Pompeii is open throughout most of the year, with longer opening hours from spring to autumn. Tickets to the Archaeological Park are nominative and a daily limit of 20,000 visitors applies.
During the busiest period, from 16 March to 14 October, admissions are divided into time slots to help manage visitor flows.
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Pompeii visitor limits and time slots
From 16 March to 14 October, the daily limit is divided as follows:
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9:00 am–1:00 pm: maximum 15,000 admissions, including 12,000 Pompeii Express and 3,000 Pompeii Plus tickets.
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1:00 pm–5:30 pm: maximum 5,000 admissions, including 3,000 Pompeii Express and 2,000 Pompeii Plus tickets.
During periods of high visitor numbers, especially in spring, summer, at weekends and on public holidays, booking in advance is recommended.
Pompeii opening hours
16 March to 14 October
Open daily: 9:00 am–7:00 pm
Last entrance: 5:30 pm
15 October to 15 March
Open daily: 9:00 am–5:00 pm
Last entrance: 3:30 pm
The Archaeological Park is normally closed on 25 December and 1 January, unless otherwise announced.
Tickets and advance booking
Pompeii has different admission options depending on the areas you want to visit. During busy periods, booking in advance is recommended because a daily visitor limit applies and admissions are divided into time slots during the main tourist season.
For current official admission prices, Pompeii Express and Pompeii Plus, as well as guided tours and audio-guide options, see our complete guide to Pompeii tickets.
Entrances to Pompeii
Visitors can enter the archaeological site from:
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Porta Marina
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Piazza Anfiteatro
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Piazza Esedra
The official ticket offices of the Archaeological Park are located only within the archaeological area at these entrances.
For access to the Antiquarium, Piazza Esedra is the recommended entrance. Admission to the Antiquarium is included in the Pompeii entrance ticket.
Free admission on the first Sunday of the month
Admission to Pompeii is free on the first Sunday of every month and on other special free-admission days announced by the authorities.
On these days, online booking is not available. Visitors go directly to the turnstiles without first collecting a ticket at the ticket office.
Tickets are not nominative on free-admission days, but the daily limit of 20,000 visitors remains in force.
Pompeii for visitors with reduced mobility
Visitors with mobility difficulties can use the “Pompeii for All” accessible route, starting from Piazza Anfiteatro.
The itinerary provides an accessible route through part of the archaeological site, with the possibility of returning to Piazza Anfiteatro or exiting through Piazza Esedra using the Antiquarium lift.
Luggage storage and bags
Paid luggage storage facilities are available at the Porta Marina and Piazza Anfiteatro entrances.
Bags, backpacks, suitcases and other items larger than 30 × 30 × 15 cm are not permitted inside the archaeological areas.
Visitors travelling with large luggage should therefore use the available luggage storage facilities before entering.
Toilets
Toilets are available at several points in and around the archaeological site, including Piazza Anfiteatro, Porta Marina, Piazza Esedra, the Quadriporticus near the theatres, Casina dell'Aquila and the Antiquarium.
Visiting Pompeii in summer
During the hottest months:
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wear a hat and sunglasses;
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use high-protection sunscreen;
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avoid the hottest hours of the day when possible, particularly with children or elderly visitors;
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carry drinking water;
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use the public drinking fountains available inside the archaeological site;
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wear comfortable shoes suitable for ancient paving and uneven surfaces.
Before travelling, always check current opening conditions because individual houses, buildings or areas may temporarily close for conservation, restoration, maintenance or safety reasons.
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Sources: Archaeological Park of Pompeii; Italian Ministry of Culture.