Pompeii Opening Hours

The frozen city of Pompeii welcomes visitors between 9 am and 5 pm from November to March.

It opens for extended hours, between 9 am and 7 pm, from April to October.

However, it stays closed on May 1, Christmas, and New Year’s Eve.

You will need at least two hours to explore this archaeological site thoroughly.

This table shows Pompeii’s opening times during various months.

Months	Opening Hours	Closing Hours
Summer (April to October)	9 am	7 pm
Winter (November to March)	9 am	5 pm

Last Entry to Pompeii

The last entry to Pompeii varies according to the season.

From November to March, the last admission is at 3.30 pm.

However, during the summers, the last entry to Pompeii is 5.30 pm.

The last admission is usually 1.5 hours before the closing time.

The Best Time to Visit

It is crucial to be aware of the best time to visit Pompeii.

This will help you avoid crowds and explore the site quickly.

Early mornings and late evenings are the best times to experience Pompeii’s ruins.

While you can best appreciate the site during the early morning hours, late evenings are ideal for avoiding crowds completely.

Read our article on how to avoid the crowds at Pompeii in more detail. 

How Long Does It Take?

The Pompeii ruins cover 163 acres (66 hectares), and exploring the park would take at least two days. 

Most of the highlights can be seen in 4 hours, but visits can last longer (up to 6 hours)- especially on a hot day.  

You can also spend an entire day exploring the park and stopping for lunch at one of the park’s picnic areas.

However, if you are short on time and want a deeper understanding of the site without wasting much time, you can also consider taking a guided tour of Pompeii.

With a guided tour led by an archaeologist, you will get fascinating insights into Pompeii’s history within 2 hours.

FAQs 

Featured Image: Pompeiisites.org