Horseback riding Pompeii with Vesuvius trails and wine tasting

Ride the slopes of Vesuvius, then walk through buried Pompeii

A full-day horseback riding and sightseeing tour from Pompeii combines three experiences: a guided ride on scenic trails at the foot of Mount Vesuvius, an expert-led walk through the Pompeii Archaeological Site, and a wine and cheese tasting at a local farm on the volcano's slopes. A private guide and driver accompany you throughout, customizing the ride to your ability and ending with Lacryma Christi wines, local cheeses, and a Vesuvian lunch.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Pompeii Archaeological Site2h · entry included
2. Mt. Vesuvius1h · entry included

Horseback riding, Pompeii visit, wine tasting

• Meet at Piazza Esedra
• Horseback riding on Vesuvius slopes
• Visit Pompeii ruins with guide
• Explore temples, theaters, villas
• Taste local wines and cheeses
• Learn about volcanic vineyards

The experience

If you have a free afternoon or morning in the Naples area, this tour picks you up and builds the day around what you do, not what you watch. You start at Piazza Esedra (a 170-meter walk from the Circumvesuviana train station) and ride out onto the volcanic slopes of Mount Vesuvius with an instructor who adjusts the pace and terrain to your experience: excursions run from one hour up to longer routes, and groups stay under six riders. The trails wind through the National Park with views across the Bay of Naples. The instructors stay with you the whole time, so first-time riders and experienced ones book the same tour.

After the ride, the private driver takes you to the Pompeii Archaeological Site, where a guide leads you through the ruins of the Roman city buried in 79 AD. You walk past temples, theaters, villas and frescoed houses, seeing wall paintings, mosaics and everyday objects that survived the eruption. The guide explains how people actually lived there (the streets, the habits, the art) rather than just naming what you're looking at.

The day ends on the slopes of Vesuvius at a local winery. You taste volcanic vineyards where grapes grow in ash-enriched soil, then move to a tasting of Lacryma Christi and other regional wines paired with cold cuts, cheeses, grilled vegetables, a pasta dish with Vesuvius tomatoes, meatballs, and a welcome glass of prosecco. The staff walk you through the wine and dairy traditions of Campania while you eat. Water and air-conditioned transport are included throughout. The total day runs seven to eight hours.

What’s included

• Private transportation with a private driver in an air-conditioned vehicle.
• private guide throughout the Pompeii ruins.
• horseback riding on Vesuvius trails customized to your ability.
• water on board.
• parking fees.
• wine and cheese tasting with a lunch of cold cuts, cheeses, grilled vegetables, pasta, meatballs, and welcome prosecco plus four to five glasses of wine and a glass of limoncello.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesAdult (17 to 70 years) · Senior (71 to 90 years) · Youth (13 to 16 years) · Child (5 to 12 years) · Infant (1 to 4 years)

GroupUp to 8

Live guideEnglish, Spanish and Italian

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Paid on site€ 20

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomeNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problems

Operated by Top Excursion Sorrento

Is this one for you?Seven to eight hours is enough for all three activities without rushing, but it means a full day. Book this if you're staying near Naples or Sorrento for at least one overnight and want to pack history, nature and food into a single outing. The fixed itinerary works for solo travelers and small groups up to six riders. If you need flexibility on timing or want to skip one activity, contact the operator before booking.

Traveler reviews

5.00★★★★★★★★★★

1 verified traveler review

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish and Italian.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (13 to 16 years); Child (5 to 12 years); Infant (1 to 4 years).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

Can I do this horseback riding tour if I've never ridden before?

Yes. The instructors customize the excursion to your ability and stay with you the entire time, so beginners and experienced riders take the same tour. Routes and durations vary depending on what you're comfortable with.

What exactly is Lacryma Christi wine?

Lacryma Christi is a regional wine grown on the volcanic slopes of Mount Vesuvius. The grapes thrive in the ash-enriched soil left by the volcano, giving the wine its distinctive character. You'll taste it alongside other local varieties during the farm tasting at the end of the day.

Do I need to buy a separate ticket to enter Pompeii?

Yes, Pompeii excavation entry tickets are not included in this tour. You'll need to arrange those separately or contact the operator to add them when you book.

How does the day flow between the three activities?

You start with the horseback ride on Vesuvius slopes, then the private driver takes you to Pompeii for the guided walk through the ruins. After exploring the archaeological site, the driver transports you to the winery on Vesuvius's slopes for the wine and cheese tasting with lunch.