Pompeii is just 26 km from Naples. One of the easiest and most affordable ways to explore these ancient ghostly ruins is on a day trip.
2-Hour Walking Tour of Pompeii Ruins (Photo: GetYourGuide.com)
It’s been almost 2,000 years since the eruption of Mount Vesuvius, but this ancient preserved city continues to capture the imagination of more than 2.6 million visitors every year. It was a balmy morning in 79 AD when the volcano started spewing lava, volcanic ash and molten rocks at a staggering speed of 100 km per hour, burying the Roman holiday resorts of Pompeii, Stabiae and Herculaneum and perfectly preserving a slice of Roman life with it. Today, it’s one of Naples’ most popular day trips and there are now hundreds of Pompei day trips to choose from. We’ve selected 5 of the best Pompeii tours from Naples based on customer reviews, price and itinerary.
2-Hour Walking Tour of Pompeii Ruins
This two-hour walking tour is ideal for cash-strapped travellers who want to see the celebrated sight’s blockbuster highlights. The tour starts right in the heart of the city in Piazza Bovio, where participants hop on a shuttle bus service to the ancient city. From here, you can enjoy an expert-led stroll around the ancient cobblestone streets. Tour prices include transportation and guide fees, but entrance tickets are excluded. From £50.57
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Pompeii and Herculaneum Full-Day Sightseeing Tour
Pompeii and Herculaneum Full-Day Sightseeing Tour (GetYourGuide.com)
This Pompeii day trip combines two blockbuster archaeological sites: sprawling Pompeii and the more modest Herculaneum. Tours depart from your hotel, for added convenience too. At Pompeii, you’ll meet your guide for a two-hour tour around the theatre, necropolis, thermal baths, and more. Having worked up an appetite, there’s time for lunch at a local restaurant before heading off to Herculaneum. This section of the trip doesn’t include a guide, so you’ll get to explore in your own time. From £75.85 per person.
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Pompeii and Amalfi Coast Full-Day Trip
For those who are keen to combine learning with some light-hearted fun, this day trip is an excellent option. Tours depart early in the morning from downtown Naples and begin with a two-hour guided tour around Pompeii. After lunch at a local restaurant, travellers hop back in the vehicle for a scenic drive along the coast. After a quick stop at a panoramic terrace in Positano, it’s onwards to Amalfi, the queen of the coastline. Here, visitors can explore the city at their own pace for 30-60 minutes, before heading back to Naples. From £75.85 per person.
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Pompeii and Vesuvius Guided Tour
Pompeii and Vesuvius Guided Tour (Photo: GetYourGuide.com)
On this small-group tour, you can combine a trip to the ancient ruins of Pompeii with a visit to the culprit – the towering Mount Vesuvius. Departing from Naples, the tour begins with a trip to Pompeii with an added perk: skip-the-line entrance tickets. A qualified guide then leads participants around the site, before heading to a local restaurant for a three-course lunch and drink. Then, it’s uphill to Mount Vesuvius by car, with a 1,000-metre trek to reach the top of the crater’s edge. From £83.40 per person.
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Private Half-Day Tour from Naples
If you like the idea of exploring Pompeii with a local guide but the idea of traipsing around with other tourists makes you squeamish, this private tour is an excellent option. Unlike most Pompeii day trips, participants travel to Pompeii by electric Circumvesuviana train. Tours are customized to each person’s interests and physical abilities, but you can guarantee at least one site from each type of building. To top off the morning or afternoon, guests can debrief with a glass of freshly pressed orange juice before heading back to Naples by train. From £172.87.
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