Pompeii free on the first Sunday

When are the next free Sundays in Pompeii?

From November 2026 to June 2027, the first Sundays of the month are 1 November, 6 December, 3 January, 7 February, 7 March, 4 April, 2 May and 6 June.

It always opens at 9:00. The rest depends on the season: from 15 October to 15 March last entry is at 15:30 and closing at 17:00, from 16 March to 14 October last entry is at 17:30 and closing at 19:00. 7 March still falls in the winter schedule. No date coincides with closure days, 25 December and 1 January.

Dates and hours are calculated by the first Sunday rule: the Park may announce changes, so check before you leave.

How do you enter Pompeii on the first Sunday of the month?

Go directly to the turnstiles, without passing through the ticket office: on free days you do not book, do not buy online and there is no named ticket.

The Park's notice, linked from the prices page, states that «visitors will access directly, going to the turnstiles, avoiding the ticket office». The daily cap of 20,000 visitors remains in force. Since you do not book, there is no way to reserve a spot.

The same procedure applies to other free days that the Park announces during the year.

What changes compared to a day with a ticket?

The access changes, not the visit rules: bags, clothing and prohibitions of the regulations also apply on the free Sunday.

On other days the ticket costs €20 with Pompei Express or €25 with Pompei+, carries your name, the day and the time band, and staff may ask for ID. On the first Sunday all this is waived. The Park's rules:

• bags and backpacks up to 30x30x15 cm; anything larger must be left at the paid left-luggage at Porta Marina or Piazza Anfiteatro;
• no visiting bare-chested or in revealing clothing;
• food only in designated areas, such as the self-service at Casina dell'Aquila;
• amateur photos yes, but without flash and without tripod.

Who enters Pompeii for free on other days?

Anyone under 18 enters for free all year round; EU citizens aged 18 to under 25 pay €2.

Free entry follows the state rules of the Italian Ministry of Culture. Categories include: people with disabilities and one companion, licensed EU tour guides with a valid licence while working, teachers with a school certificate, journalists, ICOM members. The €2 reduced price also applies to non-EU citizens with a residence permit issued for the reasons provided.

Requirements and documents to show are in the guide to Pompeii free.

How much time do you need and what to bring on the free Sunday?

Plan at least 2 or 3 hours, comfortable shoes and a bag that fits within the allowed 30x30x15 cm.

The excavations cover 44 hectares and the Park itself recommends planning at least 2 or 3 hours inside. There are numerous drinking water fountains inside, so a water bottle is enough. From November to March, last entry is at 15:30 and closing at 17:00: those who enter last have one and a half hours.

By train: Circumvesuviana Naples-Sorrento to Pompei Villa dei Misteri for Porta Marina and Piazza Esedra, Naples-Poggiomarino line to Pompei Santuario for Piazza Anfiteatro. The Park has no visitor car park. More details in the visit tips.

And if your date is not a first Sunday?

On other days you need a named ticket, €20 with Pompei Express or €25 with Pompei+, on Vivaticket or at the ticket offices inside the Park, or a tour on GetYourGuide with entry included.

Options with ticket included add what the listings state: an archaeologist, an audio guide, transport from Naples, Sorrento or Rome. They can be cancelled free of charge up to 24 hours before, while the official ticket is non-refundable and the date cannot be changed. All rates are in the article on Pompeii prices 2026.

Two hours with an archaeologist who is also a licensed guide, with Pompei Express included and free cancellation up to 24 hours before.

★ 4.9 · 2 hours · from $62

Discover the tour with archaeologist and ticket → Tour details

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