Both Pompeii and Herculaneum were ancient cities engulfed volcanic ash and pumice after the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD79. These sites are world renowned and absolutely well worth a visit. Let us take you back in time with our tips and hints on how to best explore these 2 sites.
We visited Pompeii & Herculaneum from Naples and on this visit to Naples we booked the Hostel of the Sun for a few nights. This was a great location, near the port and the metro station as a result we could get about quite easily. The hostel had bunk rooms as well as double and single private rooms therefor can cater for any choice of guest.
The main and most popular way to get from Naples to Pompeii & Herculaneum is by using the Circumvesuviana train. The train takes approx 35 mins from Naples to Pompeii and only about 15 mins from Naples to Herculaneum. The train drops you off literally a few mins walk from each of the entrances.
Its an incredibly popular train therefore it does get really crowded in high season. The trains are a bit grubby and old, don’t have air-conditioning but I think that all adds to the experience in my book.
You can catch the train from either Napoli Porta Nolana Station or Napoli Piazza Garibaldi Station Porta Nolana is the terminus where the train starts and ends but Piazza Garibaldi is the more popular station for tourists. If you want to be sure of a seat then head to Porta Nolana. Its not a pretty station inside by any means and you’ll need cash for your tickets but you most certainly will avoid the crowd. As the train pulls into Piazza Garibalidi station you can people watch as the tourists squeeze themselves onto the train.
If you do opt for Piazza Garibaldi then it is located at the lower level of Napoli Centrale (the main train station of Naples). When you get to the Central station, most importantly, follow signs for Piazza Garibaldi or Circumvesuviana. Both stations are signposted really well. Tickets cost approx €2.60 per person each way. You must buy the tickets at the station. There is no way to get it ahead of time online or on the train. Trains depart every 30 minutes from either station.
The Circumvesuviana drops you off at Pompei Scavi station, which is located really close to the main entrance to Pompeii. When you get out of the station, turn right and walk for approx 1 minute, and you will see the entrance on your lefthand side. If you’re heading to Herculaneum then you get off at Ercolano Scavi station and walk along Via Novembre 4 for approx 5 mins to the entrance to the ruins. All are really well signposted.
We’ve all heard of Pompeii and the tragedy of Vesuvius and this was a place firmly on our bucket list. It is a perfectly preserved Roman city with temples, theatres, homes, restaurants and other buildings of interest. Most of the area which has been excavated is open to the public with more sites opening up all the time.
The frescos and wall paintings in some of the buildings are fresh and vivid and moreover they really give you an idea of how a town operated in Roman times. With Vesuvius as a backdrop its breathtaking.
This town was smaller than Pompeii and was very much a resort destination right on the coast. Because of its size it doesn’t take as much time to get round, perhaps a morning or 2 – 3 hrs. When we went it was much quieter so if you’re pushed for time then choose Herculaneum.
Here you can see fascinating houses, some of them multi story, wooden furnishings and decorations, perfectly preserved mosaics and sculptures. It really is a beautiful site and so tragic as the disaster I think is much more visible here. Like Pompeii some of the buildings are not open to the public but don’t worry, there is enough to see to really give you the feel of the place and the events that took place.
We have always tended to use Booking.com having said that if your on a tight budget another good site to try as a comparison is Hostelworld, If your looking to compare different sites you can do that on Hotellook, we tend to look on here first to make sure we are getting the best deal.
You can book your visits as you go at the entrance to your chosen attraction or site. Or you could use the following links to book in advance or just to find out what your choices are in the area. GetYourGuide and Tiqets are our go to choices you could try Viator to see how they compare.
For a full list check out our resources page. Don’t forget always shop around to find the best deal for you. What works for us should be good for you but it’s always reassuring to check.
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We have been to Naples a few times and we’ve always loved this city. Its got great places to stay, great food and drink, great trips out of the city and a history that is captivating and keeps you wanting more.
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1 thought on “How to best explore Pompeii & Herculaneum | Tips and hints”
Loved our family’s trip to Pompeii. It was on bucket list for many years.