Herculaneum - Simply Superb - Herculaneum is the real jewel in the crown -imo better than Pompei. This is my second visit, I came years ago and always vowed to come back and give it more time, it didn't disappoint. Booking was very easy online - make sure you use the official booking site not the ones which include tour guides etc. It's so easy to book online and download an e-ticket or just rock up. We came early afternoon and it was v quiet but for some school trips . The audio guide you can purchase is OK but I think you can also download something on your phone - there are QR codes at the location. Alternatively there are tour guides available when you arrive - maybe because I came in the afternoon and all the hoards tend to come in the morning. The site is quite compact and you approach via a lovely park - and you can look down on the site which gives a real taste of what's in store. Despite being compact there is a lot to see and take in - give yourself time. This city really gives you a feel of what it was like to live in those times and how the (rich) lived. Really worth going down to the old beach level where all the skeletons were found under the arches - this is so moving and haunting - you can feel the fear and desperation of the people trying to escape. The antiquariam AKA museum on the site is well worth the time as you leave - it contains some items found - the jewellery again moves you as so much of it came from the skeletons of the people fleeing - they took what was valuable and it is amazing. Tips - the food at the site is minimal I would maybe buy something in town and have a picnic in the park before you enter. There are vending machines there which have a multitude of stuff in but that's it.. so bring change!

Easy on the knees - If you go to Pompeii, then you have to come here as well. It is a 25 minute car ride from Pompeii. Whilst Herculaneum has a lot of similarities with Pompeii, they were engulfed in different ways. Herculaneum has wood that survived as well as upper floors and roofs which give that time machine feel as the houses are more complete. It is also on a much smaller scale than Pompeii and you can see all of it in three hours. It is also a lot more accessible if you have mobility issues.

A great sight to see, well worth a visit. - Amazing walkabout with a lovely little museum attached. We did Pompeii the day before and Herculaneum was equally as impressive but smaller which was actually a plus for us as we found Pompeii overwhelmingly big! It was also slightly easier to walk around with more even surfaces than Pompeii that's incredibly uneven. Lots to see and not too crowded either. We took the train over from Naples and it was a quick 20 minute journey with Herculaneum just at the end of the road from the train station. Well worth a visit.

Smaller ruins but worth a visit . Catch the train from Pompeii. - While much smaller than Pompeii sight this is less busy and has some standout frescos. We stayed two nights in Pompeii and caught the train back to see the Herculaneum ruins. Easy 30 minutes trip and a short walk from the station. Worth a visit for f you are in the area.

A must see option - The most amazing site. The preservation of these ruins is so fabulous. It takes a lot of time to go around the site properly, perhaps better in two visits. The rooms, the streets, certain decorations and paintings are just wonderful.

A treasure you can't miss! - A treasure not to be missed. The moment you step into this area you feel the history surrounding you. To walk around and into some of the dwellings takes you to a simple time, even though the people of 79 AD had advanced knowledge of techniques to live healthy and prosperous lives. My favorite areas are the home garden attached to the small shops where the people would sell their goods.

An incredible lesser known find - We did not know about this sister city of Pompeii before our visit to Pompeii but I’m so glad we found out! The skeletons in the boat shed are extremely moving and the whole town is incredibly well preserved. Absolutely worth a visit!

This is History - If you go to Pompeii you can not miss Herculaneum, it is necessary to know its history. And you can not miss visiting the National Archaeological Museum of Naples.

Must see site! - We decided to take a return train journey to the site of Herculaneum. We booked tickets in advance. We asked where to pick the tickets up and it was explained how to use them etc. We were taken to our train by a member of staff. They checked our tickets at the front of the train. You have to get on the front and walk down. We found our seats then took the hour journey. It was roughly an 8 minute walk down to the Herculaneum site. We were told to look for Fabio (our guide). Not obvious where he would be but we found him. Note if you have a back pack you have to place in a locker, no charge. Fabio gave us headsets and we embarked upon our journey though history. Fabio was very knowledgeable and an excellent guide. He made it clear that this place was more of an ancient times holiday resort for the upper echelons of society. There are a number of things as you walk through the tour that give the impression of wealth which Fabio explained. The decoration on the floors and walls (mosaics) and location of the houses. We thoroughly enjoyed visiting this site as it just gave another perspective of what happened back in AD79 and how the discovery gave historians and archaeologists even more insight into how people lived in these times. What is quite harrowing on site is 4 areas (square ruins) with actual skeletons of people who died due to the explosion in AD79. It is upsetting looking at the expressions still etched on the skulls struggling for breath and all huddled together. I do feel there should be a plaque or flowers around the area as a mark of respect to those people. The skeletons are only inches from you behind a perspex wall. If you come to Sorrento to visit Mount Vesuvius and Pompeii please also visit Herculaneum. You learn more and more about civilisation in this period of history. One last thing, only vending machines available on site. We would recommend a little cafe as you come out, right hand side on the corner. If we remember rightly we think it was called: Herculaneum cafe. People were lovely and the panini’s were great. We fully recommend the Herculaneum experience!

Smaller Set of Ruins, Less Overwhelming than Pompeii - The Herculaneum ruins are doable as a day trip from Naples. (Don't attempt Herculaneum and Pompeii in the same day. Pompeii is much larger and deserves a full day of its own). The Ercolano Station has the closest access to the Herculaneum ruins. It's an easy 20 minute walk, but, it's down hill. Lastly, avoid the eateries on the main drag (Via IV Novembre). They're touristy and overpriced. Restaurants on the little side streets will have better food options.