Discover the ancient city of Herculaneum with an archaeologist on a 2-hour guided tour. Explore remarkably preserved Roman houses, mosaics, frescoes and public buildings while learning how the eruption of Mount Vesuvius buried the city in AD 79.
The tour includes skip-the-line admission to the Herculaneum Archaeological Park and is available in English and several other languages.
- Price
- €44.50 per person
- Duration
- about 2 hours
- Group
- maximum 20 participants
- Languages
- English, French, German, Italian and Spanish
- Included
- skip-the-line entry, guided tour and visit with an archaeologist
- Meeting point
- Via dei Papiri Ercolanensi, 80056 Ercolano, in front of the Herculaneum ticket office
Prices and availability may vary. Always check the booking summary before payment.
From €44.50Check availability and book
What is included
The tour includes:
-
skip-the-line admission to the Herculaneum Archaeological Park;
-
approximately 2 hours of guided exploration;
-
professional archaeologist guide;
-
guided explanation of the main houses, streets and public buildings.
After the guided tour, you can remain inside the archaeological site and continue exploring independently.
Check prices, languages and availability
Why visit Herculaneum with an archaeologist?
Herculaneum is smaller than Pompeii, but many of its buildings are exceptionally well preserved.
The volcanic material that buried the city preserved not only stone structures and mosaics, but also carbonised wooden elements, upper floors and other materials that rarely survive at Roman archaeological sites.
A guided visit helps you understand what the buildings were used for, how their inhabitants lived and why Herculaneum was preserved differently from Pompeii.
What you will see
During the tour, the archaeologist selects some of the most important areas of the ancient city.
Depending on accessibility and temporary openings, the itinerary may include:
-
Roman houses with frescoes and mosaics;
-
ancient shops and workshops;
-
public baths;
-
religious buildings;
-
streets and fountains;
-
the ancient shoreline;
-
buildings preserving carbonised wooden elements.
Individual houses or areas can occasionally close for conservation or archaeological work, so the exact itinerary may vary.
House of Neptune and Amphitrite
One of Herculaneum's best-known buildings is the House of Neptune and Amphitrite.
The house is famous for its colourful wall mosaic depicting the two mythological figures and for the exceptionally well-preserved decoration of the adjoining nymphaeum.
It is one of the clearest examples of the wealth and refinement of some of Herculaneum's Roman residences.
House of the Wooden Partition
The House of the Wooden Partition preserves an extraordinary carbonised wooden screen that once separated different areas of the residence.
Wooden architectural elements rarely survive from antiquity, making this house particularly useful for understanding how Roman domestic interiors were organised.
The ancient baths
Herculaneum also preserves several bathing complexes that illustrate an important part of everyday Roman social life.
The baths retain architectural features, decorative elements and separate spaces that help explain how these public facilities functioned almost two thousand years ago.
The ancient shoreline
The archaeological site extends down towards what was the ancient coastline before the eruption dramatically altered the landscape.
Excavations in this area have provided important evidence about the final hours of Herculaneum's inhabitants and the effects of the eruption.
The shoreline is one of the most significant areas for understanding the destruction of the city.
Herculaneum and the eruption of AD 79
Herculaneum was destroyed during the same eruption of Mount Vesuvius that buried Pompeii.
The two cities, however, experienced different volcanic processes.
Herculaneum was struck by extremely hot pyroclastic surges and flows. The rapid burial of the city contributed to the exceptional preservation of structures and organic materials, including wood.
This is one of the main reasons why visiting both Pompeii and Herculaneum provides two complementary perspectives on the eruption.
How long is the guided tour?
The guided visit lasts approximately 2 hours.
At the end of the tour you are normally free to remain inside the archaeological park and explore additional areas independently.
This makes the experience suitable both for visitors who want an expert introduction and for those who would like to spend more time at the site afterwards.
Meeting point
Meet your guide in front of the Herculaneum Archaeological Park ticket office.
The guide will be holding an Askos Tours sign.
Show your smartphone voucher directly to the guide.
Arriving around 10–15 minutes before the scheduled starting time is recommended.
Which languages are available?
The tour is currently available in:
-
English
-
Italian
-
French
-
German
-
Spanish
Available departure times vary according to the selected language and date, so check the booking calendar before purchasing.
What should you wear?
Herculaneum is an outdoor archaeological site with uneven ancient surfaces.
Comfortable walking shoes are recommended.
During the warmer months, bring water, sun protection and a hat, as many parts of the archaeological park have limited shade.
Guided tour or independent visit?
Choose this guided tour with an archaeologist if this is your first visit to Herculaneum or if you want to better understand the houses, mosaics, ancient shoreline and history of the eruption.
If you prefer complete flexibility and want to explore entirely at your own pace, the standard entry ticket with downloadable audio guide may be more suitable.
See Herculaneum entry tickets with audio guide
Cancellation and rescheduling
The Tiqets offer currently allows free cancellation up to 24 hours before your visit, with a full refund.
Rescheduling is also possible up to 24 hours before the scheduled visit.
Always check the conditions displayed during booking before completing your purchase.
Check availability and book the Herculaneum guided tour
FAQ
How much does the Herculaneum guided tour cost?
The price varies according to the date, availability and selected option. Check the booking box for the current amount. The offer includes skip-the-line admission and a 2-hour guided tour with an archaeologist.
How long does the tour take?
The guided visit lasts approximately 2 hours.
Is the Herculaneum entrance ticket included?
Yes. Skip-the-line admission to the Herculaneum Archaeological Park is included.
Is the guided tour available in English?
Yes. The tour is available in English, as well as Italian, French, German and Spanish.
Is the guide an archaeologist?
Yes. The experience includes a guided visit with a trained archaeologist.
How many people are in the group?
The current Tiqets product has a maximum group size of 20 participants.
Can I stay inside Herculaneum after the guided tour?
Yes. After the guided portion of the visit, you can remain inside the archaeological park and continue exploring independently.
Where do I meet the guide?
Meet the guide in front of the Herculaneum ticket office. Look for the Askos Tours sign.
Can I cancel my booking?
Yes. The Tiqets offer currently allows free cancellation and rescheduling up to 24 hours before the visit.
Sources consulted: Herculaneum Archaeological Park; Tiqets.