Walking Itineraries Inside Pompeii
There are three kinds of walk at Pompeii: a self-guided loop through the ancient streets, the park’s guided thematic itineraries, and the guided climb of Vesuvius nearby. Each has its own tickets and rules, and prices below are in euros.
Before you set off
Wear shoes with a firm sole, because the paving is uneven basalt. Most of the site has no shade, so carry water and cover your head. The ancient city is large enough that a half day is the shortest sensible visit. The park only admits small bags, up to 30 x 30 x 15 cm, and keeps free luggage storage at the entrances.
A self-guided loop
Begin at the Forum, where the Temple of Jupiter stands before Vesuvius. Pass the Basilica and the Macellum, then follow the streets into the residential area. The houses open from 15 August 2026 are Menander, Octavius Quartio, the Tragic Poet and Pansa, together with the Fullonica of Stephanus. Their daily hours are 09:15 to 18:20, and the last admission is 18:00. Finish at the amphitheatre, the oldest surviving stone amphitheatre. Entrances are at Porta Marina, Piazza Esedra and Piazza Anfiteatro, and the park timetable page lists current opening hours.
Guided itineraries
The Civic Pompeii and Daily Pompeii itineraries each take about 1.5 hours. They cost EUR 8 as an addition to the entry ticket, and children under 10 are free.
Walking Via dei Sepolcri
Via dei Sepolcri runs outside the ancient walls, and the walk along it ends at the Villa dei Misteri. This is the start of the suburban villas route, entered at Porta Ercolano. The route is part of Pompeii+ at EUR 25. Express ticket holders pay EUR 8 more, by card. Treat the road with respect, since it was a burial ground.
Climbing Vesuvius on Path No. 5
The Gran Cono path begins at Piazzale Quota 1000, where the road from Ercolano ends. You must walk with a guide from the Presidio Permanente Vulcano Vesuvio above 1,000 m. The short route takes up to 2 hours there and back, and the loop to Rifugio Imbo takes up to 3 hours. The route along the very top of the crater is closed. Tickets cost EUR 10 (EUR 11.68 with fees) and are sold only online by the authorised seller . Access starts at 09:00 and the last entry is 15:00 from November to February, 16:00 in March and October, 17:00 in April to June and September, and 18:00 in July and August. Each walk must end within an hour of that last entry time.
Both Vesuvius and the Campi Flegrei are active volcanoes under constant monitoring, with Italian emergency plans for each. The FCDO and US State Department websites carry current advice.
Reaching the start
From Naples, take the Circumvesuviana to Ercolano Scavi, then the Vesuvio Express, about 30 minutes. For the ancient city, Pompei Scavi-Villa dei Misteri station is by Porta Marina. Browse Viator for organised walks.
Read more: sightseeing in Pompei highlights what to see along each route.