and being at Delphi by 10:30 or so. You can ask the driver to let you off right at the site so you won't have to walk back from the modern town. Then I took a bus back that left about 5 or so, as I recall. (You have to walk to the town--not far--to pick up the bus back.) This is MUCH cheaper than doing a tourist-group option, and you also have a lot more time at the site. Your hotel concierge in Athens can help you with bus schedules and how to find the bus station. Tip: your ticket will give you an assigned seat, so look at the ticket and look on back of seat to make sure it's yours. I didn't know this and got fussed at in Greek!
Theoretically you can also do Pompeii as a daytrip from Rome (about 3 hrs from Rome to Naples on fast train, then the Circumvesuviana, ca. 1/2 hr) but Pompeii is a MUCH larger site than Delphi, so I don't recommend this. I've used Sorrento as a home base for a few days and taken in not just Pompeii but Herculaneum (Ercolano), which most tourists overlook but is also compelling.
Happy Travels!

thank you all for your feedback. I should clarify - we have been to Pompeii and I asked the question because I wanted to go to Delphi but was having trouble scheduling it - so I was actually hoping everyone would say if Ive seen Pompeii then Delphi isnt a priority.... which didnt happen..ha ha
So to finish off the thread with thanks - I have rearrange the schedule so we can fit it in and have decided to take a tour so that we get the background and info to really enjoy it (Im running out of time to research all the areas of our trip) thanks again

Local bus would be more fun...more of an adventure...tour will rush you. Local bus would get you there before all the daytrip tours arrive from Athens, and you'd have all the site all to yourself (pretty much). An opportunity to really drink in the site, which is quite magical. But then, in general I hate tours so it's a matter of taste. ;-)
(I realized I misunderstood that Pompeii wasn't this trip right after I posted my post--oops)

You made a smart move fitting it in. You won't regret the trip to Delphi at all! Read up on it a bit before you go. It is beautiful. If you want to buy any gold jewelry on your trip, you may want to shop there. While I toured Delphi a friend bargained a necklace there for me. We paid 35 euros less than she did for her exact same one in Athens the day before!