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Everything You Need to Know About Pompeii Entrances

You can best experience ancient Roman culture in Pompeii, 150 miles south of Rome. Once a thriving Roman city, tragedy struck with the volcanic eruption of Mount Vesuvius. Centuries later, the perfectly-preserved ruins were recovered, making Pompeii a startling attraction.

Pompeii has three entrances, and here is a detailed guide you can use to help you choose the correct entrance for your visit.

Where is Pompeii?

Pompeii Entrances

Pompeii Entrances Location and Getting There

Pompeii Entrances

1. Porta Marina

Porta Marina is the top entrance choice for visitors to Pompeii. It is opposite the Pompeii Scavi train station and offers access to several facilities, including shops to buy souvenirs, information kiosks, etc. Visitors with mobility issues can also enter Pompeii through the Porta Marina and explore the ruins of Pompeii through a specific path.

How to Reach? Porta Marina is closest to Pompei Scavi – Villa Dei Misteri train station. Trains from Sorrento stop here. You can also reach the Porta Marina entrance by buses D-E and SITA.

Entrance Timings: You can explore Pompeii between 8:30 AM to 7 PM. The last entrance is at 5:30 PM.

Average Wait Time: Depending on the time and date of your visit, you can expect a wait time between 1-2 hours.

Pompeii Entrances

2. Piazza Anfiteatro

Enter through the Piazza Anfiteatro to access Pompeii's most important sites. Piazza Anfiteatro is the closest entrance to modern Pompeii and lies just 15 minutes from Porta Marina, the main entrance. You can find several facilities at the entrance, including an ATM, a bookshop, and toilets. People with mobility issues can find a dedicated path that takes them through different sites in Pompeii.

How to Reach? Piazza Anfiteatro is 15 minutes away from the Porta Marina entrance. If you're taking a bus to Mount Vesuvius, Piazza Anfiteatro will be the last stop.

Entrance Timings: You can enter through Piazza Anfiteatro between 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM.

Average Wait Time: The waiting time at Piazza Anfiteatro can range from 1-2 hours, depending on the time and date of your visit.

Pompeii Entrances

3. Piazza Esedra

Piazza Esedra is reserved for group tours. Despite being close to the Porta Marina entrance, it is less crowded. The lack of facilities at the entrance is one of the main reasons why visitors skip entering Pompeii from Piazza Esedra. However, that also means there's less waiting time.

How to Reach? Piazza Esedra is close to the Porta Marina entrance. Bus. no 105, 150F, 170, 590, 60, 910, and H pass close to the Piazza Esedra entrance. If you're taking the FL5 or R train, you can get down at Pompeii Scavi train station and walk to Piazza Esedra.

Entrance Timings: You can enter Pompeii through Piazza Esedra between 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM.

Average Wait Time: The waiting time at Piazza Esedra is the least among the three entrances because it is mainly used for group tours. However, there could be crowds if you travel during the peak season.

Which Pompeii Entrance Do I Choose?

The three entrances to Pompeii are suited for different types of visitors:

  • Those coming by train should enter through Porta Marina as it is closest to the Pompeii Scavi train station.
  • You can choose the Piazza Anfiteatro if you want to experience the modern town of Pompeii and directly jump to the most important sites of the ancient Roman city, like the forum and amphitheater.
  • The Piazza Esedra entrance is a better option if you're visiting with a group or need an entrance to Pompeii with fewer crowds.

Queues at Pompeii

Depending on the entrance you enter from, you'll see two lines:

Queue 1: This is for visitors who are yet to purchase a ticket to the site.

Queue 2: Stand in this queue if you already have a ticket to Pompeii.

Queue 3: Porta Marina entrance also comes with a priority access lane. Use this if you have priority access tickets to Pompeii.

Disabled Access at Pompeii

Pompeii is an ancient Roman city with ruins dating back centuries. The excavations have made the ground uneven, but you can still explore the ruins of Pompeii in a wheelchair. 

Both the Porta Marina and Piazza Anfiteatro entrances have a dedicated path for visitors with mobility issues. The latter, along with Piazza Esedra, also offers an accessible route called 'Pompeii per tutti,' or 'Pompeii for all' to help visitors explore Pompeii.

Porta Marina, meanwhile, has a wheelchair ramp to provide a comfortable entry experience for visitors in a wheelchair.

How to Enter Pompeii?

You need a ticket to enter Pompeii. Offline tickets are available, but it is better to buy online as you can get discounts and skip-the-line tickets. Once you have your ticket, depending on your mode of commute, you can enter through different gates to Pompeii.

If you're traveling by train, enter through Porta Marina. It is closest to the Pompeii Scavi train station, barely a few minutes away. Visitors with mobility issues will find a dedicated path through this gate. If you're with a group, enter through Piazza Esedra, while Piazza Anfiteatro is the better option if you want to first explore the amphitheater, forum, and other important sites of Pompeii.




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Frequently Asked Questions About Pompeii Entrances

Q. Where is the Pompeii entrance?

A. Pompeii has three entrances. Porta Marina is located opposite the Pompeii Scavi train station and is the most popular entrance. The Piazza Esedra entrance is close, while Piazza Anfiteatro, the nearest entrance to modern Pompeii, is 15 minutes from Porta Marina.

Q. How many Pompeii entrances are there?

A. The three Pompeii entrances are Porta Marina, Piazza Anfiteatro, and Piazza Esedra.

Q. Which is the best Pompeii entrance?

A. The three Pompeii entrances are fit for different visitors. Porta Marina is the best choice for those traveling by train, Piazza Anfiteatro gives immediate access to the best sites in Pompeii, and Piazza Esedra is better for groups.

Q. What is the average wait time at the Pompeii entrance?

A. The average wait time at the Pompeii entrances varies with each entrance. Still, you can expect an average waiting time of 1-2 hours.

Q. Which Pompeii entrance do skip-the-line ticket holders use?

A. Those who have purchased skip-the-line ticket should use the Porta Marina entrance.

Q. Which Pompeii entrance is used for guided tours?

A. The Piazza Esedra entrance is used for guided tours.

Q. Which Pompeii entrance do visitors with disabilities use?

A. Visitors with disabilities can use either the Porta Marina or Piazza Anfiteatro entrance.

Q. Which Pompeii entrance do I use if I have already purchased tickets?

A. You can use either of the three entrances if you already have tickets to Pompeii.

Q. Which Pompeii entrance do I use if I don't have tickets?

A. You can use the Porta Marina entrance if you do not have tickets to Pompeii.

Q. Which Pompeii entrance should I use if I'm traveling with a group?

A. Use the Piazza Esedra entrance if you're traveling with a group to Pompeii.

Q. How can I avoid waiting in line for a long time at Pompeii?

A. You can avoid waiting in line for long by buying skip-the-line tickets to Pompeii. Click here to book now.

Q. What are the Pompeii timings?

A. Pompeii is open most of the year between 8:30 AM and 7 PM. Gates are closed for entry at 5:30 PM. However, from November to March, the site closes early, at 5:30 PM. It is entirely closed on three days of the year: 25 December, 1 January, and 1 May.

Q. What time should I visit Pompeii to avoid waiting in line?

A. Arrive early in the morning in Pompeii to avoid long queues.