Herculaneum (Ercolano) Opening Hours

Opening Hours at Herculaneum

Herculaneum opens every day at 8:30 AM. Closing time changes with the season: the park stays open later from mid-March to mid-October and closes earlier in winter. Last entry is 90 minutes before closing, so aim to arrive with at least two hours to spare.

When to Visit Herculaneum

Come at opening if you can. The streets are quiet at 8:30 AM, the light is soft and the tour groups have not arrived yet. The last couple of hours before last entry are the other calm window, and in summer they are also the coolest part of the day.

Ercolano: Timings

Herculaneum Opening Hours

Summer (March 16 to October 14)
Every day: 8:30 AM to 7:30 PM
Last entry: 6:00 PM

Winter (October 15 to March 15)
Every day: 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM
Last entry: 3:30 PM

Closed
January 1 and December 25

Busier days
Expect bigger crowds on free-admission days: the first Sunday of every month, April 25, June 2 and November 4.

Areas currently closed
The Villa of the Papyri is closed for restoration, and the Ancient Theater is closed for maintenance until further notice.

Herculaneum: Entrance Ticket

Highlights

Discover a remarkably conserved Roman town frozen in time by volcanic eruption.

Enjoy easy entry with fast-track access.

Immerse yourself with a downloadable audio guide available in multiple languages.

Stroll through breathtaking mosaics, frescoes, and ancient architecture.

Visit at flexible hours with admission until an hour and a half before closing.

Herculaneum: Entrance Ticket + Guided Tour

Highlights

Priority entry to avoid breakfast.

Know the history of Herculaneum thanks to a professional archaeologist.

Tour approximately two hours.

Available in Spanish and other four languages.

Group limited to 20 people for a more personalized experience.

Herculaneum: Guided Tour + Round-trip Journey from Naples

Highlights

Experience an expert-led tour through a remarkably preserved archaeological site.

Visit key historic locations such as the House of the Deer and the Forum baths.

Benefit from roundtrip transport between Naples and Herculaneum.

Enjoy a comprehensive exploration lasting around three hours.

Available live guides speak English, Italian, and Spanish.

Herculaneum: Round-trip transport from Naples by bus

Highlights

Benefit from roundtrip bus transportation between Naples and Herculaneum.

Have an assistant available on the bus to help throughout your ride.

Experience well-timed departures from a central location in Naples.

Explore the legendary city linked to Hercules and preserved by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius.

Access a comfortable and reliable transport option for your visit.

How Much Time to Spend at Ercolano?

Plan on about two hours. That is enough to walk the main streets, look inside the best-preserved houses and stop at the Antiquarium without rushing.

Add more time if you book a guided tour or use an audio guide, since you will stop longer at each house. If you are pairing Herculaneum with Pompeii on the same day, do Herculaneum first: it is smaller and easier to fit into a morning.

FAQs About Ercolano Timings

What are Herculaneum's opening hours?

The site opens every day at 8:30 AM. It closes at 7:30 PM from March 16 to October 14, and at 5:00 PM from October 15 to March 15.

What time is last entry?

Last entry is 90 minutes before closing: 6:00 PM in summer and 3:30 PM in winter.

Is Herculaneum open on public holidays?

Yes. The park is open every day of the year except January 1 and December 25.

When is the quietest time to visit?

Right at opening, or in the last couple of hours before last entry. Free-admission days, such as the first Sunday of the month, are usually the busiest.

Are any parts of the site closed at the moment?

Yes. The Villa of the Papyri is closed for restoration and the Ancient Theater is closed for maintenance until further notice.

How long does a visit to Herculaneum take?

About two hours covers the main areas. Allow extra time if you are taking a guided tour.