Paestum Italy: The Acropolis of Southern Italy

As the sun rises over the plains of Paestum, the golden light collides with the pillars of the ancient Greek temples, splashing across the stone work and revealing millions of details and intricacies within a fraction of a second - the same way it's been happening for 2,500 years.

Once the sun is below the horizon and the moon climbs higher in the night sky, they're illuminated in another light altogether.

Cold, blue, luminescent - the temples are highlighted in a surreal glow from the surrounding vegetation in juxtaposition with the vast darkness in all directions.

As the stars glisten above and the moonlight flickers across the ancient floor, one can only marvel and wonder at the beauty of such ancient structures...

Why you should visit Paestum Italy

If this is your first visit to the Cilento; or your 10th, the archaeological site of Paestum is something you simply cannot miss.

Why? Well, if the images in this article haven't already convinced you, the history behind this ancient Greek settlement surely will.

The temples here are some of the best preserved and oldest examples of Greek architecture in the world ... yet so few people know about them.

The town of Paestum was founded way back in the 6th Century BC and used to be called Poseidonia (Ποσειδωνία in Greek).

It was a major city in the previously Greek-populated area of Southern Italy, but was later abandoned soon after the Greeks lost control of the area.

The Three Temples

The First Temple of Hera

The three temples are as follows:

• The First Temple of Hera is the oldest and largest temple of Paestum, constructed around 550 BC. It's the temple with the most columns, with 18 long and 9 wide. In the image at the top, it's the leftmost temple.

• The Second Temple of Hera, also called the Temple of Neptune/Poseidon, is the best preserved of the three and ranks in the top three best-preserved Greek temples in the world, along with the Temple of Hephaestus in Athens and the Temple of Concordia in Sicily. Built around 450 BC, it is the youngest of the three. It can be seen in the image below, and is second from left in the top aerial image.

• The Temple of Athena, located quite a bit further from the other two temples was built around 500 BC. It's just visible in the top-right of the image above. This temple was once used as a Christian church, judging by the discovery of three medieval Christian tombs in the floor.

The Second Temple of Hera, also known as the Temple of Neptune

Not easily seen in these photos, but the each of the three temples exhibit their own unique style and design.

Together, they form a strong symbol of the Greek influence on Italy over the course of history. 

Aside from the temples, the Paestum Archaeological Museum is an excellent attraction, especially if you love history and would like to dive deeper into what daily life was like for the inhabitants of Paestum. The museum offers a comprehensive array of artifacts including pottery, statues, and jewelry.

The Temple of Athena

Tips for Visiting Paestum

• The easiest and most convenient way to get to Paestum is by train. If you're coming from Naples, the trip is under 2 hours. If you're already in Italy and would like to explore the area by car, you can find the best car hire rates here.  
• Remember to wear good walking shoes for your trip to the archaeological site. 
• The site is open Monday to Sunday from 9:00 am to 7:30 pm, although the last entrance is at 6:45 pm. Just take note that on Monday the museum is closed.
• The ticket prices differ depending on when you're visiting: 

       From March to November, tickets cost €12 for adults over 25.

       If you're between 18 and 25, you only need to pay €2. 

       For families including 2 adults and one or more children, it's €20.

• Today, the modern part of town can be found just south of the archaeological site. The stretch of coastline here with its long sandy beaches is a popular seaside resort for locals. So, after exploring the temples why not relax on one of the beautiful beaches nearby.

Best Tours and Day Trips to Paestum

We visited Paestum on our own, since we were already staying in the Cilento and wanted to explore at our own pace. 

However; if you really want to get to know the history of Paestum, beyond what the local museum has to offer, you can't go wrong with one of these tours: 

Where to Stay

There's not much in and around Paestum except for the archaelogical site, so it's best to stay somewhere a little more central and then visit the temples as part of a day trip.

Castellabate is the main town in the area with plenty of things to see and do. Palazzo Gentilcore is a fabulous boutique hotel set high up on the hill right in the heart of Castellabate's old town with views of the plains and rolling hills down below.

The entrance to the hotel (Image courtesy of Palazzo Gentilcore )

Staying at the Olimpia Cilento Resort in Ascea is also a good option. We stayed here and the location along the coast in the small town of Ascea was perfect for a relaxing beachside getaway. The train between Ascea and the town of Paestum takes about an hour, though a short walk will be required on either side.

Entrance to the Olimpia Cilento Resort

When to Visit the Cilento and Paestum

The best time to visit would be spring to early summer and then again in autumn/fall. 

In terms of the best months; May, September and October are best to avoid the crowds and the stifling heat. If you're combining your visit to Paestum with a seaside vacation, September to October is best, because the Mediterranean is still pleasantly warm for swimming.

Commonly-asked questions about Paestum: