Archaeological Park of Herculaneum — Attraction in Ercolano

We bought 2 adult tickets for 16 euro each and one audio guide (shared between 2 people) for 10 euros. I agree with other reviews saying the audio guide is necessary, because there are virtually no signs to explain what you’re looking at anywhere in Herculaneum. There is also a lack of signs telling you the direction or suggested route/itinerary of going through the place, which means you can get lost since a lot of things look same. There are little numbers on walls corresponding to the audio guide but these can be easily missed, so keep a look out for those. The audio guide does also have a map, but I would have struggled if we were like some visitors who didn’t have anything to help them and no information/context to supplement the visit.

Having been to Pompeii previously, I would say this was more manageable for a half day trip as it is smaller, a bit more shady and probably better preserved, but there are many areas in which the site could improve to help tourists understand what they are seeing. The audioguides did provide some context to the ruins, but we found the directions it provided to walk through houses and atriums confusing, and we often weren’t looking at the right thing in a given spot. There was unfortunately also a fair bit of construction happening, so some walkways were closed and some exhibitions explained by the audio guide couldn’t be accessed.

Overall, a site that has potential but really needs provision of information boards for notable parts, updating of the audio guides to make them worthwhile and informative for the price, and perhaps now is not the best time to visit given lots of construction around

Other things to note: The the area to buy tickets has good air conditioning and free toilets. You need to check your bag into a free locker if you have a backpack. You also need to leave some identification if you want to get an audio guide. There are no water taps around, so you’ll need to carry your bottles with you (given you can’t take backpacks in) which is a bit annoying,...

This place has always been in my bucket list as a “must to visit” and did not disappoint even the heat of the sun did not dampen my enthusiasm.

About 10 min walk from the train station Ercolano Scavi. Past the post is a short walk to the entrance where the shops, bag lockers, toilets, guides can be found.

There’s also an audio guide which you can hire for about 9 euros each which was a mobile size with a lanyard. It’s programmed to your language preferred and a valid ID deposit is used. There are guides too which stand at the entrance and you can agree on the price. The entrance to the park is 16 euros pp.

The place opens up to a whole working dig site on some parts and quite moving when the audio guide tells you of who or what once lived there and the artifacts found that described their way of living.

The heartbreaking skeletal remains of the Herculaneum residents who were unfortunate in escaping the volcanic explosion. Their position were telling of their dire situation.

The entrance to the park is quite reasonable and the staffs very helpful. There are toilets in the entrance building, and towards the ramp of the dig site which are free. There’s a place up top the ramp where you can buy small snacks and drinks from different vending machines taking coins and cards alike. There’s also a coin changer machine by the vending machine.

There are 2 buildings, one where the old boat was found and the other one collection of artifacts like pots, vases, jewelry’s and everyday items like oil lamps and pots.

Wheelchair and pram friendly up to the ramp area and not on the actual old streets as they are cobbled and...

date of visit 08.05.2024. The review does not refer to the park, but only to the employees! The most unpleasant experience of my life. Although nowhere - I emphasize nowhere - is it stated that you cannot enter the park with a personal backpack, and after we left all the other luggage in the prescribed place, I was not allowed to enter the park. The employee, on her own initiative, assessed that my backpack was "too big" and that I could not enter with it, but had to put it away. This would not be a problem if other people with much larger backpacks, children in baby carriers and strollers, as well as dogs of different sizes, did not enter the park at the same time (which I welcome). When asked what is the difference between me and them - the only answer was "that I am not a member of the group". Based on that, I conclude that it is pure discrimination and arbitrariness. What is not acceptable! When I was already denied entry, and there were no previous indications of restrictions, I requested a refund for the paid ticket. After more than 15 minutes of yelling by the employee, unjustified and baseless reasons (one of the reasons given by the gentleman was "because I say that no refund can be made") why they can't make a refund, to the cheap excuse that they don't have the change I finally got my money back. It is sad and regrettable that as a tourist you travel such a long way to see the beauty of the host country, and then the rudeness, arrogance and inappropriate behavior of the residents make it impossible for you. After such an experience, would you recommend a visit to someone or...