You should allow at least 3 – 4 hours for your Pompeii self guided walking tour, and you can cover quite a bit of the site in that amount of time if you're armed with the tools and a plan. Pompeii is big enough that you could easily make a full day of visiting it.

Yes, 4 hours is generally considered the "sweet spot" for a standard visit to Pompeii in 2026. Within this timeframe, you can comfortably walk the "Greatest Hits" route, which includes the Forum, the Thermal Baths, the Lupanar (brothel), the Large Theatre, and the Amphitheatre. You will also have enough time to explore a few well-preserved residences like the House of the Faun. However, 4 hours is not enough to see the entire 160-acre site or the more distant Villa of the Mysteries. If you are a history buff or a photographer wanting to see every mosaic, you will need 6–7 hours. If you only have 4 hours, it is highly recommended to enter via the Piazza Anfiteatro gate rather than the crowded Porta Marina entrance to avoid the longest security lines. Wear sturdy, cushioned shoes, as the ancient Roman cobblestones are notoriously uneven and will strain your feet much faster than a standard city sidewalk.