The Best Herculaneum Tour 2025
About the Herculaneum Tour
Explore the ruins of Herculaneum with an expert local archaeologist guide! See ancient Roman houses, art, and artifacts from everyday life in a city destroyed by Mount Vesuvius's eruption. We have included convenient skip-the-line access so that you can save time, and you can choose the small or private group option.
Herculaneum was destroyed in the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD, along with Pompeii, Torre Annunziata, and Stabiae. In 1997, the city's ruins were declared a UNESCO World Heritage site. Visit the House of Skeletons, Casa dei Cervi, the House of Neptune and Amphitrite and more!
Your guide is a local archaeologist, so they are the best person to show you around! They will tell you about Herculaneum's history and the fateful day of the eruption, its architecture, and its art. Don't hesitate to ask them anything that interests you!
Our Herculaneum Tour includes skip-the-line access, so you won't waste any time while getting into the archaeological site of Herculaneum. Instead, you can see more of the ancient city!
We have included options for great flexibility. You can reserve this tour today without paying upfront. You can also cancel the tour 24 hours before the start and receive a refund.
We want to offer the best experience possible. You can select a small or private group, which means your expert guide can give you their full attention, and you have enough time for questions. This is also a good way to avoid large crowds.
RESERVE NOW & PAY LATER!
Keep your travel plans flexible - book your spot without any upfront payment!
Great guide!
The tour was great because of the guide! He was very accommodating and passionate about history. I'm so glad I visited Herculaneum! It's crazy to think about how old the city is. Our group wasn't big, so it was easy to hear the guide, and we weren't cramped whenever we were inside. I would recommend this tour!
Well-organized tour with no waiting in line
The tour was really interesting and well-organized. Everything was on time, and we didn't have to wait in line at the entrance. It was an amazing experience to walk on the streets of such an old city and hear the whole story of the volcanic eruption from like 2,000 years ago!
DESCRIPTION
Herculaneum Tour
- Archaeological Park of Herculaneum skip-the-line ticket
- Expert local archaeologist guide
- Private or small groups available
- English, French, Italian
BURIED UNDER LAVA
Herculaneum was damaged in an earthquake, and all the damage still hadn't been repaired 17 years later when the volcano erupted. A layer of tufaceous material about 15 to 18 meters deep formed over the city. Although it made excavations harder, it also preserved the ruins and hindered looting. Unlike Pompeii, lava flowed over Herculaneum and buried it, which means it was preserved better than Pompeii and offers an even better look into history. As archeological projects are a bigger challenge, only about a third of the whole site has been excavated!
EVERYDAY LIFE BEFORE THE ERUPTION
After the eruption in 79 AD, the city was forgotten for centuries. Excavation started in the 18th century! The remains were found by accident while people were digging a well. They came across a wall, which turned out to be part of the stage of the city's theater. Even food was preserved among the ruins! Loaves of bread were discovered still inside ovens. Archaeologists also found wooden furniture, a boat, pieces of cloth, an ancient sports ground called "palaestra", baths or "thermae" and many more buildings and artifacts. You can see one of the oldest buildings, which dates all the way back to the 2nd century BCE! It is called the Samnite House. The remains of Herculaneum offer a great insight into the lives of Romans of the 1st century AD.
THE CITY WAS FOUNDED BY… HERCULES?
According to legend, the city was founded by Hercules on his way home from Iberia after one of his twelve labors. Hercules fought fiery giants here, which may have been inspired by the nearby volcano.
MORE HISTORY FROM AN EXPERT
Your tour guide is a local archaeologist, making them the perfect person to show you around Herculaneum and share its fascinating history. To get the full picture of the eruption and its impact, it’s best to plan your visit together with a guided tour of Pompeii or the popular Vesuvius and Pompeii Tour. Local guides know the sites inside and out, and with skip-the-line access, you’ll make the most of your time without any hassle. Book the Herculaneum Tour now and step straight into history!
FREE CANCELLATION UP TO 24H IN ADVANCE!
Receive a complete refund if you cancel your booking 24 hours before the selected date!
Interesting facts about Herculaneum
- Today, about 50,000 people live in the area around Herculaneum and even above a part of it, in the town of Ercolano!
- Located on the coast, Herculaneum was a retreat for wealthy Romans.
- Herculaneum was built above a former lava flow from Mount Vesuvius.
Good to know before you go
- You can make a free reservation for the Herculaneum Tour.
- You can also cancel your purchase and you will receive a full refund.
- It is required to show your passport or ID.
- Select the option of going in a private or small group at booking.
- We recommend you bring a hat and plenty of water.
- If you're already planning to visit Herculaneum, be sure to visit Pompeii as well, as it’s the perfect way to complete your experience.
Meeting Point
The meeting point is at the ticket office of the Archaeological Park of Herculaneum. Please arrive 10 minutes before the tour starts.
ACT FAST & SECURE YOUR SPOT NOW!
Easy & fast booking process!
FAQ - Herculaneum Tour
Can I cancel the Herculaneum Tour?
Yes, you can cancel up to 24 hours before the booked time, and you will receive a full refund. You can also make a free reservation.Do I need to book Herculaneum tours in advance?
Herculaneum is a popular attraction, and since the archeological area is smaller than that of Pompeii, there are fewer tickets. We recommend purchasing tickets well in advance, as we cannot guarantee last-minute availability.How do I get to Herculaneum?
You can take a Circumvesuviana train between Naples and Sorrento to get to both Pompeii and Herculaneum. In Sorrento, get on the train in the center of town. In Naples, go to the Naples Central train station on Piazza Garibaldi and go to underground track 3. Get off the train at the Ercolano Scavi station and walk along Via 4 Novembre to the entrance of the Parco Archeologico di Ercolano.Are there other organized tours to Pompeii?
Yes, there are several carefully selected Pompeii tours available from other cities. You can explore the famous Roman city with included transportation and a Pompeii entrance ticket, so everything is well-organized and stress-free. Tours are available from Naples, Sorrento, Amalfi, Positano and Rome.Don't wait! Book now!
- Reserve now & pay later
- Free cancellation
- Expert tour guide
- Skip-the-line access
- Private or small groups available
- Easy booking process
- Best value for your money!