Visit a UNESCO-listed ancient fishing town caught between a gulf and a volcano, and then climb that very volcanic mountain to peer at craters and panoramas.
Why combine the Herculaneum & Mount Vesuvius experience?
Visit a UNESCO-listed ancient fishing town caught between a gulf and a volcano, and then climb that very volcanic mountain to peer at craters and panoramas.
Retrospect amidst the ash-baked remnants of a Roman city in the archaeological excavations of Herculaneum, and bask amidst vineyard-filled slopes 1000-meters above sea level.
With round-trip transfers from Naples and a simple combo booking, cut down on logistics and get more time to explore each geographically unique site.
Best for those who have already booked/visited either one site. Simply book a ticket with an optional multilingual audio guide, and add on transfers from Naples.
Best for those who want a simplified visit, where both sets of tickets and maybe even your transport is completely sorted in just one booking.
If you’d like a vantage of both Herculaneum and Mount Vesuvius from one spot, head up *Posilippo Hill* in Naples.
Wander through the hauntingly preserved streets of Herculaneum, frozen in time by ash and lava.
Hike up Mount Vesuvius and peer into the crater that changed history—panoramic views included.
Unwind with local wine and stories from the day, the shadow of the volcano still looming in golden twilight.
⛰️Mount Vesuvius is part of a geological complex. Mount Somma is the older, larger structure considered the base or caldera of Vesuvius.
🌋Vesuvius is the younger, active cone that has grown within Somma over centuries. Eruptions originate from this cone, the last of which was in 1944!
🕳️A distinguishing feature of Vesuvius is the central crater at its summit, a large depression formed by past eruptions. Evidence of previous eruptions can be seen in the layers of volcanic ash, rock fragments, and debris blanketing the volcano's flanks.
At the start of the Common Era, Herculaneum was a fishing town nestled on the Bay of Naples, thriving as a bustling settlement with Oscan, Etruscan, Samnite, and Greek influences during the height of the Roman Empire. The port city’s strategic location facilitated trade and cultural exchange, contributing to its wealth and diversity.
Towering ominously on the horizon, Vesuvius is one of the most active volcanoes in Europe, situated in close proximity to Herculaneum. The people living at the foothills of Mount Vesuvius did not know that they were living in the dangerous shadow of an unpredictable volcano.
While they were aware that the mountain frequently fumed and showed evidence of fire, they believed that the volcano was a gateway to the underworld, or the forge of Vulcan, god of the blacksmiths. In fact, the earthquake of 62 AD (that destroyed several structures in Herculaneum including its theater) was a harbinger of what was to come.
The Bay of Naples is the most unsteady volcanic region in the Mediterranean, but 2000 years ago, knowledge of volcanology was non-existent. People were more likely to attribute seismic activity to the wrath of gods. Its historic eruption in 79 AD not only obliterated Herculaneum but also devastated Pompeii and several other nearby settlements.
The volcano spewed a massive column of ash, pumice, and volcanic gases into the atmosphere, blanketing the towns in a thick layer of debris. The intense heat and pyroclastic surges — a series of superheated clouds of ash and gas that reach incredibly high temperatures, exceeding 500°C (932°F) — engulfed Herculaneum, preserving the town and its citizens in a state of eerie suspended animation.
While Vesuvius is still considered active, and the last eruption occurred just six months after WWII Allied forces invaded Italy, millions of people continue to live in this region, largely due to the fertility of volcanic soil. Acres of vines, tomatoes and other crops dot the landscape, and residents of the present day are willing to live under constant risk.
Italian authorities have a well-established plan for monitoring volcanic activity and issuing warnings in case of an eruption. With proper precautions and adherence to safety guidelines, visiting Mount Vesuvius can be a safe and rewarding experience.
Access to the crater rim is often restricted based on volcanic activity levels. Marked trails are designated for ascending the volcano, and visitors must stay on these designated paths. However, before your visit, check the latest information on Vesuvius' activity level and any access restrictions.
From the Ercolano Scavi train station at Herculaneum, you can cross over to the Vesuvio Express ticketing station and purchase a shuttle bus ticket for about €22 — which includes both the bus fare and entry to the Mount Vesuvius National Park. The shuttle takes you right to the ticketing office at Mount Vesuvius, from where you can begin your hike to the crater.
If you’re driving from Herculaneum, take the A3 Napoli-Salerno highway to the Herculaneum exit, and follow Google maps to Vesuvio. However, note that the car park is located below the ticketing office and the climb is steep, so book a shuttle service from here to conserve your energy for the hike!
Recommended tours
November-December-January-February: 9am to 3pm
March to October: 9am to 4pm
April-May-June-September: 9am to 5pm
July-August: 9am to 6pm
Note: In case of predicted volcanic activity or bad weather, the volcano may be closed to visitors.
This is a fairly easy hike to the summit with a few inclines. Note that this is one of the easiest treks, although other route options are available if you're looking for a more challenging hike.
A volcanic guide will be there to assist you on your climb. They will be able to tell you about the significance of the region, vegetation, insights on volcanic activity and geology, etc.
Mount Vesuvius is about 13 km away from Herculaneum, located across the Bay of Naples. Herculaneum lies west of the volcano.
To explore both Herculaneum and Mount Vesuvius in one day, it's best to start early. Begin your day with a visit to Herculaneum, as the archaeological site typically takes about 1.5 to 2 hours to explore. Afterward, head to Mount Vesuvius, which takes about 30 minutes by car from Herculaneum. The hike up the volcano can take another 30 to 45 minutes, depending on your pace. This allows you to experience both locations without feeling rushed.
The best way to combine both activities is to book a guided tour or day trip that covers both locations. Many local tour operators offer packages that include transportation and a knowledgeable guide for both Herculaneum and Mount Vesuvius. This way, you can focus on enjoying the experience without worrying about logistics.
It would have been very difficult to wade through the layers of ash and debris spewed by Vesuvius, and lack of technological advancement in those days would have made rebuilding the town an impossible task. Further, the live burial of thousands of people may have deterred people from entering it, perhaps leading them to think of these sites more as burial grounds.
No, the ancient town of Herculaneum has no official residents. While Herculaneum lies in excavated ruins — and not even all of it has been fully excavated — the towns of Ercolano (formerly known as Resina) and Portici are built above it. This is also what makes excavating Herculaneum a challenging task, as present-day settlements will have to be demolished to gain access to the buried town.
Taking a tour of Vesuvius is highly recommended as visiting the volcano is sure to enhance your understanding of the terrain, tragedy, etc. Usually, both sites can be visited on the same day as they’re only 30 minutes away from each other by road.
It's definitely feasible to visit both in one day, especially if you're comfortable with a moderately busy itinerary. However, if you prefer a more relaxed pace, dedicating a full day to each site would allow you to immerse yourself fully in the history of Herculaneum and the natural beauty of Mount Vesuvius without feeling rushed.
Although people were not adept at reading Vesuvius’ clues, it was evident (in hindsight) that an eruption was imminent. Besides the earthquake of 62 AD, there were also frequent home repairs being conducted across Pompeii and Herculaneum — in fact, painters in Herculaneum abandoned repair work half-way through the eruption to take cover.
From Naples: Pompeii, Herculaneum & Vesuvius Day Trip
From Naples: Mount Vesuvius & Herculaneum or Pompeii Day Trip
