Headout is an authorized and trusted partner of the venue, offering curated experiences to enjoy this attraction.
%20-%20Herculaneum.jpg?auto=format&w=828&h=619.1999999999999&q=90&ar=3%3A4&crop=faces%2Ccenter&fit=crop)
Dodge the long ticket queues and explore one of the world’s best-preserved ancient cities at your own pace.
Dodge the long ticket queues and explore one of the world’s best-preserved ancient cities at your own pace.
Inclusions
Exclusions
Get expert insights into Herculaneum’s remarkably preserved ruins on a tour led by an archaeologist.
Get expert insights into Herculaneum’s remarkably preserved ruins on a tour led by an archaeologist.
Inclusions
Exclusions
Skip the ticket lines and let an official audio guide bring Herculaneum’s ruins to life as you explore freely.
Skip the ticket lines and let an official audio guide bring Herculaneum’s ruins to life as you explore freely.
Inclusions
Exclusions
5% off
Bypass the lines at two UNESCO Heritage sites in Naples with one simple low-cost booking.
Bypass the lines at two UNESCO Heritage sites in Naples with one simple low-cost booking.
Inclusions
Exclusions
Pompeii
Herculaneum
Inclusions
Naples city center
Board your spacious transfers from the city center. A short but sweet 20-minute ride later, meet your knowledgeable guide inside the sprawling archaeological park to begin an unforgettable journey.
12 km
20 minutes
1
Herculaneum
120 min
1 attractions
Tickets included
After a panoramic ride along the Gulf of Naples, entry to Herculaneum is easiest with your pre-booked ticket and valid ID in hand. Step into an ancient city and fishing colony famously preserved under volcanic ash from Mount Vesuvius, offering a remarkably intact glimpse into daily life in the Roman Empire.
House of the Wooden Partition
Witness fully functional sliding wooden doors that have been preserved for over two millennia since its creation, a reminder of the long history of human innovation.
12 km
20 minutes
2
Naples city center
Enjoy hassle-free round-trip transport and skip-the-line access on a guided tour to the ancient city of Herculaneum.
Enjoy hassle-free round-trip transport and skip-the-line access on a guided tour to the ancient city of Herculaneum.
Inclusions
Naples/Pompeii
Board your spacious AC transfers from central Naples or Pompeii. Sit back and leave aside the logistical planning. Get dropped right at the entrance to each site, with the access fees all paid and ample time to explore before moving on.
10 km
15 minutes
1
Pompeii
1 attractions
Tickets included
Show your entry tickets, jump the lines, and independently walk amidst ancient streets, villas, and theaters offering a vivid snapshot of 1st-century life.
In 79 AD, the cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum were buried by the volcanic eruption of Mount Vesuvius. In the 21st century, you can discover both their archaeological excavations and climb the active volcano all in one trip.
House of the Faun
Wander through Pompeii's largest and most elaborate residential complex, centered by a bronze statue of a dancing satyr.
8 km
15 minutes
2
Herculaneum
1 attractions
Tickets included
Explore this neighboring well-preserved Roman town, where volcanic ash sealed wooden structures, mosaics, and everyday artifacts in remarkable detail, halting entropy for nearly a couple millennia.
House of Neptune and Amphitrite
Stop by this small yet richly frescoed villa, featuring a large technicolor mosaic of Greek sea deities.
5 km
10 minutes
3
Mount Vesuvius
Tickets included
Hike to the crater of this iconic volcano, whose explosive eruption shaped history and left behind breathtaking views of the Bay of Naples.
10 km
15 minutes
4
Naples/Pompeii
Journey through two buried cities and a volcano – all featuring in a saga of ash and lava.
Journey through two buried cities and a volcano – all featuring in a saga of ash and lava.
Inclusions
Exclusions
Sorrento Train Station
Depart aboard a comfortable train at Sorrento Station and soak in panoramic views of the Gulf of Naples along the way.
40 km
60 minutes
1
Herculaneum
120 min
1 attractions
Tickets included
Breeze through the entrance of the expansive archaeological park with your pre-booked ticket. Meet your expert guide to kick off a memorable tour through an ancient city and fishing hub, astonishingly preserved under Vesuvius' ash, providing a vivid snapshot of daily Roman life.
Villa of the Papyri
A luxurious sea view villa renowned for its exquisite architecture and art, and unique library of papyrus scrolls, discovered in 1750.
40 km
60 minutes
2
Sorrento Train Station
An express train ride from Sorrento station to Herculaneum and an insightful tour.
An express train ride from Sorrento station to Herculaneum and an insightful tour.
Inclusions
Buried alongside Pompeii in the catastrophic Vesuvian eruption of 79 AD lies Herculaneum, a smaller yet more opulent Roman city.
Unlike Pompeii, which was smothered by ash, Herculaneum was struck by a superheated pyroclastic surge, a scorching cloud acting as an insulator, essentially flash-baking the city and retaining much of the organic material.
Even today, the remains of wooden furniture, doors, roofs, mosaics and frescoes, and even food have been remarkably preserved, offering a unique window into the daily lives of its wealthy residents.
Herculaneum lies just under 12km away from the bustling city center of Naples, making for a short drive by car. It is also well connected by bus and train lines.
Suited for: Those short on time
What you get
Suited for: History and culture enthusiasts
What you get
Suited for: Those looking for an end-to-end package tour
What you get
Suited for: Those who are seeking an in-depth experience
What you get
The ruins at Herculaneum have several interesting attractions to visit, from ancient Roman houses to boat sheds and gymnasiums. Here's a map guide to getting around the ruins on your visit.
%20-%20Herculaneum.jpg?auto=format&q=90&fit=crop&crop=faces)
Located a little further from the House of the Charred Furniture, the House of Neptune was created as a tribute to the gods Neptune and Amphitrite. The primary attraction at the House of Neptune is a stunning glass mosaic wall featuring Neptune and his wife Amphitrite, with marble masks over it.
March 16 to October 14: 8:30am to 7:30pm.
October 15 to March 15: 8:30am to 5pm.
Last admission: 90 minutes before closing time.
Closed: January 1 and December 25.
Best time to visit: The best time to visit Herculaneum is in the morning (before 11am) or during the off-season, between October to April. This offers a more relaxed tour experience.
Herculaneum opening hours
Address: Corso Resina, 187, 80056 Ercolano NA, Italy.
Find on map.
By train: L1, L4
Nearest station: Ercolana Scavi
By bus: ANM
Nearest stop: Herculaneum
By car: via A3, E45
Car parking: In addition to various private car parks in the area, the municipal car park in Viale dei Papiri Ercolanesi is operating regularly.
Pompeii, Herculaneum’s twin site, was also entombed by hot ash and pumice by the Vesuvius’ eruption in 79 AD, preserving the city's structures, artifacts, and even human remains. Unlike Herculaneum, however, the debris that coated Pompeii was far lesser, aiding easier excavation of its remains.
Location: 16 km away
Book Pompeii tickets
Still a fire-breathing dragon, Vesuvius is an active volcano that has lost some steam over the years. Now no longer as deadly as it once was, small spurts of sulfur occasionally escape from its mellow peaks. Visit this geological site to get an insight into its terrain and character — and discover how it reduced the cities on its foothills to near ash.
Location: 12.9 km away
Visit Mount Vesuvius
The Naples National Archaeological Museum is one of the most important archaeological museums in the world, housing an unparalleled collection of artifacts from ancient Pompeii, Herculaneum, and other sites in southern Italy. Some noteworthy works include the Bronze Runners from Herculaneum’s Villa of the Papyri, erotic charms and phallic symbols salvaged from Pompeii.
Location: 19.2 km away
Book National Archeological Museum ticketsYou can expect to save 20 minutes to an hour of waiting time by booking priority access tickets. With these tickets, all you need to do is show your ticket at the entrance and begin your tour immediately.
Since Herculaneum is buried in historical wealth, walking the ruins with a tour guide or archeologist can help you understand the meaning and purpose of various houses, frescoes and mosaics and other remnants. So, paying the extra few bucks for a guided experience is absolutely worth it.
Although nothing quite tops a guided tour, you can still learn about the history and significance of the Herculaneum with audio guided tours like Herculaneum Skip-the-Line Tickets with Audio Guide. If you want to go the traditional route and explore on your own, make sure you do plenty of research before visiting so you can fully appreciate what you’re looking at.
Avail Herculaneum audio guide tours in Italian, English, French, Spanish and German.
Typically, those under 18 enter for free, as do members of the ICOM, people with disabilities and one companion, students and teachers enrolled in courses related to archeology, culture, history, conservation, etc. Groups, Ministry bodies, etc. are liable to receive concessions.
It depends on the ticket you choose to book. While some tickets offer a full refund on canceling tickets up to 48-72 hours in advance, for others there may be no refund available on cancelation. Please check before you make your reservation.
Yes, entry is free for people with disabilities and one companion, provided they offer proof of availing social support.
Yes, tourists can generally access all sites open to visitors, unless any specific monument or building is cordoned off for repair, like the Villa of the Papyri, for instance.
While not exactly hidden, definitely check out the Palestra that sprawls two terraces (here, ancient Romans engaged in physical sport and ball games). Also visit the House of the Wooden Partition which has sliding doors that still work on their hinges. Though not much to look at, you can also stop by the House of the Skeleton, known for the fact that a skeleton was discovered here in the 19th century. It now has faded mosaics.
Yes, Herculaneum is a popular day trip destination owing to its proximity to Naples. From Naples or Pompeii, book transfers to Herculaneum. To tour Herculaneum from Naples, you need just 3 hours, including travel time. Additionally, along with Herculaneum, you can even visit Mount Vesuvius if your ticket permits.
