Things to do in Herculaneum
Herculaneum is a town that overlooks the Gulf of Naples, famous throughout the world for the archaeological excavations of the ancient Roman city.
Legend has it that the city was founded around 600 BC by Hercules and eventually became an important trading center due to its prime location near the Gulf. The inhabitants of the town worshipped Hercules as also being the founder of the nearby Mount Vesuvius.
In 79 AD, Mount Vesuvius erupted and destroyed the city, leaving Herculaneum buried under approximately 50-60 feet of volcanic mud and ash. It wasn't until the early 18th century that the city was discovered by a well digger. Originally, Hercules and everybody was thought to have escaped from the town prior to the disaster, but there have been around 300 skeletons discovered during the excavations.
The road to the archaeological excavations up to Torre del Greco is called the Golden Mile due to the splendid villas built alongside it in the eighteenth century.
Many tourists from all over the world come to visit the ruins of Herculaneum, as well as the neighbouring city of Pompeii which was also destroyed by the same Mt. Vesuvius eruption. When entering the ruins, you can see the many fine houses of Herculaneum that consists of lavish coloured mosaics, wall paintings and marble cladding.
The excavations have been included in the list of UNESCO world heritage sites.
Our recommendations in Herculaneum
Herculaneum private and personalized tour with a local guide
Book this private tour of Herculaneum with a local guide to discover brilliantly preserved ruins, luxury villas, frescoes and mosaics of ancient Roman civilisation.
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Herculaneum private walking tour with an archaeologist-guide
Explore the town of Herculaneum on a 2-hour private walking tour with an archaeologist-guide.
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Pompeii and Herculaneum Select Tour with Local Lunch
This tour takes you to Pompeii and Herculaneum to discover two of the world's greatest archaeological sites. Buried by Mt Vesuvius almost 2,000 years ago, they offer a fascinating and at times haunting insight into ancient Roman life.
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Like nearby Pompeii, ancient Herculaneum suffered a similar fate at the hands of Vesuvius erupting in 79AD. Fortunately, archaeologists have managed to excavate parts of the city, and this half-day tour will show you what they've managed to unearth so far.
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Herculaneum private and personalized tour with a local guide
Book this private tour of Herculaneum with a local guide to discover brilliantly preserved ruins, luxury villas, frescoes and mosaics of ancient Roman civilisation.
en, it, fr, es, de
Herculaneum private walking tour with an archaeologist-guide
Explore the town of Herculaneum on a 2-hour private walking tour with an archaeologist-guide.
en, it, fr, es, de
Pompeii and Herculaneum Select Tour with Local Lunch
This tour takes you to Pompeii and Herculaneum to discover two of the world's greatest archaeological sites. Buried by Mt Vesuvius almost 2,000 years ago, they offer a fascinating and at times haunting insight into ancient Roman life.
en
Like nearby Pompeii, ancient Herculaneum suffered a similar fate at the hands of Vesuvius erupting in 79AD. Fortunately, archaeologists have managed to excavate parts of the city, and this half-day tour will show you what they've managed to unearth so far.
en
How to get there
Herculaneum
Naples
Italy
Reviews Herculaneum
“Getting into Pompei was mayhem. Crowds and then cruise groups barging their was through the queue. People were talking about leaving space in case there was a surge or fight -both were possible. Eventually the police were called and it was somewhat better. Second guide at Herculaneum was dull and missed most of the highlights. First guide and driver good.”
“Guide was great but had 6 French only speaking people on an English speaking tour. In trying to include them with great difficulty it made our experience poor. Not sure this was the guides fault. Also 35 people on the tour which was far too many and spent most of the time trying to herd us together.”
“Cinzia our guide superb. Pompeii amazing worth every minute there. Local lunch total disaster. Looked really impressive from outside! Restaurant with no air-conditioning!! Must have been 32deg inside. Food was terrible! Iron hard bread with chopped tomato, burnt pepper as starter. Main penna with veg (not used on starter by look of it)"served", or ladles out from a big pot. After some complaints got a salad and pizza. Other bus tours coming in welcomed with bottle wine on table!”
