Pompeii opening hours
Pompeii opening times typically operate from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM between April and October, and until 5:00 PM during the winter months. Last admission is strictly enforced 90 minutes before closing, with the archaeological park remaining accessible daily except for closures on January 1st, May 1st, and December 25th.
What time does Pompeii open and close?
In 2026 the general admission to Pompeii is available during the following hours:
| Period | April 1 - October 31 |
|---|---|
| Days | Monday - Sunday |
| Opening Hours | 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM |
| Last Admission | 5:30 PM |
| Period | November 1 - March 31 |
|---|---|
| Days | Monday - Sunday |
| Opening Hours | 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
| Last Admission | 3:30 PM |
Opening hours of other sites included in your Pompeii ticket
Holders of a valid Pompeii ticket can enjoy free admission to four neighboring cultural sites within 30 days of issue. The opening hours for these places are:
| Period | April 1 - October 31 |
|---|---|
| Site | Villa Regina (Boscoreale) |
| Days | Monday - Sunday |
| Opening Hours | 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM |
| Last Admission | 6:00 PM |
| Period | April 1 - October 31 |
|---|---|
| Site | Stabiae, Oplontis & Museo |
| Days | Wed - Mon (Closed Tue) |
| Opening Hours | 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM |
| Last Admission | 6:00 PM |
| Period | November 1 - March 31 |
|---|---|
| Site | Villa Regina (Boscoreale) |
| Days | Monday - Sunday |
| Opening Hours | 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
| Last Admission | 4:00 PM |
| Period | November 1 - March 31 |
|---|---|
| Site | Stabiae, Oplontis & Museo |
| Days | Wed - Mon (Closed Tue) |
| Opening Hours | 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
| Last Admission | 4:00 PM |
Information about schedules you should know before visit Pompeii
Closure days you need to mark
The site remains open almost every day of the year. According to the official website of the Pompeii Archaeological Park, there are two confirmed closures, in addition to May 1st, the date on which other sources indicate Pompeii will be closed:
| Reason | Closing Day |
|---|---|
| New Year | January 1 |
| Labor Day | May 1 |
| Christmas | December 25 |
If you’re planning to visit the suburban villas included in the Pompeii+ ticket, note that Villa Arianna, Villa San Marco, Villa di Poppea, and the Archaeological Museum of Stabia all close every Tuesday.
Is Pompeii Open on Sundays?
Yes, Pompeii is open on Sundays. The Pompeii archaeological park is open daily, Monday through Sunday, all year round. The only exceptions are the three annual holiday closures mentioned above.
20,000 daily cap and time slots
To manage crowds, Pompeii now restricts access to a maximum of 20,000 visitors daily. For the high season (April to October), the day is divided: 15,000 people can enter during the morning (9:00 AM to 1:00 PM), leaving only 5,000 spots for the afternoon window (1:00 PM to 5:30 PM).
The key takeaway? Booking your ticket ahead of time is highly recommended to ensure you secure your spot!
Why booking ahead isn't optional anymore
Used to be that booking online was just convenient. Now? It’s practically mandatory if you don’t want to waste half your day in line.
During high season, physical ticket office lines can hit 45 to 90 minutes of wait time. One tourist in August 2025 called them “biblical waiting times.” And that’s assuming tickets haven’t sold out, which happens regularly when the site reaches its 20,000-person capacity.
Your ticket are now personal (and this matters)
Here’s something that catches people off guard, tickets are nominative. That means each ticket carries your name and you’ll need to show ID that matches exactly. We’re talking passport or official identification. No, you can’t transfer your ticket to your friend if plans change. This was specifically designed to kill the resale market.
How late can you enter Pompeii?
As mentioned above, last entry is at 5:30 p.m. from April 1 to October 31, and at 3:30 p.m. from November 1 to March 31. To avoid any inconvenience, we recommend arriving early so you can fully enjoy this remarkable Italian archaeological site.
How long is the queue to get into Pompeii?
How long is the queue to get into Pompeii?
As you can imagine, the queue to get into Pompeii varies depending on the time of year, the day of the week, and the time of day. During peak tourist seasons, like summer and holidays, you can experience longer waiting times, sometimes ranging between 20 to 60 minutes, especially in the late morning.
That’s why we strongly recommend arriving early or buying your tickets in advance. This can significantly reduce your waiting time and make your visit to Pompeii much more enjoyable
Best time to visit Pompeii
If you want to know when the best time to visit Pompeii is, we recommend considering the shoulder seasons: in spring (April to June) or in autumn (September to October). These months offer mild weather, which is perfect for exploring the archaeological wonders at your own pace.
And if you are looking for a truly serene experience, the off-season between November and March (excluding the last two weeks of December) allows you to visit Pompeii quietly, which is ideal if you want to explore the site in detail.
To make the most of your visit, check our guide to see what you should and shouldn't wear in Pompeii.