Herculaneum Archaeological Park
An ancient Roman city frozen in time by Vesuvius, offering unparalleled preservation of daily life, art, and architecture.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Fewer crowds, cooler temperatures
Herculaneum Archaeological Park
Best Time
Fewer crowds, cooler temperatures
Highlights
Must-see attractions
An ancient Roman city frozen in time by Vesuvius, offering unparalleled preservation of daily life, art, and architecture.
"Herculaneum is a pearl, smaller but better preserved and less crowded than Pompeii."
🎟️ Book Tickets in Advance
While not always necessary, booking ahead can save time, especially during peak season.
💧 Stay Hydrated & Sun Protected
Bring water and wear hats and sunscreen; there's limited shade.
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Remarkably Preserved Villas
Various locations within the park
See intact wooden structures, vibrant frescoes, and even ancient furniture, offering a vivid glimpse into Roman life.
The Eerie Boat Houses
Dock area
Witness the final moments of many residents who sought refuge here, with skeletal remains and their belongings preserved.
The Virtual Archaeological Museum (MAV)
Near the entrance
An immersive experience bringing the ancient city to life through multimedia, offering context before or after your visit.
Planning Your Visit
Beat the Crowds & Heat
Guide or Go Solo?
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🎟️ Book Tickets in Advance
While not always necessary, booking ahead can save time, especially during peak season.
💧 Stay Hydrated & Sun Protected
Bring water and wear hats and sunscreen; there's limited shade.
🎧 Audio Guide Recommended
Enhance your understanding of the ruins with an audio guide for a richer experience.
🚶♀️ Manageable Size
Herculaneum is smaller than Pompeii, making it easier to explore thoroughly.
Tips
from all over the internet
🎟️ Book Tickets in Advance
While not always necessary, booking ahead can save time, especially during peak season.
💧 Stay Hydrated & Sun Protected
Bring water and wear hats and sunscreen; there's limited shade.
🎧 Audio Guide Recommended
Enhance your understanding of the ruins with an audio guide for a richer experience.
🚶♀️ Manageable Size
Herculaneum is smaller than Pompeii, making it easier to explore thoroughly.
🏛️ Visit the MAV Museum
The Virtual Archaeological Museum offers great context for the site.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors consistently praise Herculaneum for its exceptional preservation, finding it more intimate and less crowded than Pompeii. The vivid frescoes, intact wooden structures, and poignant boat houses are frequently highlighted as unforgettable features. Some find it smaller than expected, but most agree it offers a unique and deeply moving historical experience.
"I could go on for hours. So I will be succinct with the basics.
• Book a guided tour.
• Travel light.
• Bring water.
Honestly, booking a tour guide is the best thing to do. You will get so much out of this place with one.
Herculaneum is a lot smaller than Pompeii, and it's pretty well preserved. There are lots of things to see and two little museums, which are amazing.
There are a few vending machines to get food/drinks/ice cream/sandwiches. Limited seating, so be prepared to stand in the heat.
Overall, go and experience this very special and ancient site. Touch the buildings, walk on the streets, and feel the history!"
Luke
"This was much more compact and less crowded than Pompei, it felt like we could see more without being rushed. We took a guided tour which was helpful. The buildings and artifacts were really well preserved with bright colours in places, which surprised me."
Cath Fugaccia
"Herculaneum is absolutely mind-blowing. Smaller and less crowded than Pompeii, but in many ways even more impressive. The level of preservation here is unreal—second stories still standing, wooden doors, roof beams, furniture, even food remnants. It’s like the eruption happened yesterday.
We did a private tour with an archaeologist (highly recommend!) who helped bring it all to life—explaining how this seaside town functioned before the eruption and why it was preserved so differently from Pompeii. The contrast between the two sites is fascinating.
It’s more compact than Pompeii, but every corner is packed with detail and history. And the best part? It’s not swarming with tourists, so you can really take your time and soak it all in.
Don’t skip this one—Herculaneum is a must. Quiet, powerful, and unforgettable."
JW Hill
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
Herculaneum is easily accessible via the Circumvesuviana train from Naples or Sorrento, alighting at 'Ercolano Scavi' station. From there, it's a short walk downhill to the park entrance. Many visitors also combine a trip with Mount Vesuvius, with minibuses available from the piazza outside the station.
Yes, the Circumvesuviana train connects both sites. However, attempting to visit both in a single day can be very tiring due to their size and the heat. It's often recommended to dedicate separate days or choose one if time is limited.
Driving is possible, but parking can be challenging and expensive. Public transport is generally the preferred and more convenient option for most visitors.
Absolutely! The Circumvesuviana train from Naples Garibaldi station is the most direct and popular method. The journey takes approximately 20-30 minutes.
Take the Circumvesuviana train from Sorrento towards Naples and get off at 'Ercolano Scavi'. The journey is scenic and straightforward.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
While you can often purchase tickets upon arrival, especially on weekdays, booking in advance is recommended to guarantee entry and avoid potential queues, particularly during peak season.
Opening hours vary seasonally, but generally, the park is open from morning until late afternoon. It's crucial to check the official website for the most up-to-date hours for your planned visit date.
Yes, licensed guides can often be hired near the ticket booth. Alternatively, audio guides are available, offering a good balance of information and flexibility. Many visitors find pre-reading or using an audio guide sufficient.
Herculaneum is smaller than Pompeii and can be thoroughly explored in about 2-3 hours. However, you could easily spend longer if you opt for a guided tour or wish to absorb the atmosphere.
Check the official website for information on potential discounts for students, seniors, or families. Free Sundays are sometimes offered, but these can be very crowded.
🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience
Herculaneum was buried by pyroclastic flows, preserving organic materials like wood and food, while Pompeii was covered in ash, preserving structures and mosaics. Herculaneum is smaller, less crowded, and often considered better preserved. +1
Comfortable walking shoes are essential as the terrain is uneven. Given the Italian sun, light clothing, a hat, and sunglasses are highly recommended.
While not as famous for 'casts' as Pompeii, Herculaneum has preserved skeletal remains found in the boat houses, offering a poignant glimpse into the final moments of its inhabitants.
Yes, Herculaneum can be very engaging for children, especially with a good guide or audio guide to bring the history to life. Its manageable size also makes it less overwhelming for younger visitors.
Don't miss the remarkably preserved villas with their frescoes and wooden elements, the ancient baths, and the poignant boat houses at the dock area.
🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining
There are no dining facilities within the archaeological park itself. It's advisable to bring snacks and water, or plan to eat before or after your visit in the modern town of Ercolano.
The modern town of Ercolano, just outside the archaeological site, offers various trattorias and pizzerias. Ask locals for recommendations for authentic Neapolitan cuisine.
Yes, bringing your own water and snacks is permitted and highly recommended, as there are no food services inside the park.
Expect delicious Neapolitan specialties, including fresh seafood, pizza, pasta dishes, and local wines. Don't miss trying sfogliatella for a sweet treat.
There are no designated picnic areas within the archaeological site. It's best to enjoy your food outside the park.
📸 📸 Photography
Yes, photography for personal use is generally allowed within Herculaneum. However, tripods and flash photography may be restricted in certain areas to protect the delicate frescoes and artifacts.
The well-preserved villas with their vibrant frescoes, the ancient streets, and the poignant boat houses offer excellent photographic opportunities. The golden hour light can also create dramatic shots.
Drone usage is strictly prohibited within archaeological sites like Herculaneum to preserve the integrity of the ruins and ensure visitor safety.
Commercial filming or professional photography usually requires special permits. For personal vlogs or social media content, standard photography rules apply.
A versatile camera, whether a smartphone or a DSLR, is ideal. Consider a lens that can capture both wide architectural shots and detailed frescoes.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
Don't miss the poignant boat houses, which can be a powerful, albeit somber, lesson about the eruption.
🏛️ History Buffs & Archaeology Enthusiasts
Visiting the Naples National Archaeological Museum is also a must, as it houses many of the most significant artifacts recovered from Herculaneum, including the famous bronze statues and papyrus scrolls.
🚶 Budget Travelers
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
Herculaneum vs. Pompeii: Which to Choose?
Herculaneum, on the other hand, was entombed by pyroclastic flows, a superheated wave of gas and volcanic matter. This unique burial preserved organic materials like wood, textiles, and even food to an astonishing degree. You can see intact wooden beams, furniture, and intricate frescoes that are far more vivid than those in Pompeii.
Ultimately, the choice depends on your interests. If you want to experience the scale of a Roman city and see iconic ruins, Pompeii is the classic choice. If you're fascinated by incredible preservation, detailed interiors, and a less overwhelming experience, Herculaneum is often preferred by those who have visited both.
The Unique Preservation of Herculaneum
This process resulted in the remarkable preservation of items rarely found at other archaeological sites. Visitors can marvel at intact wooden furniture, doors, and even roof beams, which have survived for nearly two millennia. The carbonized scrolls found here are incredibly fragile but offer a unique window into ancient literature and knowledge, though many are still being deciphered.
This exceptional preservation extends to the human element as well. At the dock area, the remains of over 300 people were found huddled together, having sought refuge from the eruption. Their skeletons, along with personal belongings, provide a deeply moving and direct connection to the tragedy that befell the town.
Enhancing Your Visit: Guides and Museums
For those on a tighter budget or who prefer more flexibility, an audio guide is an excellent alternative. These devices provide narrated information about key structures and historical context, allowing you to explore at your own pace.
Before or after your visit to the ruins, the Virtual Archaeological Museum (MAV) in Ercolano is highly recommended. This modern museum uses multimedia displays and immersive experiences to recreate the life and destruction of Herculaneum, offering a fantastic overview and deeper understanding of the site.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit