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Art in Naples

Small groups · 5.5 hours

Pompeii and Herculaneum in one day with an archaeologist guide

The two cities buried by Vesuvius in AD 79, seen on the same day with an archaeologist guide and a group of no more than twenty. Pompeii in the morning, then the Circumvesuviana train (the local railway round Vesuvius) and Herculaneum in the afternoon: smaller but better preserved, with the upper floors of its houses still standing. People with just one day for the Vesuvian sites usually pick one of the two: here you see both, with tickets already in hand.

4.8(1,038 reviews on GetYourGuide) Piazza Esedra, Pompeii
Pompeii and Herculaneum in one day with an archaeologist guide
Photo: Commonists, CC BY-SA 4.0 · credits

Duration

5.5 hours

Group

up to 20

Languages

Italian, English

Cancellation

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before

Days

every day

Start

Piazza Esedra, Pompeii

What you’ll do

You meet in Piazza Esedra, in front of the Pompeii entrance, with ID in your pocket. The guide already has the tickets, so you skip the ticket-office queue. The visit lasts two hours and follows the streets of the Roman city: houses, shops and public spaces, explained by someone who does archaeology for a living. If the group is larger than ten, headsets are handed out.

After Pompeii there's a half-hour break, just enough for a sandwich or a look round the shops outside the ruins: lunch isn't included and there's no time to waste. Then you take the Circumvesuviana to Herculaneum together, a ride of about twenty minutes, with the one-way ticket already included in the price.

At Herculaneum you set off on another two-hour guided visit. Here the blanket of mud sealed in charred wood, frescoes and mosaics that didn't survive at Pompeii. The tour ends at the Herculaneum Archaeological Park, with no organised return: from there you make your own way back to Naples or Pompeii by public transport.

Who it’s for

For anyone who wants to really understand the difference between the two cities, not just see them, and who appreciates a small group with a well-prepared guide. The pace is brisk and there's a lot of walking on uneven Roman paving: not suitable for anyone with mobility issues or using a wheelchair, nor for anyone after a relaxed day.

Local tip

In summer bring a hat, sunglasses and a bottle of water: there's little shade at either site. For the half-hour break it's best to have something to eat with you already. If you're staying in Naples, get to Piazza Esedra on the Circumvesuviana, getting off at Pompei Scavi.

What’s included

Archaeologist guide + entry to both sites + Pompeii-Herculaneum train.

Price, availability and details come straight from GetYourGuide and are kept up to date. If you book through us, we get a small commission; it costs you nothing extra.

Frequently asked questions

How long does it last and where does it end?

About five and a half hours in total: two hours at Pompeii, a half-hour break, the train to Herculaneum and another two hours of visiting. It ends at the exit of the Herculaneum Archaeological Park, not at the starting point.

What's included in the price?

The archaeologist guide for the whole day, the entry tickets to Pompeii and Herculaneum, and the one-way Circumvesuviana ticket between the two sites. Meals, drinks and transport to Pompeii or back from Herculaneum aren't included.

What language is it in, and can I cancel?

The tour is available in Italian and English, depending on the date you choose. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start, with a full refund. Remember to bring your passport or ID card.

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from€104Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
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