Pompeii Entrances – Which One to Take?

Pompeii

The silent city of Pompeii, 150 miles south of Rome, offers the best of ancient Roman culture.

Once a thriving city, it was struck tragically by the volcanic eruption of Mount Vesuvius, making the Pompeii ruins a startling attraction.

If you plan to visit Pompeii, you must know that it has three entrances: Porta Marina, Piazza Anfiteatro, and Piazza Esedra.

Each entrance offers a unique character and is a gateway through this city’s history, culture and soul.

Scroll down to read about the different entrances to Pompeii and which one you should take.

Where is Pompeii?

Address: Pompeii, Metropolitan City of Naples, Campania, Italy.

This ancient Roman city is situated in the Campania area of southern Italy, approximately 150 miles south of Rome and 15 miles south of Naples.

Sorrento and Positano, on the Amalfi coast, are two nearby towns. The former is 16 miles from Pompeii, and Positano is 22 miles away.

Nearest Landmark: Mount Vesuvius [9 km].

Pompeii Entrances and How to Get There?

There are three different gates to enter Pompeii Archaeological Park. Below are the points about which one you should choose:

1. Piazza Porta Marina Entrance

Porta Marina is the top and most famous entrance choice for visitors, as it is closest to Scavi Station – Villa Dei Misteri train station.

You will find many amenities there, such as information kiosks and souvenir stores.

This entrance is even wheelchair accessible and people can see the Pompeii Ruins through a path specially made for them.

How to reach?

The best way to reach Ponta Marina is by train. Even trains from Sorrento stop there.

Another popular option is taking the Sita and D-E buses to reach the entrance.

Timings:

You can enter Pompeii between 9 am and 7 pm. The last entry is at 5.30 pm. The average wait time is 1 to 2 hours.

However, booking your tickets and getting priority site access can decrease the waiting time.

2. Piazza Anfiteatro Gate

If you want to visit Pompeii’s important sites, you must enter through the Anfiteatro gate.

It is a 15-minute walk from the main (Porta Marina) entrance and includes many facilities, such as toilets, bookshops, and ATMs.

How to reach?

The last stop on a bus headed to Mount Vesuvius is Piazza Anfiteatro.

Timings:

You can enter through the Anfiteatro gate between 8.30 am and 5.30 pm, and the average wait time is 1 to 2 hours, depending on the day of your visit.

3. Piazza Esedra Entrance

This entrance is adjacent to Piazza Marina and is only for those booking group tours.

It is the least crowded of the other entrances. However, big crowds will be during peak hours, holidays or busy seasons.

Also, the lack of facilities at this entrance is one reason why fewer visitors use it to enter Pompeii.

How to reach?

Take bus numbers 60, 105, 170, 590, 910, 150F, and H. If you are taking the FL5 or R train, you can get down at Scavi station and walk to the entrance.

Timings:

You can enter through the gate from 8.30 am to 5.30 pm.

How Long Are the Queues at the Pompeii Entances?

You will see two lines at each entrance:

Queue 1 is for visitors who need to purchase tickets on-site, and the waiting line can be long.
Queue 2 is for those already having a ticket to Pompeii, and the lines are comparatively short.

Which Entrance You Should Take?

Choosing a suitable entrance depends on your mode of transportation.

If you are traveling by train, choose Porta Marina Gate, which is closest to Scavi Station.

The Piazza Anfiteatro gate is the best option if you wish to see Pompeii’s modern town and immediately jump to the most important sites, such as the forum and amphitheater.

If you travel by bus or book a private tour, you can enter through the Piazza Esedra entrance, as most buses pass through this gate.

Disabled Access at Pompeii Entrances

Pompeii is an ancient ruins dating back centuries, which made the grounds uneven, but this will not stop you from exploring the ruins.

Both the Porta Marina and Piazza Anfiteatro entrances have wheelchair ramps, allowing visitors with mobility issues to explore the ruins comfortably.

The third entrance, Piazza Esedra, also offers an accessible route called “Pompeii per tutti” or “Pompeii for all” to help visitors explore Pompeii.

Contents

FAQs about Pompeii Entrances

1. How many Pompeii entrances are there?

The Pompeii archaeological site has three main entrances: Porta Marina, Piazza Anfiteatro, and Piazza Esedra.

2. Which is the best Pompeii entrance?

The main entrance, where the guides are, is Porta Marina, near the Pompeii Scavi station.

Only two hotels are near the main entrance, Hotel Mec and Hotel Ristorante Vittoria.

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

Typically, the wait time at Pompeii is between an hour and two, depending on the day of your visit and the time.

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

Skip-the-line ticket holders at Pompeii typically use the Porta Marina entrance.

This entrance is considered the main entrance to Pompeii. Visitors with tickets can bypass the queues and gain direct access to the archaeological site.

5. Which Pompeii entrance is used for guided tours?

The Pompeii entrances used for guided tours are Porta Marina and Piazza Esedra.

Guided tours can be requested between 9 am and 3 pm at these entrances.

6. Which Pompeii entrance do visitors with disabilities use?

Visitors with disabilities can use the Porta Marina, or Piazza Anfiteatro entrances to access the “Pompeii for All” route and other wheelchair-friendly archaeological site areas.

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

If you have already purchased tickets for Pompeii, you can use any of the three main entrances to the archaeological park: Porta Marina, Piazza Anfiteatro, or Piazza Esedra.