Where Is Pompeii Located?

Surely you’ve heard about Pompeii, it’s glorious past, and the tragic event that changed it all. Curious to know where this ancient Roman town is? Let’s find out together.

Where exactly is Pompeii located? Pompeii is located near the city of Naples. It is included in the Campania region which is in the southern part of Italy. On the west side of Pompeii is Mount Vesuvius, an active volcano. The latitude of Pompeii is 43.1863 while its longitude is -84.6017. 

Planning your visit to Pompeii? Before that, why don’t we dig deeper into the location of this UNESCO World Heritage site and the interesting stories that go with it? 

Where is Pompeii Located on the Map?

Pompeii at a Glance

Pompeii is an ancient Roman city preserved by the layers of volcanic ash spewed by nearby Mount Vesuvius. The archaeological site is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that welcomes millions of keen visitors each year. Sharing this distinction are two nearby sites: Herculaneum and Torre Annunziata.

The area of Pompeii measures about 170 acres or 69 hectares. Within its boundaries are well-preserved ruins that include houses, streets and buildings. There are also plaster casts of the victims of Mount Vesuvius’ deadly eruption.

 Here are some of the key places in Pompeii:

• Forum – the central square of the city
• Amphitheater – one of the oldest surviving examples of a Roman amphitheater
• The Villa of the Mysteries and the Villa of the Papyri, among others
• The House of the Faun – one of the largest and most luxurious houses
• The Temple of Apollo, Temple of Jupiter, and Temple of Venus, among others
• Stabian Baths, Forum Baths, and Central Baths, among others

Distance of Pompeii to UK Destinations

Distance of Pompeii to Other Destinations in Italy

Fun Facts About Pompeii

1. Pompeii was once a thriving Roman city. Its economy, society and culture are just some of the many things that flourished during the first century AD. Because it was near the sea and its surroundings were fertile, trade and commerce set the city up for prosperity.
2. The eruption of the nearby Mount Vesuvius changed Pompeii for life. In 79 AD, the tragic event buried the city under layers of volcanic ash and debris. The city was “frozen in time,” as the eruption allowed for Pompeii to be exceptionally preserved.
3. The eruption that buried Pompeii lasted for at least three days. The ashfall is said to have even reached some areas in Egypt, Syria, and Rome. While there had been claims that Mount Vesuvius started erupting on August 24, 79 AD, nobody knows for sure.
4. The buried city of Pompeii was discovered in the 17th century through excavation works. Because of the unique preservation of the area, a lot has been discovered about ancient Roman architecture, art, and culture.
5. You can see explicit art scattered around Pompeii. This erotic side of the ancient city is found in frescoes, mosaics, and sculptures. This is said to be common in Roman culture as their society tends to be more open and relaxed towards sexuality compared to other ancient societies.
6. The people that were unfortunately buried along with the whole city are said to have great-looking and strong teeth. As research suggests, this is probably because of the healthy diet that the people consumed, which included various fruits, vegetables, grains, and dairy products.
7. The residents of Pompeii seemed to love having snacks outside. There were a lot of what they called “thermopolia” which were ancient fast food stalls that served mid day meals. 
8. Bathhouses are important to the Romans. Pompeii has several well-preserved bathhouses. These were the Pompeian patricians’ favorite pastime, and the ones in the city were the most popular because both men and women could use them. 
9. The social hierarchy in Pompeii is very distinct. You can tell from the huge difference in the size and luxury of the houses in the ancient city. The wealthy people built well-adorned villas to showcase their affluence.
10. “Lupanars” are popular in Pompeii, so you can find a lot of them there. These are brothels that are decorated with explicit paintings and inscriptions. Prostitution was legal and regulated during the ancient times in Rome, and so people go to lupanars to pay for sexual services.

More About Pompeii

• Wondering how to get from Rome to Pompeii? I listed down the possible ways to get there, including the corresponding ticket rates and travel duration. The best way to get there for me is definitely by joining a tour.
• Naples and Pompeii are well-connected with each other. In my article, you’ll find the available modes of transport when travelling between these two destinations. The cheapest way to do so is by riding the train!
• What is there to do in Pompeii? There are actually lots, and this ancient town does not fail to impress at every turn. When I was there, I paid a visit to the Pompeii Archaeological Park and the Pontifical Shrine of the Blessed Virgin of the Rosary of Pompeii, among other places.
• During my trip to Italy, I discovered the erotic side of Pompeii. Read on to find out the vast history that can be uncovered by joining a tour around this area.

• Pompeii is easily accessible from neighboring areas in Italy. I trust Trainline and Omio when it comes to booking trains and bus rides. If I need to book a flight to where Pompeii is, I go to Skyscanner. When I am thinking of going on a ferry ride to Pompeii, Direct Ferries saves me a lot of time by giving me all options in just one click.
• Have I enticed you enough to finally book that trip to Pompeii? Get Your Guide will help you jumpstart your itinerary planning and explore possible activities in advance. This small group tour with an archaeologist, for example, allows you to skip the line and go directly to the more exciting parts of the experience.

Frequently Asked Questions About Pompeii

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Everything Zany

Travel Blog

Everything Zany Travel Blog exploring the UK and beyond. Sharing travel guides, tips, history, and culture. Our travel media brand is founded by travel and hotel industry expert – Ryazan Tristram, a Dual Citizen (British – Filipina) based in Birmingham, UK. Everything Zany is a reputable and award-winning travel blog. Our work and contributions have been featured in Huffington Post, CNBC, Discovery Channel, GMA, Readers Digest, and Lonely Planet. Our missions are to build a great travel community and resource of travel tips, visas, and travel guides for travelers. Join us as we travel around the UK and beyond with a mission to share the best of the world.