Pompeii vs Herculaneum: Which One Should You Visit?
I’ve spent countless hours exploring Europe. Greece and Italy were two of my favorite countries to travel around. Athens, Naples, Rome, and the beautiful Amalfi Coast captivated me.
But let me tell you about Pompeii and Herculaneum.
They’re truly exceptional.
These sites are like stepping into a time machine— truly remarkable in their own ways. Both were buried and preserved when Mount Vesuvius erupted in 79 AD.
Now, I know what you’re thinking: “Which one should I visit?”
It’s a tough choice.
Trust me, I’ve been there.
I can say these two spots are some of the most fascinating I’ve ever seen.
But don’t you worry, today I’m going to break it down for you, nice and simple the differences between Pompeii and Herculaneum and which one of these ruins is the best choice for you.
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How Do Pompeii and Herculaneum Differ?
To cut to the chase Pompeii is much larger than Herculaneum.
It covers about 66 hectares.
I spent one day exploring Pompeii.
Every corner I turned unearthed something new that I had to dive right into.
Some people feel that one day is enough to see Pompeii whereas I feel three days is needed to cover the site in full.
Herculaneum is much smaller and covers approximately 20 hectares.
Walking around this site didn’t take long at all.
It only took me 3.5 hours to cover it in depth and see everything that was on offer.
Both attractions are walkable but Pompeii will be more tiring due to its size and it is also more hilly.
Why Is Pompeii More Well-Known Than Herculaneum?
There are a few reasons for this.
Pompeii is much larger and more impressive in terms of scale and numbers.
In the 1980s archeologists unearthed over 1,000 bodies at Pompeii where only 300 were discovered at Herculaneum.
Pompeii was also discovered before Herculaneum.
Therefore it became known as the buried city synonymous with the eruption of Mount Vesuvius.
Can you see Herculaneum and Pompeii in one day?
While Pompeii and Herculaneum are only 20 KM apart I would not recommend visiting both on the same day.
If you don’t care much for history or just don’t have time then that’s fine, you can tick them off the list and visit both.
Additionally, if you are searching for the full history and in-depth exploration of the effects of Mount Vesuvius eruption, then you may be left disappointed.
You can spend days strolling through Pompeii discovering brothels, detailed artwork, and an amphitheatre.
It is hard to think that this city was once totally covered in ash.
Comparing Pompeii and Herculaneum: Which is better?
For me, Pompeii was better due to its size, accessibility, and overall experience.
Here, you can see preserved bodies behind glass showcases, highlighting how the eruption’s aftermath preserved these bodies over the centuries.
You could walk the streets for hours and keep seeing new parts of this once-thriving city.
Herculaneum is better for people with limited time and has much more preserved artifacts.
It feels like Herculaneum is buried deeper. You can walk across the former coastline and see where the boats would have rushed to depart from when the ash was filling the sky.
Don’t forget, the question of which is better will differ for every person.
Time constraints, accessibility, and level of interest will be important when deciding which to visit.
READ: What to see in your first visit to Pompeii
Best Time to Visit Pompeii and Herculaneum?
The best months to visit either attraction are between April to May and September until October.
Naples and the surroundings can get extremely hot.
So better to avoid the harsh sun if you can.
I visited in November and while there were many people around it was very relaxed and did not feel cramped.
We had a little rain but that didn’t stop us from a great day out.
Is Herculaneum Worth Visiting?
I would honestly recommend visiting Herculaneum when in Italy.
It was unbelievable to see the coastline buried so deep beneath the thick lava and ash.
It really made me consider what the experience must have been like to see the sky go dark and lose visibility in the aftermath of the eruption.
The ancient frescos and mosaics impressed me.
To still be visible after nearly 2,000 years is hard to fathom.
Of course, I guess some restoration work helped with this but they look fascinating and original.
How Much Time Do You Need to See Herculaneum?
I spent 3.5 hours walking through the ancient site of Herculaneum.
For this duration, I felt like it was sufficient to cover the site in its entirety.
Experciing all the main parts such as Antica spiaggia di Herculaneum, Casa di Aristide, Sacello degli Augustali and House of Neptune and Amphitrite in good time.
Others will find a couple of hours enough to skim all of these wonderful places.
There is no correct time to spend on any one site.
Decide for yourself how much time you can dedicate to either Pompeii or Herculaneum and see what you think is best for you.
Pro-tip – you can see Herculaneum and visit Mount Vesuvius on the same day.
This is exactly what we did and it made the experience more complete.
Moving from the top of the volcano down to the city where so much damage unfolded was eye-opening.
Conclusion – Pompeii Or Herculaneum? That Is The Question
Choosing between Pompeii and Herculaneum can be tough.
Whichever you end up visiting, congratulations! You’ll have experienced one of Italy’s finest historical sites.
Both places offer truly great day trips to learn about Italy’s past.
If you are short on time I recommend you visit Herculaneum.
If you can spare a couple of days or more, a deep dive into Pompeii will be money and time well spent.
Watch this highlights video covering Naples and the Amalfi coast to see what Pompeii and Herculaneum look like up close!
About The Author:
James Fahey is an Irish travel writer, photographer, and video editor. His blog, launched in late 2021, gained momentum in 2023 when James and his girlfriend Guada embarked on an adventure across Southeast Asia, Central Asia, India, and Turkey. James’s passion for travel was ignited during his time living and working in Washington, D.C., and volunteering in Nairobi. His mission? To simplify travel for those eager to explore the same destinations he’s experienced.
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