Private Tour
Tour in the ruins of Herculaneum with an archaeologist
Overview
Available languages
2 hours
Mobile ticket
The ancient town of Herculaneum was an holiday resort for patricians, built on a promontory overlooking the bay of Naples. Traditionally founded by the mythical hero Hercules, it was the site of rich residences among them being the famous Villa of the Papyri. The guided tour starts near the ancient beach, where excavations have recently unearthed the bodies of about 300 victims. Then you enter the city to visit the main houses, thermal baths and shops incredibly preserved and protected by the pyroclastic flow that brought them to us.
Additional Info
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Parco Acheologico Di Ercolano
Ruins of Herculaneum.
What‘s Included
Private tour
Official guide
Entrance tickets
Options
Tour in the ruins of Herculaneum with an archaeologist
Reviews
33 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Nothing to envy in Pompeii indeed...
BadBoy078,Jul 12, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Really well preserved, clean, easy access to the whole old town. Two perfectly preserved domuses give an idea of how people lived 2,100 years ago, a city that already had underground sewers and latrines running water. Then the highlight are the thermal baths, the best preserved in Italy, mosaics and frescoes complete the whole. Two wonderful gems, a spectacular and beautifully preserved villa overlooking the sea and the charred remains of the bodies at the old port, a tangible sign of the end of the city after the volcano eruption, beautifully told by Pliny. A tip, if you go given the very acceptable price of access 16 € and free for children aged 14, I recommend you take a guide “we led by Mr Massimo splendid polite and very prepared, lover of his work” to understand well how the city worked. Don't forget to visit the museum inside the park, which houses splendid artifacts found during excavations, some of them very rich , gold and bronze, statues and glass accessories of splendid workmanship and priceless wealth. I hope I have helped you and encouraged you to see this beautiful archaeological park.
Herculaneum with Ilaria
liliana d,Mar 10, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had already had Ilaria as a guide in Pompeii and once again we got to appreciate the expertise and great passion for the work she does! Congratulations again soon!
Excellent 5 Star tour with an outstanding Tour Guide
J9000GUchrisp,Oct 18, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our guide, Ilaria, was simply the best and highly recommended. A few days before our tour, she had contacted me direct by email to introduce herself and give details of where exactly to meet her on the morning of our tour, to which I replied, telling her a little about myself, family and our interests. The tour itself proved a delight! Ilaria is a born communicator, engaging, highly knowledgeable, welcomed questions and proved v good company as we explored Herculaneum together. More than this, we got both her personal insights as a working archaeologist and particular enthusiasms: the things that have truly captured her imagination amid the myriad wonders of this truly awe-inspiring ancient site. Thank you Ilaria for a truly magical and inspiring tour of Herculaneum. Highly, highly recommended.
Great guide and interesting place
tigerlilybills,Jul 16, 2024
- Review from Viator
5.00Knowledgeable guide who knew the history and made it interesting. Can tell she has been doing this a long time and enjoys it. It was very hot and she did her best to minimize that.
An Excellent Tour with Luciano.
jonnye2022,Jun 25, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Luciano Leone was our guide and was excellent. He was enthusiastic, knowledgeable and engaging throughout the tour. As an archaeologist, Luciano gave us detailed insights into the site, the work done and how people lived there. I would thoroughly recommend a tour with him. The sire is worth visiting, but a knowledgeable guide such as Luciano makes it excellent.
Ilara was amazing! ❤️
Elizabeth M,Jun 14, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Ilara was amazing and kept all of interested and amazed by her knowledge! She went out of her way to make this visit for us and appreciated her so much!! Highly recommend!! ❤️
Show
ullacc,Feb 13, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Spectacular excavation park, small and can be visited in a day compared to Pompeii, kind and knowledgeable staff, highly recommended.
Tour of the Herculaneum excavations
A479TQmassimod,Nov 6, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I had been missing from the site for over a decade. Reviewing the excavations with a competent and trained guide, who made us relive the life of the town's inhabitants with detailed descriptions, was truly exciting. Compliments.
In search of our history
fulvioc59,Nov 6, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We visited a very well preserved and constantly evolving site. The guide Ilaria, very knowledgeable, accompanied us with a careful and detailed "story" of the site, enriching her explanations with many curiosities.
Discovering Herculaneum.
M662UImarinag,Nov 5, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00A group of 10 friends masterfully led by Ilaria who led us into antiquity which still lives and teaches a lot today. Herculaneum is young in discovery compared to Pompeii but it will not disappoint anyone even if a large part of it is chastised by the overlying buildings which prevent the expansion of the excavations but thanks to Ilaria's meticulous explanations it is like having also seen what we must imagine today. Congratulations to Ilaria for her professionalism, competence, kindness, availability and communication skills.
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