Can you name many ghost towns off the top of your head? The first thing that came to my mind is Pompeii. The tragedy whose echoes have reached us through the centuries. It was so horrific that it has found its reflection in all fields of culture: movies, books, compositions. And indeed, just think about it, the destruction of a whole city by a cataclysm, a volcanic eruption,occurred in 79 AD, but even today this topic is so interesting that hundreds of thousands of tourists come to the Pompeii archaeological complex to see this legendary place with their own eyes. So, I didn't want to lag behind them. And here I will share my opinion about this ghost town.
Firstly, if you like to walk slowly and explore all the sights in detail, refuse a group tour, they leave 2-3 hours for Pompeii, while the city is large enough and replete with details and views that you can spend all day exploring . Your option is an audio guide or an individual guide, it all depends on your budget. It is better to take care of the guide in advance - there is a good queue for a month ahead, but there will be plenty of audio guides on the way to the entrance.
Secondly, comfortable shoes and clothes. Cobbled streets, elevation changes, steps - all this is categorically not suitable for shoes, boots and sandals. The most ideal option is sneakers or comfortable boots. You will have to walk a lot. As for clothing, dress for the season, but don't forget that Pompeii lies at the foot of a volcano. The weather is changeable in this place. In the heat, be sure to apply sunblock to your body, take a hat and stock up on drinking water. Unfortunately, there are few shadows in Pompeii.
Thirdly, in addition to water, you can take a snack for a quick hand, it will be a shame if hunger spoils your tour of this historical place. There are a couple of cafes on the territory, but they are always crowded with people, the prices are higher and the quality of the dishes is streaming. A couple of protein bars, a pack of biscuits or fruit will give you a chance to grab a bite to eat and continue exploring. And after that, outside the archaeological complex, you can enjoy the wonderful Neapolitan cuisine in numerous restaurants and pizzerias.
And below I will tell and show you the locations that personally made the biggest impression on me.
The amphitheater is a large-scale arena designed for 20,000 seats. Gladiator fights took place here long before the construction of the famous Colosseum in Rome.
The Roman baths are five well-preserved public thermal baths, which in turn were divided into male and female parts.
Forum - now it is ruins, but they look large and colossal. If your imagination allows you, you can imagine how grandiose it was.
The Big Theater - performances, dramas and comedies were held here. It is remarkably preserved and was one of the first excavations.
Antiques - a place where ancient objects of art, everyday life and plaster statues of the dead citizens of Pompeii are stored. There is also a bookstore with souvenirs.
To get to Pompeii on your own, the easiest way is to take the train from Naples Central Station to Pompeii Station. You can also use the bus network or the services of tour desks.
