Unforgettable Rome Day Trip to Pompeii and Sorrento
The easiest way to dive deep into the famous ancient ruins and soak up the sunny coast of Sorrento
Want to see the famous ruins of Pompeii while you’re in Rome? How about an afternoon enjoying the beautiful Amalfi Coast? You can do it all on this full day tour! You’ll travel from Rome to explore the city's remains of Mt. Vesuvius' eruption with an archaeologist guide before spending a free afternoon in the charming coastal town of Sorrento. Along with a local trip leader, a small group, and comfortable private transportation, it’s the ideal way to spend a day away from Rome.
- The ultimate day trip from Rome
- Explore fascinating Pompeii
- Incredible murals
- Discover the city's water system
- Amazingly well-preserved remains
- Drive along the Amalfi Coast
- Lunch by the sea
- Explore Sorrento
- Round-trip transportation
Head to Piazzale Ostiense in central Rome, where you'll find your guide at the pyramid across from the metro stop. Then hop aboard your climate-controlled vehicle for a comfortable ride that takes you to the most important archaeological site in Italy and the scene of one of history's most famous volcanic disasters. You'll explore Pompeii with an expert archaeological guide, giving you an in-depth understanding of this ancient city frozen in time.
After your guided tour of Pompeii, you'll return to your transportation and continue down the coast to the town of Sorrento on the beautiful Amalfi Coast. Your time here is free to spend however you like, but your trip leader will have plenty of recommendations for the coolest spots to visit on your own and where to grab a delicious local lunch (not included). Finally, you'll return to Rome in the evening.
Pompeii and Sorrento Day Tour Description
Your 12+ hour day trip includes:
Round-trip, air-conditioned transportation from Rome
Skip-the-line entry at Pompeii
An English-speaking expert archaeologist guide for your tour of Pompeii
Free afternoon and lunch Sorrento (lunch not included)
An engaging trip leader to accompany your group for the day
A maximum group size of 18
Gratuities not included
Please note that this itinerary may be reversed on Saturdays and Sundays.
Rome to Pompeii Tour
After meeting your trip leader and the rest of your small group, you'll start your day with a beautiful drive down the Autostrada del Sole (highway of the sun) to the excavated city of Pompeii. Enjoy watching the scenic countryside pass by, filled with lemon tree orchards and quaint little towns. At Pompeii, you'll meet your archaeologist guide, who'll help you skip the line to start exploring the remarkably well-preserved remains of this ancient metropolis.
Guided Tour of Pompeii
This UNESCO World Heritage site located south of Naples was covered almost instantly with 13-20 feet (4-6 meters) of ash and pumice after the catastrophic eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in 79 A.D. Literally frozen in time by volcanic ash, this ancient city is one of the most fascinating sites in Italy—and the world.
Led by your professional archaeologist guide, you'll walk through this once-thriving city and see how the well-preserved structures and evidence of daily life reveals secrets about Roman civilization. The city sat undisturbed for almost 2,000 years until a group of explorers discovered that it was still largely intact. As a result, we now have an unparalleled snapshot of life in the prosperous ancient city.
Villa of Mysteries
After exploring the main ruins of Pompeii, you'll follow your guide to a hidden gem of the lost city of Pompeii, called the Villa of Mysteries. Your guide will take you through a series of rooms depicting a young girl and her mysterious initiation into an ancient cult. You'll be shocked to see how well this villa has been preserved since the 79 A.D. eruption.
Since this is an active archaeological site, the Villa of Mysteries occasionally closes without notice. If this happens, your guide will make up the time at other areas in this vast ancient city.
Free Afternoon in Sorrento
After you've finished exploring Pompeii, you'll meet your driver again and continue down the gorgeous winding roads of the Italian coast, along the Gulf of Naples and on to Sorrento. Before you set off to explore the town on your own, your trip leader will explain some of the many things you can do and see in this beautiful part of the Amalfi Coast.
You'll have free time on your own to leisurely explore the center of this charming coastal gem, enjoy a typical local lunch, and indulge in some gelato or famous limoncello. Then, after a long day of sightseeing, culture, and history, meet up with your small group again and relax on the scenic drive back to the Eternal City.
Why Sorrento instead of Positano? Both are famous, beautiful hillside towns on what is one of the world's most scenic coastlines. However, Sorrento happens to be nearly an hour closer to Rome, which gives you with more time to explore and less time on the road.
What you get with this tour

See what people are saying
179 total reviews
Leave a reviewLaura Phenice
Tour Pompeii and Sorrento
Blanca Diaz
The tour guides were excellent but the Bus was horrible too small for the group .
Great day
Joshua McMahan
This was a great experience. Sasha and Mario were both great.
Frequently Asked Questions
What to bring?
Since you'll be on your feet for large parts of the day, please wear comfortable shoes and bring sunscreen if you are coming in the summertime. A water bottle is also recommended.
Will the tour still run if it rains?
Yes, we run our tours rain or shine.
Can I join this tour in Pompeii instead of doing the day trip from Rome?
Yes, if you're staying in or near Naples, you can join this tour at Pompeii. Check out our Skip the Line Pompeii Ruins Tour with Villa of Mysteries!
Is a guided tour of Sorrento included?
No, in Sorrento you will have free time on your own to explore the beautiful city center and its coastline. Your trip leader will be sure to offer plenty of suggestions.
What if I have concerns about my mobility?
This small group tour does require some walking, and the terrain can be uneven in places. If you would prefer a tour that can be more easily adjusted to suit your needs, take a look at our Private Pompeii and Sorrento Day Trip from Rome.
What is included in the price?
This tour includes a guided tour of Pompeii's archaeological site, round-trip transportation from Rome, plus a driver and trip leader for the full day.
What to bring?
Since you'll be on your feet for large parts of the day, please wear comfortable shoes and bring sunscreen if you are coming in the summertime. A water bottle is also recommended.
Is lunch included?
Lunch is not included in the price of the tour, but your guide will have several recommendations for you. There is also a brief stop at a small store in the morning where you can purchase food.
How long do we spend in Pompeii?
Your guide will show you around the ruins of Pompeii for approximately 2 hours.
Is there a place to buy food or water inside Pompeii?
Yes, your guide will stop at a store inside Pompeii where you can buy cold water and snacks.
Does this tour ever take longer than 12 hours?
Yes, due to traffic and other unforeseen circumstances, it's possible this tour will last longer than 12 hours.