Pompeii artifacts and Naples Archaeological Museum

Obviously the best scenario is seeing both Pompeii and the museum in Naples to get a real sense of that place in that time period. That being said, we only had time for Pompeii and it was so very worth it! There is plenty to see there without seeing all of the artifacts that have been removed to the museum in Naples. You will have a wonderful experience even if you only get to Pompeii. It's one of the most fascinating places I have ever been to.

Pompeii is a quick train ride from Rome. I would do the museum first in the morning and then catch the train to Pompeii for the afternoon. You could then roam Pompeii until they close.

Do both if you can. If I only had time for one, it would definitely be Pompeii. Very worth it even without seeing the artifacts from the museum.

I think Bob meant Naples is a quick train ride from Rome. There are good directions in the RS books on how to get from the train station to the museum by metro. It is easy do both in a day. The collections in the museum are a "wow." Some of the pieces have replicas in situ at Pompeii, and there are lots of original frescoes there, but much of the artifacts you can only see at the museum, including the adults-only rooms.

Do both if you can, otherwise decide whether you prefer sites to museums.

Lauren, you don't indicate when you are traveling. That would of course determine when it gets dark, how hot it is especially in the afternoon, and how crowded everything is. The Ruins of Pompeii are for the most part a very impressive, very very large, very historic, bunch of rocks from 2000+ years ago. The beautiful Pompeii art and artifacts at the Museum breathe life into your appreciation of the ruins! So, I would definitely try to do both. You could do this on a very long day from Rome, generally the museum in Naples first, then the ruins which are about a 30-40 minute train ride from Naples. Then in the evening, back to Naples connecting to Rome. In the heat of the summer, I think I would do the ruins first, to avoid the afternoon heat out on the rocks. Either way, you could probably even build in a pizza lunch in Naples. If you search, you might find a guided day tour from Rome which would include both stops, a lot easier, but at a healthy price I would think. In any event, I would encourage you to have a guide lead you around the ruins. They not only know their way around, know the highlights, and have huge amounts of information, but they will also know what streets or rooms might be closed for repairs or restoration, so you don't waste time discovering that. There are generally various guides available by the entry, at a low price for a couple hours of tour, and you can talk to a few and pick a guide you can easily understand and who appeals to you. I did not take a tour, and feel I missed out a lot. Next time I will. I think the ideal, if you have the time, would be to go down to Naples one day, visit the Museum, explore Naples a little, and then go to the ruins the next day, then back to Rome. Also best to do some reading about Pompeii, with good illustrations, before you go. I myself bought a great paperback "Pompeii: 2000 years ago and today", but I bought it at the train station as I left, wish I had had it before, and with me at the ruins. It shows aspects of the ruins today, and then paintings showing how many of them would have looked and been populated 2000 years ago. Be sure to check current schedules, I believe the museum is closed on Tuesdays, and time schedules may vary with seasons.

Pompeii fascinates me.

My first visit was on a student tour in 1968. At the museum in Naples I took a photo of an ornate Pompeiian stove. There was a small sign in front of it, which I assumed was the name of the piece. Decades later, when I started studying Italian, I learned that "Vietato Toccare" means ... "Don't Touch"!

https://picasaweb.google.com/Pilawt/Europe1968#6082485006981680898

Oops. My fingers are not connected to my brain. I meant Pompeii is a quick train ride from Naples where the museum is located.

Thanks everyone for the great advice. I am going in July so it will be hot but also long hours of daylight and everything open (I think).

In July, I'd get to Pompeii as early as possible (even getting up super early in Rome and eating breakfast on the train to Naples) to take advantage of the cooler morning hours (little shade to be had). Then, when the walking and heat have wiped you out, take the train back to Naples and enjoy the air-conditioned museum.

At Pompeii, it's a long walk to La Casa dei Misteri but well worth it. On the other hand, I don't think it's worth the long walk to the amphitheatre for what awaits you there.

We thought Pompeii was extraordinary, and spent the entire day. We hadn't planned that but it was one of the most fascinating places we've ever seen. It was 2008 and I seem to recall that we exited the site near the Casa Dei Misteri, had a nice lunch in one of a few restaurants, and re-entered to finish the day. I think our admission included a very detailed booklet that we used throughout our visit. This was also in late September and the weather was fine. We love museums, and Naples is on the list, but this place was really special.

To update Denny's reply, AFAIR, while the Circumvesuviana stop includes the name (in Italian) Villa of the Mysteries, the actual (secondary) entrance/exit from Pompeii that is BESIDE The Villa of The Mysteries is much less "developed" than the Cirvumvesuviana stop entrance. I saw only one (substantial) hotel, and no other restaurants, on the easy walk back on paved streets with shade trees, from the Villa-side exit, 1/2 mile to the "main" entrance and train stop. This can be studied on Google Maps if desired.

When I was there you could not re-enter the site without buying a new ticket. I would just focus on Pompeii if I had only one day. The museum is well worth seeing but the artifacts are not substantially different from the paintings you will see on the walls of the houses that are open, the brothel walls etc and Pompeii takes a long time to cover.

I would wake up early, get an early train to Naples and on o Pompeii first before the crowds and heat. Then see the museum on the way back.

Just to show that everyone will have different reactions: to me, Pompeii was just a lot of old stones. People will say it's "history come to life," but it wasn't for me. But the Archeology Museum in Naples was one of my favorites anywhere. There, history came alive, and how!

So, I agree with the recommendation to see both (Pompeii first, just to beat the crowds). They really are quite different experiences.