A stop in Naples on your cruise is the perfect opportunity to visit the ancient ruins of Pompeii, a city frozen in time after the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. The best part? You can get there easily and affordably on your own by train—no expensive excursions required. We were thrilled to visit Pompeii, but it was hot! My number one tip is to bring some water with you, as far as you can. While we were there, the cafe was closed for refurbishments, and there was nowhere to buy a bottle of water. There were a few small places right outside where you can grab a drink. Or bring a bottle with you, my bag was on the smaller side and didn’t have room for my water bottle.
Getting from Naples Cruise Port to Pompeii
- Exit the Cruise Port – Your ship will dock at Stazione Marittima. Once you leave the terminal, head to the Municipio Metro Station, just a short walk (about 10 minutes) from the port. We missed the entrance and walked all the way around to the other side. Don’t let all of the taxi cabs deter you from walking to the metro station.
- Take the Metro to Napoli Centrale – Buy a ticket (about €1.50) and ride Line 1 (the yellow line) to Garibaldi Station. This station connects directly to Napoli Centrale, Naples’ main train station.
- Find the Circumvesuviana Railway – Inside Napoli Centrale, follow signs for the Circumvesuviana trains. Look for the line that goes toward Sorrento.
- Buy Your Train Ticket – Tickets to Pompeii are inexpensive (around €3–4 each way). You can buy them from ticket machines or the counters. We went to the counter, it was quick and easy. On the way back, there was also a counter, but don’t forget to validate your ticket!
- Ride to Pompeii Scavi Station – Stay on the train for about 30–40 minutes. Get off at Pompei Scavi – Villa dei Misteri, which is directly across from the archaeological park entrance.
What to See in Pompeii
Pompeii is enormous—plan at least 2–3 hours to explore. Don’t miss these highlights:
- The Forum – The central square where politics, religion, and business came together.
- The Amphitheater – An ancient Roman stadium that once held gladiator fights.
- The Baths – Wonderfully preserved Roman public baths decorated with mosaics and marble. This was probably one of my favorites.
- The Villa of the Mysteries – Home to vivid frescoes still bursting with color after 2,000 years.
- The Plaster Casts – Eerie but powerful, these casts preserve the last moments of Pompeii’s people. These were incredibly busy but worth the wait to see up close.
- Roman Streets & Homes – Peek into ancient bakeries, taverns, and houses still decorated with frescoes. We even got to see some archaeology students working to uncover works of art. It is so neat to think about all of the things that have yet to be uncovered.
Travel Tip: Wear sturdy shoes—the streets are uneven—and bring a hat and water, as there’s little shade inside. There are a few places available to fill up a water bottle.
After Your Visit
- Lunch Near Pompeii – Enjoy pizza or pasta at one of the casual restaurants just outside the entrance. We had planned to head back into Naples and get a pizza, but my son got a migraine from the heat, so we unfortunately headed straight back to the ship so he could rest.
- Return to Naples – Simply retrace your steps: Circumvesuviana back to Napoli Centrale, Metro Line 1 back to Municipio, then walk to your ship.
Final Thoughts!
We enjoyed our day at Pompeii! During each of our port days, I tried to only plan one big thing so that we would still have time to relax and not feel overwhelmed. This plan worked very well, and we never felt rushed. We left the ship as soon as we could to try to beat the rush at Pompeii, as it gets so busy in the afternoon, and it is very hot!
