House of the Vettii

The Basics

Located just north of Pompeii’s Forum—near the sprawling House of the Faun and House of Leda and the Swan—the House of the Vettii is one of the most richly decorated domus in the UNESCO-listed ancient city of Pompeii.

The villa headlines most private and small-group walking tours of Pompeii’s ruins, with its statue-filled garden and technicolor frescoes decorating the portico and interior living spaces. Many half-day tours departing directly from Sorrento, the Amalfi Coast, or Naples offer pick up and drop-off for hassle-free excursions to this magnificent site.

Things to Know Before You Go

• Pompeii, home of the House of the Vettii, is one of Italy’s most dazzling ancient sites.

• There’s little shade inside the ancient city, so bring sunblock and a hat during summer.

• Pompeii can only be visited on foot. Opt for sturdy footwear and comfortable clothing to explore massive ruins—sometimes along ancient cobblestones.

• There are three “baby points” inside Pompeii where families can feed and change their young children.

• The “Pompeii for All” route is a 2-mile (3.5-km) accessible paved walkway for strollers, wheelchairs, and visitors with limited mobility. Starting from Piazza Anfiteatro, the route touches on the main streets, buildings, and homes inside the site.

How to Get There

House of the Vettii is located inside the confines of the Pompeii Archaeological Park at the foot of Mt. Vesuvius just south of Naples. The local Circumvesuviana train that runs between Naples and Sorrento stops just outside the entrance to Pompeii, but the easiest to get to the park is by joining a tour from Sorrento, the Amalfi Coast, Capri, Naples, or Rome that includes round-trip transportation.

When to Get There

Pompeii is open daily, but temperatures soar in this outdoor site during the summer. Time your tour for the morning or late afternoon to avoid the scorching midday hours. Alternatively, visit in the cooler spring or fall months to take advantage of the milder temperatures and fewer crowds.

Pompeii’s Most Famous Domus

Ancient Roman homes and villas were known as “domus” and much of what we know about their architecture and interior decoration comes from the excavated ruins of Pompeii. The ancient city is home to a number of blockbuster domus unearthed over the past century. The most famous include House of the Vettii, Villa of the Mysteries, House of the Faun, and House of Menander—all of which are open to the public.