Private Tour of Pompeii: Roman Life Frozen in 79 AD

See the daily world of gladiators, slaves and senators preserved in stone

A private walking tour of Pompeii Archaeological Site with a professional art historian guide in your choice of languages. You move through the frozen Roman city at your own pace, learning how gladiators trained, slaves worked, citizens shopped and senators governed before the eruption of Vesuvius in 79 AD. The tour runs 2 or 4 hours and covers all major highlights of the site.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Pompeii archaeological site

• Arrive at Pompeii ticket office
• Walk through Pompeii archaeological site

The experience

Pompeii Archaeological Site sits exactly where it was buried: a complete Roman city stopped in time by volcanic ash in 79 AD. Your guide, a professional art historian, walks you through the streets and buildings, pointing out the details that bring the daily routines into focus: the grooves worn into stone thresholds by foot traffic, the bakeries with loaves still in the ovens, the amphitheater where crowds gathered. You'll see where gladiators lived and trained, where enslaved people worked in households and workshops, where ordinary citizens bought food and goods, and where the wealthy built their homes around courtyards and gardens.

The tour is private, which means the pace and focus are yours. You choose between 2 hours to cover the main highlights or 4 hours to move deeper into the site. Your guide speaks English, Spanish, Italian, French or one of several other languages, so the explanations land in your own words. If you book the option that includes transport, pickup and drop-off are arranged. Otherwise, public transportation reaches the site easily.

Wear good walking shoes and bring a hat. The site has little shade and the stone paths are uneven. The terrain is moderate. You'll be on your feet the whole time, moving through open air and partly covered areas. Pictures are allowed throughout. Gratuities and food or drinks are not included, though you can bring your own water and snacks.

What’s included

• Your private art historian guide.
• admission to Pompeii Archaeological Site.
• private transport when you select that option at checkout.

Options for this experience

2 options

Private two-hour tour of PompeiiGuide in 8 languages · 09:00 and 14:00The tour runs for two hours. Guests meet the guide at Pompeii Porta Marina Superiore.

Pompei tour+transferGuide in 8 languages · 08:00 and 14:00A private two-hour tour of Pompeii, including a private car transfer to and from Naples train station or a hotel.

You pick the guide language when booking.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 08:00, 09:00 and 14:00

Book up to10h before

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Chinese and Russian

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.

Prices and times updated 11 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortStroller-friendlyPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Italian Vista Travel

Is this one for you?Book the 2-hour tour if you want the major sites in a morning or afternoon. Choose 4 hours if you're interested in the smaller details and less-visited areas of the city. The private format means your guide adjusts to your pace and interests rather than following a fixed group schedule.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Russian, Chinese and Chinese.

What exactly will I see at Pompeii Archaeological Site?

Pompeii Archaeological Site is a preserved Roman city with streets, homes, shops, bakeries, an amphitheater and other public buildings exactly as they were buried by Vesuvius. You'll walk through neighborhoods where gladiators, slaves, citizens and wealthy families lived and worked, seeing the physical evidence of their daily routines: doorways, cooking areas, mosaics, graffiti and objects left behind.

How long does the private tour take?

You choose either 2 hours to see the major highlights or 4 hours to explore more deeply. Both are walking tours at your own pace with your private guide.

Is transport to Pompeii included?

Transport is included only if you book the tour-plus-transfer option at checkout. If you book the tour alone, you'll make your own way to the site. Public transportation is available nearby.

What should I wear and bring?

Wear good walking shoes and smart casual clothing. A hat is strongly recommended to protect you from the sun, as the archaeological site has little shade. Bring water if you wish: food and drinks are not included with the tour.