Pompeii Archaeological Park

The tragedy changed everything, yet it also extraordinarily “preserved” an entire urban fabric. Today, Pompeii is a walkable history: streets, squares, baths, shops, houses, and villas reveal how a thriving southern Italian city lived during the height of the Roman Empire.

The most powerful experience of visiting lies in the details. On the cobblestone streets, you can still see the tracks of carts; inside the houses, frescoes, mosaics, and courtyards evoke daily life, while around the forum, the backdrop of public and religious life comes into view. The site is vast, so it’s worth planning ahead which areas to focus on: beyond the central forum and main streets, the richly decorated domus, baths, and theatres are particularly memorable.

Pompeii is also a thought-provoking destination from a sustainable tourism perspective. Preserving this World Heritage site is a shared responsibility: the condition of the monuments, the fragile wall paintings, the pressures of mass tourism, and the effects of climate change all present challenges that require mindful visitor behaviour. The most important thing you can do is embrace “slow” exploration: choose fewer but more meaningful spots within the site, avoid the busiest times, and take the time to truly understand the place. Following designated routes, respecting restrictions, and treating the ruins with care are not just rules but essential for preservation.

Your experience of the site will be greatly enhanced if you combine your visit with responsible exploration of the surrounding area. Consider choosing local service providers, dining in local restaurants, and, if possible, spending more time in the region rather than ticking off Pompeii as a one-day excursion. This way, your visit becomes not only an intense cultural experience but also a more balanced way of supporting the local economy.

Pompeii is both awe-inspiring and poignant: a city “frozen” at the moment of its destruction, offering an unparalleled and honest glimpse into human life, daily routines, and fragility. If you explore it with open eyes, attention, and responsibility, you’ll gain more than just a sightseeing experience – you’ll have a rare, profound encounter with the past.