We are flying into Naples early June 12 and want to spend the remainder of that day and the next exploring Pompeii. We're looking for hotel/B&B recommendations that are close to site as we want to tour on our own. Also, any other recommendations for making the most of our limited time are appreciated.
Posted by
Wyckoff, NJ, USA
8317 posts
I remember seeing two (?) modern small hotels while walking between the Porta Marina entrance and the Villa di Mistiri entrance. You can look for them on Google Maps. I personally would recommend staying in Sorrento and riding the hot, crowded Circumvesuviana without luggage daily. It's not a short ride, but it's a much nicer place to stay, walk, and eat. You could use the free luggage storage at the Porta Marina entrance upon arrival if you are staying in Sorrento.
Pompeii can be very hot and sunny, and hard work walking on worn Roman stone paving.
If there is any way to make sure Villa of the Mysteries is open to visitors on one of your days, that is a must for you. There can be unscheduled closings of any villa for short staff, conservation, or whatever.
Posted by
Minnesota 🎒
17201 posts
You are giving yourself more time at the scavi than the vast majority of visitors do so well done! Do go easy on arrival day if arriving jet-lagged off an international flight as the site promises to be very warm, and it is indeed a rabbit warren of confusing streets.
While I've no personal recommendations for hotels, as you are planning on exploring on your own I will direct you to the helpful map and printed guide provided on the official website, if you've not found them yet.
https://pompeiisites.org/en/visiting-info/map-and-guide-to-the-excavations/
The "Guide to the Pompeii Excavations" document is extensive - well over 100 pages - so I'd spend some time with it before you go to start familiarizing yourself with this vast excavation and its many interesting features.
I'll also mention that it's not really necessary to stay in the town of Pompei (note spelling; one "i" for the town; two for the scavi) for efficiency, although it's absolutely fine if that's your preference. Many travelers choose Sorrento as their base - as we did - as it's just a cheap, 35-40 minute ride by local commuter train. Once entering the excavation, you won't be able to leave and come back same day anyway unless you intend to purchase an annual My Pompeii Card. That said, accommodations are likely to be less expensive in Pompei. Here are a couple of previous threads with mentions of accommodations posters have booked there:
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/italy/staying-in-pompei
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/italy/stay-in-pompei
Posted by
3603 posts
In April 2022, we stayed at the Hotel Forum in Pompei and highly recommend it. The 32 room hotel is across the street from the Anfiteatro entrance, which is much less congested than the Marina entrance. It seems to me that a lot of people judge the City of Pompei by the tour bus parking lots and the walk from the train station. It's actually a very nice place to stay.
Posted by
Minnesota 🎒
17201 posts
ET, glad you popped in as you'd mentioned the Hotel Forum in the other two threads I'd linked as did NYC Librarian and nancys8 so it looks to be a winneri! :O)