When to go to Pompeii
Pompeii is open all year, and the park runs two seasonal schedules. The summer schedule has longer opening hours, but sun and heat shape a visit on open ground. The winter schedule is shorter, and rain can make the old paving slippery. There is no single perfect month. What matters most is how you handle heat and rain, and what you plan to see.
Summer runs from 16 March to 14 October. Winter runs from 15 October to 15 March.
Summer and winter compared
Hours for Pompeii, 2026. Check the current schedule before you go.
| Summer | Winter | |
|---|---|---|
| Dates | 16 March to 14 October | 15 October to 15 March |
| Opening hours | 09:00 to 19:00 | 09:00 to 17:00 |
| Last entry | 17:30 | 15:30 |
| Weather to plan for | Sun and heat | Rain and slippery paving |
| Entry in summer | Entries are spread over time slots | – |
For most visitors who want the longest day on the site, the summer schedule gives the most hours. If heat is a concern, look at the weather for your own dates before you book.
Our pick: a short highlights tour
On hot days a two-hour highlights tour keeps your time on the site short.
Hand-picked tours, booked through Viator. Prices are indicative starting prices in euros (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Pompeii tours for every season
Guided visits, entry tickets and day trips from Naples, Rome and Sorrento, with live prices and availability.
Heat, sun and rain
What to expect on the ruins.
Hot days
Sun and heat can shape your visit. Bring water and sun protection, and expect to walk on open ground. In summer the park spreads arrivals over time slots. See visiting tips for shoes and bags.
Rainy days
Rain can make the old stone surfaces slippery. Shoes with grip help. Some houses and rooms have different hours from the main site, so a wet day may mean fewer open spaces.
Daily limit
The park sets a daily limit of 20,000 people on named tickets. A reseller ticket does not guarantee unlimited capacity, so book with your dates in mind.
Do not plan a full day around the weather alone. Houses and rooms may open on a changing daily basis, and some areas, including the amphitheatre, are only partly accessible, so a shorter, flexible plan works better than a fixed list.
Opening and last entry
Plan your day around these times.
The park opens at 09:00 in both seasons. In summer, last entry is 17:30 and the park closes at 19:00. In winter, last entry is 15:30 and the park closes at 17:00, so there is little room for a late start. Count the walking time inside the site too, because the ruins cover a large area.
If you combine Pompeii with Herculaneum, remember that the two parks keep different hours. Herculaneum in Ercolano opens at 08:30. In summer it closes at 19:30 with last entry at 18:00, and in winter it closes at 17:00 with last entry at 15:30. See Pompeii and Herculaneum in one day.
Pompeii is also a good partner for a stay in Naples. If you want something indoors for a rainy day there, the Naples underground sites are covered in the sister guide.
Plan the rest of your visit
Related pages.
Best time to visit Pompeii: frequently asked questions
What is the best month to visit Pompeii?
There is no single best month. The summer schedule has longer hours but more sun, and winter is shorter with a chance of rain. Pick the season that suits how you handle heat and rain.
When does Pompeii switch between summer and winter hours?
The summer schedule runs from 16 March to 14 October and the winter schedule from 15 October to 15 March (2026).
What time does Pompeii open and close?
It opens at 09:00. In summer it closes at 19:00 with last entry at 17:30. In winter it closes at 17:00 with last entry at 15:30.
Is Pompeii too hot in summer?
Sun and heat can affect a visit, and the ruins have open ground. Water and sun protection help. Arrivals are spread over time slots in summer.
Does it rain on the ruins?
Rain can happen and makes the old surfaces slippery. Wear shoes with grip and check your dates in a weather forecast.
Are Pompeii and Herculaneum open at the same hours?
No. Herculaneum has its own hours and last entry, so plan the two sites separately.