Herculaneum Guide: Tickets, Prices & Booking
2 - 3 h
Archaeological Park
Buried 79 AD
Parco Archeologico di Ercolano, Corso Resina, 80056 Ercolano, Italy
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Practical Visitor Info & Tips
€16.00
€2.00
08:30 - 19:30 (summer) / 08:30 - 17:00 (winter)
Advance timed-entry booking is strongly recommended, especially during busy periods. Walk-up admission may still be possible, but waiting times can apply.
| 16 March - 14 October | Herculaneum | 08:30 - 19:30 | Last Admission: 18:00 |
| 15 October - 15 March | Herculaneum | 08:30 - 17:00 | Last Admission: 15:30 |
Last Admission: 18:00 (summer) / 15:30 (winter)
Closed On: Closed 1 January and 25 December. The Villa dei Papiri and the Ancient Theatre are both currently closed for restoration works with no announced reopening date — confirm current status close to publication.
Free Admission Dates: Free every first Sunday of the month, plus 25 April, 2 June, and 4 November.
The Herculaneum archaeological site (Villa dei Papiri and the Ancient Theatre currently excluded due to ongoing restoration works).
| Option | Price | Reservation | Booking |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adult | €16.00 | Not required | On-site or CoopCulture |
| Reduced (EU 18-24) | €2.00 | Required | On-site or CoopCulture |
| Under 18 | Free | Required | On-site or CoopCulture |
Overview & Visitor Introduction
Herculaneum was a smaller, wealthier Roman seaside town than Pompeii, buried by the same 79 AD eruption of Mount Vesuvius — but by fast-moving pyroclastic flows rather than falling ash, which carbonized and preserved wood, furniture, and even food to a degree Pompeii cannot match.
Standard admission is EUR 16.00 (EUR 2.00 reduced for EU citizens 18-24, free under 18). Herculaneum is managed entirely separately from Pompeii — a different park, different operator, and its own distinct opening hours and rules. Never assume a Pompeii rule (price, reservation, or pass inclusion) automatically applies here.
History & Significance
Unlike Pompeii's blanket of ash and pumice, Herculaneum was engulfed by pyroclastic surges of superheated gas and volcanic material, which carbonized organic material instead of destroying it. This makes Herculaneum's preservation of wooden beams, doors, and furniture exceptional compared to most Roman sites.
The site's most haunting discovery is a set of skeletal remains found in the ancient boat houses along the former shoreline, where townspeople had fled to await rescue by sea.
What to See: Top Highlights
The House of the Deer
Notable for its well-preserved frescoes and sculptures.
Carbonized Wood
Original wooden beams, doors, and furniture, preserved by the pyroclastic flow.
The Ancient Boat Houses
Where the town's residents sheltered during the eruption.
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Location & Google Maps
Pass Compatibility
Compare Naples PassesIncluded as a free-choice option on Campania Artecard's regional-scope tiers (not the Naples-only tiers) and on both 365 annual tiers. Also included on Turbopass Naples's all-inclusive City Pass.
Campania Artecard — Napoli 3 Giorni
Not included. Outside this tier's Naples-city geographic scope; not named on the Napoli-tier participating-sites list (Pompeii and Herculaneum only appear on the broader Campania-scope tiers).
Campania Artecard — Napoli 3 Giorni Giovani
Not included. Outside this tier's Naples-city geographic scope; not named on the Napoli-tier participating-sites list (Pompeii and Herculaneum only appear on the broader Campania-scope tiers).
Campania Artecard — Campania 3 Giorni
Conditional. Free if this visit counts within your pass's included free-admissions quota. Up to 50% off standard admission once your pass's free-admission quota has been used. Confirmed directly on the official page as one of the visitor's-choice free admissions on this tier — Herculaneum has no suburban-villas-style component exception (unlike Pompeii), so the free admission covers the site in full.
Campania Artecard — Campania 3 Giorni Giovani
Conditional. Free if this visit counts within your pass's included free-admissions quota. Up to 50% off standard admission once your pass's free-admission quota has been used. Confirmed directly on the official page as one of the visitor's-choice free admissions on this tier. The pass grants the equivalent of the base Pompeii Express product specifically — Artecard's own page states suburban-villa access (see pompeii-plus) is excluded and requires a separate on-site supplement.
Campania Artecard — Campania 7 Giorni
Conditional. Free if this visit counts within your pass's included free-admissions quota. Up to 50% off standard admission once your pass's free-admission quota has been used. Confirmed directly on the official page as one of the visitor's-choice free admissions on this tier. The pass grants the equivalent of the base Pompeii Express product specifically — Artecard's own page states suburban-villa access (see pompeii-plus) is excluded and requires a separate on-site supplement.
Campania Artecard — 365 Lite
Included. Explicitly named on the official 365-tier page's participating-sites list.
Campania Artecard — 365 Lite Giovani
Included. Explicitly named on the official 365-tier page's participating-sites list.
Campania Artecard — 365 Abbonamento Gold
Included. Explicitly named on the official 365-tier page's participating-sites list.
Campania Artecard — 365 Abbonamento Gold Giovani
Included. Explicitly named on the official 365-tier page's participating-sites list.
Turbopass Naples City Pass
Included. Confirmed as a core included attraction on the official Turbopass Naples City Pass page.
Turbopass Naples Flex Pass
Not confirmed by the provider. The Naples Flex Pass's own selectable-attraction pool was not independently confirmed to be identical to the City Pass's included-attractions list.
Data Provenance
Frequently Asked Questions
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