Tickets to the Amphitheatre of Pompeii

The archeological site of Pompeii is open from November 1st to March 31st from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with the last entry at 3:30 PM. From April 1st to October 31st, the opening hours are from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM, with the last entry at 5:30PM. 

The site is closed on December 25th, May 1st, and January 1st.

Pompeii is a popular location among tourists and can get really crowded at times, despite its vast territory. We strongly recommend visiting off-season, between November and March. Mornings are the best option if you wish to start early and have enough time to explore the sites. 

One of the oldest ancient Roman amphitheaters and one of the most recognizable sites of Pompeii, the local Amphitheatre dates back to 70 BC. It could host up to 20,000 spectators and hosted various events to entertain the Pompeians, such as gladiatorial contests, circus shows, chariot races, and animal hunts. The rows of the seats were split in three groups according to the social status of the visitors. 

Some cool facts about the Amphitheatre:

• Around 59 AD, one of the gladiator fights ended up in a bloody brawl between the spectators from Pompeii and Nuceria, resulting in a ban on similar events that lasted a few years.
• The amphitheatre was damaged in the earthquake in 62 AD, a precursor to the eruption of the Vesuvuis, but restored… only to be buried (and thus preserved) under volcanic ash in the fateful eruption of 79 AD.
• Excavations of the area started in the mid-18th century.
• The site has served as a stage for concerts in modern times, most famously, for Pink Floyd and Frank Sinatra.

There are three entrances to the archaeological park: Porta Marina (via Villa dei Misteri), Piazza Esedra (piazza Porta Marina Inferiore), and Piazza Anfiteatro (piazza Immacolata), all of those with official ticket offices. The Temple is located in the western part of the Forum, just a few minutes walk from the main entrance.

You can get to Pompeii by public transport or by car. The easiest option is to take the Circumvesuviana train from Naples or Sorrento (about 30 min, tickets should be bought at the station). Get off at Pompei Villa dei Misteri station, which is right in front of the Porta Marina entrance.

Other options are the Circumvesuviana from Naples to Poggiomarino (Pompei Santuario station) or FS from Naples to Salerno (Pompei station). Pompei Link is the combined train + bus service that connects the station to the site in about 15 min. If you’re traveling by bus, your options are SITA from Naples and Salerno, BusItalia Campania n. 4 from Salerno, or BusItalia Campania n. 50 express from Salerno.

If you’re driving, take the motorway A3 Naples-Salerno (exit Pompeii ovest). Free parking is available near the Anfiteatro entrance.

The self-guided tour with an archeologist is a great opportunity to explore the centuries-old streets and the most iconic locations of Pompeii like a local.

Tickets to the archeological site of Pompeii (plus Villa Regina at Boscoreale) cost €18. Reduced price tickets cost €3.50 and are available for EU citizens aged 18-25. Children under the age of 18 and persons with disabilities go free.

Admission is free on the first Sunday of the month. Free ticket reservation is still required; the ticket desks close for one hour if the number of visitors exceeds 15,000 by noon.

MyPompeii card costs €35 (€8 for persons aged 25 and younger and EU citizens) + €1.50 online booking fee and is valid for one year.

Tickets to Pompeii can be purchased at the ticket office, by phone, or online. We strongly recommend booking your time slot in advance, as the site is highly popular among visitors.

You can get your tickets anytime in advance, the earlier the better. Tickets can be reserved via our website. 

• Large Palaestra
• House of Octavius Quartio
• Lupanare di Pompei
• Foro di Pompei
• Garden of the Fugitives
• Casa del Menandro
• Casa e Thermopolium di Vetutius Placidus
• Santuario di Apollo