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Guided Tours

Pompeii Skip-the-Line Guided Tour with an Archaeologist

Ancient ruins of Pompeii with stone columns and archway under a clear blue sky.
Ancient ruins and columns in Pompeii, Italy, featured on a skip-the-line guided tour.
Tourists exploring the ancient Samnite House interior in Pompeii, Italy.
Tourists with guide exploring ancient ruins of Pompeii, Italy.

Duration

2 hr - 3 hr

Open today

09:00am - 07:00pm

Free cancellation

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience

Guided tour

Instant confirmation

Mobile ticket

With skip-the-line entry, explore key excavations of Pompeii, including the ancient amphitheater, accompanied by an archaeologist guide.

4.6/5

(2,535)

Rikke Bergmann

Rikke

Jul 2025
Verified booking
Our Guide was incredible. She could answer all questions and was very knowledgable and up to date on recent archeological research of Pompeii and was a researcher herself. We feel we really learned a lot about Pompeii and it's ancient residents and it would not at all have been a similar experience without a guide or a less knowledgable one. I do not understand why the price of the tour for children below 18 (tour includes the Pompeii official admission fee), is almost as high as the price for adults since entrance to Pompeii is free for all below 18. The price for adults was 59 euro and for children 55/59. That means the agency earn 19 euro extra (Pompeii admission prive) for each of the children since they do not have to pay for their admission. That is not ok.
Ioana Razvan Teodor

Ioana

Jun 2025
Verified booking
The crowds were enormous, because it was the first Sunday of the month and the entrance for the rest of the people was free. Our guide explained to us that on 2nd of June is the day of the Republic so that's why the crowds were so big. Roberta was great in taking us to see the best places as she used to work there 7 years ago. Although she is small -as she mentioned several times- she could make herself heard and seen and she was the perfect guide. Her knowledge in history and archaeology is only overshined by her great spirit and atitudine. Also, she has a great smile! Thanks, Roberta for the cool experience on such a hot day!
Ian William McGregor

Ian

Jul 2025
Verified booking
Really lived up to its name as we skipped pretty much all the clues. Paulo (our guide) took us where the queues weren't; and was on good terms with every crowd controller (most were ladies - just saying) and knew absolutely everything we needed to know. It was very interesting to see the ongoing excavations under the high tech structure and appreciate how much material is moved to access this town frozen in time. It is still possible to imagine the owners of these villas and understand some of how their world operated before that fateful day, and a knowledgeable and enthusiastic guide like Paulo is key to that.
    • Discover the Pompeii Archaeological Park with an expert archaeologist guide, with a skip-the-line entry ticket.

    • Walk through the ancient streets of Pompeii, and marvel at Mount Vesuvius while your guide recounts the dramatic history of this city.

    • Stroll along Via dell’Abbondanza to Teatro Grande, uncovering ancient artworks and Roman graffiti at Casa del Menandro along the way.

    • Marvel at the frescoes depicting the Nucerians-Pompeiians battle, and opt for an English, Spanish, Italian, French, or German-speaking guide, as per your comfort.

    • Fun fact: Pompeii's Amphitheater could hold up to 20,000 spectators, showcasing the scale of entertainment in ancient Rome.

    • 2-hour guided tour of Pompeii

    • Skip-the-line entry

    • English, Spanish, Italian, German, and French-speaking archaeologist guide (as per option selected)

    • Entry to Villa dei Misteri (optional)

    • Small group (optional)

    • Earphones for small groups (optional)

  • You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.

  • How do we collect reviews?

    4.6
    2,535 ratings
    5/5
    1.9K
    4/5
    493
    3/5
    74
    2/5
    42
    1/5
    69
    • Spain
    • France
    • United States
    • United Kingdom
    • Germany
    • Canada
    • Australia
    • Switzerland
    • Argentina
    • Belgium
    Guests from Spain, France, United States and over 60 countries have loved this experience

    NICOLAS CHAMPRENAULT

    Nicolas

    Jul, 2025Verified booking

    5/5
    The guide was fantastic. We had a very interactive tour with great insights about the site and feel that we understand a bit better the complexity of Pompei. The group was small and we had a lot of fun together. Overall great experience.
    Heng Weiqiang Sandor

    Heng

    Jul, 2025Verified booking

    5/5
    Headout app was easy and comprehensive to navigate. I managed to squeeze in to purchase last minute tickets to Pompei with archaeologist the night before. Once bought, the agency (Askos) was in touch via email and WhatsApp to confirm the booking, and give reminders to be on time. Straight forward instructions to reach, and saved quite a bit of $$ using public transport to the location. Really made my Naples trip a memorable one, so much so that I used to buy tickets to the catacombs too. They even gave discounts for future Headout purchases. I highly recommend this platform.
    Ian William McGregor

    Ian

    Jul, 2025Verified booking

    5/5
    Really lived up to its name as we skipped pretty much all the clues. Paulo (our guide) took us where the queues weren't; and was on good terms with every crowd controller (most were ladies - just saying) and knew absolutely everything we needed to know. It was very interesting to see the ongoing excavations under the high tech structure and appreciate how much material is moved to access this town frozen in time. It is still possible to imagine the owners of these villas and understand some of how their world operated before that fateful day, and a knowledgeable and enthusiastic guide like Paulo is key to that.
    Laura A Murtagh

    Laura

    Jul, 2025Verified booking

    5/5
    We had a great time on this tour and it was just the right amount of history and humour for a family of different ages and interests. Our guide Frankie was excellent at keeping us away from crowds and in the shade as much as possible and made the experience "fantastico". Would recommend.
    Gerardo a moreno Arias (yahoo)

    Gerardo

    Jun, 2025Verified booking

    5/5
    Ma Laura was a kind and experienced guide that game us a lot of information on facts abou Pompei. This tour was great thanks to Ma Laura! Thank you very much!!!
  • Through an archaeologist's lens

    Take a 2-hour guided walk through Pompeii, an archaeological marvel, offering insights into daily life during the Roman Empire. Breeze past the queue with the skip-the-line ticket, and begin your expedition with an archaeologist guide through ancient streets and the bustling Forum, a central public space serving as the heart of civic, commercial, and social activities.

    Learn about the city's history, including the catastrophic eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. This volcanic eruption buried the city under a thick layer of ash and pumice, preserving it remarkably well for centuries. Discover hidden secrets of attractions like the Basilica, the Thermopolium of Asellina, and the Stabian Baths, considered to be the oldest public baths in the city, constructed during the 2nd century BC.

    Walk through Pompeii’s highlights

    Stroll down the Via dell’Abbondanza to reach the Teatro Grande, Pompeii's foremost theatre, primarily hosting theatrical performances, musical events, and various public spectacles. Throughout the exploration, you'll have the opportunity to appreciate ancient Roman artworks. Have the opportunity to step into the culinary world of ancient Pompeii as you explore the Thermopilia, ancient Roman "fast-food" establishments that once served as communal gathering spaces for locals.

    Get to see the erotic frescoes woven into the walls of Pompeii's ruins where your guide will provide a nuanced perspective on the sensual aspects of Pompeii's culture.

    Visit Foro, a hub of ancient political activities where you can get a sense of political chatters that once existed in these ruins. End the tour at the 'Calchi dei Corpi,' plaster casts that preserve the final moments of victims during the eruption of Mount Vesuvius.

  • Pompeii

    Monday09:00am - 07:00pmlast entry 05:30pm
    Tuesday09:00am - 07:00pmlast entry 05:30pm
    Wednesday09:00am - 07:00pmlast entry 05:30pm
    Thursday09:00am - 07:00pmlast entry 05:30pm
    Friday09:00am - 07:00pmlast entry 05:30pm
    Saturday09:00am - 07:00pmlast entry 05:30pm
    Sunday09:00am - 07:00pmlast entry 05:30pm
  • What to bring

    • Bring along comfortable shoes since this is a walking tour.

    • It is recommended to bring along sunscreen in summer.

    What's not allowed

    • Due to venue restrictions, only small dogs on a leash can be brought inside the park. Guide dogs with a certificate are permitted.

    • Strict dress code: Modest clothing is recommended.

    • Keep in mind sharp metallic tools or objects are not allowed in this experience. Pack wisely!

    Accessibility

    • This experience is not accessible by wheelchair.

    Additional information

    • The fee for the excavation sites of Pompeii is free for all first Sundays of the month.

    • Guides will adapt the route to accommodate opening/closing restrictions or restoration work, so the specific tour sites may vary.

    • Facilities: Cloakroom

    • Your voucher will be emailed to you instantly.

    • Display the voucher on your mobile phone with a valid photo ID at the meeting point.

    • Please arrive at the meeting point 15 minutes before the scheduled time of your tour to avoid any delays.

    Meeting point

    • Please check your final voucher for the meeting point details and specific instructions.

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