Why You Shouldn’t Miss Herculaneum in Italy: The Better-Preserved Sister of Pompeii
- Christianne Klein
- Jun 19
- 2 min read
If you're visiting southern Italy and planning a trip to Pompeii, there’s another ancient city you absolutely shouldn’t miss- Herculaneum. Tucked away on the Bay of Naples, this lesser-known archaeological site offers a remarkably intimate, well-preserved glimpse into daily life in ancient Rome. And between Pompeii and Herculaneum? I prefer Herculaneum.
Both cities were destroyed during the catastrophic eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD, but the way they were buried- and preserved- is entirely different. While Pompeii was engulfed in ash and pumice, Herculaneum was submerged under a thick, fast-moving avalanche of volcanic mud and debris. That difference in preservation is staggering.
When you walk through Herculaneum, you’ll find two-story homes still standing, with intricate frescoes, mosaic floors, wooden beams, beds, and even doors intact- some of the finest surviving examples of Roman domestic architecture in the world. Organic materials like furniture, food, and even scrolls from a private library were carbonized but preserved by the extreme heat, offering historians and archaeologists rare, priceless insight.
One of the highlights of our visit was the House of Neptune and Amphitrite, where you can still see the dazzling mosaics dedicated to the Roman sea god. It’s one of the most beautifully preserved homes in the city, and we walk you through it step by step in our video on social media- see the links below if you’d like a preview before your own visit.
The site is smaller and more manageable than Pompeii, which means you can see it thoroughly in a few hours- and you’re far less likely to be surrounded by crowds. There’s something incredibly powerful about walking through rooms where you can still see carbonized wooden stairs and wine racks, stepping into private baths decorated with tiny sea-themed mosaics, or gazing up at second-floor balconies that have stood, remarkably, for nearly 2,000 years.
One of the most haunting discoveries came in the 1980s, when archaeologists uncovered over 300 skeletons near the ancient shoreline- citizens who had gathered at boat houses, waiting to escape by sea. The human toll becomes real in that moment. It’s not just history. It’s humanity.
Herculaneum also provides an important balance to the grandeur of Pompeii. While Pompeii was a bustling commercial hub, Herculaneum was wealthier, more residential, and somewhat quieter. Visiting both gives you a fuller picture of life in the Roman Empire- from business to leisure, marketplaces to mansions.
If you're in Naples, Sorrento, or even Rome, it's easy to reach Herculaneum by train or tour. And trust me- it’s worth every step.
So yes, go to Pompeii. But don’t stop there. Herculaneum is smaller, better preserved, and in many ways, more personal. And if I had to choose just one? Herculaneum wins. Every time.
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