Ercolano

Things to do in Ercolano

Search attractions or local attractions & tours
Search

Explore top experiences

Top 10 attractions in Ercolano

View all Attractions
Pompeii Archaeological Park
No. 11 of Best Things to Do in Italy

Pompeii Archaeological Park

8.9
4.6/5
478 reviews
The Pompeii Archaeological Park is located on the shores of the Bay of Naples in southern Italy, with Mount Vesuvius as its backdrop. In 79 CE, the sudden eruption of the volcano buried the entire town under ash and pumice, inadvertently preserving its streets, houses, shops, and frescoes—freezing the daily life of an ancient Roman town at the moment of disaster. Beyond the ruins, the site also features poignant casts of victims: cavities left by decomposed bodies in hardened ash were filled with plaster by archaeologists, recreating their final moments, with a group of such casts displayed in the Garden of the Fugitives. The tour typically begins at the Porta Marina in the west, where the Temple of Venus, the patron goddess of Pompeii, stands on a high platform to the right of the entrance. Along the main street, visitors can see the rectangular Basilica with its recognizable column remnants and frescoes, followed by the ancient Temple of Apollo nearby. Further ahead lies the central forum, where the columns of the Temple of Jupiter frame the silhouette of Mount Vesuvius in the distance—a classic photo spot. The stone-paved streets outside the forum still bear deep ruts from ancient cart wheels. To the south are the Large Theatre and the covered Odeon, the latter once used for musical performances, with the Temple of Isis reflecting Egyptian influence nearby. Heading north to an intersection, the Stabian Baths offer a glimpse into ancient Romans' passion for bathing. Further east, the House of the Venus in the Shell features a small garden surrounded by a colonnade, with the famous fresco of Venus reclining in a shell still adorning the garden wall. At the southeastern end of the town stands the Amphitheatre, built around 2,000 years ago and capable of seating 20,000 spectators—one of the earliest surviving stone Roman amphitheatres, offering panoramic views from the upper seats. The House of the Faun in the northwest occupies almost an entire block; its excavated Alexander Mosaic is now housed in Naples' National Archaeological Museum. Nearby, the House of the Tragic Poet displays the famous "Beware of the Dog" mosaic at its entrance, with interior frescoes depicting mythological and theatrical scenes. The vast site offers limited shade, so allocate at least half a day for exploration, wear comfortable shoes, and bring water. Those interested in seeing the original Alexander Mosaic and other artifacts can pair their visit with the National Archaeological Museum in Naples.Pompei · 13.4km from Ercolano
Royal Palace of Naples
No. 3 of Best Things to Do in Naples metropolitan area

Royal Palace of Naples

5.8
4.3/5
79 reviews
Royal Palace of Naples faces the open Piazza del Plebiscito and is one of the landmarks of the historic center of Naples. It was originally used as the Spanish Viceroy's Palace, became the royal palace of the Bourbon dynasty after the 18th century, and was long the center of power for the Kingdom of Naples. The current facade, after extensive renovations in the 19th century, presents a neoclassical style. A row of niches on the ground floor contains eight marble statues of kings, ranging from the monarchs of the Norman dynasty to the king who unified Italy, presenting a timeline of the city's centuries of dynastic changes. The west side of the palace is open to the public as a museum. Along the visitor route, you can enter royal living spaces such as the ceremonial suites and the Throne Room. The interior is furnished with 18th- to 19th-century furniture, porcelain, tapestries, and paintings, including works from the Neapolitan School. The small and exquisite Court Theater is still in use today, and the royal chapel is also on the route. In the entrance courtyard, a wide, double-flight staircase rises to greet you. The rear of the palace also conceals a hanging garden, with a long, green terrace suspended between the floors. The east wing of the palace houses the Vittorio Emanuele III National Library. The collection includes ancient texts from the Farnese family, as well as nearly 2,000 papyrus scrolls unearthed in Herculaneum—they were carbonized by high temperatures and buried underground during the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD, making them one of the few surviving examples of ancient books. The library also preserves a fragment of a 5th-century Coptic Bible manuscript.Naples · 8.9km from Ercolano
Castel Nuovo
No. 4 of Best Things to Do in Naples metropolitan area

Castel Nuovo

5.2
4.4/5
108 reviews
Castel Nuovo is located on one side of thePiazza del Municipio in Naples, right next to the port, and is one of the city's landmarks. It was commissioned by Charles I of Anjou, the founder of the Kingdom of Naples. The name "Castel Nuovo" was given in contrast to the earlierCastel Capuanoand Ovo Castle in the city. After the Aragonese dynasty took control in the 15th century, it was rebuilt into its current layout by the Majorcan architect Guillem Sagrera: an irregular trapezoidal structure guarded by five cylindrical towers and surrounded by a moat. For centuries thereafter, it served as the royal palace for the kings of Anjou, Aragon, and Spain. The white marble triumphal arch at the main entrance was built to commemorate the triumphant entry of King Alfonso V of Aragon into the city. It is carved with scenes of the king entering the city in a triumphal chariot and the coat of arms of the Aragonese royal family, and is considered an important symbol of the introduction of Renaissance architecture to southern Italy. The main hall of the castle, the Hall of the Barons, was originally the Throne Room. Multiple ribbed arches intertwine on the octagonal dome to form a star pattern, with an opening in the center to let in light. The hall's name comes from the story of Ferdinand I, who used a wedding banquet as a pretext to lure and capture rebellious barons here. Until 2006, it was still used as the meeting place for the Naples City Council. Visits usually begin at the Palatine Chapel on the ground floor, where traces of frescoes painted by Giotto still remain. In the adjacent Hall of Arms, you can see excavated ancient Roman remains beneath the castle through a glass floor. The Civic Museum on the floor above displays religious paintings from the 15th to 18th centuries, including works by Neapolitan Baroque painters such as Luca Giordano. The second floor exhibits paintings from the 18th century onwards, organized by themes such as history, landscapes, portraits, and city views of Naples. From the side facing the sea, you can see the bay.Naples · 8.7km from Ercolano

Experiences you can't miss in Ercolano

Featured Day tours in Ercolano

View all Day tours
Vesuvius and Pompeii Transfer with Vesuvius Park Entrance
󱌍
5.0/5
· 1 review
Duration: 8 hrs
English
Free cancellation
5% off
Limited-time sale
From€47.50€50
Pompeii & Mount Vesuvius: Skip The Line Ticket + Roundtrip from Naples
󱌍
Duration: 6 hrs
Free cancellation
Book now for today
From€96.00
Mount Vesuvius: Skip The Line Ticket + Roundtrip from Naples
󱌍
5.0/5
· 1 review
Duration: 3 hrs
Free cancellation
From€45.00
Mount Vesuvius: Fast Track Ticket + Roundtrip from Pompei
󱌍
Duration: 3 hrs
Free cancellation
Book now for today
From€39.00
Mount Vesuvius: Skip The Line Ticket + Roundtrip from Naples
󱌍
From€39.90
Vesuvius: Skip The Line Entry + Roundtrip Transport from Pompei
󱌍
From€39.00
Mount Vesuvius: Hosted Entry Ticket + Guidebook
󱌍
Duration: 2 hrs
Book now for today
From€25.00
Mount Vesuvius: Fast Track Ticket + Roundtrip Transport from Pompeii
󱌍
Duration: 3 hrs
Free cancellation
Book now for today
From€39.00

Featured Water activities in Ercolano

View all Water activities
Amalfi Coast Small-Group Boat Tour from Sorrento or Positano
󱌍
Duration: 7–8 hrs
Free cancellation
Book now for tomorrow
5% off
Limited-time sale
From€94.05€99
Ischia: Island Boat Tour with Neapolitan Lunch & Snorkeling
󱌍
4.9/5
· 48 reviews
Duration: 6 hrs
Free cancellation
Book now for tomorrow
48 consecutive positive reviews
5% off
Limited-time sale
From€76.00€80
Parco Archeologico di Baia: diving tours, snorkeling, try scuba.
󱌍
4.7/5
· 6 reviews
Duration: 2–3 hrs
Free cancellation
Book now for tomorrow
5% off
Limited-time sale
From€39.90€42
Nerano: Kayaking Tour of the Caves and Beaches of the Amalfi Coast
󱌍
5.0/5
· 1 review
Duration: 2.5 hrs
Free cancellation
Book now for tomorrow
5% off
Limited-time sale
From€52.25€55
Napoli: Dive or Discover Scuba Diving in the Park of Baia
󱌍
5.0/5
· 13 reviews
Duration: 3–4 hrs
Free cancellation
Book now for tomorrow
5% off
Limited-time sale
From€42.75€45
Baia: Snorkeling Experience with Roman Ruins
󱌍
4.9/5
· 42 reviews
Duration: 3–4 hrs
Free cancellation
Book now for tomorrow
42 consecutive positive reviews
5% off
Limited-time sale
From€33.25€35
From Sorrento: Capri Guided Boat Tour
󱌍
Duration: 7 hrs
Free cancellation
Book now for tomorrow
5% off
Limited-time sale
From€103.55€109
Naples: Wild Posillipo Kayaking Tour
󱌍
5.0/5
· 13 reviews
Duration: 2 hrs
Free cancellation
5% off
Limited-time sale
From€33.25€35

Featured Outdoor & sports in Ercolano

View all Outdoor & sports
Amalfi Coast + Positano 1-day tour with English guide
󱌍
5.0/5
· 1 review· 31 booked
Duration: 11.2 hrs
English
122 travellers saved
From€113.82
1-day small group tour from Rome to Pompeii ruins and Sorrento coast
󱌍
Duration: 9 hrs
English
Free cancellation
Book now for tomorrow
7% off
7% off
From€231.57€249
Sorrento, Positano and Amalfi: Private Tour of Coastal Gems from Naples
󱌍
Duration: 8.5 hrs
English
Free cancellation
Book now for tomorrow
From€430.00
Naples departure: Italy Pompeii and Mt Vesuvius 1-day tour
󱌍
From€144.34

Featured City sightseeing in Ercolano

View all City sightseeing
Herculaneum Walking Tour: Premium Small Group Experience
󱌍
5.0/5
· 1 review
Duration: 2 hrs
Free cancellation
Book now for tomorrow
5% off
Limited-time sale
From€42.75€45
Herculaneum Audio Tour: Sealed by Vesuvius
󱌍
Duration: 1.5 hrs
English
Free cancellation
Book now for today
20% off
Limited-time sale
From€5.19€6.49
Pompeii at Your Own Pace, Sorrento & Scenic Positano Viewpoint
󱌍
Duration: 8.3 hrs
English
Free cancellation
Book now for tomorrow
From€90.00
Group Tour from Naples/Salerno to Sorrento, Positano & Amalfi
󱌍
Duration: 9 hrs
English
Free cancellation
Book now for tomorrow
From€90.00
From Naples: Pompeii Guided Tour with Skip-the-Line Tickets
󱌍
4.8/5
· 24 reviews
Duration: 3.5 hrs
English
Free cancellation
Book now for tomorrow
5% off
Limited-time sale
From€75.05€79
Panoramic path of Strada Matrone-Vesuvio-visit Crater option
󱌍
Duration: 3 hrs
Free cancellation
Book now for tomorrow
5% off
Limited-time sale
From€47.50€50
Caserta Audio Tour: Palatial Stories and Sacred Echoes
󱌍
Duration: 1.5 hrs
English
Free cancellation
Book now for today
20% off
Limited-time sale
From€5.19€6.49
Ercolano Today's weatherPartly clear 11-19℃
Ercolano weather for the next 2 days11/5: 12-20℃, 11/6: 13-17℃

Free things to do in Ercolano

What travellers say about Ercolano

user-avatar
Dreamer200227 October 2026
5.0
🏛️ Pompeii, Italy 🇮🇹 — A Journey Frozen in Time! 🌋✨Visiting Pompeii was one of the most fascinating and emotional experiences in Italy! ❤️ Walking through ancient Roman streets, surrounded by remarkably preserved houses, temples, and frescoes, felt like stepping back almost 2,000 years.What impressed me most was imagining everyday life before Mount Vesuvius erupted in 79 AD, burying the city beneath volcanic ash. Seeing the ancient bakeries, public baths, and haunting plaster casts of victims made history feel incredibly real. 🏺🌿The archaeological site is enormous, and every corner reveals something extraordinary! 📸💡 Travel tip: Allow at least 3–4 hours, wear comfortable shoes, and bring water and sun protection, especially during summer. ☀️❤️ Pompeii is more than an archaeological site—it’s an unforgettable encounter with history and a powerful reminder of nature’s force.#Pompeii #ItalyTravel #AncientRome #MountVesuvius

Pompeii Archaeological Park

user-avatar
xugalen7 October 2026
5.0
If you've already visited Pompeii, then this is the "soulful puzzle" that will allow you to truly understand Pompeii. Pompeii provides the awe-inspiring framework, but the details treasured in this museum are what truly fill in the flesh and blood of that history. From frescoes to sculptures to everyday objects, every exhibit helps you recreate the authentic life of 2000 years ago, creating a sense of dialogue across time.

Naples National Archaeological Museum

user-avatar
david8212214 February 2025
5.0
Don't be scared by the surrounding environment, it is still very safe and definitely worth a visit. It is simply amazing. But please note that photography is not allowed inside. The pictures I posted below are all collected from the Internet.

Sansevero Chapel Museum

user-avatar
WanderinAussie3 July 2022
5.0
We visited Mount Vesuvius as part of a full day that included Pompeii and it was absolutely wonderful.As we ascended the mountain we stopped mid way for the best pizza I have ever tasted. The little restaurant (which I am ashamed to say I don't remember the name of) unfortunately had a power outage shortly before we arrived. That did not stop them from welcoming us warmly and providing wonderful wood fired pizza for our lunch.From there it was on the Mount Vesuvius herself. There was poor visibility but luckily the rain had passed and we were able to hike to the rim of the crater. Unable to see in to the rim itself because of the low lying fog did not dampen the wonder of being at the top. If anything it added to the magic. Truly an experience of a lifetime.

Mount Vesuvius

user-avatar
suifeng201927 May 2020
4.0
Standing in front of a window of the palace, you can see the majestic Mount Vesuvius in the distance and the beautiful Bay of Naples nearby. It is like the princes and nobles of the past could enjoy the beautiful scenery without leaving their homes.

Royal Palace of Naples

user-avatar
沈福成29 February 2020
4.0
After checking in at the Renaissance Naples Hotel, we walked to the new castle for a visit because the room was not available until 3pm. It took about 5 minutes to walk. There was a fee for admission and there was also a guide machine. There was a small church that was now hosting an art exhibition and there were many art works.

Castel Nuovo

user-avatar
小思文16 December 2019
4.0
The Cathedral of Naples is also a very unique building. The cathedral itself is full of many legendary features. The cathedral also has some very interesting facilities, and the bishop carries out some activities here.

Duomo di Santa Maria Assunta

user-avatar
Rosanna_19 July 2023
5.0
Great amazing time in Sorrento! definitely suggest to watch for the sunset by the Villa!

Sorrento

user-avatar
Sophydee7617 January 2024
5.0
this is a place that really feels like going back in time. go to Pompeii first as it sets the scene but the preservation here and the items they have discovered are amazing. if you love history it is a must see.

Archaeological Park of Herculaneum

user-avatar
M26***3719 April 2026
5.0
Very good experience

Catacombs of Saint Gaudiosus

Trip Moments in Ercolano

Popular cities near Ercolano

Frequently asked questions

What are the must-do things in Ercolano?

Don't miss these attractions in Ercolano: Pompeii Archaeological Park, Naples National Archaeological Museum, and Sansevero Chapel Museum. If you like Day tours, try Vesuvius and Pompeii Transfer with Vesuvius Park Entrance. If you enjoy Water activities, try Amalfi Coast Small-Group Boat Tour from Sorrento or Positano.

When choosing a tour, start with how much time you have and the kind of experience you're looking for. Trending options right now include Vesuvius and Pompeii Transfer with Vesuvius Park Entrance, Pompeii & Mount Vesuvius: Skip The Line Ticket + Roundtrip from Naples, and Mount Vesuvius: Skip The Line Ticket + Roundtrip from Naples. Check the real-time availability and itinerary before you book.

As of 4 November 2026, the reference price for day tours and activities in Ercolano is around EUR 25 – EUR 96. Rates vary by duration, group size, transport, tickets, meals, and any special admission requirements. Before you book, please confirm the billing currency and whether the price is quoted per person or per group.

Get help anytime, anywhere within 30 secondsContact customer support

Change and cancellation policies vary by attractions and tours. Please check the product details page for more information.

Ticket prices may vary between weekdays and weekends, as well as during peak and off-peak seasons. When booking with Trip.com, you can also use Trip Coins to get extra savings. For more tips on booking discounted tickets, please visit Trip.com for the latest information.