Top Italy Archaeology Tours

Many tours visit the ancient ruins of Pompeii but only a few include the first-hand expertise of an archaeologist guide. Explore the ancient Roman city and discover what life was like before the catastrophic eruption of Mount Vesuvius in the company of a guide who brings history to life while leading you to important buildings and structures such as the Basilica, the Forum, and the thermal baths.

Get an in-depth introduction to the archaeological ruins of Pompeii with tour that is led by an archaeologist. Skip-the-line admission allows you to spend more time inside the archaeological site, listening to insights into the ancient Roman city from your expert guide, and less time waiting in lines.

Get a deeper insight into the ruins of the ancient Roman city of Herculaneum on this group tour with an archaeologist guide. Benefit from skip-the-line admission, meaning less time spent waiting around. Visit the Samnite house and the Temple of the Augustales, and see the remains of the thermal baths and gymnasium. Along the way, learn how the city was destroyed by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD.

Make the most of your time in Pompeii with this archaeologist-led small-group tour starting at Porta Marina. Skip the hassle of following a map or guidebook and head straight to key sites like the basilica, forum, theater, and baths—plus visit intact shops, homes, and even a brothel—while delving into their history and architecture with your guide.

Pompeii and Herculaneum are among the world’s most important Roman archaeological sites, but the ruins can be hard to interpret to the untrained eye. Experience the extraordinary archaeological wonders with a professional archaeologist on this hassle-free small-group tour. Learn about the history and architecture of these two cities buried by the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in AD 79. Choose the departure option that best suits your travel plans and enjoy a seamless visit with admission tickets included.

The Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill are three of Rome’s most unmissable attractions, and a guide is indispensable for decoding these ancient ruins. But trailing after a large group isn’t everyone’s idea of a good time. Ideal for independent-minded travelers, this tour package lets you explore all three sites at your own pace, with an easy-to-access audioguide filling you in on Rome’s millennia-long history while you explore.

One of the most spectacular archaeological sites in the world, Pompeii conceals slices of daily life from graffiti to fast food joints. Go deeper than you could on your own, and hear facts and details you won’t find on your phone or in the books, when you explore on this tour with a professional archaeologist. As it’s a private tour, you can ask as many questions as you like.

Discover Matera’s UNESCO-listed Sassi district without the hassle of navigating its winding streets or missing key viewpoints on your own. This guided walking tour takes you through the city’s ancient rock-carved neighborhoods, iconic churches, and scenic overlooks with a knowledgeable guide who brings the history and culture to life. With expert direction throughout, you can focus on experiencing one of Italy’s most unique historic landscapes with ease.

See Rome's headlining attractions in just hours, without the hassle and stress of navigating maps and public transit, on this private sightseeing tour aboard a comfortable golf cart. Let your guide handle the driving as you zip through the streets to see treasures from the Colosseum to the Pantheon, with a snack stop along the way. Listen to stories and anecdotes that bring Roman history to life, plus stop to snap photos of the highlights across the city.

The Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill make up the heart of Ancient Rome, and shouldn’t be missed—but unless you’re an archaeologist, deciphering the ruins can be tricky without explanations. During this half-day tour, spend time exploring each site alongside a guide who can fill you in on ancient history—or an audioguide, if that’s what you prefer. Combined admission tickets are included for seamless sightseeing.

One of the world’s best-known archeological sites, Pompeii is full of ancient history that’s not always apparent to independent travelers. On this group tour, explore the ancient city with an archaeologist guide who shares insights into the history and the daily lives of ancient Romans. See theaters, temples, six bathing complexes, and more in UNESCO-listed archeological areas.

Pompeii's massive ruins can be daunting to explore on your own. Skip the guidebook and map and instead take one of Italy's most evocative ancient sites with an engaging guide on this tour from Sorrento. Skip the crowded train and travel by coach, then skip admission lines and follow your guide to focus on the site's highlights in just a few hours. Marvel at excavated houses, marketplaces, baths, and frescoes remarkably preserved by ash, and learn about the civilization that once thrived here.

Few visitors to the Colosseum see all its areas, but this guided tour gives you access to parts of this ancient arena that are usually off-limits. Choose to explore only the main levels, or upgrade to the Arena Floor or Underground chambers to walk in the footsteps of gladiators. After your visit, continue your tour at the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill and gain deeper insight into Ancient Roman life.

Exploring the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill on your own can feel overwhelming, especially on a short stay in Rome. This guided experience brings these three landmark sites together in one structured visit, with commentary from a guide to help you understand what you’re seeing as you go. Instead of navigating vast ruins without context, follow a clear route and learn about gladiator games, imperial politics, and how daily Roman life shaped the ancient city.

Step back in time and learn about life in ancient Rome with this small-group guided tour of the city’s top archaeological treasures. Visit the Colosseum, with access through the restricted area of the arena floor , and learn about this magnificent amphitheater from your guide. Then continue on to stroll through the ruins of temples and squares in the adjacent Roman Forum and Palatine Hill.

The Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill hold layers of history that are hard to piece together without context. This guided tour walks you through all three with a guide on hand to explain what you're seeing. Choose from a standard group tour, a small-group option, Arena Floor access at the Colosseum, or an evening exterior walk.

Discover the ancient buried city of Pompeii on a small-group guided walking tour with included admission. Walk through the archaeological park's cobblestone streets and learn about the AD 79 eruption of Mount Vesuvius that buried the city in ash. See well-preserved ruins such as the basilica, forum, thermal baths, and bakery while gaining insight into ancient Roman daily life.

Gaze out across the Colosseum as the gladiators once did with this exclusive tour that takes you into the restricted areas of the arena floor. Admire the ancient amphitheater from a unique vantage point and learn about its history and design from your guide before continuing on to explore the ruins in the Roman Forum and on Palatine Hill.

Naples has been inhabited for almost 3,000 years and much of the city’s past is hidden beneath the modern streets. Secure your spot on an official Naples Underground (Napoli Sotterranea) tour, the only way to venture below ground and explore the city’s buried history. Admire the ancient Neapolitan aqueduct and WWII air raid shelters, all with an official site guide. Admission and skip-the-line entry are included in the tour price.

Cover the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill in just a few hours on this tour of ancient Rome—perfect for travelers in a time crunch. With a guide, enter the Colosseum and walk in the footsteps of gladiators, emperors, and plebeians as tales of the brutal games ring in your ears. Stroll amid the ruins of the Roman Forum, then discover layers of Roman history on Palatine Hill.

Visit the historic vacation homes of Rome's elite on a Rome-to-Tivoli day trip—no need to navigate buses or trains. Tours Tivoli’s two UNESCO World Heritage-listed sites: Hadrian’s Villa and Villa d’Este. Hear Renaissance and Ancient Roman history and scandal, admire archaeological ruins, and explore some of Italy’s most extravagant private gardens.

Explore two of southern Italy's most in-demand destinations —all without the hassle of car rentals or public transit—on this small-group or private tour of Pompeii and Naples from Rome. Explore the UNESCO–listed ruins of Pompeii with a guide who brings the ancient city to life, savor lunch and a wine tasting at an organic farm, and then enjoy a walking tour of Naples' historic city center.

Most tours of Ancient Roman ruins offer one sightseeing option or, at most, two. This tour option offers different packages to explore the Colosseum, the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill. Choose the package that best suits your travel plans, whether it's the small-group option, access to the arena floor or underground dungeons, or an express-length exterior stroll around the Colosseum to capture photos.