If you spend hours at the Pompeii site, is it worth it to add hours at Herculaneum? I've been to Pompeii before and my husband wants to spend a lot more time there, but I would also love to explore the Archeological Museaum in Naples. Are the three worth the hours?
Posted by
Wyckoff, NJ, USA
7943 posts
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/italy/herculaneum-and-pompeii-questions
However, it is fair to say that all five of the top-billed ancient sites between Naples and Sorrento each have their own virtues. A strike against Herculaneum is the 15-minute downhill walk from the train. Have you two found the Villa of the Mysteries open at Pompeii yet? That's a very exceptional tiny slice of Pompeii. Having been to Pompeii, Herculaneum, and Villa Poppea (Oplontis), I'm tempted to put Oplontis ahead of Herculaneum. That's because it's so different, and Herculaneum is so small. OPINION. You did not say HOW MANY hours you've already spent at Pompeii. Was it 2, or 8? "Worth the hours" can be affected by heat and sun levels, too. Herculaneum is a little less exposed, as is Oplontis.
I believe the Archaeology Museum has been improved since we were there, but I found it crowded, ill-lighted, and badly set up. There are replicas of many of the "real" objects kept in Naples placed "in situ" at Pompeii. And there's the Erotica gallery ... Many visitors to the big museum miss the superb Farnese Marbles, not connected with Pompeii. In fairness, it is hard to get as close to a fresco as you sometimes can in the Naples museum.
Posted by
1262 posts
I would say if you want to do it in one day Herculaneum is a better bet than Pompeii just because it isn't so big. It then gives you time to see the Archeological Museum in Naples before taking the train back in our case to Rome. Is there a specific reason your husband wants to spend more time at Pompeii specifically? And just for your info we were at the museum this past late June and it wasn't crowded at all. Our only disappointment was that the mosaic of Alexander the Great had been taken town for restoration and that had been one of the items I was really looking forward to seeing, but you can't win them all!
Posted by
3465 posts
In hindsight, I wish we had spent an extra day exploring Pompeii in 2022 instead of visiting the MANN.
We also had a great day spending the morning at Herculaneum and the afternoon at Oplontis and Stabiae.
https://pompeiisites.org/en/oplontis/
https://pompeiisites.org/en/stabiae/
This wonderful day was arranged for us by Askos.
Anybody who says "all of the good stuff" from Pompeii is at the museum in Naples is just showing their ignorance.