Pompei (modern town) sits beside the world-famous ruins of Pompeii, a Roman city frozen in time by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD 79. Wandering its streets, you’ll pass bakeries with intact ovens, villas with frescoes, and a forum that still anchors the ancient skyline—one of Europe’s most evocative archaeological sites.

Beyond the ruins, Campania beckons: hike the crater rim of Vesuvius, compare Pompeii with the more intimate Herculaneum, taste volcanic wines, and cruise to Capri to glimpse the Blue Grotto. With Pompei as your home base, Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast are easy day trips by train or car.

Practical notes: summers are hot, so start early, wear sturdy shoes, and carry water. Pre-book site tickets when possible, and consider that many Italian museums are free on the first Sunday of the month. Expect superb seafood, Neapolitan pizza, Gragnano pasta, buffalo mozzarella, and pastries like sfogliatella and babà.

Pompei

Today’s Pompei is a lively, walkable town with café-lined squares, the grand Sanctuary of the Madonna of the Rosary, and excellent restaurants and wine experiences—plus the ruins just a short stroll or one train stop away. It’s an ideal hub for a 7-day itinerary mixing archaeology, nature, and coastal escapes.

• Don’t miss: Pompeii Archaeological Park, Villa of the Mysteries, House of the Vettii, Amphitheatre, Antiquarium, and the Sanctuary.
• Easy day trips: Vesuvius crater, Herculaneum, Oplontis, Capri, Sorrento, and the Amalfi Coast (Positano, Amalfi, Ravello).
• Great for food lovers: farm-to-table wineries, classic trattorie, and inventive takes on Roman recipes.

Where to stay (Pompei):

• Hotel Forum — next to the ruins entrance, leafy garden, relaxed bar; perfect if you want to be first in line at the park.
• Hotel Diana Pompei — friendly, budget-friendly base a short walk from cafés and the Santuario square.
• Resort Bosco De' Medici — vineyard setting, pool, and on-site wine experiences minutes from the ruins.
• Browse more stays: VRBO Pompei | Hotels.com Pompei

Getting there: Fly into Naples (NAP). Within Europe, compare fares on Omio (flights). From outside Europe, check Trip.com or Kiwi.com. From Napoli Centrale (Garibaldi), the Circumvesuviana train to Pompei Scavi–Villa dei Misteri takes ~35–40 minutes (~€3–4; see Omio trains). A taxi from NAP airport to Pompei is ~30–45 minutes depending on traffic.

Day 1: Arrival, Santuario Square, and Campanian Flavors

Afternoon: Arrive in Pompei and check in. Stretch your legs on Via Roma and the lively piazza around the Sanctuary of the Madonna of the Rosary; step inside to admire the domed nave and mosaics.

Evening: Aperitivo at your hotel bar or in-town wine bars. For dinner, try La Bettola del Gusto (seasonal seafood, excellent local wines) or Caupona (a themed Roman-style tavern serving garum-inspired sauces and ancient grains). Dessert at Pasticceria De Vivo dal 1955—order the pistachio gelato or a classic babà.

Day 2: Full Immersion in the Pompeii Archaeological Park

Morning: Coffee and cornetto at Pasticceria De Vivo, then enter early (Porta Marina or Piazza Anfiteatro gates). Prioritize the Forum, House of the Faun, Temple of Apollo, and frescoed villas on Via dell’Abbondanza. Note the thermopolia (ancient snack bars) that tell stories of daily life.

Afternoon: Visit the Villa of the Mysteries for its Dionysian frescoes, the Amphitheatre, and the House of the Vettii (meticulously restored). Drop by the Antiquarium to contextualize casts and objects. Expect 5–6 hours total on site; a cafeteria is inside the park if you need a quick break.

Evening: Aperitivo near Piazza Bartolo Longo. Dinner at President Pompei (creative tasting menus by chef Paolo Gramaglia; book ahead) or Garum (contemporary Campanian plates). Night stroll past the illuminated Sanctuary façade.

Day 3: Mount Vesuvius Adventure + Volcanic Wines

Morning: Head up Vesuvius for a memorable ride through volcanic landscapes.

Horse Riding on Mount Vesuvius (Viator) — an immersive way to feel the terrain that shaped Roman history.

Allow ~30–45 minutes by taxi from Pompei to trailheads; or ride local buses (times vary). Wear closed shoes; bring a light jacket for crater breezes.

Afternoon: Pair the ride with a winery lunch at the foot of Vesuvius.

Vesuvius Wine Tasting Experience with Lunch Included (Viator) — taste Lacryma Christi and other volcanic wines with a traditional meal, overlooking vines rooted in ash and lava.

Evening: Back in Pompei, go casual with pizza and fritti at Trattoria Add’u Mimi, then a final sweet stop at De Vivo (try the warm graffa doughnut).

Day 4: Herculaneum and Oplontis—Pompeii’s Brilliant Counterpoints

Morning: Take the Circumvesuviana to Ercolano Scavi (~25–30 minutes, ~€3–4 via Omio trains). Herculaneum’s compact site preserves upper stories, charred wood, and vivid mosaics—don’t miss the House of the Deer and the ancient boathouses.

Afternoon: Simple panini and espresso at the site café near the entrance, then ride the train 10–15 minutes to Torre Annunziata for Oplontis (Villa Poppaea). The frescoes here are among the best in Italy—linger in the peristyle gardens. Return to Pompei for a rest.

Evening: Book a vineyard table at Bosco De’ Medici for seasonal dishes paired to their own labels; linger under pergolas with a glass of Lacryma Christi del Vesuvio.

Day 5: Capri by Sea (Blue Grotto and Island Time)

Full-day experience: Catch an early Circumvesuviana to Sorrento (~35–45 minutes, ~€3–4 via Omio trains) to meet your boat.

Capri & Blue Grotto Semi Private Boat Day Trip from Sorrento (Viator) — circle sea caves, swim coves, and, sea conditions permitting, slip into the Blue Grotto; enjoy free time in Capri Town and Anacapri.

After docking back in Sorrento, grab a shoreline supper at Marina Grande (e.g., simple spaghetti alle vongole at a classic trattoria) before training back to Pompei.

Day 6: Amalfi Coast Icons—Positano, Amalfi, and Ravello

Full-day experience: A private driver lets you maximize views and villages without parking headaches.

Private Tour of Amalfi Coast (Viator) — take in clifftop bends, photo stops over Positano, cathedral-lined Amalfi, and elegant Ravello’s Villa Rufolo vistas. Pickup can be arranged in the area; confirm when booking.

Tip: In Amalfi, pause at historic pasticcerie for lemon delights; in Ravello, find a terrace for an espresso with a view. Return to Pompei after sunset.

Day 7: Sanctuary, Last Bites, and Departure

Morning: Visit the Sanctuary of the Madonna of the Rosary (Santuario di Pompei) for a quiet moment beneath the dome. Souvenir hunt along Via Roma and Via Lepanto—look for Vietri ceramics, coral jewelry from nearby Torre del Greco, and artisanal limoncello.

Afternoon: Early lunch—perhaps seafood at La Bettola del Gusto or modern Campanian plates at Garum—then head to Naples by train (~35–40 minutes; Omio trains) for your flight. Within Europe, compare air options on Omio (flights); for intercontinental routes, check Trip.com or Kiwi.com.

Evening: If you’re extending to Rome, consider booking a private car for flexibility; otherwise, the high-speed train from Naples is frequent (search on Omio trains).

Optional/Alternate Experiences You Can Swap In

• Pompeii and Amalfi Coast Private Day Trip with Pick Up — combine ruins with coast if you prefer a single long day.

  

• Independent Capri? Use Omio ferries to compare Sorrento–Capri boats; then ride island buses or funiculars.

Dining short list (Pompei):

• La Bettola del Gusto — seafood carpaccio, lemon-scented pastas, smart local wine list.
• Caupona — playful “ancient Roman” recipes served in amphorae and clayware.
• President Pompei — refined, tasting-menu experience by chef Paolo Gramaglia.
• Garum — modern Campanian cuisine; great for a final-night dinner.
• Pasticceria De Vivo dal 1955 — breakfast cornetti, gelato, and late-night sweets.

Local logistics and tips:

• Tickets: Pompeii standard tickets are typically ~€19; Herculaneum ~€13; combo passes and free first Sundays are periodically offered.
• Trains: Circumvesuviana is the workhorse for Naples–Pompei–Sorrento; check times and buy mobile tickets on Omio trains.
• Seasonality: Blue Grotto access depends on sea conditions; winter services run on reduced schedules.
• What to pack: breathable clothing, hat, sunscreen, refillable bottle, and sturdy footwear for cobbles and ash paths.

More curated tours you might love:

• Private All inclusive Tour to Pompeii, Sorrento and Positano

  

In one week, you’ll stand inside frescoed Roman villas, circle an active volcano, and sail emerald coves to Capri—all while savoring Campania’s sunlit cuisine. Pompei makes an inspired base, letting you balance big-ticket sights with slow evenings and superb wine. Buon viaggio!