Pompeii Sets Daily Visitor Limit at 20,000 Amidst Surge in Tourism

Starting November 15, Pompeii will restrict entry to 20,000 visitors per day to preserve the site's integrity, after a notable rise in attendees exceeding pre-Covid levels.

In an effort to safeguard the historical integrity of the archaeological site, Pompeii's management has announced a new cap on daily visitors, limiting them to 20,000 starting November 15. This decision comes on the heels of a dramatic rise in tourist numbers, which recently peaked at a record 36,000 on the first Sunday of October during a free entry day.

Located near the active volcano Mount Vesuvius, Pompeii was buried and preserved by volcanic ash after an eruption in AD79, making it one of the most well-preserved ancient Roman sites in the world. In 2023 alone, nearly four million tourists visited the site, an increase of 33% compared to the previous year, with visitor numbers rising above pre-pandemic levels. Notably, October 2024 saw over 480,000 attendees, averaging approximately 15,500 visitors daily, although historically busy months like May reported even higher figures of around 517,000 attendees.

The park's director, Gabriel Zuchtriegel, emphasized that the new visitor cap is crucial for conservation efforts and maintaining the safety of the site. In practice, the limit is expected to only turn away tourists on a few occasions, primarily during peak free entry days.

Archaeological interest in Pompeii continues to thrive, with discoveries such as breathtaking frescos depicting Greek mythology, unearthed in opulent banqueting halls. Admission to the site starts at €18 (£14.90; $19.30), enabling visitors to explore insights into daily life in ancient Rome, preserved so meticulously under layers of ash for centuries.