When you think of Herculaneum, known in antiquity like Herculaneum you think of two things: ruins and Vesuvius. Vesuvius which, moreover, is the backdrop to the beautiful and historic ruins of Herculaneum. In this article of mine, I will tell you exactly about the two top attractions of this city. Finally, I leave you the links to book the tours, the train (to reach Herculaneum) and the accommodation. Are you ready for the things to do in Ercolano? iamme ià.
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Things to do in Ercolano: Heculaneum Archaeological Park
Obviously, it is the main attraction not to be missed. Leaving Ercolano without visiting Herculaneum would be sacrilege. Visiting the Herculaneum archaeological park will take you about 2-3 hours because it is only 4 hectares. This makes the site extremely easy to navigate and can be combined with another activity. Obviously we're talking about climbing Vesuvius, but we'll get to that later calmly.
Herculaneum Archaeological Park: points of interest
Visiting the Herculaneum excavations is like taking a leap into the past. In this city (founded by Hercules) you can reliving people's habits and customs. Walking through its streets you can explore houses, shops and thermal baths. The thing that surprised me most was finding works “ almost” intact. By works I mean: bas-reliefs, sculptures, mosaics and much more. Something incredible, with colors still bright and alive, I honestly didn't expect it.
Below I also list the major points of interest not to be missed during your visit:
- House of Neptune and Amphitrite
- Seat of the Augustals
- Telefo relief house
- Thermopolium
A good idea would be to take a guided tour to know the history of this place well. But don't worry, I'll leave you all the tour links at the end.
Things to do in Ercolano: excursion to Vesuvius
The one who razed Herculaneum to the ground in 79 AD. Vesuvius is the volcano (still active) which is the backdrop to the beautiful city of Naples and its surroundings. Climbing Vesuvius is a unique experience considering that , every now and then, also emits fumaroles. Exactly yes, smoke from the cone. Even when I climbed Vesuvius and saw them with my own eyes I was a bit scared. Obviously, they are constantly monitored, but it is a unique experience to live.
The beauty of climbing Vesuvius is not just knowing its history and admiring its internal cone. One of the peculiarities of climbing Vesuvius is also its view. From the top you can have a beautiful view of Naples and the Sorrento coast. So be sure, when you book your ticket, that you choose a beautiful day.
Ascent of Vesuvius: how long does it take?
Once you arrive at the entrance to the Vesuvius National Park it takes 20 minutes. To get to the entrance, and then climb Vesuvius, you have several ways:
- Own means of transport (if you are a locals or travelling by car)
- Bus (offered as a service when booking the Vesuvius tour)
- Taxi
My dispassionate advice, especially if you are on holiday, is use the bus. At the end of the article, I leave you the link to a tour that starts from Ercolano with a bus included (round trip).
Things to do in Ercolano: ruins and Vesuvius entrance tickets
As promised, I leave you with links to book different tours of Herculaneum:
- Tour with archaeologist of the Herculaneum excavations
- Entrance (without guide and with optional audio guide) to the Herculaneum excavations
- Admission ticket to Vesuvius Park with return bus (super cheap)
How to get to Ercolano
Getting to Ercolano is very easy from the city of Naples. Just take the train and get off at the 'Ercolano scavi' stop. This stop is very convenient because it is a stone's throw from the excavations of Herculaneum. Here you will find the link for the ticket and check prices and times.
Where to stay in Ercolano
Herculaneum has grown a lot in recent years, also in the hospitality department. This is why you will find so many excellent accommodation options among B&Bs and hotels. I leave you with a couple of links to help you choose:
What to see around Herculaneum: Pompeii
As you probably know, Ercolano is famous for its ruins such as those of Pompeii. Those of Pompeii are much larger and more famous (precisely because of its size and many more found works). Not surprisingly, people often choose to do a tour of all 3 attractions on the same day. This may be feasible if you have someone guide you. This is why I leave you with one last link:
This tour is the most convenient of all considering that you would have a private driver/guide. In addition to this, the more you are, the more you will save per person; give it a thought.
Conclusions
This journey of mine to Ercolano, together with you guys, comes to an end. A city full of history, art, and culture. A history that must not be forgotten and passed on. I hope you have the opportunity to visit Ercolano and its attractions and I hope it has been helpful to you. See ya the next trip and remember: those who travel live twice!
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