Pompeii Opening Hours 2026: Opens 9 AM, Last Entry & Closing
Pompeii Archaeological Park’s official 2026 opening hours confirm that Pompeii normally opens at 9:00 AM every day year-round, including Sundays, with seasonal closing times of 7:00 PM from March 16 to October 14 and 5:00 PM from October 15 to March 15. Last entry is 90 minutes before closing.
Source and verification: This is an independent visitor guide. It summarises the timetable published by Pompeii Archaeological Park and links to it; it is not the Park's own site and does not sell admission. Hours were last checked on 28 August 2026 — confirm the Park's Timetables and Tickets page before travelling.
Pompeii Hours at a Glance
- Opens: 9:00 AM daily
- Summer closing: 7:00 PM, last entry 5:30 PM
- Winter closing: 5:00 PM, last entry 3:30 PM
- Standard annual closures: December 25 and January 1
- Important: Individual buildings can close separately; confirm the official timetable before travel.
Core seasonal operating schedules:
- Summer Schedule (March 16 – October 14): 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM (Last entry: 5:30 PM)
- Winter Schedule (October 15 – March 15): 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Last entry: 3:30 PM)
- Annual Closures: December 25 and January 1. It does not list May 1 as a standard closure on the current schedule.
Key 2026 Visitor Notice: The Park sets a daily cap of 20,000 visitors and uses personalized (nominative) tickets for paid entry. It directs online paid-ticket purchases to VivaTicket; physical ticket offices also operate at Porta Marina, Piazza Esedra, and Piazza Anfiteatro. On a first-Sunday free day, follow the Park's separate access notice instead of treating a paid ticket as required.
What are the opening hours for Pompeii?
The Pompeii Archaeological Park opens at 9:00 AM daily except for annual closure dates (December 25 and January 1), including Sundays. During the summer season (March 16 to October 14), Pompeii closes at 7:00 PM, with the last entry at 5:30 PM. During the winter season (October 15 to March 15), the site closes at 5:00 PM, with the last entry at 3:30 PM.
Pompeii opening hours for 2026, based on the official Park timetable
| Period | Opens | Last entry | Site closes | What last entry means |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| March 16–October 14 | 9:00 AM | 5:30 PM | 7:00 PM | Up to 90 minutes inside after admission |
| October 15–March 15 | 9:00 AM | 3:30 PM | 5:00 PM | Up to 90 minutes inside after admission |
These are the main archaeological site's published hours, checked August 28, 2026. The official page does not list an 8:30 AM weekend opening for Pompeii. Some nearby Park sites and individual buildings use different schedules.
Always confirm the official timetables and tickets page on the day before travel. Weather, conservation work, safety decisions, strikes, or special events can affect access without changing the standard annual table.
Is Pompeii open today?
Usually, yes. Pompeii opens at 9:00 AM every day, including Sundays, except on December 25 and January 1 or when the Archaeological Park publishes a special notice. Check the official timetable and same-day notices before setting out.
Beyond those dates, Pompeii follows the seasonal timetable above. The current annual closure dates are December 25 and January 1, but a date-specific notice can change access or hours. Check the Park's timetable on the day before travel and again on the morning of your visit, especially if weather, a strike, or conservation work could affect the site.
Is Pompeii open on Sundays?
Yes. Pompeii follows the same 9:00 AM opening time on Sunday as on other ordinary days:
- summer schedule: 9:00 AM–7:00 PM, last entry 5:30 PM;
- winter schedule: 9:00 AM–5:00 PM, last entry 3:30 PM.
The first Sunday of each month is currently listed as a free-admission day under Domenica al Museo. Free days can use special access procedures and attract different demand from an ordinary paid Sunday. Check the Park notice for the specific date before arranging transport, and see our Pompeii free-entry days and first-Sunday access rules before planning a Sunday visit.
What does “last entry” mean?
Last entry is the final time at which visitors may enter the site; it is not a suggested arrival time for a full visit. Entering at 5:30 PM in summer leaves up to 90 minutes before the 7:00 PM closure. Entering at 3:30 PM in winter leaves the same maximum window before 5:00 PM.
Allow time for the entrance process and route back to an exit. A late arrival may be useful for one focused area, but it is not enough for a broad first visit. For a longer route, aim to enter several hours before last admission.
Are all houses open for the full site hours?
No. The main gates can be open while particular houses, exhibitions, or routes follow shorter hours or close temporarily for conservation. The Park maintains a separate open-buildings list with current access information.
Before setting a route around one must-see building:
- check the open-buildings list;
- download the current official map;
- confirm any notices at the entrance;
- keep an alternative nearby building in your plan.
Which entrance should you use?
The official entrances are Porta Marina, Piazza Esedra, and Piazza Anfiteatro. The Park recommends Piazza Esedra for access to the Antiquarium. Your best entrance otherwise depends on arrival transport and the first part of your route.
Visitors arriving on the Napoli–Sorrento Circumvesuviana line usually use Pompei Scavi–Villa dei Misteri station for Porta Marina or Piazza Esedra. Visitors arriving at modern Pompei station should allow for the connection to the archaeological entrances. See the official getting-there guidance and our Naples to Pompeii day-trip guide. Travelling from the coast instead? See the Sorrento to Pompeii transport guide.
How opening hours affect ticket time slots
From March 16 to October 14, admission is divided into capped periods:
- 9:00 AM–1:00 PM, with up to 15,000 admissions;
- 1:00 PM–5:30 PM, with up to 5,000 admissions.
Your individual named ticket shows the visit date and entry slot; accredited tour operators can use a separate group-ticket arrangement. The Park may adjust capacity for safety or conservation reasons. Learn how to reserve Pompeii tickets online before buying.
A practical arrival plan
For a half-day first visit
- Confirm the seasonal closing time.
- Reserve or buy the appropriate individual or accredited-group admission.
- Enter near the start of your chosen period rather than near last entry.
- Choose a compact route and verify the buildings on it are open.
- Carry water, sun protection, and shoes suited to uneven ancient paving.
For a late-afternoon visit
- Work backward from closing, not from last entry alone.
- Prioritise one area instead of crossing the entire site.
- Check that the buildings you want do not close earlier.
- Leave enough time to reach an exit before the Park closes.
For a complete visit-planning checklist covering routes, entrances and what to bring, see the Pompeii Visitor Guide.
Frequently asked questions
How late is Pompeii open in 2026?
It closes at 7:00 PM from March 16 to October 14 and at 5:00 PM from October 15 to March 15. Last entry is 90 minutes before closing.
Is Pompeii open on Sunday?
Yes, normally from 9:00 AM. The seasonal closing and last-entry times are the same as other ordinary days.
Does Pompeii open at 8:30 AM on summer weekends?
No. The current official 2026 timetable lists a 9:00 AM opening for Pompeii. Older or third-party pages that say 8:30 AM should not be used for planning.
Is Pompeii closed on May 1?
The current official page lists December 25 and January 1 as closure dates, unless otherwise announced. It does not list May 1 as a standard closure. Check for a date-specific notice before travelling.
Is every building open whenever the Park is open?
No. Individual buildings and routes can have shorter hours or temporary conservation closures. Check the official open-buildings page.
What time is last entry on a Sunday?
It is 5:30 PM during the March 16–October 14 schedule and 3:30 PM during the October 15–March 15 schedule, unless a special notice changes access.
Official sources
- Timetables and tickets, Archaeological Park of Pompeii
- Open buildings, Archaeological Park of Pompeii
- How to get there, Archaeological Park of Pompeii