On our trip to Italy with the baby, we stayed in Rome and made the magnificent day trip to Pompeii. The trip was unbelievable and worth it. This is a historical site you must see and totally worth trying to figure out how to get there. Don’t even think twice about not going to Pompeii. It’s perfect for kids and babies.
How did we get to Pompeii?
Exploring the historic site of Pompeii with baby was a big adventure in of itself, but tackling the task of getting to Pompeii via Rome was also an adventure. I’m going to leave another blogger/internet search for that part since I don’t remember the details or trust myself to get you there safely. Truth: follow the other tourist looking people.
The train to Pompeii is sketchy. There is no sugar coating it. The station is crowded and dingy. Graffiti and rough looking people line the tracks. It’s easy to feel very uncomfortable, and we did. Thankfully we felt more at ease with our super nerdy travel vests we borrowed from family to keep everything close and out of sight. The train that takes you to Pompeii passes thru a part of Italy, I wasn’t expecting to see: the hood.
Once off the train, it’s a very short walk to the historic site, you look right, and it’s just there around the corner. If you get lost, then that’s a skill.
How to get around Pompeii with Baby
Don’t even consider the stroller.
Leave it.
Pompeii is an ancient city without strollers or even great wheelchair accessibility.
I wouldn’t even bring my sturdy Bumbleride Stroller with all-terrain capabilities to the historical ruins of Pompeii. There’s no way the suspension could handle the cobblestone, the curbs, the everything.
Strap that kid to you and conquer it on foot. Babywearing will help you enjoy this site. So whether you wrap, or prefer a soft structured carrier, embrace it and love for your visit to Pompeii.
101 on Pompeii
Pompeii is MASSIVE.
This historical site was once a bustling city of over 10,000 occupants. While most of it is still buried, much is available to the wandering soul. This is either a good or bad because it gives you so much room to roam, but also so much room to get lost. We definitely got turned a few times, and I was grateful the trip to Pompeii with baby was a baby. Looking back at this trip, a toddler or young child would easily tire out on this adventure.
Remember to wear good shoes and bring lots of food. There is a small restaurant but like many historical sites, its overpriced with limited selection. There was a high chair which was awesome for baby. I don’t remember finding a change table, but I did find a quiet sidewalk in some alleyway. I never used the bathroom but my husband did and was thoroughly disgusted.
There’s also not a lot of benches or recommended areas to sit. This made the visit very tiresome as I just wanted to sit and relax. Often I found a curb, but despite an entire city being at our beckoning, places to relax were scarce.
We saw a few older kids and they looked weary and bored, but it could easily be fun. I think I would have had a blast.
To Take a Tour Guide or Not
Taking a tour of a baby always had me nervous. I don’t’ recommend tours with toddlers, but babies are easy and a tour would be totally manageable.
I wanted to do things at my pace. If the baby needed to eat then we stopped and fed him. If the baby needed to play we stopped and played, for that reason, we did not hire a tour guide. (And, I read tours can be upwards of 100 Euros EACH). No thanks, we just read our travel book.
There are zero informational signs once inside, but Pompeii is still a fun place to wander and explore. Use your imagination and dream of the history.
We didn’t rent audioguides ( I’ve was severely disappointed with them at the Colosseum and act the Vatican Museum). We just used the guide in our Rick Steves book. But don’t forget to grab a map before entering the historic site. You will need it.
That’s our take on visiting the historic site of Pompeii with baby. Travelling with kids is always an adventure, but always worth it. I hope you enjoy your trip and let me know if you have questions. I’ll do my best to dig deep and find the answer. If you’ve been to Pompeii with a baby, I can’t wait to hear more about it.
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