Pompeii Italy Tourism (2020) Travel Guide Top Places

"The City of Ruins"

Pompeii Tourism

Pompeii, city and comune in the province of Naples, is surrounded by hills and is home to the ruins of the ancient city of Pompeii - which was completely destroyed during the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in AD 79. The ruined city is part of the UNESCO World Heritage site, and draws close to 25 Lakh tourists every year.

The town of Pompeii is a favourite among the tourists to Italy as it is one of the finest ways to go back in time. Pompeii lies on the eastern border of the province of Naples in southern Italy, and is close to the ancient ruined city of Pompeii, which is buried in layers of volcanic ash. Pompeii is nestled in the shadow of Mt Vesuvius. The old city was forgotten for centuries. In AD 1599, during certain underground digging, the ancient walls with paintings were discovered, but were soon forgotten again. Later, towards the 18th and 19th century, after a series of excavations, more paintings, frescoes and artifacts were found. Today, tourists visit this old city to see the wide variety of it's excavations and to learn about the rich history of southern Italy.

Places to Visit In Pompeii

Scavi di Pompeii (Excavations of Pompeii)

Sanctuary of the Madonna of the Rosary

Villa dei Misteri

Forum

Teatro Grande

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History of Pompeii

Pompeii was founded in the 6th or 7th century BC by the Oscans of the early Campania region. The city was conquered and came under Rome around 80 BC and this became an ancient Roman city near the south western coast of Italy. Pompeii was completely destroyed when the active volcano Vesuvius erupted. The volcano killed all the inhabitants, and covered everything with thick layers of ash.

Nightlife in Pompeii

Pompeii is not famous for its night life. However, you will find a couple of bars and resto-pubs in the city such as Passion Caf_ and Open Bar Pompeii. Food and drinks can be slightly over priced here.

Shopping in Pompeii

Unlike the bigger cities in Italy, shopping isn't what Pompeii is known for. Having said that, you can find a good deal on guide books, maps and other memorabilia here. You can also find interesting 'past and present' books to compare the ancient Pompeii with the modern city.

Currency in Pompeii

The official currency in Italy, which is part of the Eurozone, is Euro. Even smaller establishments use Euro as this is the single currency used. The Italian Lira was used only up to 1999.

Exchanging Money in Pompeii

Exchanging currency in Pompeii is not difficult, however, in terms of exchange rates, you may not get a good deal. There are several exchange booths and before doing any transaction, ask for that day's rate and any fee, if applicable. A better alternative is to use your ATM card to withdraw money in local currency. Most ATMs in Pompeii accept foreign cards.

Daily Budget for Pompeii

Per day costs in Pompeii for a budget trip can start from EUR 100 - EUR 150. These costs include three meals a day, some alcohol, transportation, accommodation and entry passes for attractions. Eating in fancy restaurants, shopping, and other small upgrades can almost double that amount per day. Luxury travel in Pompeii can range between EUR 250 and 300.

Religion of Pompeii

Christianity is the largest religion in the city, within which Catholicism is vastly popular.

Pompeii Customs

Italians are known for their localism - they respect family values and give importance to clothing too. It is always a good idea to be well dressed in restaurants or tourist spots. Contribution of Italians to both culture and historical heritage is significant. Italy is world famous for it's food and music. Common in Italy, but specifically in Naples, it is good to know basic hand gestures for communication.

Language of Pompeii

The main language spoken in Italy is of course Italian. However, in the Campania region of Southern Italy where Pompeii is located, the Neapolitan language (currently called the Naples Dialect) is widely spoken. English is the common foreign language spoken, however, most locals would have below average knowledge of English. Tourists will not have difficuty though, as there are plenty of English speaking tour guides.

Restaurants and Local Food in Pompeii

The local cuisine in and around Naples concentrates on pasta, vegetables available all year round (sun dried tomatoes, zucchini, egg-plant), freshly baked food such as bread and pizza, seafood and rice. Termed as the Neapolitan cuisine, it is also very famous for various varieties of cheese, including cheese from sheep's milk. The margherita pizza was supposedly born near Naples.
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