Herculaneum is better preserved than Pompeii — volcanic mud (not ash) sealed wood, fabric, food, and 300 skeletons. This guide maps the essential route through the excavations. Full Herculaneum guide →
Route: Enter from the elevated walkway (overview of the entire site below) → descend → House of the Wooden Partition (folding screen, hinges intact) → House of Neptune and Amphitrite (mosaic fountain, vivid blue) → Thermopolium (fast-food bar, amphora storage) → Central Baths (hypocaust heating visible) → House of the Deer (garden sculptures) → Boat Chambers (300 skeletons, most emotionally intense spot) → Villa dei Papiri terrace (closed, view only). Duration: 2-3h. Practical: €13. Circumvesuviana Ercolano Scavi, 20 min from Naples. 8:30am-7:30pm. Combine: Herculaneum morning → Villa Oplontis (8 min by Circumvesuviana) → MANN afternoon.