Where is the Herculaneum located?

Herculaneum is a popular Italy attraction that was a Roman city that was destroyed by a volcanic eruption.

Herculaneum is in Ercolano, Campania in Italy and is a short 15-minute drive from Naples. Herculaneum received a similar fate to Pompeii and was destroyed during the same volcanic eruption from Mount Vesuvius in 79 A.D.

To get the best experience visiting Herculaneum, there are tours with an audio guide or with an archaeologist.

Can I do a day trip to Herculaneum?

It is certainly possible to do a day trip to Herculaneum! People will travel from Naples, Sorrento, and even as far as Rome! You can travel by car or train to reach Herculaneum.

You will at least want to set aside at least two to three hours to explore Herculaneum. It’s best to plan your trip before going so you know what attractions you want to see inside the ancient town.

When is Herculaneum open?

Herculaneum is open all year round except on January 1 and December 25. From mid-March to mid-October, the site is open between 8:30 AM to 7:30 PM. Then from mid-October to mid-March, it is open 8:30 AM to 5 PM.

You may want to consider visiting between November and March to avoid the crowds, and to visit during the weekdays as it’s usually less busy. If you can only visit during the warmer months of the year and the weekends, try to be there earlier in the morning to avoid the rush of crowds.

Things to see in Herculaneum

Even though Herculaneum is much smaller compared to Pompeii, there is still a lot you can see in this ancient Roman town.

Suburban Spa and Urban Spa

Herculaneum had two different spas available for the residents to use and are some of the best preserved Roman baths that you can see. The Urban Spa was divided between females and males.

Casa di Nettuno e Anfitrite

The House of Neptune and Amphitrite has an incredible mosaic that you can see inside the dining room. The mosaic is of Neptune (Roman god of the water and sea) and his wife Amphitrite. The mosaic gives you an idea of just how rich the interior of the house would have looked before the eruption.

Casa del Tramezzo de Legno

Inside the House of the Wooden Partition, you will see the wooden partition that managed to survive after the eruption took place. There are also frescoes along the walls and white mosaic tiles. All Roman houses had a basin that collected rainwater in the middle of the house, which you can see inside this home.

You can also go diagonally across from here to visit the Samnite House.

Quite often, Herculaneum gets forgotten about due to the widely popular city of Pompeii. But we certainly think it’s worth checking out Herculaneum on your next trip to Italy! It is possible to visit both ancient Roman towns, but best to see them on separate days.