Pompeii Full Day Tour from Rome

Visit the archaeological site and Naples Archaeological museum with an expert guide

Tour Details

About the Tour

Category: History, Excursions and Day Trips
Duration: 8 hours
Location: Rome

Photos & Highlights

Explores ancient roads, private homes, shops and other structures that illustrate what everyday life was like in Pompeii
Includes a private car service during the duration of the tour
Naples Archaeological Museum and Pompeii Archaeological Site

Tour Description

Buried in ash when the nearby Mt. Vesuvius volcano exploded in 79 A.D., the wonderfully preserved ancient Roman city of Pompeii ranks as one of the most important archaeological sites in the world. In this Pompeii tour, a full-day trip from Rome, we'll join a local archaeologist or classical historian for an in-depth tour of Pompeii, coupled with a visit to the Naples Archaeological Museum, where many of the artifacts from Pompeii have been stored.

Sites Visited

Pompeii Archaeological Park
Naples
Naples Archaeological Museum

Included

8 hours with a PhD or MA-level archaeologist or classical historian
Car service during the duration of the tour
Tickets into Pompeii Archaeological Park

Itinerary Details

We'll begin with a first class train ride from Rome to Naples, the easiest and fastest way to travel the majority of the distance. Once in Naples, we'll meet our guide, hop in a private car, and be whisked to the archaeological site of Pompeii, where our day truly begins.

Upon arriving in Pompeii, we will spend about three hours exploring the site, walking the ancient roads, stepping into private homes frozen in time, and spending time in the shops, baths, and theaters where Romans lived two thousand years ago. Along the way, our guide will focus on everyday life and, using the amazingly well-preserved ruins around us, paint a portrait of the complex social, political, and economic world in which Roman citizens lived.

Leaving Pompeii by early afternoon, we will return to Naples by car. Our first stop will be a small, local restaurant in the city center where we can grab lunch and debrief on what we've seen so far.

Next, we'll take a short stroll through Naples on our way to the famed Naples Archaeological Museum, one of the most important museums of ancient history in the world. It is here where many of the statues, paintings, and other artifacts excavated at Pompeii are stored, making it a critical component of any day trip from Rome to Pompeii. Following our guide's lead, a native Neapolitan, we might stick our heads into a church or two, or stroll down an enigmatic alley of this rich city.

The group will then head to the Archeological Museum of Naples, where we will build on the knowledge gained during our exploration of the archaeological site. The impressive museum was founded by the Bourbon kings of Naples in the late 18th century in order to house the antiquity collection amassed during the major excavations the royal family financed. A close reading of these frescoes, models, and artifacts fully illustrates the enigma that is Pompeii and is a fitting conclusion to our day-long discovery.

Traveling with kids? Check out our Pompeii for Kids Tour that includes games and fun activities. For those visiting Naples, we offer both a half-day Pompeii Tour and a full-day private Mount Vesuvius Tour, a private-only tour that can be designed around your interests.

FAQ

What is a private tour?

Our private tours are limited exclusively to travelers in your party. They are designed to provide a learning experience that is completely tailored to you and your traveling companions. Private tours give you more flexibility with scheduling (you decide when the walk best fits in your trip), the ability to tailor your itinerary (we'll work to match the itinerary to the interests and dynamics of your group), and more personalized time with your guide.

Is the cost of lunch is included in the full-day Pompeii excursion from Rome?
No. You'll be responsible to cover for the cost of lunch for you and the guide.

Are the tickets to the Naples Archaeological Museum included?
Yes, we also pre-purchase tickets for the museum.

How long is this excursion?
With travel time to Naples and back to Rome included, your entire day will be close to 10.5 hours, while the actual time with the expert guide for the tour is 8 hours. Your day will start by train around 8am and end around 6:30pm in Rome when your train returns.

Are the train tickets included in this excursion?
No. Train tickets to and from Naples are not included in the price of this excursion and must be added on separately during checkout. Clients have three options for purchasing train tickets:

Purchase tickets from an outside vendor (travel agency, directly at any Italian train station, etc.). If pursuing this option please remove the tickets during booking.
Leave in your cart the appropriate train tickets to your order with us.
Add a note to this tour request (in the "Special Interests" box) that you want train tickets (and class type) and we'll add them to your order for you.

Where You'll Start

Tour Experts

Fiorella

Fiorella Squillante holds a degree in modern languages and art history, a post-graduate course in education and didactics and a master-course in exhibition design. She is a specialist in art history and Neapolitan culture and art. She works with the main museums of Naples as a member of the education department. She also works closely with Friends of Museums from abroad. Fiorella is the president of the cultural association “Fine Arts”, which organizes private viewings and themed routes in Naples and Campania, and visits to stately homes and private collections. She writes about Naples and Campania for a popular guide book and is the author of “Naples in 3 Days”, a guide to Neapolitan art and architecture and a book for children and teenagers called “Pompeii is Cool!“.

Roberta

Roberta is based in Naples and has a degree in History of Art from the University of Naples. She specialised in Cultural Heritage Conservation at postgraduate level at the Università degli Studi Suor Orsola Benincasa. With the aim of raising awareness of cultural heritage, especially among students and children, she professionally trained as a licensed tour guide for her hometown of Naples, for the archaeological sites around Mount Vesuvius and the Phlegraean Fields and for all the sites and museums in the region where she lives. She has also specialised as a tour guide for the blind. Roberta looks forward to sharing her passion for art, culture, and the Neapolitan lifestyle with visitors on Context tours. She loves food and is always ready to smile!

Riccardo

Riccardo holds a Ph.D. in Art History, his specialty is Art of the Middle Ages. He became a licensed guide in Italy in 2008 and has been guiding ever since. He is a musician who travels around Europe for concerts with his band.

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78 Reviews – (4.95)

Reviews can only be left by Context customers after they have completed a tour. For more information about our reviews, please see our FAQ.

Fiorella was informative and charming, a great tour

Andrew

Jan. 16, 2023

I was not able to attend with Justin and the children—I’ve been under the weather and didn’t want to risk making others feel poorly—but they said the tour was fantastic and that Gioconda was incredibly knowledgeable and personable. Thank you! Next time, I can’t wait to see Pompeii.

Suzanne

Dec. 29, 2022

Fiorella was EXCELLENT! She engaged well with all of our teenage sons, as well as my husband and me. She brought Pompeii to life. She is funny and knowledgeable and energetic. We can’t say enough good things about Fiorella.

Sarah

Dec. 21, 2022

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