From happy customers

Loved by 42 million+
Andrew Sansom
GB

Andrew

United Kingdom
Aug 2025
5/5
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The booking process was simple.the tickets are redeemed at the entrance to Pompeii. Thought it was a third party shop but it was the actual Pompeii entrance. Brilliant. Was hot , but nothing you can do about that .10 out of 10
Marius Vieriu
GB

Marius

United Kingdom
Aug 2025
5/5
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I wasn't expecting to be so smooth. All the details were explained in the e mail- as were where to find the ticketing office , how to get there etc. The tickets were there waiting for us and it took us few seconds to get through the gates .
Glenda McGrath
IE

Glenda

Ireland
Aug 2025
5/5
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+1 more

We had an amazing experience exploring the Amalfi Coast, Positano, and Pompeii with Niccolò and Marilena "Mari" Niccolò was an excellent and skilled driver, navigating the winding coastal roads with ease and keeping us safe and comfortable throughout the trip. Marilena "Mari" was a wonderful guide—knowledgeable, engaging, and full of fascinating stories that brought each destination to life. Together, they made the journey unforgettable. Highly recommended! Thanks again, from Ireland 🇮🇪
Athena Lawson
US

Athena

United States
Aug 2025
4/5
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+1 more

Overall our experience was great! Pompeii and Sorrento are beautiful but we did not see much of the city Cassino ,you just are stuck at a gas station. As someone with an autoimmune disease who gets hot way to fast I did really well on this trip!
Michael R Magliane
US

Michael

United States
Aug 2025
4/5
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I drove to Pompeii and used their Parking Lot. Getting into the ruins was a bit complicated. I showed my online ticket near where I parked and got a receipt, then went upstairs to pick up my audio unit. They hold your ID until you return. They explained I needed a voucher to enter the ruins. The entrance was a 5 minute walk back to another station that wasn't well identified, near coffee and food shops. They wanted to see the receipt and some ID, and finally issued an official entry ticket. The entrance tto the ruins was there. I think if you don't park, you can be dropped at the entrance easily. The ruins are amazing.
Cristina Monje Velasco
ES

Cristina

Spain
Aug 2025
5/5
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Super good. The guide was charming, highly recommended. Two hours of walking through the most representative houses. The only bad thing was the weather, I recommend going early in the morning.
Landais Magalie
FR

Landais

France
Aug 2025
5/5
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An incredible visit to the heart of Pompeii. Our guide Francesco was passionate and fascinating. The city is so immense that a guided tour is essential to discover the secrets and treasures of this site. Invaluable advice at the end of the tour, so that you can continue on your own until the end of the day. Highly recommended.
Jarc Marco
IT

Jarc

Italy
Jul 2025
5/5
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Unique experience , with the prepared and engaging guide Edward was able to immerse us in what was an evolved civilization if we think of the era. Without him it would not have been the same.

Top things to do in Naples

Guided tour of Pompeii is

✔️ Led by licensed archaeologists and local experts

Explore with certified guides, archaeologists or historians, fluent in multiple languages and skilled at bringing Pompeii’s ruins and stories to life.

✔️ Structured and time-efficient

In just 1.5 to 3 hours, follow a curated route covering major landmarks like the Forum, Baths, and House of the Faun, without backtracking or missing key sites.

✔️ Engaging and interactive

Spanning over 60 hectares with limited signage, Pompeii is hard to navigate alone, an interactive guided tour lets you ask questions and make sense of what you’re seeing in real time.

What to expect on a guided tour of Pompeii

Guide discussing Pompeii ruins with tourists inside a private coach en route to Amalfi Coast.
Family exploring ancient ruins at Pompeii, Italy.
Laundry of Stephanus house with stone bathtub in Pompeii, showcasing ancient Roman architecture.
Samnite House ruins in Pompeii showcasing ancient Roman architecture and frescoes.
Tourists walking among ancient Pompeii ruins with Mount Vesuvius visible in the background, Italy.
Tour guide leading tourists through the ancient Samnite House in Pompeii, Italy.
Herculaneum ruins with expert guide explaining ancient Roman architecture.
Tourists exploring ancient ruins with expert guidance at Pompeii, Italy.
Visitors observing preserved volcanic victim in Pompeii, Italy.
Herculaneum ruins with expert guide explaining ancient Roman architecture.
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Meet your guide and start your journey

Your experience begins at the designated meeting point—usually Porta Marina or Piazza Esedra, where your licensed local guide will greet you and lead the way into the ancient city. From there, the journey into Pompeii’s past begins.

Explore the Forum

This was the city’s main square where religion, politics, and daily life converged.With your guide, you’ll identify temples, markets, and civic buildings that once shaped the rhythm of Roman life.

Step into the Stabian Baths

Wander through ancient steam rooms, plunge pools, and changing areas still remarkably intact. Through your guide’s narration, these spaces shift from ruins to a vivid slice of Roman daily life.

Visit the Lupanar

See the surprisingly well-preserved brothel, complete with stone beds and provocative wall art.Learn from your local expert how sexuality and class intersected here.

Step into the oldest Roman amphitheatre

Built in 80 BCE, this arena once echoed with the roar of 20,000 spectators—cheering on gladiators and public spectacles. Your guide brings the structure to life, revealing how crowd control, stage effects, and seating were all ingeniously designed.

Enter a domus (optional)

Wander through preserved atriums, gardens, and dining rooms in homes once owned by Pompeii’s elite. Your guide reveals how Roman families lived, showcasing daily routines through architecture and artwork.

Visit the Thermopolium (optional)

If your tour includes this ancient food stall, you will come across counters still lined with clay jars where hot food was once sold to passersby. Learn how these quick-service spots fed the city and what they tell us about the Roman diet and economy.

Walk through the basilica (optional)

Step into Pompeii’s oldest public building, a grand space once used for law, trade, and civic affairs. With your guide’s insight, you’ll understand its role in Roman society and why its architecture mattered.

See the plaster casts of victims

Discover how voids left in hardened ash were filled with plaster, revealing the final poses, even expressions of Pompeii’s victims. Your guide explains the technique pioneered in the 1860s and what these forms reveal about the eruption’s speed and impact.

Step inside the Villa of the Mysteries (optional)

Tucked beyond the city walls, this lavish countryside estate holds vivid frescoes of secret Dionysian rituals. If your tour includes it, your guide will unpack the villa’s symbolism and why its artwork still mystifies scholars today.

Guided Tours vs Non-Guided Tours

pompeii tours | pompeii guided tours

Guided Tours

  • Pompeii guided tours include an expert tour guide, who knows the attraction thoroughly. They will provide you with all the information you need and tell you fascinating stories about the attraction.
  • Your guided tour ticket includes a skip the line feature, which will allow you to walk past long queues and access the ruins on priority.
  • Guided tours have a fixed itinerary that includes all the major sites you should visit within the ruins. It makes it easier to get around an attraction as big as Pompeii.
  • Pompeii tours include a small group of people for a more complete, wholesome, and interactive experience.
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pompeii tours | pompeii guided tours

Non-Guided Tours

  • A general admission ticket allows you to explore the attraction at your own pace.
  • You can get yourself an audio guide (available in Italian, German, Spanish, Mandarin, English, and French languages) at the entrance to learn about the history of the ruins.
  • You cannot skip the line or walk past huge crowds to enter the attraction on a non-guided tour. This means that you will have to wait in long queues that could take anywhere between 30 minutes to a couple of hours, to access the attraction.
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Highlights covered on a guided tour

Temple of Isis ruins with hieroglyphics, Philae Island, Egypt

Temple of Isis

A beautifully preserved sanctuary dedicated to the Egyptian goddess, highlighting Pompeii’s cultural diversity.

Laundry of Stephanus house with stone bathtub in Pompeii, showcasing ancient Roman architecture.
Samnite House ceiling fresco in Pompeii, Italy, showcasing intricate ancient Roman art.
Temple of Apollo Palatinus ruins in Rome with ancient columns and historical site backdrop
Tour guide leading tourists through the ancient Samnite House in Pompeii, Italy.

Things to keep in mind when you go on a tour

Visitors exploring ancient ruins in Pompeii on a day trip from Rome.
  • Free luggage storage and cloakroom facilities are available at the Piazza Esedra (Superiore) entrance—ideal for storing large bags before entry.
  • Restrooms are available near all main entrances and select interior points; most are free, but a few may charge a small fee.
  • Free Wi-Fi is available at the main entrance areas (signal may be weak inside the archaeological zone).
  • While much of Pompeii features uneven ancient stone paths, wheelchair access is available via the Piazza Anfiteatro entrance. 
Pompeii ruins with Mount Vesuvius in the background, Naples tour.
  • No touching or climbing on ruins, frescoes, counters, statues, or walls.
  • No food or big backpacks (over 30 × 30 × 15 cm), bicycles, scooters, or pets (except certified service dogs) are allowed inside.
  • Follow marked routes and barriers—venturing off path or bypassing fences is strictly prohibited.
Tourists exploring ancient ruins with expert guidance at Pompeii, Italy.
  • Restrooms are few and far in between. Try using facilities at the entrance as interior options are limited and may require backtracking.
  • Once you exit the archaeological area, you can’t return without a new ticket—plan accordingly.
  • Most plaques are minimal or only in Italian—a guide or audio companion adds essential context.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Pompeii Tours

Is a guided tour of Pompeii worth it?

Pompeii is vast (over 60 hectares) and most buildings are unmarked or partially preserved. A guide helps you follow a clear route, explains what you’re seeing, and brings hidden details to life. You'll get stories, context, and structure—making the ruins meaningful without causing an overwhelm.

How is an archaeologist-led tour different from a standard guided tour?

An archaeologist-led tour is typically more in-depth and research-driven, led by someone with direct excavation or academic experience. While standard guides focus on storytelling and general highlights, archaeologists offer deeper insights into architecture, excavation layers, and current historical debates. It's ideal for those wanting more than just a surface-level visit.

How large are guided tour groups?

Group sizes vary but typically range from 10 to 25 people. Larger groups are usually given headsets for audio clarity.

Can I stay in Pompeii after the tour ends?

Yes. Your ticket remains valid for the day, so you're free to explore on your own once the tour concludes.

Can children join the guided tour?

Yes, and many tours are family-friendly. However, some areas like the Lupanar (brothel) may include adult content—ask the guide if you’d prefer to skip it.

Is there a dress code for Pompeii?

There’s no official dress code, but practical clothing is essential. Wear breathable fabrics, sun protection, and sturdy shoes—Pompeii’s ancient streets are uneven and offer little shade.

Are guided tours wheelchair-accessible?

Most of Pompeii has uneven terrain and steep steps, but an accessible route is available via Piazza Anfiteatro. While certain tours offer limited mobility support, it is advisable to check for accessibility before booking.

Is Pompeii considered dark tourism?

Yes, in part. Pompeii is often included in dark tourism because it preserves the site of a mass disaster, frozen in time by the eruption of Vesuvius. Visitors are drawn not just by history and architecture, but by the human tragedy evident in the plaster casts and ruins.

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