Team vs team
Use your own phones and join a team. Any teammate’s answer advances everyone. Beat the other teams on the leaderboard.
City exploration game
Ashes of Time: Escape Pompeii’s Curse
4.38Player ratingA DIFFERENT WAY TO SEE THE CITY
Play at your pace · usually 119 min 2.4 km Pompeii App-guided
Play in
English
The experience
About this quest
Your name is Octavia, and your story ended nearly 2000 years ago. Or so you thought.
Now, you drift through the ruins of Pompeii, unseen by tourists, surrounded only by echoes of those who once lived here. As the sun rises higher, a chilling realization returns—you are about to relive your final day once more.
Trapped in a time loop, you must piece together what happened, solve real-world puzzles, and follow fading clues through ancient streets before the eruption begins again. Will this be the time you finally escape?
This immersive walking adventure blends mystery, emotion, and exploration through one of history’s most haunting sites. Play with friends or family, and create memories as you uncover the forgotten heartbeat of a city lost in time.
What makes this quest special
Highlights
Visit the most famous archaeological site in the world
Discover an entire city preserved as it was 2000 years ago
See the terrified faces of the victims of the eruption
Visit the Amphitheatre where gladiators used to fight bloody battles
From people who played this quest
Good times. In their words.
4.38 / 5
72 player ratings
Selected player reviews. Original words and ratings.
Most relevant starts with detailed five-star reviews. All ratings remain available.
From your phone to the streets
A walk that turns into an adventure.
- 1
Open the app. You’re on your way.
Choose your pass, then open your quest in the Questo app. It guides you from the starting point.
- 2
Get outside. Follow your curiosity.
Discover real places and their stories on foot. Stop for a coffee or a photo, then pick up where you left off.
- 3
Crack a clue. Share a little victory.
Look around for answers, solve puzzles and enjoy the “we got it!” moments.
CHOOSE YOUR PASS
How many are playing?
Get this questNo booking slot · play any dayFull refund until you start playing
BRING YOUR WHOLE GROUP
One city. Rival teams. Great stories together.
A school trip, a team day or friends out together. Turn your next outing into a little friendly competition.
Everyone for themselves
One player per phone. Solve clues on your own and race for the top spot on the final leaderboard.
Can a team share one phone?
Yes. Play together on one phone per team, or use your own phones and join the same team in the app. We recommend your own phones so everyone can take part.
Your walk, at a glance
Pompeii
A · Start
Vicolo delle Terme, 2, 80045 Pompei NA, Italy
B · Finish
Piazza Immacolata, 80045 Pompei NA, Italy
Start and finish only. Discover the stops as you play.
Along the way
Landmarks & Hidden Gems Included
The people behind the adventure
Created by Emiliano Tufano.
A route that brings places and playful storytelling together.
Made by Emiliano TufanoWHAT MAKES A QUEST DIFFERENT
Your adventure, with a playful twist.
1 / 4
Experience
- This quest
- Discover places through stories and clues in the app
- Guided walking tour
- Hear stories and ask a guide questions
2 / 4
Pace
- This quest
- Pause for a photo, a café or a longer look
- Guided walking tour
- Usually follows the guide’s schedule
3 / 4
Company
- This quest
- Explore with your own people or on your own
- Guided walking tour
- Private and shared group tours are available
4 / 4
Guidance
- This quest
- Directions and challenges in the Questo app
- Guided walking tour
- Live interpretation from a guide
Features and terms vary by experience. Check the details before booking.
Good to know before you play
- Best during the day
- Best for couples
- Recommended activity for families
A little clarity before you go
Frequently asked questions
I want to feel the drama of Pompeii’s past—how can I do that?
Step into the story with Ashes of Time. You’ll follow interactive clues through temples, baths, and frescoed houses as if you were there the day Vesuvius erupted. It’s history mixed with suspense, not just a walk among ruins.
Could this be a unique date experience?
Yes. Exploring an ancient city at twilight while solving puzzles together is unexpectedly romantic. You and your partner become a team racing to “escape” before the volcano’s final blast, sharing quiet moments in spectacular surroundings.
How long should we plan for the game?
Most players spend about 90 minutes to two hours tracing the 2–3 km route. You can take extra time for photos or to soak in the Forum, theatres, and streets that feel frozen in time.
Will kids enjoy it, or is it too intense?
Older kids and teens love the mix of adventure and archaeology. The storyline is thrilling without being frightening, and the app lets you pause for breaks, making it easy to adjust the pace for younger explorers.
I don’t know Italian—can I still follow along?
Absolutely. The entire quest is available in English. Clues are clear and designed for visitors who may be discovering Pompeii for the first time.
Keep exploring
Every quest. One year.
Explore the annual passGive them a story
A day out, gifted.
Explore Questo giftsHISTORY AND CULTURE IN POMPEII
A history-led way to explore Pompeii
Ashes of Time: Escape Pompeii’s Curse is for visitors who want more context than a casual walk, but more freedom than a scheduled guided tour. The quest uses a route through Pompeii to connect clues, places and stories.
The route starts at STEPPING STONES and finishes at AMPHITHEATRE over 2.4 km, with 14 challenge locations. Typical duration: 119 min; 2.4 km walking route; 14 challenge locations
Choose this for active, private discovery at your pace. Choose a guided historical tour or museum when expert live interpretation or curated exhibits matter more. Playable languages: English.
