Herculaneum : attractions, tours and tickets

At the foot of Mount Vesuvius, Herculaneum offers a detailed look at everyday life in an ancient Roman town. Like nearby Pompeii, it was buried during the eruption of Vesuvius in 79 AD. But here, the volcanic material preserved buildings and everyday objects unusually well, including wooden features and parts of multi-storey homes.

Today, you can walk along its old streets and explore houses, public baths and shops, with mosaics and frescoes still visible in many buildings. The archaeological site is relatively compact, so it’s possible to see its main sights in a few hours without rushing. Outside the archaeological site, modern Ercolano carries on around it, with local shops, cafés and restaurants sitting beneath the slopes of Mount Vesuvius. The town is also well placed for exploring the volcano and the wider Bay of Naples, giving you plenty more to discover beyond the ruins.

Top three things to do in Herculaneum

1. Explore the Herculaneum Archaeological Park
Walk through the Archaeological Park of Herculaneum and discover what life looked like before the eruption of AD 79. Take a closer look inside the homes and you’ll find details that aren’t often preserved at Roman sites, from wooden features to decorated walls, mosaics and marble.

2. See the House of Neptune and Amphitrite
One of Herculaneum’s standout buildings is the House of Neptune and Amphitrite. Its richly decorated mosaic is one of the highlights of the archaeological park and offers a closer look at the craftsmanship found in some of the town’s more elaborate homes.

3. Climb Mount Vesuvius

Head up Mount Vesuvius for a closer look at the volcano that buried Herculaneum and Pompeii nearly 2,000 years ago. Follow the trail towards the crater and see the rugged volcanic landscape along the way. From higher up, you’ll also get wide views across the Bay of Naples and the countryside below.