Final guided tours of the Suburban Baths construction site in Herculaneum: after previous dates sold out, there are eight Saturdays remaining
From October 24 to December 12, 2026, the final weekly Saturday tours will take place, offering a chance to explore the restoration site of the best-preserved Roman bath complex in the world. Previous tours have been sold out; we recommend booking in advance.
The guided tours of the restoration site at the Suburban Baths in the Herculaneum Archaeological Park—one of the most fascinating and best-preserved structures in the ancient city—are drawing to a close. Following the sold-out status of previous sessions—which confirms the public’s strong interest—the final eight Saturdays of the series remain available, from October 24 to December 12, 2026: an exclusive opportunity to get an up-close look at both the site and the ongoing conservation efforts, as the work nears completion. The tours take place every Saturday under a quota-based admission system that ensures an in-depth and completely safe experience: visitor groups, equipped with protective helmets, consist of a maximum of 15 participants and are accompanied by Park staff, with supplementary materials accessible via QR code.
“This new series of visits to the Suburban Baths restoration site offers a significant opportunity to bring the public closer to an extraordinary space—currently undergoing intensive restoration—that is rich in evidence regarding the private and social life of ancient Herculaneum. Guiding visitors through these areas while awaiting their permanent reopening means providing an authentic, engaging educational experience rooted in respect for and the preservation of a heritage unique in the world.”
declares Federica Colaiacomo, Director of the Archaeological Park of Herculaneum.
The Suburban Baths: the best-preserved bath complex of the Roman world.
Identified in 1940 and only partially excavated until 1948—due to the war and the presence of groundwater—the building was fully uncovered between 1957 and 1958, with the excavation of the seaward frontage completed in 1973. The original core likely dates back to the Augustan age; following the earthquake of 62 AD, the complex was expanded to include the large hall of the so-called “Samovar,” which featured a rare water-heating system.
Nestled between the ancient shoreline and the city walls—at the foot of luxurious seaside *domus*—the baths were originally conceived as a private facility for the Nonii Balbi family before being opened to the community. The visitor route passes through the *Frigidarium*, richly decorated with marble and frescoes; the Hall of the Warriors (*Tepidarium*), featuring famous stucco figures of seven warriors; the *Calidarium*, with its elegant *labrum* (basin) of *cipollino* marble—toppled by the violence of the AD 79 eruption; and the Great *Calidarium* with its *natatio* (heated pool)—warmed via a “samovar” system and featuring a ceiling decorated with strigil-patterned stucco. Polychrome marble floors, exquisite stucco work and paintings, and exceptionally well-preserved original wooden doors make this complex unique within the archaeological landscape.
Closed to the public for over twenty years, the Suburban Baths can now be visited as part of a restoration project made possible by a conservation program—developed through a public-private partnership with the Packard Humanities Institute, active in Herculaneum since 2001, and continued since 2010 by the Herculaneum Conservation Project. The complex contributes to the Outstanding Universal Values that led to the inclusion of Herculaneum—alongside Pompeii and Oplontis—on the UNESCO World Heritage List, and it is integrated into the *Ercolano Digitale* app, which offers multimedia content and personalized tour itineraries.
Schedule and visiting shifts
October: Saturday, October 24 and 31, 2026
November: Saturdays, November 7, 14, 21, and 28, 2026
December: Saturday, December 5 and 12, 2026 (the last date in the series)
Morning: 9:30 (tour in Italian) · 10:30 (tour in English) · 11:30 (tour in Italian)
Afternoon: 2:30 p.m. (tour in Italian) · 3:30 p.m. (tour in English)
Groups of up to 15 participants meet at the meeting point by the Terrace of Marcus Nonius Balbus. The tour lasts approximately one hour.
Tickets and reservations
Reservations are now open: tickets are available online and at the box office. Given that previous dates have sold out and the limited number of seats per session, we recommend booking in advance.
Combined ticket (Archaeological Park + Suburban Baths): €21.00
EU and non-EU citizens (subject to reciprocity) aged 18 to 25: promotional combined ticket for €7.00
Free admission for those under 18 (children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult) and for individuals exempt by law.
Online and at the box office through CoopCulture and the official channels of the Herculaneum Archaeological Park.
