Paestum vs Pompeii

[coolpapa]

After all the shopping and eating you could stand, if you had a free day in the Naples area and wanted to do something "educational", would you spend a day visiting Paestum or Pompeii. Assume you will have a guide.

 

[WildeMan]

Having just returned from the area, I would suggest Pompeii over Paestum. There is more to see there, and guides are more readily available. (Expect to pay about 10 Eur per person for the guide, plus the 11 Eur entrance fee.)

A number of the walls and frescoes from Pompeii are actually on display in the Naples museum, so that they aren't worn down by the elements. You might want to see them first.

A 2 hour tour just scratches the surface. You can stay and poke around by yourself after the tour is completed.

Don't get me wrong, Paestum is interesting, and worth a trip if you have the time. But if you can do only one, I say it's Pompeii.

 

[SField]

Originally Posted by coolpapaboze

After all the shopping and eating you could stand, if you had a free day in the Naples area and wanted to do something "educational", would you spend a day visiting Paestum or Pompeii. Assume you will have a guide.

Herculaneum for sure. I'd rather split the day and then go to Herculaneum where the preservation is better, less tourists, and the buildings are impressive.

 

[alliswell]

Pompeii, and then hike up Vesuvius.

I'll have a better answer tomorrow - I'll ask my tailor

 

[Aus_MD]

Herculaneum

 

[Blackhood]

Originally Posted by SField

Herculaneum for sure. I'd rather split the day and then go to Herculaneum where the preservation is better, less tourists, and the buildings are impressive.

+1,000

I've done all three, and I would say Herculaneum > Pompeii every single time.

 

[coolpapa]

Thank you all for your help, Herculaneum it is!

 

[SField]

Originally Posted by coolpapaboze

Thank you all for your help, Herculaneum it is!

you won't regret it. eat a lot while you're in naples.

 

[itsstillmatt]

I like Paestum more, but I was sick as a dog for Herc and Pompeii. As sfield said, eat. Definitely hit da Dora at least once. One of my favorite restaurants in the world.

 

[coolpapa]

Originally Posted by iammatt

I like Paestum more, but I was sick as a dog for Herc and Pompeii. As sfield said, eat. Definitely hit da Dora at least once. One of my favorite restaurants in the world.
I've got it and Europeo on my Naples Google map. You and whnay have been a wealth of info for meal planning during this short visit. My priorities are basically: food, clothes, history, so the restaurant recs are much appreciated!