Is Pompeii worth visiting?

Pompeii is an incredible place to visit, an Ancient Roman city frozen in time under the weight of the spewing ash and pumice that covered the city in AD 79.

Pompeii Italy

The Eruption of Mount Vesuvius devastated Pompeii, destroying the city and burying anywhere from 1,500 to 3,000 of its residents under the volcanic matter.

Any visit to Italy is incomplete without touring Pompeii, and that’s not just for checking out the ruins themselves. The archaeological site of Pompeii is in incredibly close proximity to some of Italy’s most gorgeous coastal scenery, and is totally worth taking the trip down from Rome or one of the other more northern Italian cities.

So, let’s take a look at what makes a tour of Pompeii such a fascinating historical experience!

  • Visiting Pompeii is like jumping in a time machine

    Given the way in which the city, and thousands of residents, are literally frozen in time. Legend has it that none of the residents was aware that Vesuvius was a volcano, as it had sneakily lay dormant for thousands of years! The unfortunate townsfolk were completely taken by surprise by the blast, and here many of them still lie today, as if they were getting on with their daily lives. It’s a sobering experience, but an incredible one for history lovers and tourists alike.

  • Naples is a gourmand’s dream town

    Alright, onto things more closely associated with la dolce vita than la morte vulcanica, Naples is one of the world’s best foodie cities! The southern Italian climate is perfect for growing delicious, juicy tomatoes, zucchinis, rocket and eggplants. What’s more, Naples is a cheese lover’s paradise, and wonderfully fresh buffalo mozzarella and fior di latte are dropped on top of flatbreads in the city’s famous pizzerias (where everyone’s favourite takeaway was invented, of course!).

  • Climb Mount Vesuvius

    Mount Vesuvius is still active, scary yes, but not scary enough to stop you from taking a guided tour across its fearsome peaks! Yes, you can take a tour of Pompeii’s natural destructor with a local guide who knows all about the natural makeup and history of the great volcano. After your awesome Pompeii adventure, make your way back up the Highway of the Sun to Rome, with the highway playing host to some of Italy’s most gorgeous rural scenery.

Related article: How much is a tour of Pompeii?

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