If you’re planning a trip to Naples, then you’ve no-doubt heard of Pompeii, the ancient city buried by Vesuvius. But did you know that the eruption hid another ancient city beneath ash? Today, we’ll cover Herculaneum or, more specifically, how much it will cost you to see it for yourself.
First, however, what is Herculaneum? ‘Is’ is a strong word, though Herculaneum was once an ancient Roman town, currently situated in Ercolano. Though it was much smaller than Pompeii, it was a more elite town, effectively a seaside resort for the Roman elites. This did not, however, save it from the eruption of 79, as the town got covered in volcanic ash and effectively froze in time. For how long it has been, Herculaneum is incredibly well preserved and a holder of a well-earned spot on the UNESCO World Heritage Site List.
To visit Herculaneum, however, you do need a ticket.
Tickets for Herculaneum
How much do tickets cost?
A standard admission ticket to the Archeological Park of Herculaneum costs €13. You can also get a reduced ticket for €2 or a free variant. Reduced tickets are available for people from the EU between 18 and 25. Free tickets are available for people under 18 and for everyone on April 25th, June 2nd, November 4th and the first Sunday of each month!
There are more free options, like free entry for tour guides, journalists and people with disabilities. You can check out the whole list here.
Of course, if you’d prefer, you can also find guided tours, often combining Herculaneum, Pompeii and Vesuvius into one package. These are, as you’d expect, a lot more expensive, but it’s a much fuller experience. You can find tours here.
Where can you buy the tickets?
Herculaneum tickets online
You can find the tickets on the website of the official partner of Herculaneum, CoopCulture. Here’s the link to the regular entry ticket. You can either print the ticket yourself or use it as a mobile ticket.
Of course, if you’d prefer, you can also buy tickets at the ticket office right before the entrance. The site is open every day, you can find the exact seasonal opening times on the ticket website.
How long does it take to explore Herculaneum?
We’d say that you should expect to spend 2-3 hours here. If you’re visiting with a tour guide, these usually last from two to three hours too.
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