Tours of Pompeii and Vesuvius - The Best Ways Visitors Can Explore Pompeii

Pompeii is a world-famous ancient city that’s an absolute must-see. Unearthed from under six meters of ash after the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD 79, it’s one of Italy’s most remarkable sites visitors can explore, pompei historic sites—and a window into how people lived some 2000 years ago. The best way to explore Pompeii is on a guided tour, which will allow you to hear all of the fascinating history of the ruins and how they were preserved beneath volcanic ash. With a wide range of Pompeii tours available, you can experience the city as if you’re a resident of ancient Rome.

Tours of Pompeii and Mount Vesuvius

Many companies offer tours that include both Pompeii and a trek up the nearby mountain, Vesuvius. This option is ideal for those who want to save time and effort in coordinating two separate trips. You’ll spend a full day traveling and exploring Pompeii, as well as taking in the view from the top of Vesuvius before returning to your hotel or apartment.

If you choose to do a tour that includes Pompeii and Vesuvius, book it in advance to ensure availability. Pompeii is a popular site that’s often visited by large groups of tourists, and you’ll find yourself in line to get inside for hours if you arrive without a reservation. You can also visit Pompeii with a private guide—which is a good option for those who prefer to travel independently but would rather have a personal expert by their side.

The best Pompeii tours are led by local guides who can provide a deeper level of insight into the ruins and help you understand the people that once called them home. The guides can give you background on the highlights of the city, such as the plaster death casts that show how people died during the eruption, and tell you the crazy anecdotes and legends of the ruins.

Aside from the main highlights of Pompeii, you’ll also visit the House of the Faun, a wealthy villa with beautiful frescoes that depict rites of a Pompeii City Tour. Because this villa is outside the main city, it’s not as heavily visited as Pompeii, meaning you’ll have more space to explore on your own. The house was excavated after Pompeii, but you’ll still have a great opportunity to see some of the most amazing examples of Roman art that have ever been found. This is a great place to appreciate how a villa was designed in order to show off wealth and status. The remarkably well-preserved frescoes are truly astounding.