The best time to visit Pompeii
Pompeii is open all year, but the hours change in mid-March and mid-October, and some stops keep hours of their own.
- Open
- All year, hours by season
- Amphitheatre
- 9:00–19:00
- The Lupanar
- 9:15–18:20, last entry 18:00
Pompeii is open all year, but the hours run in two modes: year-round, shorter winter hours (16 Mar–14 Oct: 9–19, last entry 17:30; 15 Oct–15 Mar: 9–17, last entry 15:30). So the month decides both the weather and how many stops fit in a day.
If you only pick one month — September. Temperature is the mean over the whole day (not the daily high), and a rainy day has at least 1 mm of rain; averages for 2021–2024.
September falls within the summer hours, so every stop fits in the day with time left after midday. In the colder months the site closes earlier, so you choose stops instead of stringing them all together.
Winter hours change the order
After mid-October the last entry falls two hours earlier than in summer, at 15:30 instead of 17:30. The Villa of the Mysteries, which lies outside the walls and needs a separate walk, then goes to the start of the day, while the rest of the site is covered until closing.
The stops that open later
The Lupanar and the Stabian Baths open a quarter of an hour after the main gate, as does the Villa of the Mysteries. Anyone arriving at nine sharp goes to the Forum first and leaves those three stops for later.
Before you go
Short answers to what people ask most before setting out.
When is the best time to visit Pompeii?
While summer hours apply, between mid-March and mid-October, because that is when the most stops fit in one day.
Is Pompeii open in winter?
Yes, all year, but for shorter hours in winter: year-round, shorter winter hours (16 Mar–14 Oct: 9–19, last entry 17:30; 15 Oct–15 Mar: 9–17, last entry 15:30).
Which stops open after the main gate?
The Lupanar, the Stabian Baths and the Villa of the Mysteries, each a quarter of an hour later. The Amphitheatre has been visible only from the southern entrance since 14 June.
Ready for Pompeii?
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