Discover the best entrance to Pompeii

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.

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.