Ercolano Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Ercolano featuring landscape views and a city
Ercolano featuring a city and heritage elements
Ercolano showing heritage architecture and building ruins
Ercolano featuring heritage elements and a statue or sculpture
Ercolano

Less busy and more manageable than its neighbour Pompeii, this site at the base of Mount Vesuvius is full of archaeological and cultural marvels.

Set foot in any of the historic ruins of Ercolano, Italy to walk among the ruins of a once impressive Roman city. Early signs of democratic thinking are visible here. Slaves regularly bought their freedom and even became full citizens over time. Learn the story behind this milestone in the development of Western Civilization.

Many come to Ercolano to visit the ruins of the volcano-buried Roman city of Herculaneum. Before Mount VesuviusOpens in a new window erupted in A.D. 79, Herculaneum was a seat of wealth, but it was also where wealthy and poor lived in close proximity. Its mosaics remain vividly colored and marble still gleams throughout multiple-story buildings. Walk among these ruins and imagine what it was like to roam this beautiful city.

Spend time on Il Miglio d’Oro (The Golden Mile). See the virtuosity of Roman architects in the elaborate construction of the most lavish mansions from the ancient city. Appreciate the fine details and intact interiors of Villa Favorita, Villa Aprile and Villa Compolieto.

Enter the Museo Archeologico Virtuale to learn about the daily lives of ancient residents. The museum is a great place to get a stimulating first exposure to the area’s history.

Although the ruins are a major tourist draw, roam the Mercato di Pugliano as well. This street market attracts vendors selling vintage clothes, often for a lower price than in shops. Buy an unusual souvenir, such as an old sweater.

Combine a visit to Ercolano, 150 miles (240 kilometres) from RomeOpens in a new window, with a trip to PompeiiOpens in a new window and Parco Nazionale del Vesuvio. Although you can see both in one day with enough careful planning, you may want to allow for more time.

Ercolano, unlike Pompeii, is developed all the way to the most interior parts of the city. Accommodation include converted Neapolitan-style mansion hotels near the ruins. When each day is over, look out from your room onto a spectacular view of the volcano-smothered historical landmark.

Starhotels Terminus
Starhotels Terminus
4 out of 5
Piazza Garibaldi 91, Naples, NA
The price is £111 per night from 29 Jul to 30 Jul
£111
29 Jul - 30 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Naples. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a rooftop terrace and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (999 reviews)
"The LOCATION is excellent, very convenient across the trai/metro station and walk8ing distance to coffee places and restaurants. STAF is super friendly and profesional, gave me good restraints suggestions and also allow me checking in early"

Reviewed on 2 Jul 2025

Starhotels Terminus
Holiday Inn Naples by IHG
Holiday Inn Naples by IHG
4 out of 5
Via Domenico Aulisio, Centro Direzionale Isola E6, Naples, NA
The price is £98 per night from 1 Aug to 2 Aug
£98
1 Aug - 2 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Naples. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
7.8/10 Good! (1,001 reviews)
"Giusepe LO MAXIMO!!!"

Reviewed on 2 Jul 2025

Holiday Inn Naples by IHG
Royal Continental Hotel Naples
Royal Continental Hotel Naples
4 out of 5
Via Partenope 38-44, Naples, NA
The price is £144 per night from 4 Aug to 5 Aug
£144
4 Aug - 5 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Naples. Enjoy an outdoor pool, 2 restaurants and a rooftop terrace. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in their ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,269 reviews)
"Hotel is in a great location with multiple restaurants nearby with water view. Right across the street from castel dell’ovo but it’s currently closed. The room was large and worked great for our family. There was a fridge with waters in the room which was very nice. You need a reservation for the ..."

Reviewed on 3 Jul 2025

Royal Continental Hotel Naples
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Palazzo Adele Rooms & Apartments
Palazzo Adele Rooms & Apartments
Via Trentola 222, Ercolano, NA
Stay at this apartment in Ercolano. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a rooftop terrace. Popular attractions Mount Vesuvius and Port of Naples are located ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (40 reviews)
"The property was clean and had many amenities. Staff was very helpful and friendly. We overall enjoyed our stay."

Reviewed on 28 Jun 2025

Palazzo Adele Rooms & Apartments
Residenza d'epoca Chiostro San Francesco
Residenza d'epoca Chiostro San Francesco
Via Luca Giordano 2, Naples, NA
Stay at this apartment in Naples. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and a rooftop terrace. Popular attractions Via Toledo and Molo Beverello Port are located ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (37 reviews)
"Good stay, friendly staff"

Reviewed on 22 Jun 2025

Residenza d'epoca Chiostro San Francesco
Villaggio Campeggio Santa Fortunata Campogaio
Villaggio Campeggio Santa Fortunata Campogaio
4 out of 5
Via Capo 39, Sorrento, NA
Stay at this 4-star beach campsite in Sorrento. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a private beach. Popular attractions Piazza Tasso and Sorrento Beach are located ...
8/10 Very Good! (342 reviews)
"Pro: great location, quiet, very good breakfast, almost all you need in the room. Transportation to the town, good english speaking staff and very friendly, great views. Con: pool and beach open too late and close too early, and you need to wear a cap at tge pool. No iron in the room. Grocery store ..."

Reviewed on 24 Jun 2025

Villaggio Campeggio Santa Fortunata Campogaio
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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Things to do

Reviews of Ercolano

3.6
Guest rating
5 - Excellent
6
5 - Excellent 23%
4 - Good
9
4 - Good 35%
3 - Okay
7
3 - Okay 27%
2 - Disappointing
2
2 - Disappointing 8%
1 - Terrible
2
1 - Terrible 8%

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller

It's very different to our way of life so I do not feel I can judge or criticise. I do think however if you want to experience the day-to-day life of the Neapolitan people, Ercolano is a good place to visit.

4/5 - Good

Boyle

The World Heritage site at Ercolano was incredible, though you should not miss Pompeii. Highly recommended.

1/5 - Terrible

Verified traveller

The streets are very dirty and the whole place is shabby given that this is a tourist destination you'd think the local authority would inject money into it's upkeep. Although there are restaurants and bars the majority of places look unappealing.

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller

Herculaneum and Pompei ruins very good. Trip along Amalfi coast to Positano beautiful and Sorrento lovely too. Give Naples a miss, dirty and crowded, rubbish lying everywhere, perhaps there was a strike?

4/5 - Good

Yin-Fung

It's worth staying in Ercolano if you want to see Herculaneum and the other main historic sites. Ercolano (the modern town itself) is OK - it's mainly a commuter town for Naples. For stunning coastline, most tourists go down to the Amalfi coast.

2/5 - Disappointing

Verified traveller

Small streets, none too clean, but great for visiting Vesuvius and sites.

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