For kids in the UK, learning about Pompeii is pretty much a rite of passage. Chances are they won’t have heard of Herculaneum though. We always love to try to bring history to life for our boys. However, I was a bit concerned how much they (and therefore we) would enjoy a trip these historic sites. Facebook groups were full of dire warnings on the heat, crowds, distances to be walked, overpriced food and drink, as well as the seemingly insurmountable difficulty of getting there without a budget-breaking guided tour from our accommodation. Having visited and loved both sites pre-kids, we decided to press on. I’m so glad we did. Read on for my thoughts on how to enjoy Pompeii and Herculaneum with kids.
Guided tour or not?
You don’t need to book a hugely expensive tour which takes you from your hotel in Naples or Sorrento to Pompeii and Herculaneum. Taking public transport is straightforward (see further below) and can be part of the experience. It will also save you quite a bit of money, particularly if you are travelling as a family.
However, I would absolutely recommend having a guided tour of these sites if your budget will allow. Pompeii, in particular, is huge. A guide will help you hone in on the key sights and help bring them to life.
We booked a tour with Askos Tours and I would heartily recommend them. Their guides are all archaeologists and ours was passionate and highly knowledgeable. You spend a full morning in Pompeii, with enough time to grab a quick snack lunch (but not a proper sit down meal). Then your guide accompanies you on the train to Herculaneum for an afternoon tour. Your guide will leave you at the exit to Herculaneum but will make sure you are clear on the (easy) route back to the station.
Getting to Pompeii and Herculaneum with kids
Without a hire car (and let’s face it, not many of us want to brave the Southern Italian drivers), train is the best way to visit both sites.
The entrance to the excavations at Pompeii is only minutes from the Pompeii Scavi – Villa dei Misteri station and is clearly signposted. The station is on the Sorrento-Naples Circumvesuviana train line. Tickets can be bought from machines or the kiosk at either station and don’t need to be purchased in advance. However, at Naples Central Station (Napoli Centrale), you will need to go down a level from the main station to find the Circumvesuviana line (it is signposted).
The site at Herculaneum (Ercolano in Italian) is around 10 minutes walk from Ercolano Scavi station (also on the Circumvesuviana line). The walk is pretty much in a straight line along Via 1V Novembre. On our tour, the guide made sure we were all clear on the best exit from Herculaneum so we could easily make our way back to the station on our own at the end.
What to take / wear
Pompeii is very exposed and can get very hot and dry. Make sure you take plenty of water, sun cream and sun hats. We visited in late October and temperatures were still in the mid 20s.
Flat comfortable walking shoes are a must – you will walk a lot and the surfaces are uneven / pitted. If you have walking boots with ankle support, this would be ideal.
On a guided tour, you won’t have time to stop for a picnic but easy to eat / open snacks will keep the kids going!
Cameras – if you worry that your kids’ attention might wane, equipping them each with a simple digital camera might keep them engaged for longer. The sites are breath-taking so they will get some amazing shots to be proud of with little knowledge of photography technique, particularly if the sun is shining and the sky is bright blue (happens often in Southern Italy!)
If you don’t book a guided tour, you might consider an audio guide. Various companies sell audio guides for Pompeii but none are from the official site. I would consider downloading an audio guide from Rick Steves as a more reputable option. Make sure you bring enough separate devices and headphones for each family member.
What next?
After a busy day in Pompeii and Herculaneum, the family will be ready for a relaxed day in Sorrento. Read my review here of how to spend a perfect family day in Sorrento.
