Herculaneum: the ruins of Ercolano
Herculaneum is the other ancient town of the UNESCO ensemble. The ruins lie in the modern town of Ercolano, below the volcano, and they are an archaeological park of their own. They are not part of the Pompeii site, and a Pompeii ticket does not get you in.
Many visitors plan Herculaneum as an add-on to a Pompeii trip. That works, but treat it as a second visit with its own entry rules, not as an extra room of the first. If you want the bigger picture of the two towns first, start with the history of the eruption.
Herculaneum tickets and entry in 2026
Herculaneum has its own tariff. The full price is EUR 16, and a reduced ticket costs EUR 2 for visitors who meet the conditions. Check the conditions before you travel if you expect to qualify.
A Pompei Express or Pompei Plus ticket does not include Herculaneum. If you join a combined tour, the description must name both entries. The tours below do, but read the includes before you book, because the details differ between options.
Tickets for the park are sold by the park itself and by resellers. The tours on this page are reseller products that bundle the entry with a guide or transport.
Our picks: Herculaneum tours
These tours pair Herculaneum with Pompeii and include entry to both. Pick the small-group tour from Pompeii if you are already there, or the multi-start options if you are coming from Naples or Sorrento.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide and Viator. Prices are indicative starting prices in euros (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Pompeii and Herculaneum with an archaeologist
- Guide at both sites
- Pompeii and Herculaneum entry
- Headsets for everyone
A guided visit to both sites with entry tickets, starting from Naples, Sorrento or Pompeii depending on the option you book. Headsets are provided for everyone.
Check availability →
Pompeii and Herculaneum small-group tour
- Entry to both sites
- One-way train to Herculaneum
- Guide throughout
A guide takes you through both sites, with entry to each and a Circumvesuviana ticket from Pompeii to Herculaneum. The train ticket is one way only.
Check availability →Pompeii and Herculaneum with an expert archaeologist
- Guide at both sites
- Pompeii and Herculaneum entry
- Met at the cruise port
A guided visit to both sites with entry tickets; you choose the start from Naples, Sorrento or Pompeii when booking. Cruise passengers are met at the port.
Check availability →Tours that combine Herculaneum and Pompeii
Small-group days with an archaeologist, by train from Pompeii or by transfer from Naples, with live prices and availability. Check which option includes both entries.
Herculaneum opening hours
The season dates are the same as at Pompeii, but the hours are not. Do not copy Pompeii times to Herculaneum.
| Season | Opening | Last entry | Leave the area by |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16 March to 14 October | 08:30 to 19:30 | 18:00 | 19:00 |
| 15 October to 15 March | 08:30 to 17:00 | 15:30 | 16:40 |
Closing time, last entry and the time you must be out of the excavation area are three different moments. Plan your last hour around the third one.
Planning your time at Herculaneum
Herculaneum is a park of its own with its own entrance, and its closing hours differ from Pompeii's in the evening. Arrive early if you also want Pompeii on the same day.
A combined day is a long one. The two parks are independent, and no tour can promise that you will see both in full in a short time. If you have only one day and want depth, choose one park and give it the time. If you have a day and are happy with highlights, a guided combination takes care of the logistics.
Herculaneum tour from Naples or from Pompeii
Combined tours come in two shapes. Some start in Pompeii: you meet at the Pompeii site, visit it with a guide, take a one-way Circumvesuviana train to Herculaneum and visit that too. The train is one way, so plan your own return. Others run from Naples with a transfer, an archaeologist at both sites and sometimes a light lunch if you choose that option.
Pick-up differs by shape: the Pompeii start has no pick-up, and the Naples start uses selected central meeting points. Meeting points are shown in your booking confirmation. Compare the two day plans on our page about Pompeii and Herculaneum in one day, and see day trips from Naples if you start in the city.
For the train and bus options on your own, see getting to Pompeii. One thing to know: the Pompeii entry does not include the Vesuvius crater, which needs its own ticket. The overview is on Pompeii and Mount Vesuvius.
Visit Herculaneum with respect
Herculaneum is a place where people died. Treat it quietly and follow the park's signs and staff.
Keep to the marked paths, do not climb on walls and do not touch painted surfaces. If you want more Roman villas after this, Oplontis and Stabiae are further options, each with its own hours.
Herculaneum: frequently asked questions
Is Herculaneum included in my Pompeii ticket?
No. They are two separate parks with their own tickets. A Pompei Express or Pompei Plus ticket does not include Herculaneum.
How much is a Herculaneum ticket in 2026?
Full entry is EUR 16 and reduced entry EUR 2, for visitors who meet the conditions. Combined tours name the Herculaneum entry in their includes.
What are the opening hours?
From 16 March to 14 October the park opens at 08:30 and closes at 19:30, with last entry at 18:00 and the excavation area to be left by 19:00. From 15 October to 15 March it opens 08:30 to 17:00, with last entry at 15:30 and the area to be left by 16:40.
Can I see Pompeii and Herculaneum in one day?
Yes, many visitors do, usually on a guided combination. Both parks are independent and the closing times differ, so you should not expect to see everything in full.
Which tour covers Herculaneum from Naples?
A small-group tour from Naples bundles transport, both entries and an archaeologist. Check the option you pick, as lunch and some extras depend on it.