We are staying in Sorrento in August with my parents. Dad would love to see Pompeii. My husband and I have been there and know how huge it is and that it will be hot. We have not been to Hurculaneaum. I am wondering if that would be a better destination since it is smaller. Is it as hot and dusty? Is the walking any easier? I worry a little about all the uneven cobblestones. I appreciate any advice!
Posted by
Long Beach, CA, USA
54 posts
Herculaneum is smaller than Pompeii. We went to both places last summer. To get to Herculaneum from the Circumvesuvia train you walk down a hill, and then there is another hill to walk down to the ruins (just remember you have to walk back up these hills to get back to the train). We went in the late afternoon so it was not as hot as Pompeii. Both places are amazing and are easy to get to by train from Sorrento.
Posted by
Newburyport, MA
683 posts
Pompeii is a circus and is almost always crowded. Ercolano is much different and we would trcommend it. There are no difficulties at Erco that we remember.
Posted by
Brier, WA, USA
34 posts
Pompeii was at the top of my list to see when we were in Italy in September, but we enjoyed Herculaneum much more. It is smaller but much better preserved. We had an excellent guide, Pina, who made the place come alive for us. I was a little dismayed regrading the walk down the hill (because of the walk back up) but you can always take a taxi back up the hill. Since you have been to Pompeii, you know that it is very crowded and will be very hot in August.
If you have the time, you can do both. We did both in one day with no problem from our base in Sorrento.
Posted by
Collierville, Tennessee, USA
501 posts
I have been to both and like them both. Herculaneum is MUCH smaller, but I really think it is more interesting because it is so much better preserved.
I don't know if you like to read, but if you do I suggest you get Robert Harris's Pompeii. It is about the eruption as told through the eyes of the "Aquarius." The Aquarius was the engineer in charge of the aqueduct.
Another good thing to do before you go is get the Discovery channel show that they did on the eruption. You might be able to get it through Netflix. It is a really good show and I wish I had seen it before I went to Pompeii and Herculaneum. I was lucky enough to see an exhibit of artifacts from Pompeii and the exhibit included a lot of artifacts that were featured in the show.
Posted by
Seattle, WA, USA
7737 posts
I vote for Herc as well. But it is a bit of a walk down from the train station to the dig site (half a mile?). If walking is much of an issue you might be able to catch a cab from the stop down to the dig. I think the stop is called Ercolano Scavi, if memory serves.
Posted by
gaston, oregon, usa
842 posts
I vote for Herc. Much smaller and easier to walk thru. Much more preserved...some of the painted wood survived. Do it first, then see if they have the energy to tackle the horrible cobblestones and barren streets in Pompeii.
But the most amazing place is the Museum in Naples. It has all of the plunders from Pompeii,and the AC will be re-freshing.
Please take it easy on your folks...the earlier you hit up Herc and Pompeii, the better. Make sure they have on very, very comfortable walking shoes, and carry lots of water. They will get a lot more out of the tour if you have a good guide, or if they read-up on these wonderful places before you go.
Posted by
San Diego, CA, USA
2 posts
If you have to choose one or the other, I'd say go to Ercolano. It's smaller but there are still hours of things to see. I kept thinking, "We're walking through other people's houses. Who were these people?" It's just amazing. The houses are more complete. It's not as dusty. The walking is easier. There's more to see per square foot--a lot less walking. Take a taxi from the train. It's a mile down the hill.