Attraction · Naples
Archaeological Park of Herculaneum (Ercolano ruins): free entry days, tickets & hours
Independent guide, not the official Herculaneum website. Official links are under Sources.
Herculaneum is next free on Sunday, 1 November 2026 (in 8 days).
- Free for everyone on the first Sunday of the month (#domenicalmuseo).
- Also free: Always free for under-18s; visitors with disabilities and one companion.
- Otherwise: full price (Intero) — €16.
Calendar
Free days at Herculaneum
- SUN1NOVSunday, 1 November 2026 · in 8 days · 08:30–17:00
- WED4NOVWednesday, 4 November 2026 · in 11 days
- SUN6DECSunday, 6 December 2026 · in 6 weeks · 08:30–17:00
- SUN3JANSunday, 3 January 2027 · in 2 months · 08:30–17:00
- SUN7FEBSunday, 7 February 2027 · in 4 months · 08:30–17:00
- SUN7MARSunday, 7 March 2027 · in 4 months · 08:30–17:00
15 free days for everyone in the next 12 months. Closures and public holidays are already taken out. Group-only days need proof of eligibility.
Before you go
How to actually get in for free
- Smaller and better preserved than Pompeii - and free on first Sundays and 4 Nov.
- Winter last entry is 15:30.
All free options
Who gets in free, and when
| Free option | Who | Conditions | Book? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free dayFree for everyone on the first Sunday of the month (#domenicalmuseo) · 08:30–17:00 | everyone | Collect the free ticket at the ticket office on the day. | No |
| Free dayFree for everyone on 25 April, 2 June and 4 November | everyone | Collect the free ticket at the ticket office on the day. | No |
| Free forAlways free for under-18s | under-18s | The Park applies the national rules ('Gratuità e riduzioni come da normativa'). Under-12s must be accompanied. | No |
| Free forFree for visitors with disabilities and one companion | visitors with disabilities (+1 companion) | National rule applied by the Park ('Gratuità e riduzioni come da normativa'). | No |
Official prices
Herculaneum ticket prices
| Full price (Intero) — Reduced €2 for ages 18-24 (not free). | €16 |
| Ercolano annual card (1 person, 365 days) — Family card €58 for 2 adults and minors; €5 for ages 18-25. | €30 |
Prices from the official website, checked Oct 2026. Free options are listed above.
Worth timing your visit?
What a free day saves
Based on the official price (full price (intero)). Free days are busier — if your dates don't line up, a timed ticket is the trade-off.
Tickets & tours
Best-rated tickets and tours: Herculaneum
Skip-the-line ticketHerculaneum: Skip-the-Line Guided Tour with Archaeologist★★★★★ 4.8 · 4.4k reviews2 - 5.5 hoursfrom €44.55
Timed-entry ticketHerculaneum Entry Tickets★★★★☆ 4.4 · 3.7k reviewsfrom €16
Skip-the-line ticketFrom Naples: Herculaneum Skip-the-Line Guided Tour★★★★★ 4.5 · 1.6k reviewsfrom €70
Skip-the-line ticketHerculaneum: Skip-the-Line Entry Ticket with Audio Guide★★★★☆ 4.3 · 1.2k reviews1 dayfrom €25.50
Skip-the-line ticketHerculaneum Priority-Entry Guided Tour with an Archaeologist★★★★★ 4.7 · 1.1k reviewsfrom €31.50
Guided tourPompeii: Small-Group Tour of Pompeii and Herculaneum★★★★★ 4.8 · 1.1k reviews5.5 hoursfrom €99.75
Ratings and prices from the booking partners; prices may change.
Practical
Opening hours & how to get there
Open Monday-Sunday. 15 Oct-15 Mar: 8:30-17:00 (last entry 15:30). 16 Mar-14 Oct: 8:30-19:30 (last entry 18:00). Closed 25 December.
Corso Resina, 80056 Ercolano (NA), Italy
FAQ
Herculaneum: common questions
Is Herculaneum free?
Herculaneum is free for everyone on the first Sunday of the month (#domenicalmuseo) and on 25 April, 2 June and 4 November. Also free: Always free for under-18s; visitors with disabilities and one companion. Otherwise the official ticket costs €16.
When is Herculaneum free?
Free for everyone on the first Sunday of the month (#domenicalmuseo). The next free date is Sunday, 1 November 2026.
Who gets free entry to Herculaneum?
Under-18s — the Park applies the national rules ('Gratuità e riduzioni come da normativa'). Under-12s must be accompanied.. Visitors with disabilities (+1 companion) — national rule applied by the Park ('Gratuità e riduzioni come da normativa')..
How much is a ticket to Herculaneum?
Full price (Intero) costs €16 on the official site.
Visitor reviews
What visitors say about Herculaneum
No reviews yet. Been here? Tell others how it went — especially on a free day.
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Sources
Where this comes from
- ercolano.cultura.gov.it/biglietti/ · checked Saturday, 24 October 2026
- cultura.gov.it/agevolazioni · checked Saturday, 24 October 2026
Every free rule is checked against the official source and re-checked on a schedule. Spotted a change? Tell us.