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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, part of a skip-the-line guided tour.
Tourists exploring the ancient Samnite House interior in Pompeii, Italy.
Tourists with a guide exploring an ancient room in the 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

Book now, pay later

Book now without paying anything. Cancel for free if your plans change.

Guided tour

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

4.6/5

(3,242)

Marion Thompson

Marion

Oct 2025
Verified booking
5/5
We booked a 2 hour guided tour, but stayed later to see more of the site and took a local train to and from Naples (very easy to do this.) I am so pleased we booked the skip the line tour. It saved all the hassle of the entry gate and the guide brought us straight into the site. She was full of knowledge and kept us going at a good pace through some of the main areas. Without her, we would have stayed too long at some areas and missed a lot. In 2 hours we saw a lot of the main buidlings and got a good impression of the whole site, so we were able to go and see more of the villas and streets after the tour. This is definitely the way to see Pompeii if it is your first visit. I have used this company before, in Rome, and they are organised and reliable.
Charles Reddish

Charles

Oct 2025
Verified booking
5/5
Friendly and enthusiastic guide with good knoweldge of the site and its history. Small group. Headphones worked fine. Well paced 3 hour tour taking in a good sample of the best sites to see in Pompeii. The Villa dei Misteri was a highlight for me with its set of frescoes showing a Roman woman's journey to marriage - life size paintings in very good condition. The tour inevitably left out other "must see" sites, so taking an early morning tour and then staying on for the rest of the day to do more exploring on your own definitely recommended. The restaurant at the top of the catering building in the middle of the site was very good - ignore the self-service queues and walk up to the restaurant - nice terrace with tables and views over Pompeii.
Amalia Márquez Yébenes

Amalia

Oct 2025
Verified booking
5/5
It is very easy to get there from Naples (Garibaldi), and very fast too, only 3 stops in about 40 minutes. The entrance to Pompeii is in front of the station, but we met the guide a little further on, at the next entrance. Rafael was great. He gave a lot of interesting information in a very pleasant way. The visit was very short thanks to Rafael, even though it lasted more than 2 hours. When he said goodbye he gave us tips on things to see and how to get back to the exit near the station. In addition, everything was perfectly audible thanks to the devices they give, that also counts, because you can attend to the explanations without having to stick to the guide or hear all the noise of other visitors. Totally recommended!
    • 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.

  • 4.6
    3,242 reviews

    How do we collect reviews?

    These ratings include verified reviews from both Headout guests and our trusted partners who operate this experience locally. All reviews come from real travelers who've taken this experience.

    2.3K
    616
    102
    52
    86
    Guests from Spain, France, United States and over 10 countries have loved this experience

    What our guests say

    Charles Reddish

    Charles

    Oct 2025
    Verified booking
    5/5
    Friendly and enthusiastic guide with good knoweldge of the site and its history. Small group. Headphones worked fine. Well paced 3 hour tour taking in a good sample of the best sites to see in Pompeii. The Villa dei Misteri was a highlight for me with its set of frescoes showing a Roman woman's journey to marriage - life size paintings in very good condition. The tour inevitably left out other "must see" sites, so taking an early morning tour and then staying on for the rest of the day to do more exploring on your own definitely recommended. The restaurant at the top of the catering building in the middle of the site was very good - ignore the self-service queues and walk up to the restaurant - nice terrace with tables and views over Pompeii.
    Amalia Márquez Yébenes

    Amalia

    Oct 2025
    Verified booking
    5/5
    It is very easy to get there from Naples (Garibaldi), and very fast too, only 3 stops in about 40 minutes. The entrance to Pompeii is in front of the station, but we met the guide a little further on, at the next entrance. Rafael was great. He gave a lot of interesting information in a very pleasant way. The visit was very short thanks to Rafael, even though it lasted more than 2 hours. When he said goodbye he gave us tips on things to see and how to get back to the exit near the station. In addition, everything was perfectly audible thanks to the devices they give, that also counts, because you can attend to the explanations without having to stick to the guide or hear all the noise of other visitors. Totally recommended!
    Sean Philips

    Sean

    Oct 2025
    Verified booking
    5/5
    Excellent tour, Frankie brought Pompeii to life with his enthusiasm, humour and knowledge. He kept us clear of the crowds wherever possible, didn't make us feel rushed and advised the best time to photograph the main area by leading us back to where we started when everything was quieter. The whole experience was great value for money and meeting up with the tour party was so easy and straight forward. Both my son and I were so pleased we had joined the tour and both of us agreed it is excellent value for money. 10/10
    BRANKA STURICA

    Branka

    Oct 2025
    Verified booking
    5/5
    The tour was incredible, worth every penny, especially thanks to our guide Iliana. She explained many facts about life in Pompeii in an interesting way, with humor and interesting information that made it easier for us to walk through the cobblestone streets. She also supervised our group professionally and carefully. I highly recommend this tour.
    Silvia Varona Arroyo

    Silvia

    Oct 2025
    Verified booking
    5/5
    Our guide was very good, she explained everything very well and was very calm. Maybe the visit was a little short because it was 2 hours and finally I doubt it will be an hour and a half. But what she explained was perfect.
  • 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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