The single most romantic way to do the walls — cooler than midday, softer light, and the crowds thinning as cruise passengers head back to ship. The honest catch is it's the same €40 ticket and a gamble against closing time (you must finish before they lock up); the very last entry can still be busy, and cut it too fine and you're rushed. When it works, it's unforgettable.
Late-afternoon entry lets you walk the walls in golden light with thinner crowds as day-trippers depart, but you must complete the loop before the gates close. · model-knowledge
Closing times shift seasonally, so the sunset window only aligns with last entry in certain months. · model-knowledge