We're planning a trip to Pompeii following Rick Steves Rome tour in December. I'm inclined to stop in Naples and visit the Archeological Museum and then go onto Pompeii and spend a couple of nights there rather than do it as a daytrip from Naples, but wondering whether anyone has done this or has advice. We tend to be happier in smaller cities (following this we plan to go to Salerno, and on an earlier trip, we preferred Padua and Sienna to Rome and Venice). It's hard to find out much about Pompeii other than the ruins and Vesuvius--which I'm also debating on whether is worth doing.
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I think there can be value in staying in a smaller town, but I really found Pompei fairly dreary. I'd extend your time in Salerno and visit as a day trip if you are dead set against Naples (which is a ton of fun but yes can be a bit overwhelming).
Though, I have heard that there is a Michelin starred restaurant in Pompei if you are into food. That kind of thing can often lead me to stay a place I might not otherwise stay: https://www.thefork.com/restaurant/president-r471707
I am an avid hiker but did not feel especially called to climb up Vesuvius--you are rarely out of its view, and I found that more compelling. But if you don't already have Paestum on your list, it is really impressive.
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3459 posts
We spent 4 nights in Pompei in 2022. In addition to Pompeii, we used it as a base for Herculaneum, Oplontis, Stabiae, and actually visited the MANN as a day trip from Pompei. Honestly, I wish we had used that day to go back to Pompeii instead - many of the most famous mosaics were on loan to other museums at that time.
The area in front of the Porta Marina entrance to Pompeii is crowded and tour bus central - not very appealing. But we stayed at the Hotel Forum, across the street from the Piazza Anfiteatro entrance - less chaotic, and you can see the Amphitheater from the street. Our room had a beautiful view of Vesuvius.
If you walk along the main drag to the Duomo and turn right, you will find a delightful piazza full of people doing their thing - but you won't find a lot of American tourists. Fortunately, Rick Steves tells his minions that Pompei is an "ugly modern city." The restaurant Garum was a highlight of our trip, actually a highlight of our travels.
It's true that there aren't, as far as I know, any blockbuster sites other than Pompeii - but if you've been exploring Pompeii, et al, I'm not sure what else you want to cram into a day. Our guide for Pompeii met us in the lobby of the hotel and we walked across the street to the ruins. We spent 4-5 hours with our guide from Askos (more than what we paid for). We walked from the Amphitheater to the Villa of the Mysteries - don't miss either one. Our Askos guides drove us to the other sites on other days, provided fantastic tours, and directed us to a great restaurant near Oplontis.
Here are some links:
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Following and hoping for addtional posts. We are planning to stay in Pompei a few nights. I was hoping to learn about other things to do as well... wine tours, cooking, beaches nearby.