Pompeii - stay in Naples or Rome?
Jun 6th, 2007, 08:59 PM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Pompeii - stay in Naples or Rome?
We plan to visit Pompeii in a few weeks; can't decide whether to go from Rome on a daytrip or stay a night or two in Naples. Naples sounds...well...a bit run down and lots of pickpockets. It's a two hour train ride to Naples from Rome, then another 45 minutes to Pompeii. Our household is split on what to do. Suggestions?
Jun 6th, 2007, 09:04 PM
#2
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 380
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Personally I would stay in Naples the night before and get to Pompeii early before the rush and the heat. I would also recomend getting an official guide at the entrance as you will learn and see so much more
Jun 6th, 2007, 09:06 PM
#3
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 3,896
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I would read more about Naples on this board and in the "Destinations Section" on the Orange toolbar above.
Haven't been, but Naples sounds fascinating. Supposedly a lot of the Pompeii story is in a fabulous museum in Naples.
Haven't been, but Naples sounds fascinating. Supposedly a lot of the Pompeii story is in a fabulous museum in Naples.
Jun 6th, 2007, 09:08 PM
#4
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Sorrento, across the bay from Naples is a beautiful city. You can ride the train from Sorrento to Pompeii-inexpensive and very easy. The village nightlife in Sorrento is wonderful. A better choice than Naples, which is a bit seedy.
Jun 6th, 2007, 10:33 PM
#5
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,116
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Second the idea to stay a couple of nights in Sorrento. You won't be sorry, it's a darling little town and active well into the evening.
Just take the train to Naples, then the Circumvesuviana light rail to Sorrento. It makes a great home base.
From there you can take the light rail right to Pompeii. Try to visit Herculaneum as well--it's different from Pompeii and really interesting. You'll also want to stop at the MANN--Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Napoli--that's where they've stashed all the stuff they recovered from the excavations. Don't miss seeing it. The mosaic of Alexander defeating Darius is worth the trip alone. The Villa Arianna frescoes aren't there, they are on tour. I finally saw them in D.C.! There are plenty of others to see. It will give you an entirely new perspective on what those cities actually LOOKED like when they were decorated with frescoes and mosaics. Definitely not the old idea of white fluted columns and white marble everywhere.
That said, I think Naples is completely missable except for the museum. No flaming, that's MY opinion. Run down is a charitable description.
Take an umbrella. We got caught in a downpour (June) and spent 2 hours of our Pompeii time taking refuge in the cafeteria with 100's of other people. Someone finally came with umbrellas for sale, and we continued our visit. I can see how they believed Zeus threw thunderbolts at them--it seemed like he was throwing them at us. It was really scary. I kept looking at the volcano to make sure it wasn't the source of all that bad weather, lol. Those raised "sidewalks and crosswalks" still work really well to keep you dry. How come the sidewalks in my town only last 50 years when those have lasted 2,000?
If you want to visit the museum on your way to/from Rome on the train, you can store your luggage in the coatroom at the museum. You have to check any bags there anyway. Don't plan on buying anything from the museum shop--they were out of almost everything when we were there. Shop in Pompeii or Sorrento.
Just take the train to Naples, then the Circumvesuviana light rail to Sorrento. It makes a great home base.
From there you can take the light rail right to Pompeii. Try to visit Herculaneum as well--it's different from Pompeii and really interesting. You'll also want to stop at the MANN--Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Napoli--that's where they've stashed all the stuff they recovered from the excavations. Don't miss seeing it. The mosaic of Alexander defeating Darius is worth the trip alone. The Villa Arianna frescoes aren't there, they are on tour. I finally saw them in D.C.! There are plenty of others to see. It will give you an entirely new perspective on what those cities actually LOOKED like when they were decorated with frescoes and mosaics. Definitely not the old idea of white fluted columns and white marble everywhere.
That said, I think Naples is completely missable except for the museum. No flaming, that's MY opinion. Run down is a charitable description.
Take an umbrella. We got caught in a downpour (June) and spent 2 hours of our Pompeii time taking refuge in the cafeteria with 100's of other people. Someone finally came with umbrellas for sale, and we continued our visit. I can see how they believed Zeus threw thunderbolts at them--it seemed like he was throwing them at us. It was really scary. I kept looking at the volcano to make sure it wasn't the source of all that bad weather, lol. Those raised "sidewalks and crosswalks" still work really well to keep you dry. How come the sidewalks in my town only last 50 years when those have lasted 2,000?
If you want to visit the museum on your way to/from Rome on the train, you can store your luggage in the coatroom at the museum. You have to check any bags there anyway. Don't plan on buying anything from the museum shop--they were out of almost everything when we were there. Shop in Pompeii or Sorrento.
Jun 7th, 2007, 05:39 AM
#6
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 74,699
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hi L4,
>Naples sounds...well...a bit run down and lots of pickpockets. <
Naples IS a bit run down.
It's also lively, friendly, chaotic, interesting and very, very Italian.
The pickpocket problem is one shared by any city that has lots of tourists.
If you stay in Naples, you will be able to easily visit Pompei Scavi and the Archaeological Museum.
You will also have time to see the Bay of Naples, Mt Vesuvius, and "The Veiled Christ" at the Capella Sansevero.
Not to mention the pizza.
>Naples sounds...well...a bit run down and lots of pickpockets. <
Naples IS a bit run down.
It's also lively, friendly, chaotic, interesting and very, very Italian.
The pickpocket problem is one shared by any city that has lots of tourists.
If you stay in Naples, you will be able to easily visit Pompei Scavi and the Archaeological Museum.
You will also have time to see the Bay of Naples, Mt Vesuvius, and "The Veiled Christ" at the Capella Sansevero.
Not to mention the pizza.
Sep 21st, 2007, 01:32 PM
#8
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 21,369
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I'm resurrecting this thread (after reading a few others) because I have the same kinds of questions. I am traveling alone in October and planning to see Pompeii near the end of my trip then fly home out of Rome. I'm taking the train down from the Cinque Terre and will be spending the last 5 nights in Rome or 2 nights in Sorrento or Naples then the last 3 in Rome...
First thought was Sorrento, which seems like a beautiful little town on the sea. But, it's an extra few hours from Cinque Terre down on the train, making that a REALLY long day, the next day will be consumed by Pompeii and Herculaneum, and then the next morning to Rome. Does it really make sense to spend two nights in Sorrento without really spending much time there?
Naples sounds uninviting but I'd consider staying near the train station - and hey, it is the birthplace of pizza!
From Rome I see there are 2 hr trains to Naples, about 45 min to Pompeii so while that might be a long day, it might be a little less hassle for me than to Sorrento or even Naples for two nights and a lot of train travel. What do you think?
First thought was Sorrento, which seems like a beautiful little town on the sea. But, it's an extra few hours from Cinque Terre down on the train, making that a REALLY long day, the next day will be consumed by Pompeii and Herculaneum, and then the next morning to Rome. Does it really make sense to spend two nights in Sorrento without really spending much time there?
Naples sounds uninviting but I'd consider staying near the train station - and hey, it is the birthplace of pizza!
From Rome I see there are 2 hr trains to Naples, about 45 min to Pompeii so while that might be a long day, it might be a little less hassle for me than to Sorrento or even Naples for two nights and a lot of train travel. What do you think?
Sep 21st, 2007, 02:04 PM
#10
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 23,120
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I'm sure that some people do not and will not enjoy Naples, but I spent 2.5 days there in May and liked it very much - in fact, I wish I could have stayed longer. Some parts are a bit run down, but it also has some wonderful museums and churches and vibrant piazzas. I didn't encounter any pickpockets, although I always try to keep safety in mind. Hope that helps!
Sep 21st, 2007, 04:16 PM
#11
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 404
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Andrew, do you want to go to Pompeii to see wonderful ancient ruins or because it is Pompeii?
My thought is that since you only have 5 days, you are really cutting Rome short because of the inconvenience of Pompeii travel, unless you do a day trip from Rome.
So, if you want to see some wonderful, not crowded, hands-on instead of hands-off ruins, go to Ostia Antica. That is a short 20-25 minute train ride from Rome. You can sit in the ampitheatre as well as test your oratory skills(!), climb to the top of ancient buildings & see the view, pull vines aside & discover unfinished evacuation sites & climb in & explore if you like! There is a cafeteria on site if you want to spend the day.
Just a thought to save you time & still experience a wonder.
Have a great trip, Julie
My thought is that since you only have 5 days, you are really cutting Rome short because of the inconvenience of Pompeii travel, unless you do a day trip from Rome.
So, if you want to see some wonderful, not crowded, hands-on instead of hands-off ruins, go to Ostia Antica. That is a short 20-25 minute train ride from Rome. You can sit in the ampitheatre as well as test your oratory skills(!), climb to the top of ancient buildings & see the view, pull vines aside & discover unfinished evacuation sites & climb in & explore if you like! There is a cafeteria on site if you want to spend the day.
Just a thought to save you time & still experience a wonder.
Have a great trip, Julie
Sep 21st, 2007, 04:38 PM
#12
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 58
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Andrew, for what you described, I'd stay in Naples. But the train station area is the last place in Naples I would choose. It is the seediest part of what some people think is a seedy city. I think parts of Naples are, in fact, seedy, but for the most part it's a very lively, very Italian city. The pickpocket risk is also exaggerated.
Sep 21st, 2007, 07:00 PM
#13
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 21,369
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks everyone for your feedback.
Julie, I HAVE to go to Pompeii if I'm nearby. The story of the Vesuvius eruption is something I've studied since high school. So Pompeii has long been on my mental list of "places to see" in the world. But thanks for the suggestion.
Julie, I HAVE to go to Pompeii if I'm nearby. The story of the Vesuvius eruption is something I've studied since high school. So Pompeii has long been on my mental list of "places to see" in the world. But thanks for the suggestion.
Sep 21st, 2007, 07:22 PM
#14
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 181
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I agree with dfr 4848 on going to Pompeii as a day trip from Rome. It makes for a very long day. It was a 4 hour bus ride to and from. We were supposed to tour Naples on the way back but it was very crowded due to a city holiday so we didn't stay around long. If you do go to Naples there is supposed to be a museum where many of the Pompeii artifiacts are. I would have liked to see more articats and not just the ruins. Linda, I just noticed you have already been so hopefully this will help someone else plan their trip.
Sep 21st, 2007, 07:41 PM
#15
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 23,073
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Andrew - If you have a car, I can highly recommend Palazzo Torre Barbara in Vico Equense, the town before Sorrento from Naples/Pompeii. My parents and I stayed there last Christmas and loved it. Not that expensive either.
But since it's quite far from the Vico Equense Circumvesuviana station, I won't recommend it if you're relying on public transportation.
But since it's quite far from the Vico Equense Circumvesuviana station, I won't recommend it if you're relying on public transportation.
Sep 21st, 2007, 07:59 PM
#16
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 21,369
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
OK, I know, you're all right about the long day...but I'm still leaning toward Rome. It sounds like if I time the trains right I can get from Rome to Pompeii in about 3 hours (and I'm not keen on buses anyway and do like trains).
If I had an extra few days, Sorrento sounds like a great base for Pompeii plus a tour of the Amalfi Coast, but with only two nights and no car, sounds like it's not a great plan. I wouldn't really have enough time to see much of Naples, either - maybe enough time to sample some pizza, which I can probably do on the way home from Pompeii, but probably not the museum.
I don't think any of my choices are optimal with the way I've timed it, but Rome may be best for me. I also like the idea of not having to change hotels an extra time. And I would have the flexibility to move my Pompeii day if it rains one day and not another. If I got to Naples or Sorrento, I'm pretty much locked in.
But I greatly appreciate your insights! This board has been immensely helpful.
If I had an extra few days, Sorrento sounds like a great base for Pompeii plus a tour of the Amalfi Coast, but with only two nights and no car, sounds like it's not a great plan. I wouldn't really have enough time to see much of Naples, either - maybe enough time to sample some pizza, which I can probably do on the way home from Pompeii, but probably not the museum.
I don't think any of my choices are optimal with the way I've timed it, but Rome may be best for me. I also like the idea of not having to change hotels an extra time. And I would have the flexibility to move my Pompeii day if it rains one day and not another. If I got to Naples or Sorrento, I'm pretty much locked in.
But I greatly appreciate your insights! This board has been immensely helpful.
Sep 21st, 2007, 11:32 PM
#17
I've taken the train from Rome to Pompeii for the day and thought it was great. The train ride between Rome and Naples is relaxing. We had plenty of time and were back in Rome in time for dinner.
Do be careful at the Naples station when transferring to the Circumvesuviana; that's where my husband had his wallet taken.
Do be careful at the Naples station when transferring to the Circumvesuviana; that's where my husband had his wallet taken.
Sep 22nd, 2007, 01:38 AM
#18
Andrew- if you "HAVE to" visit Pompeii because of your fascination in its history (And I felt exactly that way about it), then you have to stay near the ruins.
A trip from Rome will be rushed and give you very little leeway. In my opinion, visiting Pompeii and not seeing the museum in Naples is missing half the experience.
Herculaneum is also very worthwhile if the AD79 Eruption interests you - because most of it is still buried under the 60 foot of ash and rock that covered it.
I found a National Geographic magazine from 1981 which has extensive articles and photographs on the Mount St Helens eruption in 1980. I found this a fascinating insight into what happened to Vesuvius (I believe that many the aspects of Pompeii and Herculanium had puzzled historians prior to 1980 explained by the St Helens eruption.)
Naples is dirty, seedy, crime ridden and rubbish strewn. It also has more "character" than any other city I have visited. The people are probably the fiendliest and most helpful of any I have met in Italy (and that is some achievement). If nervous, I would look at staying in Sorrento, but give Naples a chance and do not be too put off by its appearance or reputation. I have been "targetted" by pickpockets several times in Italy - most often in Florence.
A trip from Rome will be rushed and give you very little leeway. In my opinion, visiting Pompeii and not seeing the museum in Naples is missing half the experience.
Herculaneum is also very worthwhile if the AD79 Eruption interests you - because most of it is still buried under the 60 foot of ash and rock that covered it.
I found a National Geographic magazine from 1981 which has extensive articles and photographs on the Mount St Helens eruption in 1980. I found this a fascinating insight into what happened to Vesuvius (I believe that many the aspects of Pompeii and Herculanium had puzzled historians prior to 1980 explained by the St Helens eruption.)
Naples is dirty, seedy, crime ridden and rubbish strewn. It also has more "character" than any other city I have visited. The people are probably the fiendliest and most helpful of any I have met in Italy (and that is some achievement). If nervous, I would look at staying in Sorrento, but give Naples a chance and do not be too put off by its appearance or reputation. I have been "targetted" by pickpockets several times in Italy - most often in Florence.
Sep 22nd, 2007, 01:38 AM
#19
Wish I had known about the museum in Naples... just returned from Pompei and was disappointed not to see more of the artifacts - except through a warehouse gate... sounds like it would be worth a visit. Also, I hear the hike up Vesuvius to have a peak inside is great although we did not do this...
Sep 22nd, 2007, 01:39 AM
#20
Andrew- if you "HAVE to" visit Pompeii because of your fascination in its history (And I felt exactly that way about it), then you have to stay near the ruins.
A trip from Rome will be rushed and give you very little leeway. In my opinion, visiting Pompeii and not seeing the museum in Naples is missing half the experience.
Herculaneum is also very worthwhile if the AD79 Eruption interests you - because most of it is still buried under the 60 foot of ash and rock that covered it.
I found a National Geographic magazine from 1981 which has extensive articles and photographs on the Mount St Helens eruption in 1980. I found this a fascinating insight into what happened to Vesuvius (I believe that many the aspects of Pompeii and Herculanium had puzzled historians prior to 1980 were explained by the St Helens eruption.)
Naples is dirty, seedy, crime ridden and rubbish strewn. It also has more "character" than any other city I have visited. The people are probably the fiendliest and most helpful of any I have met in Italy (and that is some achievement). If nervous, I would look at staying in Sorrento, but give Naples a chance and do not be too put off by its appearance or reputation. I have been "targetted" by pickpockets several times in Italy - most often in Florence.
A trip from Rome will be rushed and give you very little leeway. In my opinion, visiting Pompeii and not seeing the museum in Naples is missing half the experience.
Herculaneum is also very worthwhile if the AD79 Eruption interests you - because most of it is still buried under the 60 foot of ash and rock that covered it.
I found a National Geographic magazine from 1981 which has extensive articles and photographs on the Mount St Helens eruption in 1980. I found this a fascinating insight into what happened to Vesuvius (I believe that many the aspects of Pompeii and Herculanium had puzzled historians prior to 1980 were explained by the St Helens eruption.)
Naples is dirty, seedy, crime ridden and rubbish strewn. It also has more "character" than any other city I have visited. The people are probably the fiendliest and most helpful of any I have met in Italy (and that is some achievement). If nervous, I would look at staying in Sorrento, but give Naples a chance and do not be too put off by its appearance or reputation. I have been "targetted" by pickpockets several times in Italy - most often in Florence.
