Pompeii and Mount Vesuvius Small-Group Tour, with Archaeologist Guide

Highlights

• 8-hour guided tour of Pompeii and Vesuvius, UNESCO World Heritage sites
• Save time with skip-the-line tickets and follow your expert guide through the Archaeological Park of Pompeii
• Discover the secrets of key sites, including the Forum, the Thermopolium of Asellina, and the Stabian Baths
• Walk along the historic Via dell’Abbondanza to the Temple of Apollo, the Sanctuary of the Lares, and the Great Theater
• Comfortable transfer to the top of Vesuvius for a spectacular view of the crater over the Gulf of Naples
• The tour includes round-trip transportation from Pompeii to Vesuvius
• Enjoy personalized attention from your guide on this small-group tour

Meeting point

Main entrance to the Pompeii excavations, known as Porta Marina Superiore: please note that there are three different entrances and head to Porta Marina Superiore to meet us.

Itinerary

• Meet your expert archaeological guide: Check in with your Askos Tours representative at Porta Marina Superiore, the main entrance to the ruins declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The representative will be holding an Askos Tours sign. With your skip-the-line tickets in hand, avoid the queues and head straight to the Archaeological Park of Pompeii. Here, meet your expert archaeological guide and start your guided walking tour.
• Explore Pompeii, a UNESCO Heritage Site: From Porta Marina Superiore, walk into the heart of ancient Pompeii, the Forum, as your guide brings the tragic but fascinating history of the city to life. With the imposing peak of Vesuvius in the background, it serves as a constant reminder of the tragedy that struck Pompeii in 79 AD.
• During your 2-hour walking tour of Pompeii, walk along the Via dell’Abbondanza to the Temple of Apollo, the Sanctuary of the Lares, and the Great Theater, the most important theater in Pompeii. Along the way, discover the secrets of major attractions, including the Basilica, the Thermopolium of Asellina, and the Stabian Baths, the oldest bath complex in the city.
• A brief break to relax and refresh: At the end of the Pompeii tour, take some time to rest and relax before the second part of the tour: exploring Vesuvius.
• Board your comfortable minibus near Porta Marina Superiore and enjoy the beautiful views along the way to the top of the famous volcano. This giant last erupted in 1944 and has since remained dormant, but don’t be fooled, it is still active! For now, Vesuvius’s volcanic activity is mostly limited to the emission of hot sulfur gases.
• Visit the mighty crater of Vesuvius: Upon reaching the top of Vesuvius, follow the trekking guide on a 40-minute walk up to the crater, where stunning views of the vast abyss await you! Here, follow the circular paths around the crater and view the Gulf of Naples stretching down to Pompeii, Capri, and Sorrento. Few places in the world contain so much natural beauty and evidence of ancient civilizations in such a compact area.
• Conclude your guided walking tour: When your time at the top of Vesuvius comes to an end, return comfortably with your guide to the starting point at the entrance of Pompeii, where your guided visit will conclude.

Inclusions

• “Pompeii Express” tickets
• Specialized and licensed archaeological guide for Pompeii and walking guide for Vesuvius (from Pompeii to the crater and back)
• Headsets in Pompeii (for groups larger than 10 people)
• Round-trip transportation by minibus from Pompeii to Vesuvius

Exclusions

• Food and drinks

Important information

• The walking tour in Pompeii is limited to 20 people, while the Vesuvius tour is limited to 14 people (due to vehicle size).
• Our guides follow a flexible itinerary to accommodate possible opening or closing restrictions as well as restoration works. Therefore, the sites visited during the tour may vary.
• Confirmation will be received at the time of booking.
• Children must be accompanied by an adult, and children under 6 years of age are not allowed on this tour.
• Due to challenging terrain, this tour is not recommended for individuals with mobility issues. Contact us to discuss suitable private tour options.
• If Vesuvius is closed due to force majeure, an alternative itinerary will be proposed.

What to bring:

• Comfortable walking shoes
• Sunglasses
• Sunscreen
• Water
• A valid ID/passport
• The tour takes place in all weather conditions, so it is recommended to bring a raincoat.

• Is this tour suitable for wheelchair users?

Unfortunately, this itinerary is not suitable for wheelchair users or those with mobility issues.

• How long does it take to reach the top of Vesuvius?

To reach the crater of the volcano, it involves an uphill path of approximately 800 meters.

• What happens in case of bad weather?

The tour operates normally even in the rain. Therefore, it is advisable to bring an umbrella or raincoat. The tour will only be canceled if authorities decide to close both Pompeii and Vesuvius due to extreme weather conditions. If only one of the sites is closed, an alternative will be offered.

• What happens if I arrive late?

We recommend arriving at the meeting point about 15 minutes before the scheduled time. The driver can wait only a few minutes beyond the scheduled time; after that, the tour will start.

• How to get to Pompeii by public transportation?

From Naples or Sorrento, you can reach Pompeii by the local Circumvesuviana train (Sorrento-Naples line). The stop is “Pompei Scavi – Villa dei Misteri” and the meeting point is just a few steps away.

From Salerno, you can take a Trenitalia train and get off at Pompei Centrale station: from there, it will take about 20 minutes on foot to reach the meeting point.

From Rome, take a high-speed train to Napoli Centrale, then take the Circumvesuviana towards Sorrento and get off at “Pompei Scavi – Villa dei Misteri”.

• I am arriving by car to Pompeii: where can I park?

If arriving by car, we recommend parking in one of the private parking lots around the entrance of Porta Marina Superiore. Contact us for recommendations on the best parking options.

Cancellation policy

• A full refund will apply if you cancel more than 24 hours before the activity start time.
• No refund is possible if you cancel within the 24 hours preceeding the activity start time.