Private Tours

Herculaneum Private Guided Tour with an Archaeologist

Ruins of Herculaneum entrance with ancient stone structures and arches, Italy.

Ancient street with ruins and columns in Herculaneum, Italy.

Ancient frescoes and mosaics in a room at Herculaneum, part of the Pompeii & Herculaneum guided tour.

Visitors exploring ancient ruins at Herculaneum, Italy.

Duration

2 hr

Open today

08:30am - 05:00pm

Free cancellation

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience

Book now, pay later

Book now without paying anything. Cancel for free if your plans change.

Guided tour

4.3/5

(107)

Sofia

Sep 2025

Verified Partner Review

5/5

I dragged my boyfriend to Herculaneum and WOW, it was sooo much cooler than he thought. Our guide (think her name was Lucia?) was super chill and had all these wild facts about the houses and shops. The way the ash preserved everything is kinda nuts, like you can see paint on the walls! We went on a Monday morning, not super crowded but bring water cuz it gets HOT. Pro tip: wear sneakers, the streets are uneven and my flip flops were a bad call. Loved it, would totally come back with my parents.

Agata

Sep 2025

Verified Partner Review

5/5

Herculaneum is just fascinating. We visited with our two kids (8 and 10) and even they weren’t bored, which is saying something! The guide had a way of explaining stuff that made it feel like a story, not a lecture. The mosaics are BEAUTIFUL. It was fairly busy but nothing like Pompeii. Only downside was the food truck outside, not great. Pack snacks if ur picky.

Gregor

Sep 2025

Verified Partner Review

4/5

Went solo, joined a group tour at the entrance. Our guide Mario was passionate but spoke a bit fast, hard for me to catch everything. Still, learned a lot about Roman daily life. It was EPIC walking through the old bathhouses. Only thing, there were some school groups and it got noisy at times. Bring headphones if you want to hear the guide better.

A private tour with an expert archaeologist guide who knows the site intimately, tailoring explanations to your curiosity and level of interest.

Skip the queue and walk straight in, beginning your exploration without delay.

Explore the House of the Bicentenary, the Central Baths, and the ancient shoreline boathouses, where frescoes, wooden structures, and everyday objects have survived in remarkable detail.

Enjoy a smooth, well-paced visit, available in multiple languages, with flexible time to pause, ask questions, and understand the significance of what you’re seeing.

Private tour of Herculaneum

Skip-the-line entry to Herculaneum

Expert English, French, Spanish, or German-speaking guide (as per option selected)

Maximum of 10 guests

Transfers

You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.

4.3
107 reviews
How do we collect reviews?
These ratings include verified reviews from both Headout guests and our trusted partners who operate this experience locally. All reviews come from real travelers who've taken this experience.
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What our guests say
Sax
Oct 2025
Verified booking
4/5
A friendly and interesting guide who speaks French very well, an experience to be recommended.
Sofia
Sep 2025
Verified Partner Review
5/5
I dragged my boyfriend to Herculaneum and WOW, it was sooo much cooler than he thought. Our guide (think her name was Lucia?) was super chill and had all these wild facts about the houses and shops. The way the ash preserved everything is kinda nuts, like you can see paint on the walls! We went on a Monday morning, not super crowded but bring water cuz it gets HOT. Pro tip: wear sneakers, the streets are uneven and my flip flops were a bad call. Loved it, would totally come back with my parents.
Agata
Sep 2025
Verified Partner Review
5/5
Herculaneum is just fascinating. We visited with our two kids (8 and 10) and even they weren’t bored, which is saying something! The guide had a way of explaining stuff that made it feel like a story, not a lecture. The mosaics are BEAUTIFUL. It was fairly busy but nothing like Pompeii. Only downside was the food truck outside, not great. Pack snacks if ur picky.
Gregor
Sep 2025
Verified Partner Review
4/5
Went solo, joined a group tour at the entrance. Our guide Mario was passionate but spoke a bit fast, hard for me to catch everything. Still, learned a lot about Roman daily life. It was EPIC walking through the old bathhouses. Only thing, there were some school groups and it got noisy at times. Bring headphones if you want to hear the guide better.
Yara
Sep 2025
Verified Partner Review
5/5
We had a private guide named Enzo and he was just delightful! My mom kept asking him endless questions and he didn’t mind at all. The details you see in the houses are mind-blowing, like the frescoes and even wooden doors survived the eruption. Weather was mild, perfect for wandering. Buy tickets online to avoid the line (we didn’t, oops).

Explore Herculaneum on a private tour with an expert archaeologist and priority access.

Getting started

Meet your guide at the ticket office of Herculaneum Ruins, where your entrance tickets are validated. After a brief introduction, proceed through security and begin your immersive journey into the ancient world.

What to expect

Herculaneum

Step into the ancient Roman city buried by the eruption of Vesuvius in 79 AD and renowned for its exceptional preservation. Your guide brings the remains to life with detailed historical context and engaging storytelling.

Features

Herculaneum’s preservation: Explore rare second storeys, carbonized wooden objects, and vibrant frescoes that survived the eruption, offering insight into Roman daily life.

Ancient beach remains: Witness the poignant site where the skeletons of 300 victims were discovered, providing a powerful connection to the city’s final moments.

Key landmarks: Visit the House of the Skeleton, Thermal Baths, and the Temple of the Augustali, each reflecting unique aspects of Roman architecture and society.

Herculaneum

Monday	08:30am - 05:00pm	last entry 03:30pm
Tuesday	08:30am - 05:00pm	last entry 03:30pm
Wednesday	08:30am - 05:00pm	last entry 03:30pm
Thursday	08:30am - 05:00pm	last entry 03:30pm
Friday	08:30am - 05:00pm	last entry 03:30pm
Saturday	08:30am - 05:00pm	last entry 03:30pm
Sunday	08:30am - 05:00pm	last entry 03:30pm

What to bring

Bring a valid photo ID to present at the entrance.

Wear comfortable shoes suited for walking over uneven surfaces.

Since much of the site is outdoors, carry essentials like a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, and water.

The site is open in all weather, so a light jacket or umbrella is useful on rainy days.

What’s not allowed

Large backpacks, suitcases, and bulky luggage cannot be brought into the site.

Eating and drinking may be restricted in certain parts of the site.

Only registered service animals are permitted; pets are not allowed.

Smoking, alcohol, and prohibited substances are not allowed anywhere on the premises.

Tripods, flashes, and professional filming equipment may be limited or require special permission.

Accessibility

The terrain includes uneven walkways and excavation areas, making it difficult for wheelchair users or those with limited mobility.

While some access support (like entrance ramps) is available, several zones may still be hard to reach.

Accessible restroom facilities are provided on-site.

Additional information

Children must be accompanied by an adult at all times during the visit.

Parts of the site may be temporarily closed depending on ongoing preservation or restoration work.

Opening hours vary by season:

15 Oct – 15 March: 8:30am–5pm (last entry at 3:30pm)

16 Mar – 14 Oct: 8:30am–7:30pm (last entry at 6pm)

Free admission is available on select national holidays and the first Sunday of each month. Reduced fares apply to eligible visitors with valid proof of qualification.

Your voucher will be emailed to you instantly.

Please arrive at the meeting point 15 mins before the scheduled time of your tour to avoid any delays.

Display the voucher on your mobile phone with a valid photo ID at the meeting point.

Meeting point

Meet your guide at Biglietteria Ercolano.

Address: 80056 Ercolano, Metropolitan City of Naples, Italy.

Guide identifier: Your guide will be holding a sign with your name on it.

Landmark: At the ticket office of the Herculaneum ruins.

Get directions to the meeting point