Discover Herculaneum with an expert archaeologist and explore one of the best-preserved Roman cities buried by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD 79.
This experience includes skip-the-line admission and a 2-hour guided tour, with a maximum group size of approximately 20 participants.
Book the Herculaneum guided tour
What's included?
The current tour includes:
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skip-the-line admission to Herculaneum;
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approximately 2-hour guided tour;
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professional archaeologist as your guide.
The tour is currently available in:
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English;
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German;
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French;
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Italian;
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Spanish.
How long does the tour last?
The guided visit lasts approximately 2 hours.
Herculaneum is considerably smaller than Pompeii, so a two-hour tour allows you to explore many of its most important buildings while receiving detailed explanations from an archaeologist.
Where is the meeting point?
The meeting point is:
Via dei Papiri Ercolanensi
80056 Ercolano
Meet your guide in front of the Herculaneum ticket office.
The guide will be holding an Askos Tours sign.
Show your smartphone ticket directly to the guide.
Why visit Herculaneum with an archaeologist?
Herculaneum is exceptionally well preserved, but many archaeological details are easy to miss when visiting independently.
An archaeologist can explain:
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how the city developed during Roman times;
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how its houses were organized;
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the meaning of frescoes and mosaics;
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how wealthy Roman families lived;
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what happened during the eruption of AD 79;
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why Herculaneum was preserved differently from Pompeii.
The guide also helps you understand surviving architectural elements that are unusual at other Roman archaeological sites.
What can you see?
Depending on accessibility and the route selected by the archaeologist, the visit may include:
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ancient Roman streets;
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private houses;
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shops and workshops;
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public baths;
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courtyards;
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mosaics;
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wall paintings;
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upper floors;
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surviving wooden elements;
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areas close to the ancient shoreline.
The exact itinerary can vary because individual buildings may occasionally close for conservation or archaeological work.
Why is Herculaneum so well preserved?
Herculaneum was destroyed during the same eruption that buried Pompeii in AD 79, but it was affected in a different way.
Extremely hot volcanic material rapidly buried the city.
This process preserved elements that normally disappear over time, including:
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wooden beams;
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doors;
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furniture;
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roofs;
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upper floors;
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other organic materials.
As a result, Herculaneum provides an extraordinary view of Roman domestic architecture.
Herculaneum or Pompeii?
Both archaeological sites are worth visiting, but they offer different experiences.
Herculaneum
Herculaneum is:
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smaller;
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more compact;
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easier to explore in a few hours;
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exceptionally well preserved;
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particularly interesting for Roman houses and domestic architecture.
Pompeii
Pompeii is:
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much larger;
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more varied;
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a more complete example of an ancient Roman city;
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better suited to a longer visit.
If possible, visiting both sites gives you the most complete understanding of the communities destroyed by Mount Vesuvius.
Guided tour or independent visit?
Choose this guided tour if you:
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are visiting Herculaneum for the first time;
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want detailed historical explanations;
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are particularly interested in archaeology;
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want to understand the buildings rather than simply walk through them;
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prefer a structured route.
If you prefer to explore independently, you can instead choose the standard entrance ticket with digital audio guide:
Herculaneum: Entry Ticket + Digital Audio Guide
Group size
The current maximum group size is approximately 20 participants.
This relatively limited group size makes it easier to follow the archaeologist and hear the explanations throughout the archaeological site.
Which languages are available?
The current guided tour is available in:
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English;
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German;
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French;
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Italian;
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Spanish.
Select your preferred language when booking.
How to reach Herculaneum from Naples
One of the easiest ways to reach Herculaneum from Naples is by Circumvesuviana train.
Take the train from Napoli Garibaldi towards Sorrento and get off at:
Ercolano Scavi
From the station, walk downhill towards the archaeological park.
Allow enough time to reach the meeting point before the scheduled start of the tour.
Can you visit Pompeii and Herculaneum on the same day?
Yes.
The Circumvesuviana railway connects Herculaneum with Pompeii, making it possible to visit both archaeological sites in one day.
However, organizing two entrances and separate visits requires careful planning.
If you prefer a combined guided experience:
Pompeii & Herculaneum: Fast Track Ticket + Guided Tour
Can you visit Mount Vesuvius from Herculaneum?
Yes.
Ercolano is also one of the most convenient departure points for Mount Vesuvius.
You can choose between transport only or a package combining transportation with Vesuvius admission.
Mount Vesuvius: Entry Ticket + Round-Trip Transport from Herculaneum
What should you wear?
Herculaneum involves walking on ancient streets, steps and uneven surfaces.
Wear:
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comfortable walking shoes;
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light clothing during summer;
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hat and sunscreen;
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weather protection when necessary.
Although Herculaneum has more shade than Pompeii, temperatures can still become high during summer.
What should you bring?
Useful items include:
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your smartphone voucher;
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comfortable shoes;
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drinking water;
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sun protection;
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identity document when required.
Large bags should be avoided when possible.
Cancellation and rescheduling
The current booking conditions allow:
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free cancellation up to 24 hours before the visit for a full refund;
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rescheduling up to 24 hours before the visit.
Always check the conditions shown during booking before completing your purchase.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Herculaneum admission included?
Yes. Skip-the-line admission is included.
Is there a live guide?
Yes. The visit is led by a professional archaeologist.
How long does the guided tour last?
Approximately 2 hours.
Which languages are available?
English, German, French, Italian and Spanish.
How many people are in the group?
The current maximum group size is approximately 20 participants.
Where is the meeting point?
In front of the Herculaneum ticket office on Via dei Papiri Ercolanensi.
How will I recognize the guide?
The guide will be holding an Askos Tours sign.
Can I show my ticket on my smartphone?
Yes.
Is Herculaneum smaller than Pompeii?
Yes. It is considerably smaller and can be explored more easily in a few hours.
Can I visit Pompeii on the same day?
Yes. The two archaeological sites are connected by Circumvesuviana train.
Can I visit Mount Vesuvius from Herculaneum?
Yes. Ercolano is one of the main departure points for transport to Mount Vesuvius.
Can I cancel the booking?
Yes. Free cancellation is currently available up to 24 hours before the visit.
Can I change the date?
Yes. Rescheduling is currently possible up to 24 hours before the visit.
