Pompeii: Private Archaeologist Tour & Fast-Track Entry

Summary

Walk Roman streets with an archaeologist, see casts & ancient houses

You’ll walk Pompeii’s ancient streets with an archaeologist as your private guide—no crowds or waiting in line. Explore sites like the Forum, Stabian Baths, and Lupanar brothel; see haunting plaster casts and original mosaics up close. Expect honest stories, odd details, and moments that stick with you long after you leave.

What’s the experience like?

We were already squinting at the sun bouncing off old stones when our guide, Marta, waved us over by the Porta Marina Superiore gate. She had this battered notebook stuffed with sketches—said she’d been coming here for years. The air smelled faintly of dust and something green (maybe wild herbs growing between the stones?). I kept thinking about how many feet must’ve walked these streets before us. Marta led us right into the heart of Pompeii, past the Basilica where merchants once argued prices—she made it sound like you could almost hear them if you listened hard enough.

I didn’t expect to feel so weirdly connected to people who lived two thousand years ago. We stopped by the granary and stared at those plaster casts—the dog curled up still gets me. Someone’s phone beeped and it felt wrong, like we’d broken a spell. The main street, Via dell’Abbondanza, was busier than I thought (tour groups weaving around), but Marta somehow found quiet corners to show us faded mosaics and little details—she pointed out graffiti scratched into a wall, grinned when I tried to read some Latin out loud (I butchered it). The private tour meant we could ask anything; I probably asked too much about Roman toilets.

The Stabian Baths felt oddly familiar—steam rooms, pools, even lockers for sandals. We ducked into the Lupanar (the brothel), which was more awkward than I’d pictured but Marta handled it with a shrug and a joke about ancient “dating apps.” By then my shoes were full of gravel but I didn’t care; there was this light slanting through broken roofs that made everything glow for a second. I still think about that view across the Forum toward Vesuvius—so quiet now, but you can’t quite shake what happened here.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Pompeii archaeological highlights

• Meet guide at Porta Marina entrance
• Visit Basilica portico area
• See ancient main square
• Walk through main street
• Explore granary with casts
• Tour house of Menander
• Visit Stabian Baths complex
• See Pompeii's famous brothel
• Visit house of Faun
• Pass by Teatro Piccolo
• Visit main Pompeii Theater

Top questions

How long is the private Pompeii tour?

The tour lasts approximately 2 hours.

Is entry to Pompeii included in this tour?

Yes, admission fees are included in your booking.

Where do we meet our guide for the tour?

You’ll meet at Porta Marina Superiore entrance; look for a sign with “Askos Tours.”

Is this Pompeii tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, it is accessible; specific routes can be arranged on request.

What will we see during the tour?

You’ll visit highlights like the Forum, Via dell’Abbondanza, Stabian Baths, Lupanar brothel, theaters, and several houses.

Who leads this Pompeii private tour?

A professional archaeological guide leads each private tour.

Are public transport options nearby?

Yes, there are public transportation options close to the site entrance.

Does this include hotel pickup?

No hotel pickup is included; you meet directly at the site entrance.

What’s included

Your experience includes fast-track admission to Pompeii Archaeological Site plus two hours exploring with a private archaeologist as your guide—you’ll see key sites like the Forum and Stabian Baths up close without waiting in line or getting lost in big groups.