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Grand Tour Experience · Porta Marina

Pompeii with an archaeologist

Two hours on foot in the excavations with an archaeologist who is also a licensed guide, with the Pompei Express ticket already included. The choice for those who want to understand what they are seeing, from the Forum to the frescoed houses, without organising anything.

Guided tour with archaeologist and ticket

The experience

It's a 2-hour guided tour inside the ancient city, with an archaeologist who has worked on the excavations and has a guide licence. You can book in a small group or privately; the tour is in Italian, English, French or Spanish. The price starts from $62 per person and includes the Pompei Express ticket, the one for the ancient city only, without the suburban villas.

For comparison: the official Pompei Express costs €20 in 2026 on Vivaticket or at the ticket offices inside the Park, and is named and non-refundable. The Park also organises themed guided routes, «Pompei civica» and «Pompei quotidiana», of about one and a half hours at €8 plus the ticket (source: Park's Hours and Prices page). Here the difference is an archaeologist for two hours, headsets and free cancellation up to 24 hours before.

Two things to know beforehand. The ticket shows the name of each participant, so the operator asks for the first and last names of everyone and a document is required at the entrance, even for children. And the listing states it is not suitable for those with mobility difficulties or who use a wheelchair: the route is on ancient paved streets.

  • An archaeologist and licensed guide who has worked in the excavations
  • The Forum, the Basilica, the temples of Jupiter and Apollo, and the Forum Baths
  • Frescoed houses such as the House of the Vettii and the House of the Tragic Poet
  • The Large Theatre, with the tour ending at Piazza Esedra
  • Pompei Express ticket and earphones included in the price

How it works

  1. FirstSend the names

    After booking, send the operator the first and last names of each participant: they are needed to issue the named tickets.

  2. MeetingPorta Marina

    The meeting is outside the entrance of Porta Marina, in front of the Pompei Scavi - Villa dei Misteri Circumvesuviana station. The guide holds a «Pompei VIP» sign.

  3. First hourForum and temples

    From the Basilica, you go to the Civic Forum, the Temple of Jupiter, and the Temple of Apollo, then to the Forum Baths and the Macellum, the market.

  4. Second hourThe houses

    House of the Tragic Poet and House of the Vettii; the House of the Faun and the Lupanar are optional stops. The itinerary is indicative.

  5. EndLarge Theatre and Piazza Esedra

    It ends with the Large Theatre and exit at Piazza Esedra. The ticket is valid for one entry only, so it is best to stay inside if you want to see more.

The ruins of the Forum of Pompeii with columns and Vesuvius in the backgroundA bronze statue among the columns of a sanctuary, with Vesuvius behind

What's included

Included

  • Archaeologist and licensed guide
  • Pompei Express ticket (ancient city only)
  • Headphones
  • Small group or private tour, depending on the option
  • Free cancellation up to 24 hours before

Not included

  • Suburban villas and Villa of the Mysteries
  • Transport to Porta Marina
  • Paid left-luggage for bags over 30x30x15 cm

Who it’s for

Book it if

  • You want a tour explained by an archaeologist, not a free walk
  • You have two hours and prefer to see the main stops in order
  • You need free cancellation up to 24 hours before
  • You travel in a group or family and want the private option

Choose something else if

What travellers say

★★★★★

The archaeological guide was very knowledgeable and told interesting anecdotes throughout the tour.

Angella, Australia · Oct 2026 · originally in English
★★★★★

Our guide was very thorough and brought the history of Pompeii to life.

Jo-Anne, Australia · Oct 2026 · originally in English
★★★★★

The guide has a real passion for the site and its history and was very knowledgeable.

Karel, South Africa · Oct 2026 · originally in English

Tips before booking

  • Bring a document for each participant: a photo is also fine, according to the listing. The name must match the one on the ticket.
  • Comfortable shoes and water: there are drinking fountains inside the excavations.
  • No swimsuits, alcohol, animals, or electric wheelchairs, according to the listing.
  • Backpacks and bags over 30x30x15 cm are not allowed: they must go to the paid left-luggage at Porta Marina.
  • The tour ends at Piazza Esedra: if you want to return to the Forum or see more, do it without exiting.

Read:

Frequently asked questions

Is the entry ticket included?

Yes: the price includes the Pompei Express ticket, which is valid for the ancient city only. The suburban villas, such as the Villa of the Mysteries, are not included.

Where is the meeting point?

Outside the entrance of Porta Marina, in front of the Pompei Scavi - Villa dei Misteri Circumvesuviana station. The guide has a «Pompei VIP» sign.

Why do they ask for the participants' names?

From 2026, Park tickets are named: they show the name, day, and time band. At the entrance, staff may ask for a document, and if the name does not match, you cannot enter.

Can it be cancelled?

Yes, free up to 24 hours before. The official ticket bought alone, on the other hand, is non-refundable except in case of extraordinary closure of the Park.

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Book: Tour with archaeologist

Two hours with an archaeologist who is also a licensed guide, with the Pompei Express ticket included. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before.

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Two hours with an archaeologist who is also a licensed guide, with the Pompei Express ticket included. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before.

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