GemmaIf you’ve ever dreamed of stepping back in time and wandering through streets frozen for centuries, Pompeii is calling your name. This ancient Roman city, buried under volcanic ash in 79 AD by Mount Vesuvius, is more than just ruins—it’s a vivid glimpse into a world that once thrived with life, drama, and even a bit of everyday chaos. Whether you’re a history buff, an archaeology enthusiast, or simply someone who enjoys exploring places that tell stories older than most countries, Pompeii has something for you.
From my own personal experience, visiting Pompeii feels like walking onto a movie set, except this set is real, raw, and layered with stories waiting to be uncovered. Every corner has something to marvel at, from grand villas to tiny bakeries, from mosaics to graffiti that could make you laugh or gasp in awe. If you want to experience Pompeii in a way that truly honors its history, here are the ten things you absolutely must do.
1. Wander the Streets of Ancient Pompeii
The first thing you notice when stepping into Pompeii is the streets themselves. Unlike modern cities, these ancient roads tell a story. The stone-paved streets, complete with raised crosswalks and deep ruts from chariot wheels, make it easy to imagine Romans bustling about in togas.
Walking these streets is more than sightseeing; it’s a chance to immerse yourself in a city that existed almost 2,000 years ago. You can see where shops once opened, bakeries thrived, and homes welcomed families. From my own personal experience, taking the time to just stroll without rushing helps you absorb the scale and reality of this ancient city in a way that reading a guidebook never could.
As you walk, notice the patterns on the stepping stones, designed to help pedestrians avoid puddles while carts rolled through. Every detail tells a story about daily life, innovation, and survival.
2. Explore the Forum – Heart of Ancient Life
The Forum was Pompeii’s beating heart, the central square where politics, religion, and social life intersected. Imagine senators discussing laws, merchants selling goods, and citizens gossiping about the latest scandal. The Forum is where you can truly feel the pulse of the city.
Here, you’ll see temples dedicated to Jupiter, Apollo, and other Roman deities. These temples aren’t just architectural marvels; they represent the spiritual and cultural life that shaped the community. Based on my overall experience, standing in the Forum while imagining the vibrancy of everyday life makes the city feel alive again, even under layers of ash.
Don’t forget to look at the inscriptions carved into stones. They are messages from the past—public notices, political propaganda, or simple names etched by someone who once walked the same streets you are walking now.
3. Visit the Amphitheater
If Pompeii were a movie, the amphitheater would be its action scene. Built in 80 BC, it’s one of the oldest surviving Roman amphitheaters. Gladiators, performances, and even wild animal fights took place here, drawing crowds from all over the region.
The structure itself is impressive, with seating carved into stone and passages designed for efficient crowd movement. It’s easy to imagine the excitement and tension during an event. Based on my overall experience, standing in the middle of the arena makes you realize how advanced Roman engineering was. The acoustics, the layout, and even the emergency exits all show remarkable foresight for that era.
If you time your visit well, you might catch guides or reenactments that bring these historic events to life, adding a vivid layer to your understanding of ancient entertainment.
4. Explore the Villas and Houses
Pompeii wasn’t just a city of public life—it was home to families, traders, and artists. Walking through the villas and houses, you’ll notice the difference between the homes of the wealthy and the common citizens.
The House of the Faun is a must-see, famous for its stunning mosaics and grandeur. It’s a place where you can see art, architecture, and lifestyle combined into one immersive experience. Similarly, the House of the Vettii offers a glimpse into the luxurious life of merchants, complete with frescoes depicting mythological scenes and everyday activities.
From my own personal experience, exploring these homes is like stepping into a storybook. Each room, each decoration, tells you who lived there, what they valued, and even what made them laugh or celebrate.
5. Discover the Thermopolium – Ancient Fast Food
One of the most delightful surprises in Pompeii is the thermopolium, essentially an ancient fast-food restaurant. These small establishments served hot food and drinks to locals on the go. Seeing the counters with embedded jars for storing food makes you realize that the Romans were not only sophisticated but also practical.
Based on my overall experience, visiting a thermopolium is like seeing history from a very human perspective. People back then had routines, cravings, and favorite dishes just like you do today. You can even spot remnants of carbonized food, offering a tangible link to daily life nearly 2,000 years ago.
6. Admire the Frescoes and Mosaics
Art lovers will find themselves enchanted by Pompeii’s frescoes and mosaics. From mythological scenes to depictions of ordinary life, the artwork provides insight into the values, humor, and aesthetics of the time.
The Villa of the Mysteries is particularly famous for its dramatic frescoes, thought to depict ritual ceremonies. The colors, preserved under volcanic ash, are remarkably vivid, even after centuries. Walking through these spaces, it’s impossible not to feel a connection with the artists who painstakingly created these masterpieces.
From my own personal experience, the mosaics in homes and public buildings make the city feel alive. They are not just decorations—they are messages, jokes, and records from people who lived long ago.
7. Visit the Lupanar – A Peek into Private Life
Pompeii wasn’t all temples and forums. The city also had a red-light district, known as the Lupanar. This place gives a glimpse into the private, and sometimes risqué, side of Roman society.
The frescoes and carvings here are explicit yet fascinating, showing that humor, desire, and commerce intertwined even in ancient times. Based on my overall experience, visiting the Lupanar is not just about shock value—it’s about understanding human behavior, culture, and how cities managed different aspects of life.
This visit also reminds you that history isn’t just grand monuments and epic events; it’s messy, real, and occasionally humorous.
8. Walk the Gardens and Public Spaces
While Pompeii is often thought of as stone and ruins, it also had lush gardens, public parks, and open spaces. These areas were places to relax, socialize, and escape the busy streets.
The Villa of the Mysteries has some of the most preserved garden areas, showing Roman landscaping and plant choices. Walking these spaces today, you can imagine children playing, merchants chatting, or neighbors gossiping under the shade of olive trees.
From my own personal experience, taking a moment in these green spaces gives you a sense of balance and beauty, reminding you that life in Pompeii was about more than survival—it was about living.
9. Learn at the Archaeological Museum
While Pompeii itself is an open-air museum, the Naples Archaeological Museum offers context, artifacts, and deeper insights. Here, you can see tools, jewelry, pottery, and casts of actual victims, which tell stories that the ruins alone cannot.
Based on my overall experience, visiting the museum after walking Pompeii enhances your understanding tremendously. You connect the objects with the spaces you’ve seen, making history tangible and deeply personal.
The museum also provides fascinating exhibits on the eruption of Vesuvius, giving scientific and human perspectives on the catastrophic event that froze the city in time.
10. Experience the Streets at Sunrise or Sunset
Finally, don’t rush through Pompeii. While most visitors arrive mid-morning and leave by afternoon, the real magic happens during sunrise or sunset. The light casts long shadows on the ruins, the streets are quiet, and you can feel a sense of intimacy with the past.
From my own personal experience, walking the city in the soft morning light or under a golden sunset transforms the ruins into something almost spiritual. You’re not just seeing history—you’re feeling it. It’s a moment of reflection and connection that words and photos rarely capture.
Pompeii is more than a tourist destination. It’s a storybook of life, loss, and human resilience. From streets worn by carts to frescoes still vibrant, from bustling forums to quiet villas, every step you take is a step into history. For anyone who loves to explore, to marvel, and to connect with the lives of those who came before us, Pompeii is a place you’ll truly love.
Whether you’re a history aficionado or just curious about the past, these ten activities will help you see Pompeii in a way that goes beyond sightseeing. You’ll explore, you’ll learn, and most importantly, you’ll experience a city that has fascinated the world for nearly two millennia.
I’m Gemma, a passionate lifestyle blogger sharing my creative world with you. Gemitaliano.com is my little corner of the internet, glad you’re here.