5 Best Tours From Naples to Pompeii

Explore the mysterious ruins on these Naples tours for a memorable journey back in time to ancient Pompeii.
Written By: Andrea Spallanzani
Reviewed by: Rick Orford
How & Why We Created This Article

This article has been written, reviewed, and fact-checked by Rick and I. We live in Italy and travel throughout the country to help you make the best choices for your trip. We wrote this piece to help you have the best trip possible on your next trip to Italy. Portions of this article have been written using assistive AI tools to help with tasks like research, spell-checking, grammar, and translation.

Last Updated March 22, 2024

In this article, you'll learn how:

  • Various tours from Naples to Pompeii offer unique experiences, from guided archaeological site tours to exploring nearby attractions like Sorrento, Amalfi Coast, and Herculaneum.
  • Private transfers from Naples to Pompeii and Sorrento provide a personalized and immersive journey, allowing you to explore Pompeii's wonders at your own pace.
  • A road trip option lets you explore three beautiful Italian cities on a half-day trip from Naples. You'll have opportunities to taste limoncello, shop, and enjoy local cuisine.

Visiting Naples and want to see Pompeii is one of the most fascinating archaeological sites in the world. Once a bustling Roman town with paved streets and grand villas, Pompeii was frozen in time when Mount Vesuvius erupted in AD 79 and caught an estimated 12,000 people completely unprepared. 

The city was preserved for over two thousand years until it was rediscovered in 1748. Having visited the site several times, Pompeii is absolutely worth seeing as visitors can stroll along ancient Roman streets, view beautiful villas, and participate in an exciting and memorable adventure.

If you’re planning a full or half-day trip from Naples to Pompeii, these tours can help you get the most out of your visit.

You can take a guided tour of the Pompeii Archaeological Site—whether a small VIP group or a larger regular group—and explore the paved streets, lavish villas, and temples of this well-preserved Roman city. Experience Pompeii’s ancient piazza and its famous theaters, or visit Vitti’s house and “Lupanare” (the old Roman brothel) for yourself! You can also see natural body casts preserved by volcanic ash nearly two thousand years ago!

A Travel Guide From Naples to Pompeii

Just 26 kilometers, or around 30 minutes by car, separate Pompeii from Naples, making it ideal for a half-day vacation. One of Italy’s most well-liked tourist spots, the remains of Pompeii draw 2.5 million tourists annually.

Naples and Pompeii are connected by buses, trains, and tours for those looking for a more in-depth experience. The Circumvesuviana railway provides the easiest way to get to Pompeii from Naples. This is for visitors who want to see the archeological ruins of Pompeii and Herculaneum. The train route connects Naples and Sorrento, with stops near the excavated ancient Roman cities.

A tour guide who can direct you to the most significant locations is an excellent way to see as much as possible in one day because the ruins are so extensive—about 44 hectares have been unearthed. We took a guided tour of Pompeii with our very knowledgeable guide Vincenzo. He gave much inside information about Pompeii, including some fun facts that only an experienced tour guide knows.

If you’re wondering whether it’s worth getting a guided tour of Pompeii or not, the answer is “It is!”. Pompeii offers much to explore for visitors. The archaeological site is pretty wide with well-preserved ruins of this ancient Roman city. Having a tour guide improves the experience as they usually provide historical context and details about the area. 

A journey to the adjacent Mount Vesuvius is a fantastic option for anyone looking for more information about what transpired in Pompeii. Here is our guide to the best half-day tours from Naples to Pompeii.

Tour CategoryDurationHighlightsTransportation Options
Pompeii Archaeological Site TourHalf/Full DayExplore ancient streets, villas, templesGuided tour, buses, trains
Mount Vesuvius ExcursionHalf DayLearn about Pompeii’s history, visit SorrentoGuided tour, buses
Road Trip Through Amalfi CoastFull DayShop, sample limoncello, visit Positano & AmalfiLuxury bus
Pompeii, Herculaneum & VesuviusFull DayVisit Pompeii, Herculaneum, and Mount VesuviusGuided tour, buses
Pompeii Walking TourHalf DayExplore Pompeii’s ruins, forum, thermal bathsGuided walking tour
Naples Archeological MuseumHalf DayView ancient Greek & Roman artifactsSelf-guided visit
Castel Nuovo ExplorationHalf DayExplore historical castle, enjoy panoramic viewsSelf-guided visit
Sansevero Chapel VisitHalf DayMarvel at famous sculptures, including Veiled ChristSelf-guided visit
Naples Harbor ExplorationFlexibleStroll along vibrant ports, experience local cultureSelf-guided visit

Private Transfer From Naples To Pompeii & Sorrento

Experience your tour with a private driver from Naples to Sorrento. It includes Naples hotel pickup and drop-off. We recommend you take a two-hour stop to explore the wonder of Pompeii and learn about its history. You can take a day trip from Naples to Pompeii. But to avoid peak times, it would be best to visit between 9 am to 11 am or later in the afternoon.

You can enjoy a 2-hour stop in Pompeii as you travel from Naples to Sorrento. Infact, I highly suggest spending at least the night in Sorrento or perhaps 4 to 6 hours, which should be enough time, to really immerse yourself in the culture.

You will be able to appreciate the beauty of the city that Mount Vesuvius’ catastrophic eruption of 79 A.D. buried beneath meters of ash and pumice. After your fascinating tour, you will proceed to Sorrento, where more enchanted settings await you.

A Road Trip Through Pompeii & The Amalfi Coast

On your half-day trip from Naples, explore three breathtaking Italian cities. On this enjoyable day, you can browse stores, sample limoncello, and eat a light lunch.

You can travel from Naples to Sorrento while admiring the natural beauty of the surroundings. While traveling, pay attention to the commentary.

After stopping to sample some of the limoncellos, a local liquor made from lemons, spend up to an hour exploring the winding lanes. Visit artisan stores and indulge in some regional specialties.

Continue to Positano, where you will have an hour to spend at the beach or admire the summertime flowers. Before going to a fine restaurant on the coast for lunch on a patio with stunning sea views, shop for the local Moda Positano fashions.

After that, you can spend the next hour and a half at your leisure in Amalfi, where you may explore the church or unwind on the beach with homemade ice cream.

Discover Ancient Wonders In Campania: Pompeii, Herculaneum & Mount Vesuvius

You can visit three of Campania’s top attractions in a single day. Make use of tickets with no lines. Discover the historical ruins of Pompeii and Herculaneum, a Roman settlement, and be in awe of Mount Vesuvius.

Now, if you’re wondering how to get to Pompeii and Herculaneum in one day, here’s how!

Enjoy your day of fascinating sightseeing as you unwind in comfort and style on a luxury bus as you travel to charming locations in the Campania Region. After being tragically destroyed by volcanic lava nearly 2000 years ago, the world-famous Pompeii ruins are your first stop on the tour. These ancient ruins are in excellent condition. After spending about two hours there, it’s time to leave the Pompeii site.

We recommend you visit the fascinating Roman town of Herculaneum, another ancient site obliterated in 79 A.D. by volcanic flows. Retrace the course of history as the ruins are still primarily undisturbed after so many years. In Herculaneum, you will see the chilling site where the city’s people tried to find shelter from the eruption, but instead, they found their death.

After spending 1.5 hours at Herculaneum, proceed toward the impressive Mount Vesuvius to take in this magnificent but intimidating volcano.

Enjoy live commentary from your private driver as you travel to and from each destination. Learn about the legends and anecdotes surrounding these three of the area’s most popular tourist destinations.

Pompeii Walking Tour: A Private Tour Of The Ancient Ruins

You can take a private tour of ancient Pompeii ruins without waiting in line for tickets. View many of the structures still standing despite being covered in volcanic ash during Vesuvius’ eruption and see more than 250 ancient artifacts that are in exhibit. 

Bypass the crowds and take a guided walking tour of the historical city of Pompeii. Find out about daily life and the previous residents. Explore significant structures like the Forum and the Thermal Baths.

Prepare to explore the excavation site where the Ancient Roman town has been slowly revealed over the last few centuries. After being covered by volcanic ash for almost two thousand years, many of its landmarks are remarkably well preserved.

You will see the Forum, the Thermal Baths, Lupanare (the ancient brothel), and even streets with shops displaying signs selling produce, including wine, on this walking tour as you learn about Roman town life at the time.

You can learn more about the town’s history and what transpired on that day in 79 A.D. when the nearby Mount Vesuvius erupted with the aid of a tour guide.

Experience Naples National Archeological Museum

View one of the most significant archeological museums in the world. It exhibits over 2,500 ancient objects. Look at gems, sculptures, and artifacts from Pompeii and Herculaneum that the Bourbons, the royal family of Naples, inherited from the Farnese collections.

One of the best collections of Greco-Roman artifacts worldwide can be seen at the Naples National Archeological Museum when you use your day admission ticket. Midway through the 18th century, King Charles III of Spain founded the museum.

The museum is home to sizable collections of ancient Greek and Roman artifacts. The Farnese marble and other engraved gems that comprise the collection’s core are part of the Farnese Collection. Additionally, you can view the museum’s most well-known collections and brand-new exhibits like the renowned Secret Cabinet and a history of coins.

3 Things to See While Staying in Naples

The city of Naples sits on Italy’s western coast, overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea. With a population of 975,000 and a larger metropolitan population of more than 3.1 million, this enormous metropolis ranks third in terms of population in Italy, behind Milan and Rome. Since the Neolithic era, people have lived in Naples and the surrounding area. This human presence persisted through the ancient Greek, Roman, and later periods.

Naples has seen bloody wars throughout history as various civilizations fought to control the region. The country is one of the major economies in Italy and one of the most important Mediterranean ports. Due to the region’s long history, Naples has significant old structures, squares, and churches. It also has a wealth of modern conveniences and fantastic nightlife options. This genuinely magnificent tourist site looms in the shadow of the fabled Mount Vesuvius.

Castel Nuovo

One of the first views that guests approaching Naples from cruise ships will encounter is the Castel Nuovo, which stands out as a prominent element in the city’s skyline.

One of Naples’ most important historical sites, the castle is conveniently located near the well-known Piazza del Plebiscito.

The castle, built in 1282, has five round, crenulated towers and a fantastic triumphal arch that was later added.

Explore the castle’s interior to take in its lovely towers, the painted ceiling of the Baron’s Hall, the central courtyard, and the breathtaking views of Naples and the harbor that can be had by climbing the ramparts.

Cappella Sansevero

Naples’s center has numerous chapels and churches, including the Sansevero Chapel.

Before being transformed into a family burial chapel in 1613, the chapel was constructed in 1590 and served as the Duke of Torremaggoire’s private house. Near the harbor and the Castel Nuovo, the chapel sits in the heart of Naples.

Cappella di San Severo

Even though the chapel’s outside is simple and unremarkable, its inside is extraordinarily magnificent and the main attraction.

The chapel contains a sizable collection of paintings and numerous famous sculptures.

A beautiful painting adorns the ceiling, and several marble statues keep vigil at each pillar.

This outstanding display’s centerpiece is the magnificent Veiled Christ statue created by Giuseppe Sanmartino.

Naples Harbour

Naples from the top

Naples has a very active port, and marine trade is the primary driver of the local economy.

The network of ports, divided into different docks, is constantly bustling with activity.

You might easily spend hours strolling through the docks and ports along the stretch of land that runs from the Castel Nuovo to the Piazza San Giovanni Battista while taking in the fascinating activity that takes on here.

If you keep going west, you’ll also come to Porto di Mergellina, full of hip cafes and restaurants with a lively ambiance.

Come here to experience local culture and marvel at the various yachts docked in the harbor.

Conclusion

It is simple to understand why visiting Pompeii is one of the most popular activities in Italy. Pompeii, which had a population of 20,000, had suffered significant damage from an earthquake only 16 years before its destruction. Only about 2,000 people were trapped in the city when the final flow descended like a tidal wave because they had started leaving as soon as the eruption became apparent.

Reclaiming ancient Pompeii is still ongoing, and each fresh discovery advances our knowledge of daily life in 79 C.E. The most recent discovery was a slave family’s living quarters in a room of the nearby villa of Civita Giuliana. The room served as storage space and housing beds made of wood planks.

Its homes, shops, and public spaces will surprise you with the vivid impression of the old life they give you. Unavoidably, one gets the impression that everyone was going about their daily routines when the eruption happened, unaware that their final deeds would one day serve as a window into history. Pompeii is one of Italy’s most well-liked tourist destinations. It is easily accessible from Rome or Sorrento and can even be visited as a half-day trip from Naples.