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Where to Stay near Pompeii Excavation Site

There’s a huge amount to see in Pompei, so it’s worth setting aside a full day to explore the excavation site. Although the Pompeii Excavation Site is easily accessible from central Naples via the Circumvesuviana train, it can be easier to spend the night nearby in the town of Pompeii, where there is a good selection of accommodation options. Travellers trying to conserve their cash will find a good choice of cheap hotels and budget guesthouses near Pompeii, many of which offer large rooms suitable for families or groups.

Pompeii: A City Frozen in Time

Pompeii was established around the 6th and 7th centuries BC, and developed into a prosperous and thriving Roman city over several hundred years. All of that was wiped out one August night in AD 79, when a sudden and cataclysmic eruption of Mount Vesuvius buried the city under a thick layer of ash and lava.

What makes the Pompeii Excavation Site unique is its level of preservation. Much of the volcanic material was composed of lapilli, a soft stone that surrounded and preserved buildings, bodies and even signs on doorways.

Pompeii was rediscovered in the 15th Century, and excavations began in earnest in the 18th century. Excavations at the site are ongoing and continue to unearth superb examples of ancient Roman buildings, many of which can be viewed by the public.

Highlights of the Pompeii Excavation Site

Most visitors make a beeline for the Pompeii Amphitheatre and the Alexander Mosaic in the House of the Faun, which depicts a battle scene. Perhaps the greatest highlight of the site, however, is the public baths and communal toilets, which are noted for the sophistication of the plumbing. These, together with the many houses, villas, workshops and other buildings here, offer a captivating account of everyday life in a Roman city.

Sign up for a guided tour or bring a map and an audio guide to help you understand all you see. It is also worth bringing a hat and sunscreen as the site can get very hot.