Tour Details
- Duration
- 3 hours
- Product Type
- Tour
- Venues
- Pompeii Archaeological Site
Photos & Highlights
- Includes round-trip private car from Naples and dives into the rich history of Pompeii, expertly narrated by a trained archaeologist or historian.
- Stroll through ancient homes and public spaces – learning about daily Roman life, the city's tragic demise, and its preservation efforts underway.
Select a date
Tour Description
Step into the ancient Roman city of Pompeii for an immersive 3-hour journey with your own private guide. As you traverse this well-preserved site, once bustling with life and then buried in an instant by Vesuvius, you'll gain a deep understanding of Roman politics, society, and daily life.
Your experience begins with a comfortable private car transport from Naples, setting the stage for an exclusive exploration. Once you arrive and rendezvous with your guide, delve into the history of Pompeii – starting from its early days inhabited by the Oscans, through the Samnites, to the pivotal Roman era. Your expert guide, a trained archaeologist or classical historian, will provide an insightful perspective that’s tailored to your group’s interests.
Wander ancient Roman roads and peek into what once were temples, shops, public baths, and amphitheaters. Each step brings stories to life – about everyday citizens, their children's education, and the role of enslaved persons in constructing the city. You’ll have the opportunity to marvel at the stunning frescoes of the Villa of the Mysteries and feel the poignant impact as you stand before the remains of those who tried to flee the tragic eruption. Your guide will spotlight the intricate construction and decoration of private homes, adding layers to your understanding.
Conclude your tour with a profound sense of connection to the everyday lives of the Romans and a comprehensive grasp of Pompeii's history and its abrupt end. You'll walk away not just with knowledge, but with an emotional connection to this once-prosperous town, as you have unraveled its past layer by layer.
Experts
- You seek an intimate exploration of Pompeii's rich history, guided by a knowledgeable archaeologist or historian, ensuring a deeply educational and personal conversation.
- You value convenience and comfort, with private car transport from Naples, allowing you to immerse yourself in the experience without the hassle of navigating logistics.
- You're interested in gaining a unique perspective on daily life, society, and politics, brought to life through expert storytelling and insightful analysis.
- You desire a comprehensive understanding of Pompeii's historical significance, peeling back layers of the past to reveal insights into a once-thriving city lost to time.
Rediscovered after being buried for nearly 1,700 years under Mount Vesuvius' ash, the Pompeii Archaeological Site offers a unique snapshot of ancient Roman life. Preserved under volcanic debris, its streets, buildings, and everyday landmarks provide a remarkable, frozen-in-time view of the day of the catastrophic eruption.
Are you interested in touring the Naples Archaeological Museum as well? View our available itineraries here.
Tickets
- Tour cost includes skip-the-line access tickets to the Archaeological Site.
- Our skip-the-line tickets will get us to a special lane where our group will have to stand in line due to security and crowd control measures.
Transport
- For your convenience, this tour cost includes a round-trip private car service.
- A driver will pick you up from your Naples accommodation around 30 minutes before the tour's start time.
- You must provide our team with your address when you place your order.
- Your Context Expert will meet you at a designated location near the entrance to the site at your tour's start time. You'll find all the necessary details conveniently provided in your confirmation email.
- If you prefer to make your own way to Pompeii, you have the flexibility to do so.
- You can either drive there and park in the venue’s lot or use the Circumvesuviana, the local train network.
- In this case, you must let our team know when placing your order. We will then cancel the car service from your order and refund you accordingly.
- Are you interested in touring Pompeii as a day trip from Rome? View our available itineraries here.
Availability
- We recommend booking the tour in the morning, especially in warmer months, as the site lacks shaded areas for rest. Starting early ensures a more comfortable visit.
- During the high season, we offer the tour at 3:00 pm to help you avoid cruise ship crowds, as they generally return to their boats in the early afternoon.
- This tour is unavailable on the first Sunday of the month – when Archeological Site admission is free – due to surging crowds.
- To ensure that each guest enjoys a personalized experience, our tour is limited to a maximum of 7 guests. This limitation is in place due to site and car service constraints.
Resources
- For more information on planning your tour, take a read through our Context Stories.
- If you are looking to learn more about Naples prior to a visit, check out our audio guides and online learning experiences here.
- The site has created a 3.5-km route from Piazza Anfiteatro to the Sanctuary of Venus, making it more accessible to guests – including those with mobility challenges and parents with strollers. This initiative is part of the ongoing Great Pompeii Project, but some areas may remain challenging to navigate.
- Feel free to chat with our team if you have questions or concerns prior to booking.
For more information about Context Tours, please visit our FAQs.
Why does the walking tour last for only three hours? Given Pompeii's size, shouldn't it take longer to explore?
Over the years, we’ve found that extended exposure to the heat can be challenging for clients, especially children and older individuals. Rest assured that our tour covers the major sites and provides clients with a comprehensive overview of the site's history.
Are there dining options inside Pompeii?
Yes, there are cafes and snack bars within the site where you can purchase refreshments.
What should I wear to visit Pompeii?
Comfortable walking shoes and lightweight, weather-appropriate clothing are recommended. Sunscreen and a hat are advisable during the summer months.
Book with confidence — see Context's flexible cancellation policy here.
Where You'll Start
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126 Reviews
Reviews can only be left by Context customers after they have completed a tour. For more information about our reviews, please see our FAQ.
We had a wonderful trip to Pompeii with our kids (9 and 12). Fabrizio provided so much information about the history and daily life in Pompeii, as well as the various and ongoing archeological excavations. This may have been our best day in Italy yet!
Kristin
Sep 13, 2024
Fabricio was a very knowledgeable, enthusiastic and kind person. We loved our time with him, learned a lot and would love to come back.
Anna
Aug 30, 2024
Our tour of Pompeii with Riccardo was exceptional! All of us on the tour, (4 adults, two 20-year-olds, and two teens), really enjoyed it more than we expected. Riccardo greeted us in a warm and friendly manner, was very knowledgeable, and very thoughtful about his audience. He did a great job keeping all of us engaged and answering all of our many questions as we were a curious group full of inquiries. At the beginning and in the middle of the tour, he was sure to check in with all of us to see how we were faring and adjust accordingly. It was a very hot day and Riccardo was also was very mindful of keeping us in the shade as much as possible. All of these aspects of his thoughtful personality led us all to comment unanimously on what an exceptional guide he is! I would highly recommend him!
Brook
Aug 4, 2024
