| 1. Timing is essential: if you want to get the best | | | | two entrances Porta Marina (near the exit of Pompeii |
| experience possible. Know that at certain times of the | | | | Train Station) or Amphitheatro entrance from the |
| day, the site of Pompeii is more crowded than at | | | | modern town of Pompeii. |
| others. So, try to avoid the times when the cruise ship | | | | 6. Bring some cash to cover necessities: Credit cards |
| are running their shore excursions. | | | | are not accepted inside the site for food and other |
| 2. Indispensable things to have with you inside the site: | | | | necessities so ensure to have some cash with you. |
| A bottle of water, a sun hat, sun glasses, and proper | | | | There are ATM machines, but sometimes are |
| footwear for walking over uneven ground (i.e. flat | | | | unreliable. Also, none of the ticket offices accept cards. |
| shoes). | | | | (welcome to Italy!) |
| 3. Avoid Poor Quality Local Guides: Know that the | | | | 7. Finding your way around can be confusing: With |
| qualified local guides all carry the badge that shows | | | | three entrances (that also can be used as exits), in |
| they are authorized by the Campania region. Whilst this | | | | theory you can create an interesting one-way itinerary |
| is no guarantee these days that they are any good, it | | | | rather than staying close to the same entrance. |
| is at least a start. Also, know that the Pompeii site | | | | However, the site of Pompeii is huge and I help |
| guards are not qualified and should not be accepted if | | | | wayward visitors find their way to the exit every day. |
| they offer you their services. | | | | Get a map (included in your ticket price) at the |
| 4. There is a lack of decent bathrooms inside: | | | | entrance to help you avoid getting lost. |
| Unfortunately there is no way round this one. When | | | | 8. The absolute best thing you could do to enhance |
| nature calls, take in tissue paper into the site and/or | | | | your experience is to book an expert local guide: They |
| use the bathrooms before entering. | | | | can help you with much more than not getting lost. A |
| 5. Save time buying your ticket by avoiding the main | | | | true local expert guide can help interpret to you the |
| entrance:There are three entrances to Pompeii and by | | | | meaning of everything you will see while visiting this |
| avoiding the Piazza Esedra entrance at peak times, | | | | amazing 2000 year old Roman port town. |
| you can save time buying your ticket from the other | | | | |