Herculaneum is world famous for the archaeological excavations of the Roman city founded, according to legend, by Hercules and destroyed by the eruption of Vesuvius in 79; together with those of Pompeii and Oplontis, they are part of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The stretch of Corso Resina that from the archaeological excavations reaches Torre del Greco is called the Golden Mile for the splendid 18th century villas lined up on its sides.
From Herculaneum starts the road that leads to the Great Cone of Vesuvius for a visit to the crater.