Your Herculaneum Guide for 2025
Looking for a unique and unforgettable experience during your holiday in Sorrento or the Amalfi Coast? A day tour in Herculaneum offers the perfect opportunity to step back in time and explore one of the most remarkably preserved archaeological sites in the world. Named after the mythical Greek hero Hercules, Herculaneum—like its more famous neighbor Pompeii—was buried under 16 meters of volcanic ash after the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD.
While smaller and less crowded than Pompeii, Herculaneum is equally captivating. Its ruins are incredibly detailed, with preserved wooden structures, colorful mosaics, frescoes, and even everyday objects like beds and doors that have survived centuries beneath the ash. A Herculaneum day tour is ideal for culture seekers and history lovers looking for a quieter, more immersive alternative to the busier Pompeii.
If you’re planning a trip from Sorrento, this is one of the best cultural day trips you can take. Whether you’re a Roman history enthusiast or simply curious about life in ancient times, a tour of Herculaneum promises a fascinating and enriching experience.
Our Herculaneum Ruins Tours
Unlike Pompeii, a Herculaneum Tour can take around 2 – 3 hours so is perfect if you’re limited for time or travelling with children. Our Herculaneum Private Tour includes a professional and English speaking private driver who will accompany you to and from your accommodation or hotel throughout the day, you will also have the option to add on a licensed multilingual tour guide during your visit which includes the entrance fee to Herculaneum and fast track access to avoid queuing at the entrance, a great option for those who are limited for time or travelling with small children.
If you have chosen to add on a licensed guide, they are also very child friendly and will be able to keep your children entertained and engaged throughout the walking tour, giving them a more exciting experience of learning about the history of these ruins. Our half day tour also gives you the option to combine two experiences in one which is a great choice if you’d like to make the most out of your time here in Italy. For Example:
- Herculaneum Private Half Day Tour
- Herculaneum, Naples and Pizza Experience
- Herculaneum, Wine Tasting and Pompeii Ruins
A day in Herculaneum from Sorrento, can be done anytime throughout the year however the time to visit is from May to September, due to the face that the Herculaneum Ruins being located in a deep archeological hole so during the winter months there is a lack of natural light. If visiting in the Summer months we also recommend bringing lots of suncream and sunhats to protect you from the heat due to the very little shade available.
How to Get to Herculaneum
Whether you’re visiting Herculaneum from Sorrento or wondering how to get to Herculaneum from Naples, there are a number of ways you can reach the famous Herculaneum Roman ruins.
- By Private Driver: The fastest and most comfortable way to reach the Herculaneum Ruins official site is by Private Driver, this option is also included in our Herculaneum Half Day Private Tour. Our professional and English speaking driver will collect you from your hotel or accommodation in a comfortable air conditioned Mercedes mini van, and transport you throughout the day. The journey from Sorrento to Herculaneum will take approximately 1 hour and is recommended from families travelling with children.
- By Train: If you’re wanting to get the train from Sorrento to Herculaneum you need to take the Circumvesuviana train from Sorrento train station which runs directly from Sorrento to Naples, in less than 40 minutes you’ll arrive at Ercolano train station. However, if you’re looking to get the train from Naples to Herculaneum you can take the tran from Napoli Garibaldi (Naples Central Station) to Ercolano which takes around 20 minutes.