Magpie
4.5(66 reviews)

Pompeii and Herculaneum Small Group Excursion from Sorrento

From€116
7 hours
Piano di Sorrento, Italy

About this activity

Join a small group excursion from Sorrento to explore the ancient ruins of Pompeii and Herculaneum, guided by experts who bring Roman history to life.

Highlights

  • Explore ancient Pompeii ruins
  • Discover Herculaneum's preserved artifacts
  • Enjoy scenic coastal drive from Sorrento
  • Learn about Roman history from expert guides
  • Experience a small group tour for personalized attention

Full description

Step back in time on this engaging small group excursion from Sorrento to the ancient cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum. Accompanied by knowledgeable guides, you'll uncover the rich history and well-preserved artifacts of these Roman cities frozen in time by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. Enjoy a comfortable round-trip journey from Sorrento, with ample free time to explore and absorb the fascinating stories of the past. This tour offers a personalized experience, ensuring you gain a deep understanding of these UNESCO World Heritage sites.

Included / Excluded

  • Round-trip transportation from Sorrento
  • Guided tours of Pompeii and Herculaneum
  • Free time for lunch and exploration
  • Meals and beverages

Itinerary

1

Your excursion will begin in Piazza Angelina Lauro, the designated meeting point in the centre of Sorrento, right by the red tulip sculpture. Here you will meet your local guide and the Askos Tours staff member who will accompany the small group throughout the experience. Please arrive a few minutes early to ensure a smooth departure.

Duration: 1 hourAdmission: NOT_APPLICABLE
2

Pass by: You will access the archaeological site of Pompeii through the Porta Marina entrance, one of the most significant gateways to the ancient city. Here your guided tour will begin, led by a licensed archaeologist from Askos Tours who will introduce you to the history, urban layout, and daily life of Pompeii before the eruption of 79 AD.

Admission: NOT_APPLICABLE
3

Discover the open portico that gave shelter to merchants and other activities.

Duration: 15 minAdmission: YES
4

Have a look of the ancient main square of Pompeii.

Duration: 10 minAdmission: YES
5

Pass by: Walk through the main street of Pompeii.

Admission: NOT_APPLICABLE
6

Located along the Via dell’Abbondanza, the Insula of the Chaste Lovers preserves remarkable frescoes depicting intimate moments of daily life, including the famous affectionate couple. This stop offers a brief yet vivid glimpse into the elegance and domestic atmosphere of ancient Pompeian homes.

Duration: 5 minAdmission: YES
7

See the 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: 10 minAdmission: YES
8

Enter the oldest thermal complex in the city.

Duration: 15 minAdmission: YES
9

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

Duration: 10 minAdmission: NOT_APPLICABLE
10

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

Duration: 15 minAdmission: YES
11

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

Duration: 10 minAdmission: YES
12

Visit the most important Theater in Pompeii

Duration: 15 minAdmission: YES
13

Take a short break at Maximall Pompeii, the largest shopping center in the South of Italy, where you’ll receive an exclusive welcome kit + discount card, granting you special deals in stores.

Duration: 45 minAdmission: NOT_APPLICABLE
14

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

Duration: 10 minAdmission: YES
15

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: YES
16

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: YES
17

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: YES
18

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

Duration: 10 minAdmission: YES
19

Enjoy a 2-hour guided tour to the Archaeological Park of Herculaneum

Duration: 1 hourAdmission: YES
20

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: YES
21

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: 10 minAdmission: YES
22

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: 10 minAdmission: YES
23

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: YES
24

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: YES
25

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: YES
26

At the end of the excursion, you will be driven back to Piazza Angelina Lauro. This central location in Sorrento serves as the drop-off point, allowing you to conclude your day comfortably and continue with the rest of your plans.

Duration: 1 hourAdmission: NOT_APPLICABLE

Important information

Know before you book

  • Tour operates rain or shine; dress appropriately for the weather.
  • Children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
  • Please inform the tour operator of any mobility issues in advance.

Know before you go

  • Wear comfortable walking shoes suitable for uneven terrain.
  • Bring a hat and sunscreen for sun protection.
  • Carry a bottle of water to stay hydrated during the tour.

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
  • Infant Seats Available

Good to know

  • Travel time is included
  • No dogs allowed in the vehicle for this option - service animals allowed
  • Herculaneum ruins' entry tickets: 16 euros (adult)

Traveler reviews

4.5
66 reviews
5
48
4
9
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2
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1
2

Great tour guide

Antonio was awesome. Very passionate and knowledgeable. True archeologist. Even through in some humor.

Sandi_WMay 23, 2026VIATOR

Not quite what I paid for and expected

I paid quite a bit of money for us to travel in a group of eight people with an expert guide, We ended up with twenty people . The guide, Antonio , was excellent.

David_hMay 22, 2026VIATOR

fantastic tour

Adami as a guide is fantastic and can give so mamy Details. He can explain in easy way how people lived. I felt like I was visiting rwo cities full of people around me. I felt safe Santo as driver too. Thx ro you guys. I was exhausted in the evening, the heat even in May was difficult, but this tour was fantastic

832laurefMay 22, 2026TRIPADVISOR

Our guide had a lot of...

Our guide had a lot of interesting information to share & was extremely knowledgeable about the area. This tour is very long with only one 1 hour lunch break so it is a lot of walking. Overall, we highly recommend this tour if Pompeii is on your bucket list for Italy!

jacquelynmarierose12May 18, 2026VIATOR

Good for younger people

Both Herculaneum and Pompeii were great activities. The bus was comfortable. Everybody was on time. I would not recommend this activity for anyone who has a hard time walking long distances or on uneven surfaces. We did not get much time to shop. It was a quick full day and the guide was very informative and courteous, but we did notice a lot of older people in our group had a hard time keeping up with the rest of the group because of the uneven surfaces and how quickly the guide was going through the sites.

Gina_TMay 15, 2026VIATOR

Additional information

Travel time is included No dogs allowed in the vehicle for this option, sorry. Only service animals allowed.
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