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Herculaneum on the first Sunday in July?

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We are flying into Naples on July 3 and wanted to go to Pompeii or Herculaneum and the Archeological Museum before heading to the Amalfi Coast the next day. Now I've realized that all three sites will be free since it is the first Sunday of the month and I've read the crowds at Pompeii have been huge on previous free Sundays. I'm hoping that because the crowds at the museum and Herculaneum are not as big as Pompeii that we can still enjoy those on a free Sunday. But I haven't seen any information on how the free days affect them. Right now our plan is Naples Sunday night, take the Circumvesuviana to the coast on Monday, stay there and take TrenItalia to Rome on the morning of the 6th.

Any advice on how to fit a visit to the museum and either Pompeii or Herculaneum?

Thanks!

Posted by
7771 posts

Well, Herculaneum is so much smaller than Pompeii, it could easily be just as crowded. You also have to consider sun and heat, a big factor at both outdoor sites, and the fact that you can walk to the museum, but have to take a twice-hourly (check Sunday schedule now ... ) train, and walk 15-minutes downhill. Try the Search box top center for something like "Pompeii Free Day".

Because I didn't go on a free day, I can't help with your main question. But this is the high season. I'd try to get to whichever outdoor site you choose at opening time. Then if you get hot or tired, think about the museum. The museum is great, but it's "missable" compared to one or both of the outdoor sites. BTW, if it's hot, you might also look into the tiny Villa Oplontis, because it has the most shade of any of these places. If you don't care about the Farnese Marbles, it's an adequate substitute (OPINION!!) for the museum, for someone with limited time.

Note that it's easy to get to Sorrento. It takes more time to get to the Amalfi Coast.

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