Free entry to Pompeii, November 2026 to January 2027: the 4 dates, hours and tips
Four days to visit the Pompeii ruins and the park's other sites for free, instead of the €20 standard ticket. In winter the gates open at 9:00 and last entry is at 15:30.
At a glance
- When
- 1 and 4 November, 6 December 2026, 3 January 2027
- Where
- Pompeii ruins, Oplontis, Boscoreale, Stabiae villas and museum
- Hours
- Pompeii 9:00–17:00, last entry 15:30
- Ticket
- Free; on other days €20, free for under-18s
- Getting there
- Circumvesuviana to Pompei Scavi – Villa dei Misteri, 35–40 minutes
- Time needed
- At least 3–4 hours
The dates
- Museum Sundays: entry is free for everyone on the first Sunday of the month.
- 4 November: free for National Unity and Armed Forces Day.
- All sites: Pompeii ruins, Villa Poppaea at Oplontis, Villa Regina and the Boscoreale Antiquarium, the Stabiae villas and the Stabiae Archaeological Museum.
| Day | Date | Occasion |
|---|---|---|
| Sunday | 1 November 2026 | Museum Sunday, All Saints' Day |
| Wednesday | 4 November 2026 | National Unity and Armed Forces Day |
| Sunday | 6 December 2026 | Museum Sunday |
| Sunday | 3 January 2027 | Museum Sunday |
Hours and rules
From 15 October to 15 March the ruins open at 9:00 and close at 17:00, with last entry at 15:30; at the other sites last entry is 16:00.
- The park admits up to 20,000 visitors a day: arrive early on free days, when queues are longest.
- For 4 November the Ministry of Culture lists booking as mandatory: check the details on pompeiisites.org before you go.
- Pompeii Artebus shuttles link Pompeii with Boscoreale, Oplontis and Stabiae on a winter timetable.
Until 30 November: Philip Colbert's lobsters
The British artist's «Pop Mythology» show places more than 30 giant, colourful lobster sculptures in the ruins and other park sites, until 30 November 2026.
Tip: 1 November is a Sunday and a holiday: pick 4 November or 6 December for smaller crowds, and catch a train before 9:00.
Getting there from Naples
- Circumvesuviana, Napoli–Sorrento line, from Porta Nolana or Garibaldi.
- Get off at Pompei Scavi – Villa dei Misteri: about 35–40 minutes, a short walk from the Porta Marina entrance.
- Don't get off at Pompei on the Poggiomarino line: it is about 2 km from the ruins.
Nearby
- Pompeii guidetickets and what to see
- Herculaneum20 minutes from Naples, same line
- Mount Vesuviusabove Pompeii
- Christmas in Naplesfor the December dates
Frequently asked questions
When is Pompeii free between November 2026 and January 2027?
Sunday 1 November, Wednesday 4 November, Sunday 6 December 2026 and Sunday 3 January 2027, at every site of the Pompeii Archaeological Park.
How much is Pompeii on other days?
Since 12 January 2026 the standard ticket costs €20. EU citizens aged 18 to 25 pay €2, and under-18s go free.
Do I need to book on free days?
There is a cap of 20,000 visitors a day. For 4 November the Ministry lists booking as mandatory: check the park's official website before you go.
Why are there giant lobsters in Pompeii?
They are sculptures by British pop artist Philip Colbert, part of the «Pop Mythology» show that opened on 27 July 2026. They stay in the ruins and other sites until 30 November.
Where to stay for your day trip to Pompeii
47 places to stay in the Central Station area on Napolibnb.it, the Naples holiday-rental portal: you contact the host directly, with no booking fees. Every listing shows its official CIN code.
