Herculaneum or Pompeii: Which one to visit in 2025?
Herculaneum vs Pompeii: a detailed comparison
Herculaneum or Pompeii?
When visiting the archaeological sites of southern Italy, you definitely don’t want to miss Pompeii or Herculaneum. But what if you don’t have time to visit them both, which one would you choose? If you can’t make up your mind, we’re here to help. In the following text, we will do our best to name all the pros and cons of Herculaneum vs. Pompeii.
Herculaneum and Pompeii were both destroyed by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. It was an unparalleled event in ancient times, described by the famous Roman scholar Pliny the Younger. Thanks to his account, we have a clear picture of the eruption and its impact on the inhabitants of the region. However, as centuries passed and the Roman Empire disintegrated, the memory of Pompeii and Herculaneum was almost lost. Rediscovery of both archaeological sites happened by pure chance some 1,700 years later. Ever since then Herculaneum and Pompeii have continued to fascinate scientists, archaeologists, and visitors alike.
1. Which site is better preserved?
The eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD buried the towns of Herculaneum and Pompeii under a thick layer of volcanic ash. However, the ash that covered them was significantly different due to proximity and the level of impact.
Pompeii was primarily buried by layers of pumice and ash that fell on the city, setting it alight and trapping many inhabitants. Evidence of this is scattered throughout the city in the form of plaster casts. As bodies evaporated under the ash, a hollow space was left in their place. With time, archeologists figured this out and devised an ingenious, although a bit gruesome, method to preserve the form of these unfortunates. Namely, they filled the cavities with plaster and created detailed casts of the victims. When you visit Pompeii, you’ll have a chance to see them on numerous occasions.The thickness of volcanic ash reached up to 4-6 meters (13-20 feet) and caused extensive damage to the roofs of buildings in Pompeii, which collapsed entirely. However, it did allow the preservation of stone walls, which feature incredibly vivid frescoes and murals as well as street layouts.
On the other hand, Herculaneum was much closer to Mount Vesuvius and was destroyed in a completely different way. Rather than being covered by pumice and ash, it was filled with fast-flowing lava from the ground up. The lava supported walls and roofs as it encased them, and this resulted in an almost complete preservation of some buildings. In some cases even the wooden furniture has been preserved! However, the depth under which Herculaneum is buried is roughly 25 meters (82 feet). This makes it harder for archeologists to dig, and unlike Pompeii, much of Herculaneum is still unexcavated.
So, although it is a less famous archaeological site and definitely smaller, Herculaneum is much more preserved than Pompeii.
Learn more about Pompeii and Herculaneum on our guided tours!
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Pompeii’s buried secrets
Pompeii Guided Tour
Explore the city of Pompeii with our popular guided tour. Discover the history of this archeological site, preserved under layers of volcanic ash for over 2,000 years. Enjoy Skip-the-line access, visit all the key sites, and learn about the tragic end of this once-thriving ancient Roman town.
Ancient Roman ruins
Herculaneum Tour
Uncover the secrets of Herculaneum, a UNESCO World Heritage site renowned as one of the best-preserved ancient cities. Learn how the eruption of Mount Vesuvius sealed its fate. Walk in a small or private group through the ancient streets with a local archaeologist guide and get a deeper understanding of life before the devastating eruption.
2. Herculaneum vs. Pompeii: Comparing major highlights
Both archeological sites offer a unique glimpse into the everyday life of ancient Romans. If you’re unsure which one to visit first, we’ll provide you with some highlights so that you can make an informed decision.
As a large settlement, the city of Pompeii was an administrative center of the entire region. Unlike Herculaneum, it had buildings such as the Forum, the Amphitheater, and numerous important temples. For example, by visiting Pompeii, you’ll have a chance to see remarkably preserved temples dedicated to major deities of the Roman pantheon. These include the temple of Jupiter, the temple of Apollo, and the temple of Venus, just to name a few. One curious such building is the temple of Isis, an Egyptian deity, which underlines the cosmopolitan vibe of Pompeii. Other major highlights include Terme Stabiane, or the Stabian Baths, which is an incredibly well-preserved bath complex. We also have to mention the intriguing Villa of the Mysteries, located just outside the city walls. This opulent mansion was relatively spared by the damage caused by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. Here, you’ll be able to see a series of vibrantly colored frescoes depicting initiation practices into a mystery cult. Lastly, one of the highlights of Pompeii includes plaster casts of the victims that we described earlier.
Visiting Herculaneum is an equally fascinating experience, but as it was a different type of settlement, its highlights are distinct. In today’s terms we would call it a seaside resort town, and due to its mild climate and fertile soil, it was quite popular amongst the Roman elites. Therefore, there are many more well-preserved aristocratic villas. These include buildings such as the House of the Deer, Casa dell’Albergo, the House of the Wooden Partition, and the House of Neptune and Amphitrite. One particularly captivating archaeological site is the so-called Villa of the Papyri. Villa of the Papyri owes its name to the fact that it housed a private library owned by none other than the father-in-law of Julius Caesar! It is the only surviving ancient library and contains more than 1,800 papyrus scrolls. These scrolls were instantaneously carbonized during the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. Modern scientists are able to apply high-tech methods in trying to read them, so who knows what kind of discoveries await us in the future!
3. Which ancient city is larger?
In terms of size, without a doubt, Pompeii is larger. With the population ranging between 10,000 and 20,000 inhabitants, it was considered a relatively large town even during ancient times. It was a bustling trading hub that had a busy harbor and a thriving economy. Archaeologists have determined that the town covered approximately 66 hectares (around 163 acres). To give you a clearer picture, Pompeii was roughly 2.2 kilometers (1.4 miles) wide and 1.6 kilometers (1 mile) long. Did you know that only about 2/3 of Pompeii has been excavated so far? The excavations are still taking place, but unlike earlier generations of archaeologists, modern excavators employ more subtle and careful techniques. If you choose to visit Pompeii, you can expect a moderate amount of walking, so make sure to wear comfortable shoes and clothes.
Herculaneum, on the other hand, was a smaller and much quieter place to live. With an estimated population of 5,000 people, it covered only around 20 hectares (50 acres). Also, the excavated area of the archaeological site is only around 10 hectares (25 acres), making it much smaller than Pompeii. This means that a visit to Herculaneum is typically shorter than a visit to Pompeii. While it may take you 3-4 hours to visit Pompeii, you can expect to spend no more than a couple of hours visiting Herculaneum.
4. Herculaneum vs. Pompeii: Crowds during the high season
There is a lot to discover and admire in the Campania region, but sometimes landmarks attract huge crowds, including the archaeological sites of Herculaneum and Pompeii. While both draw a large number of visitors, there are some tips that can help you avoid the crowds and make your visit more enjoyable.
Visiting during the off-season from November to March is a no-brainer, of course. There will definitely be fewer crowds, but the archaeological sites tend to work shorter hours. Also keep in mind the trains and buses tend to run less frequently in that period. Not surprisingly, many tourists want to avoid hot summer months, so you can expect April and May as well as late September and October to be pretty busy. However, even if you do choose to visit Pompeii or Herculaneum during the high season, there are some tips and hints that can help you avoid the crowds.
One simple piece of advice is to try and schedule your visit to Pompeii or Herculaneum on a weekday. These archaeological sites definitely see more foot traffic on Saturday and Sunday. Another piece of advice is that you plan your visit for early morning or late afternoons. In this way, you will be avoiding the crowds while simultaneously enjoying milder temperatures. If you’re wondering about opening hours during the high season, then please note that Pompeii is open from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm. Herculaneum, on the other hand, has a bit of a different schedule, and this archaeological site is open from 8:30 am to 7:30 pm.
Keep in mind that the last admission to Pompeii is 5:30 pm and Herculaneum at 6:00 pm!
5. Conclusion: Which site to visit?
The final question is: Herculaneum vs. Pompeii: Which site is worth visiting? The answer is both!
If you’re looking to avoid larger crowds and explore a smaller, more contained archaeological site, Herculaneum might be the perfect choice for you. Its well-preserved ruins offer a detailed glimpse into ancient life.
On the other hand, if you’re interested in exploring more about ancient Roman life and don’t mind spending more time walking, Pompeii is the place to go.
Get ready for your Pompeii visit to the fullest!
We prepared a visiting guide with all the helpful tips for your Pompeii visit. Find out the best time to visit, working hours, and what you can see inside!
Want to explore these sites at your own pace?
Check out our best Pompeii & Herculaneum tickets!
Eternal Roman ruins
Pompeii Ticket
Book a Pompeii skip-the-line ticket to avoid the crowds and explore the ancient Roman city destroyed by a volcanic eruption. Discover ruined temples, theaters, and villas. You’ll also be able to see the plaster casts of the dead as you walk through this famous city frozen in time.
City frozen in time
Herculaneum Ticket
Get priority access and visit the ruins of Herculaneum, a once-thriving town destroyed by Mount Vesuvius. Explore its perfectly preserved ruins and 300 skeletons of its inhabitants, and learn about its history and culture with a multilingual audio guide.