Plan Your Visit to Herculaneum (Ercolano)

The practical side of a trip to Herculaneum: what you can bring in, what you will find on site and what else is worth seeing nearby.

Ercolano: Visitor Guidelines

Bags: Only small bags are allowed inside. Larger bags go in the free left-luggage at the entrance.

Photography: Photos and video for personal use are fine. Professional equipment and drones need written authorization from the park.

Food and Drink: Eating is only allowed in the designated areas.

Smoking: Smoking is not allowed anywhere in the archaeological area.

What to Wear: Closed, comfortable shoes work best on the Roman paving. Leave the heels and flip-flops at the hotel. Going bare-chested or wearing very revealing clothing is not allowed.

Location

Corso Resina 187, 80056 Ercolano (NA), Italy.

The ancient town lies below street level in the center of modern Ercolano, on the Bay of Naples at the foot of Mount Vesuvius.

Ercolano Opening Hours

Herculaneum is open every day from 8:30 AM, except January 1 and December 25. It closes at 7:30 PM from mid-March to mid-October and at 5:00 PM the rest of the year.
Last entry is 90 minutes before closing.

Good to Know Before Your Visit to Ercolano

Facilities
Rules and Regulations
Dining
Other Nearby Attractions

At the entrance you will find an information desk and a free left-luggage service.

Audio guides with 3D reconstructions are available through the park's app for iOS and Android, or you can rent one on site.

For a break, head to the Giardino degli Ozi, a garden shaded by pomegranate trees inside the House of the Relief of Telephus, or to the benches in the green area beside the Antiquarium.

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.

FAQs About Visiting Ercolano

Do I need to book Herculaneum tickets in advance?

It isn't mandatory, but booking online is a good idea, especially in spring and summer when queues at the entrance are longest.

Can I visit Pompeii and Herculaneum on the same day?

Yes. Both are on the Circumvesuviana line, so you can travel between them by train. Start early to give yourself enough time at each.

Is there somewhere to leave large bags?

Yes. Left-luggage at the entrance is free, and larger bags must be left there.

Is Herculaneum wheelchair accessible?

Partly. The Herculaneum for Everyone route, marked in blue on the site map, is designed for visitors with reduced mobility. Staff at the entrance can explain it before you start.

Are audio guides available?

Yes. You can use the park's 3D audio guide app on your phone or rent an audio guide on site.

Is there anywhere to eat inside the site?

There is no restaurant, but you can get drinks and snacks at the Terrazza Vesuvio refreshment point and from vending machines near the bridge entrance.