Magpie
4.8(1,541 reviews)

Pompeii and Herculaneum Archaeological Tour

From€63.75
6 hours
Pompeii, Italy

About this activity

Join a 6-hour guided tour of Pompeii and Herculaneum with an archaeologist, exploring ancient ruins and artifacts in a small group setting.

Highlights

  • Explore ancient Pompeii ruins
  • Discover Herculaneum's preserved artifacts
  • Learn from an expert archaeologist
  • Visit UNESCO World Heritage Sites
  • Enjoy a small group experience

Full description

Step back in time and uncover the secrets of two of Italy's most fascinating archaeological sites. On this 6-hour guided tour, you'll explore the ancient ruins of Pompeii and Herculaneum, both frozen in time by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. Accompanied by an expert archaeologist, you'll delve into the history, architecture, and daily life of these ancient cities. With small group sizes, you'll receive personalized attention, ensuring a rich and engaging experience. Transportation between the sites is included, allowing you to relax and enjoy the scenic journey. Please note that meals and beverages are not included, so plan accordingly. This tour is conducted in English and operates in the Rome time zone.

Included / Excluded

  • Guided tour with an archaeologist
  • Transportation between Pompeii and Herculaneum
  • Entrance fees to both archaeological sites
  • Meals and beverages

Itinerary

1

Basilica was an open portico that gave shelter to merchants and other activities.

Duration: 15 minAdmission: NOT_APPLICABLE
2

Have a look of the ancient main square of Pompeii.

Duration: 10 minAdmission: NOT_APPLICABLE
3

Pass by: Walk through the main street of Pompeii.

Admission: NOT_APPLICABLE
4

The house of Menander is one of the richest and most magnificent houses in ancient Pompeii in terms of architecture, decoration and contents.

Duration: 15 minAdmission: NOT_APPLICABLE
5

In the granary you will see marble tables and baths for fountains that adorned the entrances of houses and some casts of victims of the eruption as well as that of a dog and a tree.

Duration: 15 minAdmission: NOT_APPLICABLE
6

These occupy a vast area between the Brothel lane, the Holconius crossroads and the Via Stabiana. They represent the oldest thermal complex in the city.

Duration: 15 minAdmission: NOT_APPLICABLE
7

Visit the most famous brothel in the ruined Roman city of Pompeii.

Duration: 15 minAdmission: NOT_APPLICABLE
8

The house of Faun was one of the largest and most impressive private residences in Pompeii.

Duration: 15 minAdmission: NOT_APPLICABLE
9

Have a look of the so called Teatro Piccolo of Pompeii.

Duration: 15 minAdmission: NOT_APPLICABLE
10

Visit the most important Theater in Pompeii

Duration: 15 minAdmission: NOT_APPLICABLE
11

After the visit of Pompeii, continue to Herculaneum together with your archaeologist guide, following the transportation method included in your selected option: From Naples, Sorrento, or Rome: travel with the guide by modern minibus directly to the Herculaneum archaeological site. From Pompeii: reach Herculaneum with your guide using the included Circumvesuviana train ticket (about 30 minutes + 10-minute walk). A quick lunch break is available before the transfer (own expense). Arrival in Herculaneum: Upon arrival, the guide leads the group directly to the Ticket Office of the Herculaneum ruins. You may access it as follows: By minibus (Naples, Sorrento, Rome options): direct drop-off near the entrance. By train (Pompeii option): a short 10-minute walk from Ercolano Scavi station.

Duration: 1 hourAdmission: YES
12

The house receives its name from marble statues of stags/deer found in the peristyle.

Duration: 10 minAdmission: NOT_APPLICABLE
13

M. Nonius Balbus was the city's major benefactor restoring and building many public buildings. On his death he was made patron and feted with many honours, detailed in the long inscription on his funeral altar.

Duration: 10 minAdmission: NOT_APPLICABLE
14

It is thought that the building was a centre of the cult of the Emperor Augustus and the headquarters of the Collegium Augustalium (or possibly even the local curia).

Duration: 10 minAdmission: NOT_APPLICABLE
15

The house possibly belonged to one of the town's leading benefactors, Marcus Nonius Balbus and is somewhat unusual in that it has its own private access to the adjoining Suburban Thermae to the south.

Duration: 10 minAdmission: NOT_APPLICABLE
16

It is very important house for the elegant wooden partition remained.

Duration: 10 minAdmission: NOT_APPLICABLE
17

The House of the Skeleton probably the aggregation of three smaller buildings, derives its name from the discovery of human remains in a second floor room in 1831.

Duration: 15 minAdmission: NOT_APPLICABLE
18

The Central Thermae were built around the beginning of the 1st century AD and were divided, as was then the common practice, into men's and women's baths, each with their own separate entrances.

Duration: 10 minAdmission: NOT_APPLICABLE
19

The House of the Black Hall is one of Herculaneum's more luxurious mansions. The house has a monumental entrance which still retains the carbonised remains of the doorposts and lintel.

Duration: 15 minAdmission: NOT_APPLICABLE
20

The house has an arrangement that was typical of the Samnites (an ancient people of the Sabine race who occupied this mountainous part of central Italy). The splendid atrium is skirted by a gallery with Ionic columns. The rooms are decorated with frescoes.

Duration: 15 minAdmission: NOT_APPLICABLE
21

This is one of the most original houses in Herculaneum. It has a courtyard with a stairway and a stone balcony instead of an atrium.

Duration: 10 minAdmission: NOT_APPLICABLE
22

Beautiful domus in the Centre of the archaeological area, with various environments, collonnati, frescos e-com everywhere at Herculaneum-charred remains of wooden parts.

Duration: 10 minAdmission: NOT_APPLICABLE

Meeting point

Start Location

Unknown location

Important information

Know before you book

  • The tour is conducted in English; ensure you are comfortable with the language.
  • Confirm your booking details, including date and time, to avoid any issues on the day of the tour.
  • Review the cancellation policy to understand any applicable fees or deadlines.

Know before you go

  • Wear comfortable walking shoes and bring water, as the tour involves extensive walking.
  • Check the weather forecast and dress appropriately for the day's conditions.
  • Be prepared for potential changes in the itinerary due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances.

Cancellation policy

Free cancellation up to 1 days before the activity starts

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Accessibility

  • Easy Public Transport

Good to know

  • Herculaneum ruins' entry tickets: 16 euros (adult) 2 euros (EU citizens 18-25 y.o.); Pompeii ruins' entry tickets: 20 euros (adult)

Traveler reviews

4.8
1,541 reviews
5
1,343
4
112
3
58
2
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1
12

Great Tour!

Raffael was an excellent guide. He was knowledgeable, friendly and showed us the highlights of Pompeii.

Ashleigh_JMay 25, 2026VIATOR

Mind Blowing!!

It was stunning. I am so happy I took the tour

Devon DMay 24, 2026TRIPADVISOR

Our guide Vincenzo was...

Our guide Vincenzo was great! Visiting both Erculaneum and Pompeii added value, but I’d recommend focusing on Pompeii (maybe a longer time in Pompeii).

Everson_MMay 24, 2026VIATOR

Highlight of my week on the amalfi coast

Incredible experience ! I had no idea the scale of the site and learnt so much about the Roman Empire way of living . The tour guild was superb, so knowledgeable and passionate about the subject !! A must do tour

Sinead_BMay 23, 2026VIATOR

Small group tour to Pompeii & Herculaneum

We had a fantastic day. Everything was on time, well planned and our guide was brilliant. He was very knowledgeable and brought our experience to life with a lot of detail and information as well as using a little bit of imagination 😀.

G4688QBsharonhMay 22, 2026TRIPADVISOR
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