Herculaneum Audio Guide
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Audio guide
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Book the park's official audio guide in advance and collect it at the audio guide desk whenever you're ready. No fixed start time, valid for the entire duration of the park's opening hours.
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Choose your own route through 63 geo-localised listening points covering Herculaneum's streets, villas, baths, and public spaces, with 150 minutes of expert commentary available on demand.
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Families travel well here too: a dedicated children's narration path runs to 40 minutes, keeping younger visitors genuinely engaged rather than trailing behind.
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Unlock immersive 360° virtual tours within the guide, narrated by park director Francesco Sirano, that reconstruct life in the city as it was before Vesuvius ended it in the autumn of 79 AD.
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The guide is available in Italian, Spanish, English, French, and German. Collect your device at the desk, hand over a valid ID as deposit, and the site is yours.
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Audio guide in Italian, Spanish, English, French, and German
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63 listening points with 150 minutes of adult commentary
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Dedicated 40-minute children's narration path
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Geo-localised historical content and in-app images 360° virtual tours narrated by park director Francesco Sirano
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Entry tickets to the Herculaneum Archaeological Park
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Headphones
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You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
- 653 reviews4.1
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.
374136493163
Guests from France, Spain, Belgium and over 9 countries have loved this experienceWhat our guests say
MMelania M
CoupleVerified bookingJun 20265/5PPhilippe G
CoupleVerified bookingApr 20261/5I didn't receive the audio guide! So I paid for a service I didn't get! I demand a refundRRodrigo M
SoloVerified bookingNov 20255/5The historical site is incredible, and the experience was a blast for me. Highly recommend it. The skip-the-line wasn't really necessary, since it was not very crowded.WWendy R
CoupleVerified bookingSep 20255/5Very easy to collect tickets and audio equipment. Communication from head out was very up to date. Directions were clear and we both had a lovely relaxed time. Would use headout again.Enjoyed Herculaneum.CCremaschi G
CoupleVerified bookingSep 20253/5The audio guide is sufficiently useless. Very little information and, above all, a "narrative" coupled with a clear path would be much more interesting. One runs the risk of continuing to stop and look for the track number.
No fixed route, no group to keep up with, and no guide setting the pace. Just you, 63 stops, and a site that has been frozen in extraordinary detail for nearly two thousand years.
Getting started
Make your way to the Herculaneum Archaeological Park at Corso Resina 187 in Ercolano. Purchase your entry ticket at the park's ticket office first, then head to the Audio Guide Desk and show your booking voucher. Leave a valid photo ID as deposit to collect your device.
What to expect
Herculaneum Archaeological Park
Herculaneum was not slowly buried under falling ash like Pompeii. It was sealed in seconds by a pyroclastic surge so dense it preserved organic materials — wooden furniture, food, carbonised textiles — that have survived intact for nearly two millennia.
Features
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Adult audio path: 63 geo-localised listening points covering the site's major structures, private homes, public spaces, and archaeological highlights, with 150 minutes of commentary available entirely on demand. Listen to what interests you, skip what doesn't, and return to any stop as many times as you like.
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Children's narration path: A dedicated 40-minute audio journey designed specifically for younger visitors, with age-appropriate storytelling that brings the ancient city to life without losing a child's attention.
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360° virtual tours: Immersive multimedia reconstructions built into the guide, narrated by park director Francesco Sirano, that show the city as it looked before the eruption and walk you through what the volcanic event actually did to each space you're standing in.
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In-app images and content: Tap through historical images, archaeological records, and contextual material at each stop — making the guide as visual as it is auditory.
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Geo-localised navigation: The guide knows where you are within the site at all times, surfacing relevant content as you move through each street and structure without requiring you to search for it manually.
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What to bring
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Bring a valid original photo ID to leave as a deposit at the audio guide desk. Copies and student cards are not accepted.
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Bring your own earphones with a jack cable; Android device users in particular should ensure their earphones are jack-compatible.
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Comfortable, closed-toe walking shoes are strongly recommended as the site's ancient paving is uneven throughout.
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Sun protection is advised in warmer months since much of the park is open-air with limited shade.
What's not allowed
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Touching or disturbing ruins, mosaics, or artifacts is strictly prohibited.
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Large bags and wheeled luggage are not permitted inside the park.
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Drones are not allowed.
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Pets are welcome without breed or size restrictions but must remain on a leash at all times.
Accessibility
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Some accessible routes, ramps, and bridges are available within the site, including a path along Cardo III.
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However, much of Herculaneum's terrain involves uneven ancient paving, steps, and sloped surfaces that may present challenges for wheelchair users or visitors with limited mobility.
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Accessible restrooms are available at the entrance, visitor centre, and ticket office.
Additional information
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Entry to the park is free for visitors under 18 with a valid passport or ID presented at the ticket office.
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The audio guide device is collected at the desk after entry — do not go to the desk before purchasing your entry ticket.
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The park is open daily; audio guide collection hours run from 8:30am to 6pm, with the park itself closing at 7pm.
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Your booking voucher is valid for the full opening hours on your chosen date — there is no fixed arrival time.
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Your voucher will be emailed to you shortly.
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Please display the voucher on your mobile phone with a valid photo ID at the attraction.
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Please arrive 10-15 minutes before the start time of your tour to avoid delays.
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If you have purchased reduced-price tickets, please carry your valid photo ID proof for verification.
Ticket Redemption Point
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You can redeem your tickets at Corso Resina, 187, 80056 Ercolano NA, Italy.
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To locate the meeting point on Google Maps, simply search for - Parco Archeologico di Ercolano.
Getting There
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The closest bus stop is Plinio, a 5-minute walk from the Herculaneum.
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Bus #5 will get you there.
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