Pompeii Opening Hours & Best Time to Visit
Pompeii Opening Hours & Best Time to Visit
Prepare for your Pompeii adventure by obtaining details about its opening hours and the best time to visit. Gain valuable insights on how much time you should plan for your visit, and explore the variety of ticket options and top-rated tours to ensure a memorable and smooth experience during your exploration of the UNESCO World Heritage site.
Pompeii Opening Hours
Pompeii
November 1st – March 31st daily from 9 am to 5 pm, last entrance 3:30 pm
April 1st to October 31st daily from 9 am to 7 pm, last entrance 5:30 pm
Different opening times may apply for the Suburban Villas. Please check these on the official website of the excavation site.
Closed on: December 25th, May 1st and January 1st
When is the Best Time to Visit Pompeii?
Choosing the best time to visit Pompeii depends on your priorities and preferences. Here’s a breakdown of the pros and cons of different seasons, weekdays and time of day to help you decide:
Spring (March-May)
Pros: Pleasant weather, fewer crowds compared to summer, beautiful wildflowers in bloom.
Cons: Some unpredictable weather patterns with occasional rain showers.
Summer (June-August)
Pros: Long sunny days, ideal for exploring the ruins, many cultural events and festivals.
Cons: Hot and crowded, long lines for entry and tickets, limited shade within the archaeological site.
Autumn (September-November)
Pros: Long sunny days, ideal for exploring the ruins, many cultural events and festivals.
Cons: Hot and crowded, long lines for entry and tickets, limited shade within the archaeological site.
Winter (December-February)
Pros: The least crowded season, some special events and exhibitions, cheaper flights and accommodation.
Cons: Shortest days, some areas of the ruins may be closed due to weather conditions.
Overall, the best season to visit Pompeii is either spring or autumn, when the weather is pleasant and the crowds are smaller. However, if you don’t mind the heat and crowds, summer can also be a good time to visit, as there are many events and festivals taking place. Winter is the quietest season, but some areas of the ruins may be closed, and the days are shorter.
Weekends vs. Weekdays
Weekends: Expect significantly higher crowds due to local tourism and international visitors. Queues for tickets and entry can be longer, and navigating the tower’s interior might feel more congested.
Weekdays: Monday to Friday generally offer a calmer experience with fewer crowds. This is especially true early in the week (Monday and Tuesday) and outside peak season.
Time of Day
Mornings: Ideal for avoiding larger crowds, particularly during peak season. Aim to arrive shortly after opening to beat the influx of tourists.
Late afternoons: Can be another option for smaller crowds, especially outside peak season. However, remember that closing times vary, so plan accordingly.
How Much Time Should I Plan to Visit Pompeii?
The amount of time you should plan for your visit to Pompeii depends on several factors, including:
> Your level of interest in Roman history and archaeology
If you’re deeply fascinated by the history and details of Pompeii, you could easily spend a full day or even longer exploring the ruins and learning about the lives of its inhabitants.
> Your preferred pace of exploration
Do you like to take your time and soak in the atmosphere, or do you prefer to move quickly and see as much as possible?
> Your desire to participate in guided tours or special programs
Guided tours and special programs can add significant time to your visit, depending on their length and depth.
Here’s a general guideline for planning your visit:
- 2-3 hours: This is a good amount of time for a quick overview of the most important sights in Pompeii. You’ll be able to see the Forum, the Amphitheatre, and some of the most famous houses, but you won’t have much time to delve into the details or explore off the beaten path.
- 4-6 hours: This is a more comfortable amount of time to see most of the major sights at a relaxed pace. You’ll have time to learn more about the history of the city, explore some of the lesser-known areas, and take breaks to rest and eat.
- Full day or more: If you’re a history buff or simply want to immerse yourself in the experience, you could easily spend a full day or even longer at Pompeii. There’s a lot to see and do, and you’ll likely want to take your time to fully appreciate the site.
Take a guided tour! Gain deeper insights into the Pompeii’s history, architecture, and significance. Tours typically last around 2 hours.
>> To book a guided tour, check out our tickets & tour recommendations.
Remember
- Purchase tickets in advance: This saves time waiting in line, especially during peak season.
- Arrive early: This helps avoid crowds and ensures you have enough time to explore before closing.
Book Pompeii Tickets & Day Tours
Explore below your Pompeii ticket options and pick from the finest selection:
Bestseller Pompeii Entrance Ticket
Pompeii Express: Reserved Entrance With Optional Audio Guide
7.7K Reviews
From €23.40
Tiqets
Those witnesses of the history is something that every single person should see. It is our history, the history of humanity…
Top Selling Pompeii Guided Tours
Pompeii Skip-the-Line Guided Tour
8.9K Reviews
From €36.75
Headout
“The explanation in the emails of how to get to the meeting point was very easy and detailed.”
Pompeii: Entry Ticket and Guided Tour with an Archaeologist
12.1K Reviews
From €44
GetYourGuide
“Judas accompanied us inside Pompeii with a determined awareness of the topics covered, not sparing himself with anecdotes and details.”
Most Popular Pompeii Day Trips
From Naples: Pompeii Ruins & Mount Vesuvius Day Tour
9.9KReviews
From €106.67
GetYourGuide
“Fantastic day! Met our tour guide promptly outside the Hotel and the day started with climbing Mount Vesuvius, beautiful clear day! We then headed to Pompeii and had a lovely lunch which included pizza!”
Bestseller Pompeii Entrance Ticket
Pompeii Express: Reserved Entrance With Optional Audio Guide
Explore Pompeii at your own pace with a Reserved Pompeii ticket. Elevate your experience by opting for an enriching audio guide, providing essential information about the ancient city.
“Pleasant, clear information with smooth operation. We received a free map with the main attractions and advice on the route. The audio guide was perfect.“
Figo, Sep 2024 [Source: Tiqets]
Top Selling Pompeii Guided Tours
Pompeii Skip-the-Line Guided Tour
See the marvels of the archaeological site of Pompeii on a comprehensive 2 or 3-hour guided tour with a knowledgeable guide. Select a guide fluent in English, German, Japanese, Spanish, French, or Portuguese, and delve into insights about the early Romans’ lifestyle.
“The explanation in the emails of how to get to the meeting point was very easy and detailed. The guided tour started at the agreed time and the guide’s explanations were clear and interesting. Highly recommended. You are left wanting more tour but Pompeii is very big and in just one visit you can’t see everything.” Jorge – Jan, 2024 [Source: Headout]
Pompeii: Entry Ticket and Guided Tour with an Archaeologist
Join a 2-hour walking tour of Pompeii with a local archaeologist, featuring a Pompeii ticket with skip-the-line access. Explore top landmarks such as the Casa del Fauno, the Temple of Jupiter, the Basilica, the Forum, and ancient baths in the company of a small group.
“Judas accompanied us inside Pompeii with a determined awareness of the topics covered, not sparing himself with anecdotes and details. Her friendliness was the added value as was her sensitivity in dealing with certain topics even for children. 🔝”* GetYourGuide traveler – Italy; Jan, 2024 [Source: GetYourGuide]
Most Popular Pompeii Day Trips
From Naples: Pompeii Ruins & Mount Vesuvius Day Tour
Embark on a Pompeii Ruins & Mount Vesuvius Day Tour from Naples, guided by a live guide or audio guide based on your chosen option. This 7-hour adventure includes a Pompeii Ticket, entry to Vesuvius, pizza lunch, and convenient pickup and drop-off.
“Fantastic day! Met our tour guide promptly outside the Hotel and the day started with climbing Mount Vesuvius, beautiful clear day! We then headed to Pompeii and had a lovely lunch which included pizza! Afterwards we then went to see the Ruins with our own audio headset. Our tour guide was very friendly, would highly recommend!” GetYourGuide traveler – United Kingdom; Jan, 2024 [Source: GetYourGuide]
From Rome: Pompeii, Amalfi Coast and Positano Day Trip
Join in a 13-hour Pompeii, Amalfi Coast, and Positano Day Trip departing from Rome, exploring three of Italy’s most famous destinations. Travel comfortably on an air-conditioned minibus, gain insights from your local expert guide, and enjoy the convenience of the included Skip-the-Line Pompeii ticket.
“Long trip but we’ll worth it, best excursion we booked during our two week trip so far. Downside is the time on the coach but Pompeii is absolutely fantastic, very educational. The two guides on the day were both approved by all, not a bad word to say about either. Personally we had Enzo and he was superb.[…] 5 stars all round thankyo” Greg – Germany; Jan, 2024 [Source: GetYourGuide]
From Naples or Sorrento: Pompei Half-Day Tour
Embark on a half-day guided excursion from Sorrento or Naples to explore the ruins of ancient Pompeii in an air-conditioned vehicle. Admire one of the world’s most famous archaeological sites with skip-the-line Pompeii tickets.
“The staff was punctual and professional, the guide was excellent, kind and very clear in his explanations, my family and I were very satisfied, I will return with you again, there is still a lot to see in Pompeii. Thank you.” Nicolè – Italy; Dec, 2023 [Source: GetYourGuide]
