Travel bucket list idea:

Pompeii

Naples, Campania, Italy

Last updated: 29 March, 2024

The eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD 79 famously smothered the thriving Roman town of Pompeii with molten lava and choking volcanic ash.

Today, you can stroll along Pompeii’s streets and see the town as it was that day in extraordinarily vivid detail – right down to ruts in the roads caused by chariot wheels. Peer into perfectly preserved homes and shops, and wander round the Forum and Roman Baths.

Before you go

Read Pliny the Younger’s account of the eruption to experience the horror of the disaster. Or try Mary Beard’s Pompeii: The Life of a Roman Town or Robert Harris’s Pompeii.

While you're there

Nearby Herculaneum (easy to reach on the Circumvesuviana railway) was also destroyed by the AD 79 eruption of Mount Vesuvius. Only partially excavated (a large part of the ancient town still lies under modern Ercolano) it is much smaller but better preserved than Pompeii so in many ways more vivid.

Get the complete picture

Afterwards, be sure to visit Naples’ National Archaeological Museum to see all the artifacts gathered from Pompeii, Herculaneum and Villa Oplontis – including mosaic floors, statuary, cooking utensils and jewellery.

Logistics

Price from: £13

Minimum age: 0

Age suitable: 13+

When: All year around

Getting there & doing it

Google Maps and Street View cover Pompeii’s ruins just as they do any other city, so you can understand the layout before you go.

It’s possible to hire a guide but you should book one before you arrive, rather than trying to hire one at the site. There are excellent audio tours available from the ticket office, allowing you to wander the site at will – it’s worth working out what you want to see before you arrive.

You won’t need a taxi; regular Circumvesuviana trains run to Pompeii from Naples’ central station.

There are food stalls at the site, but they’re expensive and quality is poor – use in emergencies only. Eat in Naples before or after your visit.

When to do it

Arrive early before the crowds and take yourself to the furthest point you’d like to explore. Work backwards from there, thus avoiding bottlenecks at the earlier sites.

The site is exposed to the elements and there’s no shelter. Take the usual precautions if visiting on a hot or wet day.

Who to go with: organised tours

Our selection of the best Viator tours of this attraction or activity

Pompeii Day Trip from Rome with Mount Vesuvius or Positano Option

Rome

Viator

Embark on an enchanting day trip from Rome to explore the ancient ruins of Pompeii and the majestic Mt. Vesuvius. Delve into the UNESCO-listed wonders of Pompeii with a knowledgeable guide and indulge in a delightful 3-course lunch, all while enjoying breathtaking views of the Bay of Naples. Customize your experience by choosing between an exhilarating volcano hike or a leisurely exploration with a geologist or take it to the next level with an upgrade to a comprehensive Rome day trip, covering Pompeii, the Amalfi Coast, and Positano – all in a single extraordinary day!

Price €139

Min age 0

Rating 4.59 / 5 [5857 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Pompeii & Vesuvius Day Trip from Naples with Italian Light Lunch

Naples

Viator

Embark on a captivating journey that artfully weaves together history, nature, and adventure. Skip-the-line access to both Pompeii and Vesuvius allows you to make the most of your day. In Pompeii, a 2r guided tour led by an expert archaeologist reveals the haunting beauty of a city frozen in time by the eruption of 79 AD. Following your exploration, indulge in a traditional Italian lunch. Your adventure continues to Mount Vesuvius, with a choice between two unique trails: The Crater Trail leads you on a scenic ascent to the summit, where sweeping views of the Bay of Naples and a striking glimpse into the volcanic crater await. The Valley of Hell offers a more adventurous path, winding through solidified lava flows from the 1944 eruption and revealing extraordinary rock formations and a hidden lava cave. Both trails are led by experienced guides who provide insights into the geological and historical significance of the area.

Price €128

Min age 0

Rating 4.66 / 5 [2243 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Full-day Sorrento, Amalfi Coast, and Pompeii Day Tour from Naples

Naples

Viator

This all-day excursion takes you for a breathtaking drive along the Amalfi Coast to the picturesque hillside town of Positano (with 1 hour free time to explore on your own), then to serene Sorrento (where you'll have 1 hour free time to explore on your own), and before going back to Naples' port to the evocative ruins of Pompeii for a two-hour guided tour before returning to your ship.

Price €130

Min age 0

Rating 4.73 / 5 [1127 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Sorrento & Pompeii guided Day Trip from Rome with optional pickup

Rome

Viator

Explore one of Italy’s most iconic historical sites with this full-day trip to Pompeii from Rome. This tour offers a unique way to experience this UNESCO-listed ancient city! The itinerary includes departure from Rome towards Sorrento, with breathtaking coastal views and a limoncello tasting before proceeding to Pompeii, with an optional hotel pick-up from Rome, in case this is selected at booking. No lunch will be included.

Price €99

Min age 0

Rating 4.36 / 5 [571 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Skip-the-Line Pompeii & Mt. Vesuvius Day Trip from Naples

Naples

Viator

A fascinating tour from Naples that will give you the opportunity to visit an ancient roman town like Pompeii, explained by a professional guide (2 h. 30 min), investigate the amazingly preserved infrastructures and artifacts. You will then drive up to 1000m of Mount Vesuvius which nearly destroyed the town in 79 A.D. Take the last 200m meters by foot and enjoy the panoramic 360degree views from the smouldering crater.

Price €104

Min age 0

Rating 4.64 / 5 [460 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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