3-Hour Route with Villa dei Misteri
A roughly 3-hour walk in and out through Porta Marina, taking in the Forum, the northern houses and the Villa dei Misteri
Route map
Route stops
- 1Porta Marina Entrance
Main entrance to the Pompeii Archaeological Park, with an official ticket office. It is the busiest access point and the usual starting point for a general tour of the site.
- 2Suburban Baths
The Termas Suburbanas are private 1st-century bathhouses located outside Pompeya's walls, near Porta Marina. They're notable for the erotic frescoes adorning the changing room, which depicted various bathing practices. What makes them particularly significant is that one of the few original roofs to survive the eruption remains largely intact, offering a rare glimpse into the structure's original appearance.
0.2 km·3 min - 3Pompeii Antiquarium
The Antiquarium di Pompeya is an archaeological museum established in 1861 and rebuilt in 1948. It houses over 9,000 artefacts excavated from the site, including sculptures, frescoes, mosaics, jewellery and amphorae. The museum's most compelling exhibits are the famous plaster casts of more than 100 Vesuvius victims, preserved in their original positions at the moment of death. The collection presents a chronological display spanning from the Samnite period through to 79 AD, offering crucial insights into life before the catastrophic eruption.
0.2 km·3 min - 4Sanctuary of Apollo
The Sanctuary of Apollo ranks among Pompeya's oldest places of worship, with origins dating to the 6th century BC and a major redesign in the 2nd century BC. The sanctuary features a courtyard surrounded by 48 columns, a substantial altar bearing inscriptions, a sundial, and copies of sculptures depicting Apollo and Diana. It lies adjacent to the Forum, making it an essential what to see when visiting the archaeological site.
0.1 km·1 min - 50Basilica
The Basilica stands at the south-west corner of the Forum and is Pompeya's oldest and most significant public building. Built between 120 and 78 BC, it served dual purposes as both the seat of justice administration and the commercial heart of the city. Measuring 24 by 65 metres, it remains the finest example of pre-Roman architecture to visit in Pompeya and offers remarkable insight into the city's legal and commercial operations before the eruption of Vesuvius.
- 0.1 km·1 min
- 7Temple of Jupiter
The Temple of Jupiter dominates the northern edge of Pompeii's Forum, dating back to the 2nd century BC. Dedicated to the Capitoline Triad—Jupiter, Juno and Minerva—it remains the most impressive structure in the Forum precinct. The temple features Corinthian columns and houses several statues within. What to see here includes the temple's commanding position and its architectural details, which offer insights into Roman religious life and the town's civic importance before the eruption of Vesuvius in AD 79.
0.1 km·1 min - 8Macellum of Pompeii
The Macello di Pompeya is a second-century BC public food market situated at the north-east corner of the Forum. Its design centres on a columned courtyard with a fish-washing fountain and a central tholos. Retail shops line the perimeter, whilst the complex includes a meeting hall decorated with frescoes and a shrine housing imperial statues. What to see here offers genuine insight into Roman commerce and daily life at Pompeya.
0.2 km·2 min - 9Temple of the Public Lares
The Temple of the Public Lares stands on the eastern side of Pompeii's Forum and served as a shrine to the Lares—Roman guardian deities believed to protect the entire community. Unlike the household Lares that watched over individual homes, these public counterparts represented civic protection. The temple occupies a rectangular footprint measuring approximately 18 by 20–21 metres and opens directly onto the Forum plaza, emphasising its public role and accessibility. It remains an important example of Pompeian religious architecture.
0.2 km·2 min - 10Templo de Vespasiano
This small tetrastyle temple in the Forum was dedicated to imperial worship, also known as the Temple of the Genius Augusti. The highlight is its sculpted marble altar, which bears a sacrificial scene, complemented by lateral niches and decorative reliefs. What to see here are the finely worked marble elements that testify to Roman religious practice and imperial veneration in Pompeii.
0.1 km·1 min - 11Building of Eumaquia
This imposing building on the Forum was commissioned by the priestess Eumaquia and served as the headquarters for the guild of dyers and fullers. It forms the eastern boundary of the Forum with a magnificent marble Portico of the Concordia Augusta, dedicated to the Concordia and Pietas Augusta. What to see here includes the fine architectural details and the historical significance of this well-preserved Roman structure, which offers insight into Pompeii's commercial and religious life before the eruption of Vesuvius in AD 79.
0.2 km·2 min - 12Curia
The Curia at Pompeii housed the city's political administration and stood at the heart of the Forum, surrounded by other civic buildings that formed the administrative centre of this ancient Roman town. This building exemplifies the architectural layout typical of Roman municipal government during the 1st century AD.
0.1 km·1 min - 13House of Championnet
Roman residence in Regio VIII, insula 2 of Pompeii, built on the southern city wall with privileged views of the Gulf of Naples. It owes its name to the French general Championnet during the first excavations at the end of the 18th century. Architecturally notable for its two-level system: upper floor with atrium, tablinum and peristyle hanging over a volcanic base; lower with a cryptoporticus and vaulted rooms. Preserves Fourth Style painting and mosaic floors.
0.1 km·2 min - 14House of the Geometric Mosaics
One of Pompeii's largest domus, with geometric mosaic floors and views over the bay.
0.3 km·4 min - 15Forum Baths
Built in 80 BC and situated just north of the Forum, the Forum Baths are among Pompeii's best-preserved public bathing complexes. Separate sections for men and women showcase the sophistication of Roman bathing culture. What to see includes the elegant stucco decoration throughout, whilst the male caldarium and tepidarium are particularly noteworthy for their fine garden frescoes. The intricate architectural details and wall paintings offer genuine insight into daily Roman life before Vesuvius's eruption in AD 79.
0.1 km·1 min - 16House of the Faun
One of Pompeii's largest and most opulent townhouses, spanning roughly 3,000 m², with origins dating to the 2nd century BC during the Samnite period. The Casa del Fauno is renowned for its bronze dancing faun statue and a copy of the celebrated Alexander Mosaic depicting the Battle of Issos. The residence occupies an entire city block and features two atria and two peristyles, offering what to see of considerable architectural grandeur and artistic merit from the Roman era.
0.1 km·2 min - 17House of the Small Fountain
Roman house in Regio VI of Pompeii from the 1st century BC, famous for the mosaic fountain adorned with shells in the peristyle that gives it its name, distinguishing it from the nearby Casa della Fontana Grande. The walls preserve Fourth Style frescoes with mythological figures, architectural landscapes and nature scenes. Excavated between 1827 and 1829.
0.1 km·1 min - 18House of the Tragic Poet
Casa del Poeta Tragico is a renowned Roman house in Pompeya famous for its striking entrance mosaic depicting a guard dog with the inscription 'CAVE CANEM' – a warning clearly visible from the street. The interior features remarkable frescoes with theatrical scenes, episodes from the Iliad, and depictions of actors in rehearsal. What to see here offers genuine insight into both the artistic tastes and daily life of a wealthy Roman household frozen in time by Vesuvius.
0.8 km·10 min - 19House of the Mysteries
Villa of the Mysteries is a substantial 2nd-century BC suburban residence in Pompeii, renowned for its exceptional frescoes in the Second Pompeian style. The paintings depict Dionysian initiation rites in remarkable detail. The villa was self-sufficient, producing its own wine, and comprises 90 rooms. A significant visit for anyone interested in Roman domestic life and artistic achievement.
1.1 km·16 min - 20Porta Marina Entrance
Main entrance to the Pompeii Archaeological Park, with an official ticket office. It is the busiest access point and the usual starting point for a general tour of the site.
