Herculaneum and Pompeii

The excavations of Herculaneum and Pompeii are one of the most visited places in all of Italy.

Tragedy and fascination go hand in hand at these sites, because all that will be seen there has been preserved thanks to the eruption of Vesuvius in 79AD.

Here, we give you some advice on how to visit these places.

Herculaneum MAV – Virtual Archaeological Museum

How to get there

It’s possible to visit both sites in one day, because they are about 10 kilometres apart. They are served by the metro line Circumvesuviana, which runs additional faster trains between Naples and Sorrento between 16/3 and 03/11. The station is right in front of the entrance of the sites.

Pompeii is also connected by the Trenitalia from Naples and from various stations in the Cilento Park.

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Book the ticket

If you decide to visit the sites in high season (Apr-Oct), we advise you to buy your tickets online.

https://www.ticketone.it/en/artist/scavi-ercolano/parco-archeologico-di-ercolano-988880/

https://www.ticketone.it/en/artist/scavi-pompei/parco-archeologico-di-pompei-988882/

Pompeii and Herculaneum are the most famous sites, but the lava flow affected also the towns of Oplonti, Stabia and Boscoreale. All these places are close, and it is possible to buy a cumulative ticket for all five excavations.

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Do and don’t

There are numerous restaurants in the area that offer set menus at reasonable prices (with around 12 euros for a 3-course meal) but it is possible to eat packed lunches in the picnic area inside the park. It is strictly forbidden to bring food and drink outside the dedicated areas.

In the same way, it is forbidden to smoke, throw rubbish on the ground or smear anything. The park and its visitors are subjected to strict controls to preserve the historical and cultural heritage of the archaeological site.

083 Pompei_2010 — Pompeii - Villa dei Misteri

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What to see in Herculaneum

Famous in the world for the archaeological excavations of the Roman city, that legend has it founded by Hercules and destroyed by the eruption of Vesuvius in 79 AD, Herculaneum is one of the unmissable wonders of the Gulf of Naples.

Herculaneum has undergone a unique conservation phenomenon that has no comparison even with nearby Pompeii. The 16-meter blanket of pyroclastic materials and mud that submerged the city allowed the conservation of two-story domus, within which architectural elements in wood and marble, jewelry and furnishing objects were found, as well as many organic finds, allowing to reconstruct in detail the lifestyle of the ancient Herculaneers.

In fact, fabrics, food, papyrus and wood have been found practically intact. Herculaneum is one of the most evocative places in the world. It was accidentally discovered when the Austrian prince of Elboeuf had a well dug in a villa he owned, and found himself in front of the wall of the ancient theater scene.

It was then Charles of Bourbon in 1738 who ordered the beginning of the excavation work that brought to light, little by little, this extraordinary wonder.

The numbers in bracket correspond to the numbers on the map. Open the map of Herculaneum

Herculaneum (2) — Wall Mosaic of Neptune and Amphitrite from Herculaneum

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Herculaneum MAV – Virtual Archaeological Museum

Through cutting-edge technologies, the visitor can take a journey through time and admire the main constructions of the Roman cities destroyed in 79 AD. exactly how they must have appeared before their destruction.

Over seventy multimedia installations allow tourists to better understand the main archaeological areas of Pompeii, Herculaneum, Baia, Stabia and Capri.

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What to see Pompeii

Buried for over 17 centuries, Pompeii came to light, revealing to the archaeologists enormous information and secrets about the Roman way of life and even about the character and passions of some of its inhabitants.

Whether you have free time or a tight schedule, a guided tour will always help you contextualize everything you see: understand the history, how every building was before it was petrified under the lava.

Even if you initially ruled out taking a private guide for Pompeii, a guided tour will complement your vision of the city by giving you insight into its history and customs, which is difficult to achieve if you are just wandering aimlessly on your own.

If you plan to spend a whole day there, consider taking an early morning guided tour to get your bearings and learn the most important details, and spend the rest of the time wandering around and exploring what you liked best.

The numbers in bracket correspond to the numbers on the map. Open the Guide of Pompeii

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Sam Humpston

12:43 27 Sep 22

Antonio booked our honeymoon in 2012 and we had an amazing visit to Rome, Naples and Sorrento. He was the obvious choice to organise our 10th wedding anniversary and came up absolute trumps with an itinerary including Naples and Ischia.Two amazing hotels, the Caruso Place bang in the heart of Naples with shops, restaurants, attractions within very close walking distance. On the stunningly beautiful island of Ischia the Botania Relais Hotel and Spa was amazing and exceptional on every level. Beautiful setting and great facilities, wonderful pool, restaurants on site, food excellent and very helpful staff (as were the team at Caruso Place). Grazie mille Antonio!

Susan Binnersley

06:38 15 Aug 22

Antonio and Expert to Italy planned, organised and executed a truly excellent and magical holiday experience for us. They understood our brief, suggested a wonderful itinerary that met our brief completely and all of the destinations exceeded our already high expectations (this was our 3rd holiday with Expert to Italy). We particularly appreciated the following:- Local insight and understanding to suggest places we had never heard of and that gave us a real taste of Italy- Commitment to proactively suggest and amend details of our holiday even when it was fully booked and paid for- The personal relationship Antonio clearly has with the hotels we visited- Attention to detail and all arrangements considered to ensure we could relax to the maximumWe thank you for a wonderful holiday experience.

Sonia Marr

12:02 01 Aug 22

Outstanding service from Antonio and his team. Thank you for a holiday we will never forget.

David Freedman

16:57 29 Jun 22

Antonio is the best travel agent we have ever worked with. without question. He helped to plan our somewhat complicated Italian road trip and really took on board what we wanted (in terms of itinerary, type of hotels, etc). He did a fantastic job at rearranging our trip twice as a result of the Covid pandemic and, when the time finally came that we could go ahead, he was full of great suggestions for places to visit, scenic routes to take, things not to miss, places to eat, etc. He was also in touch with us while we were away and was incredibly proactive, re-booking a restaurant that he had previously booked for us when he found out it was going to be closed, and proactively booking 3 (excellent!) restaurants at Lake Como when he realised that everywhere was getting booked up quickly. We can't thank him enough for providing such a great service and ensuring we had a really marvellous holiday.

Helen Ward

14:22 28 Jun 22

We have been on three lovely holidays arranged by ExpertoItaly. Our hotels have always been well-chosen and we get great advice about where to stay and places to visit. Antonio listens carefully to our requirements and reacts positively to questions and comments.

Michele Quastel

13:29 01 Jun 22

An intriguing part of a much loved country that I had undiscovered.ExpertoItaly - Antonio was attentive, helpful and meticulous at every turn. A fabulous support in navigating new territories. Truly an expert and nothing is ever too much trouble. Appreciated and highly recommended.

Anj

10:07 25 May 22

Antonio was a huge help in planning our big trip to Italy. He listened to what we wanted, what was important to us and factored it all into the plan. We had the best trip. The hotels were lovely and well located. Throughout our trip Antonio was available on WhatsApp if we had any queries or needed advice. We definitely had a better holiday because of his support. If you want to experience Italy and get great inside tips speak to Antonio!

Rachel Jenkins

13:20 09 May 22

My friend and I have just had a stunning holiday in Italy, all organised by Antonio. All the travel arrangements (we went by train from London to Paris, Turin, Florence, Siena and further south to Foligno) went like clockwork, and we stayed in simply beautiful palazzos, with glorious comfortable rooms , conveniently situated for the sightseeing we had planned. The palazzo staff/owners were very welcoming, extremely helpful in booking restaurants and taxis, printing entry tickets for cathedrals etc . Having Antonio make the arrangements took all the stress out of the holiday planning, and he remained in contact in case any difficulties were to arise. This was my second holiday organised by Antonio, the first being equally successful taking my 90 year old mother in 2017 to Venice and Florence, and my friend and I are now starting to think about the next one!

Suzanne Sendel Agency Canada

07:46 05 May 22

Being a single woman, traveling the globe for trade fairs in my industry, and never quite knowing where to stay and how to attain the best experience, ExpertoItaly was recommended to me by a colleague in the UK and I am thrilled to share that this was the best investment I could have made.To my amazement, this company spent countless hours supporting my travels, mapping out my routes, train stops, airlines, restaurants, shops, and more to inspire the most remarkable trip! Always available, with the most dedicated support, I can't begin to tell you how this made my travels the most remarkable experience~!I was abroad for 13 days for both business and pleasure and I could have never had the experience I did without the support, patience, kindness, and knowledge of this company. As I traveled, I spoke with innkeepers, restaurant owners, and many who knew this company from previous engagements and always smiled when I mentioned their company. This to me is stellar as I knew that I was in the right care.I will certainly refer and promote EXPERTOITALY to many of my colleagues, friends, and family because everyone deserves to travel the world and feel safe, and secure and have the best itinerary to explore as they travel! Much gratitude to EXPERTOITALY, I will be forever grateful and you can count on my business in the future!For corporate or family travel, this company will ensure your best experience. BRAVO!!!

Blake D

15:43 21 Sep 21

We loved our week in Villa Lighea booked through Expertoitaly. If you are looking for a romantic, water-front cottage, this is it. We swam in the sea every day.It’s a bit remote from the major cities of Sicily but we hadn’t planned a lot of sightseeing. We ate at a few great restaurants but mostly cooked at the villa. Great weather and warm water in September.Antonio was easy to work with and flexible when we had to reschedule due to COVID. We would book with him again.

Simon Liddle

18:07 25 Oct 20

Antonio arranged a great two weeks in Campania for us this year. It was excellent to get to places that were quiet, smart and friendly. Everything worked just right, even this crazy year. Previously he has sorted us out a car tour of Sicily, two return visits to that lovely island, and breaks in the bay of Naples. We had done quite a lot of Italy under our own steam, but ExpertoItaly really are experts with a fantastic set of choices , and you get a great personal service. We will be back again next year.

William Jackson

15:37 13 Aug 20

Outstanding service, advice and organisation of our holiday combined with an intimate understanding and knowledge of places to stay and see.go no further.

andrew Smith

16:49 02 Aug 20

Expertoitaly (and Antonio) first came to our attention in 2014 when we were planning a celebratory trip to Italy for 2015. Although we approached a number of household names about our plans and itinerary by e-mail Antonio immediately stood out. He phoned back almost straight away to get to know something about us and what we liked to do.On the back of that discussion he quickly put together a trip and budget. Given his obvious knowledge of the country and his quick grasp of what we were looking for together with the attention to detail it was a 'no brainer' to put our trust in this company. As a consequence we duly enjoyed a 3 week multi-stop trip in July 2015 tailored to suit us perfectly!On return we almost immediately booked to return in October for a short break to 2 of the locations in Tuscany we particularly enjoyed - Lucca and Montepulciano both of which are delightful.We fell in love with Italy and have returned several times since then all courtesy of Antonio:2016 - A short break to attend the Opera in Verona.2017 - 2 weeks in Sicily2018 - the same - we love Sicily and would urge anyone to go. (where we finally got to meet Antonio in Ragusa which was great)We were due to return to Italy this year for a 3 week road trip - albeit with private transfers rather than actual driving - from Verona to just south of Naples - all immaculately put together by Antonio of course. Alas Covid-19 had different ideas.We can only say that Expertoitaly have dealt with this professionally and as speedily as circumstances allowed and have refunded all the monies. We have no reservations about using them again in the future. In fact Antonio is already on standby to reprise the 'lost' trip as soon as this madness ends and unhindered travel becomes possible again - just extended an improved.Andrew & Susan SmithTadworthSurrey

Jane Domb

17:12 28 Aug 19

If you are looking to go to Italy for a holiday, Antonio at Experto Italy is amazing. We have just come back from our fourth holiday he has arranged for us. He sent us to places that days of googling would never have found.He also has a knack of keeping to budget even with my numerous demands!Fabulous fabulous!!

Debbie Law

11:10 27 Aug 19

Just returned from a fab trip to Italy - all organised by Antonio. His time and effort to get what was just right for us was amazing.. he had a lot to put up with! We have used Expertoitaly before and will do again.We visited Ischia and Naples. Both very different and wonderful. Ischia is perfect for a good rest (visits to the Giardini La Mortella and the Ravino Gardens are a must). The Gardens & Villas Resort is a beautiful setting, very private, calm with amazing staff. Also the little town of Lacco Ameno has some really nice restaurants. Naples was very HOT! but we still managed to spend 7 hours walking about just soaking up the atmosphere and visiting some of the fantastic historic sights. Visit to the underground roman town is well worth it - it is mind boggling to think it was built thousands of years ago.

julie frenchman

09:16 09 Jul 19

This is the third occasion that Antonio has organised an Italian holiday for me. As it was a Birthday celebration involving a party of 10, the arrangements were complex, involving a villa, guides and attendance at the Palio on July 2nd. Without exception everything went exactly as planned. The recommended villa on the Montestigliano Estate, south west of Siena, was wonderful. Our guide made sure we had a full understanding of the history and culture of the Palio which meant that, with a spectacular view over the Campo from the apartment booked by Antonio, we were able to appreciate the event that much more.We shall certainly be going back to Italy with Expertoitaly.

Kay James

12:08 03 May 19

We had an amazing trip organised by Antonio, we visited Naples for a few days then stayed in Sant’ Agata. Both hotels had fabulous amenities and restaurants. The trip was effortless and everything was meticulously arranged. Antonio was also on had for anything we needed during the trip.I would definitely recommend Expert to Italy and we will definitely use this company again in the future

Grant Stupart

18:31 16 Aug 18

Antonio with his meticulous planning and caring service has been solely responsible for the best Italian holidays we have had. His ability to offer excellent hotel accommodation which provides for every need and requirement is second to none . Hotels that are not main stream , that provide high quality of service in excellent locations are one of Antonio’s strength. It’s great to have a provider that know and understands his market. Grant B Stupart

Jonathan May

18:06 01 Aug 18

July 2018_________________________________Have just completed another 10 day holiday arranged by Antonio at Expert to Italy. We went with Antonio's suggestion and spent 2 days at Matera and then the remainder in Pisciotta in the Cilento. Matera was amazing and felt completely different to anywhere else we have been in Italy. We loved Pisciotta and the hotel was wonderful with lovely owners who were great at suggesting things to do. We visited a buffalo farm, a vinyard and tooks boats to isolated coves with lovely clear water. All arrangements were absolutely faultless. We would never have found such lovely places without Antonio!2016_________________________________We have just returned from a fantastic holiday suggested no arranged by ExpertTo Italy. Once again the organisation by Antonio was flawless and everything worked perfectly. We spent 5 nights by lake Maggiore and 3 in Cogne in the Italian Alps. Both hotels and locations were fantastic - particularly the Bellvue in Cogne. Please see trip advisor if interested in the hotels as I will give a more specific review there - I'm not a fanatic reviewer but both really deserve it. We have used this company for the past 5 years and Antonio seems to have a real gift for finding fantastic hotels and matching locations to his clients. I would not usually put the level of trust in anyone to arrange holidays for me that I have with Antonio but he has delivered every time and I can unreservedly recommend his services. Italy is a beautiful country with huge variety - if you describe what you like to Antonio and let him make suggestions then you will not be disappointed. Very definitely 5 stars from me. So - Antonio and team, please keep it up!Jon

Amanda Chapman

22:28 25 Aug 17

Antonio delivered more than expected! Our family of four stayed at two beautiful villa's on the Amalfi Coast. Both of the locations were top class. Antonio provided excellent service and was always available if we had questions about the details of our trip. He was easy to work with and we would recommend his services to others traveling to Italy.

Susan Davidson

09:04 19 Jun 17

This was our second holiday with ExpertoItaly, and it was just as good as the first! Antonio provided us with fast, efficient and personal attention. His choice of hotels was first class. Real attention to detail means that you get a holiday that really suits your personal requirements. Brilliant!

Andrew Rogers

09:36 09 Jul 16

We have just made an amazing journey by train, taxi, boat and bus through France, a night in Paris, then a night on a mountain in Switzerland, train across the alps on the Bernina Express, 5 days on Lake Como and 6 days on Lake Maggiore. We stayed in the most glorious quality hotels. We made visits to local towns and attractions using buses and boats. Every connection on the journey was planned and executed wonderfully.This is 5 star planning, 5 star service, 5 star experience all personally organised by Antonio at ExpertoItaly. We must never forget the James Bond moment of being whisked across Como by Luca in his luxury Taxiboat from Varenna to the Hotel Filario in Lezzeno with Pavarotti as our musical accompaniment then met on the jetty by a lovely suited receptionist. A dream. Thanks Antonio.See views from our rooms Como then Maggiore.

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Herculaneum and Pompeii

How to get there

Book the ticket

Do and don’t

What to see in Herculaneum

Herculaneum MAV – Virtual Archaeological Museum

What to see Pompeii

How to get there

^Back to the top

Book the ticket

^Back to the top

Do and don’t

^Back to the top

What to see in Herculaneum

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Herculaneum MAV – Virtual Archaeological Museum

^Back to the top

What to see Pompeii

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Herculaneum and Pompeii

How to get there

Book the ticket

Do and don’t

What to see in Herculaneum

Herculaneum MAV – Virtual Archaeological Museum

What to see Pompeii

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