The Best Pompeii Tours from Naples

Among the things to see and do in Naples, Pompeii is a must-see. Who has never heard of the city buried by the ashes of the volcano and the splendid Pompeian frescoes?

Just half an hour's drive from Naples, Pompeii offers plenty to see. It is a real history lesson thanks to the preservation provided by the fateful event that caused the city to disappear.

The ideal plan is to dedicate at least a full day to the ruins, but there is not always enough time. For this reason there are different agencies that offer tours lasting about 4 hours.

A small, air-conditioned bus will pick you up from your hotel or a central location in Naples around 10:00. Some tours have their pick-up point at the city's harbour (Molo Beverello). This option is perfect for travellers arriving by cruise ship.

As for the visit to the archaeological site, it usually lasts 2 hours and includes the following attractions:

• Forum, the heart of every Roman city. This is where the main civil, religious and commercial functions took place. Several bases can still be seen which in the past were decorated with statues of emperors and other prominent figures. A temple dedicated to Jupiter was located here.
• Thermal baths, a structure probably dating from the 2nd century BC, when the city was going through a flourishing period. In the central part is the gymnasium, while in the eastern part are the typical Roman baths: frigidarium, tepidarium and calidarium.
• Lupanare, where divine prostitution was practised. In ancient Rome the goddess Lupa was worshipped and the priestesses financed the activities of the temple by giving themselves sexually. This environment has
• Macellum, the ancient public market. In the centre was an elevated room for the worship of the imperial family.

The most interesting thing, in my opinion, are the explanations of the guide who will make you discover the daily life in the city. To plan your visit in detail I recommend you to read the post with tips for visiting Pompeii.

• Duration: about 4 hours
• Price: about 70 €

After picking you up in Naples and a short drive along the road, the bus will drop you off at the entrance to the archaeological park. From here you will have two hours to visit the ruins of the city.

The route takes you past the main landmarks of the site: the Forum, the thermal baths, the temple dedicated to Jupiter and other "minor" attractions.

Being located in the south of Naples, it is easy to continue down to reach the Amalfi Coast. After a scenic drive along the coast you will reach the capital Amalfi. It has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site and it is not difficult to understand why. The mountains end at the sea and colourful houses climb the slopes.

The most evocative part is undoubtedly the Rione Vagliendola, its most picturesque neighbourhood. Here you will find the so-called turrite, the old aristocratic residences, the Piazza dello Spirito Santo and the Convent of San Pietro della Canonica. If you feel like breathing the sea breeze, I recommend walking down the 400 steps to Duoglio beach.

Sometimes excursions take you to Sorrento instead of Amalfi. In both cases you will have plenty of time to explore the urban centres. These tours usually include lunch. For more information I recommend you read the post about the best excursions to Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast.

• Duration: about 8 hours
• Price: around 120 €

The best option for those who are passionate about the ancient world. This tour combines the two cities destroyed by the volcano and a climb to the most iconic peak of the city. A van will usually pick you up from your hotel or a nearby location between 7:30 and 9:30.

Although at first glance it may seem excessive to visit two places buried by the volcano, the differences are considerable. Herculaneum is much smaller and most of the residences retain the first floor. It is easier to get an idea of the urban layout. It is also frequented by fewer tourists, a factor that makes it easier to visit.

The highlight of Pompeii, on the other hand, is its extraordinary frescoes, which amazingly survived the fury of the eruption. It is better known and spreads over a very large area. If you are passionate about ancient art and you are staying 5 days in Naples, you might want to consider spending two days in Naples.

After the visit, the bus will escort you to the beginning of the nature trail 5 "Il Gran Cono". It runs along the lower edge of the crater and overlooks the Gulf of Naples. It is the perfect opportunity to immerse yourself in nature and take sensational photos. You will always be accompanied by an expert guide who will explain some interesting anecdotes about the volcano.

• Duration: about 9 hours
• Price: about 90 €.

Tour to Pompeii and ascent of Vesuvius

This is very similar to the previous one, the only difference is that it focuses on Pompeii. After the visit to the city buried under the ashes, the bus will take you to the crater of the volcano. For more information, I recommend you read the post on how to visit Vesuvius and Pompeii.

• Duration: 7 hours
• Price: more or less 120 €.

A guided tour is the perfect option if you are short on time and don't want to worry about the organisation. The bus will pick you up from your hotel or a central location and take you to the archaeological site.

In the meantime, the guide will explain the essentials to understand the visit and will be at your disposal during the whole excursion. In addition, in most cases they include entrance fees to the monuments and lunch.

If you prefer to move at your own pace and at the time you prefer, I recommend you read the post detailing how to visit Pompeii on your own. The most comfortable and popular option is the Circumvesuviana train, which you can take from the centre of Naples (Garibaldi station, just below the central station). Just get off at the Pompei Scavi Villa Dei Misteri stop.

Yes, of course! First of all, children under the age of 18 are free. Secondly, inside the area you will have at your disposal the baby point where you can breastfeed and change nappies in total privacy. For more information on this topic, I recommend you to read the post about visiting Pompeii with children.

You can, but it is not the most advisable option. There is not much vegetation and temperatures are almost always above 30 degrees. It would be best to visit Pompeii in winter or spring, but if you have already booked your ticket, please bear in mind the following tips:

• Within the archaeological area there is only one bar/restaurant located near the Temple of Jupiter. Bring at least a bottle of water and some snacks in case you get hungry.
• Wear sunscreen! A sunburn could spoil your holiday.
• If you can only go to Naples in summer, try to avoid July and August. In June temperatures are usually slightly cooler
• A good reason to choose June is that the 21st is the summer solstice. On this day, the rays will light up the streets - in particular Via delle Terme, Via di Nola and Via dell'Abbondanza - illuminating the Roman architecture.

Yes, the vehicles used are wheelchair friendly. In addition, inside the excavations there is a path called Pompei per tutti. It is approximately 3 kilometres long and touches the most famous buildings.

However, keep in mind that it is still an archaeological site: the streets are not in as good a condition as those of a city.

If you don't feel like having lunch in the bar/restaurant at the excavations, you can go to a restaurant in the surrounding area. Pompeii is also a modern town and its nucleus has developed around the Sanctuary of the Madonna del Rosario. To avoid having to wait for your return to Naples, you can book a table at the following establishments:

• La Bettola del Gusto (Via Sacra 50)
• Hostaria Plinio (Via Plinio 12)
• Todisco (Piazzale Schettini 19)
• Add'ù Mimì (Via Roma 61)

In any case, I recommend you take a look at the post that explains where to eat during your excursion in Pompeii.