Mount Vesuvius opening hours by season
The park publishes the same start every month, 9:00 a.m., and an end time that moves with the season. The hours below apply to the crater trail, the Gran Cono path in the national park. They are published entry times, not a promise that you can stay until then. You enter in a booked time slot with limited capacity.
To book, see the Mount Vesuvius tickets guide. Tours with a ticket included are listed just below.
Our pick: entry at Quota 1000
This ticket starts right at the Quota 1000 gate, so it suits you when you have already checked the opening time.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in euros (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Vesuvius tours with a booked entry
Tours and tickets that include the crater entry, with live prices and availability.
Mount Vesuvius opening hours by month
Published times for 2026, all starting at 9:00 a.m.
| Months | Start | End |
|---|---|---|
| January, February, November, December | 9:00 a.m. | 3:00 p.m. |
| March, October | 9:00 a.m. | 4:00 p.m. |
| April, May, June, September | 9:00 a.m. | 5:00 p.m. |
| July, August | 9:00 a.m. | 6:00 p.m. |
For most visitors, the morning is the better time to go. It leaves room if a slot is full, and in summer it avoids the hottest hours on a trail with little shade. The hours can change, so check the park's current notice for your date.
Is Vesuvius open today?
The seasonal hours are a rule, not a daily status.
Weather closures
The park can suspend access at short notice when the weather requires it, for example in strong wind or on a weather warning. Heavy rain or fire danger could also be reasons. A closure can come on a day that looks fine in the city.
Check on the day
Look at the park's own notice for your date before you leave. A past closure says nothing about tomorrow, and an open trail on one day does not promise the next.
Time slots
Entry works by time slot with limited capacity, and there is no regular ticket office at the crater entrance. Last-minute places are not guaranteed.
If a tour is affected
Some day tours list a replacement visit, such as Herculaneum, if the crater is closed. Read the terms of your booking for what happens in that case.
How long you need on the trail
Plan your arrival around the closing time.
The round trip on foot takes 2 to 2.5 hours, depending on the route rule. Leave a buffer and do not arrive close to the end time of your month. In July and August the last slots run later in the day, in winter much earlier.
Wear sturdy shoes and bring water. Sun, dust and wind are common on the path. The trail is not a full circuit of the crater rim, and the upper northern and eastern rim stay closed. Read the full route in the crater hike guide.
Mount Vesuvius opening hours: frequently asked questions
What time does Mount Vesuvius open?
At 9:00 a.m. in every month. The end time depends on the season, from 3:00 p.m. in winter to 6:00 p.m. in July and August.
Is Mount Vesuvius open in winter?
Yes. From January to February and from November to December, the published hours run from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., subject to weather.
Can I buy a ticket at the entrance?
Not as a regular option. Entry works by booked time slot with limited capacity, so book before you go.
When does the crater trail close for wind?
The park can suspend access at short notice, for example in strong wind or on a weather warning. Heavy rain or fire danger could also be reasons. Check on the day.
How long can I stay at the top?
The published hours are entry times, not a free stay until closing. Your time slot and the 2 to 2.5 hours of walking set the length of the visit.
Can I see the sunset from Vesuvius?
The latest published end time is 6:00 p.m. in July and August, so the hours do not point to an evening visit. Check the park's notice before planning around sunset.