Paestum

Trenitalia's regional trains on the line south from Naples through Salerno stop at Paestum station. On Trenitalia's booking site for Thursday, October 8, 2026:

Coming back the same day, regional trains left Paestum at 3:23, 4:21, 5:51 and 7:54 p.m., with an Intercity at 7:01 p.m., and later trains up to 9:43 p.m. From the station, walk to Porta Sirena, the ancient east gate beside it, and on through the walled area: the Temple of Neptune is 1.2 km from the station, about 16 minutes. Visitors with tickets can enter or exit at Porta Cerere too.

Do not confuse Paestum station with Capaccio-Roccadaspide, the stop before it. Book regional trains on the day or at the machines; they are not seat-reserved.

1. The Basilica, the oldest, from the sixth century BC, with its swollen columns. Early antiquarians took it for a civic building, hence the name.
2. The Temple of Neptune, from the fifth century BC, the largest and best preserved, almost complete to the roof line. Despite the name, scholars attribute it to Hera.
3. The Roman forum and the amphitheatre, cut in two by the modern road.
4. The Temple of Athena, often called the Temple of Ceres, at the northern end.

You walk freely between them on grass and old paving; you cannot go inside the temples. Allow two hours for the site. There is little shade: bring water and a hat until late October.

The National Archaeological Museum of Paestum, across the road from the site and included in the ticket, takes another hour or more. Its best-known piece is the Tomb of the Diver, a Greek tomb whose painted slabs show a young man diving and a banquet scene: rare surviving Greek painting. Also look for the painted Lucanian tombs and the sculpted metopes from the sanctuary of Hera at the mouth of the Sele river.

That sanctuary, the Heraion at the Sele, has its own museum. A free shuttle leaves the Voza car park near Paestum every Sunday at 4:30 p.m. and returns at 5:30 p.m., included in the ticket; booking by email is compulsory and you collect a shuttle ticket at the ticket office.

The same ticket covers Velia, the Greek city of Elea further south on the Cilento coast, for three days. In September the parks ran a free shuttle between the two sites; check whether it continues. Velia is a separate trip by train, best if you are staying in the Cilento.

The plain around Paestum is buffalo country, and several farms near the temples sell fresh mozzarella di bufala made that morning. We have not listed or priced individual farms; our mozzarella page explains the DOP and what to look for.

Booking is not required. Children under 12 must be with an adult. On the first Sunday of each month entry is free under the national Domenica al Museo scheme; on September 26 and 27, 2026, the European Heritage Days, the parks opened in the evening for €1. Low shoes are recommended on the ancient paving.

For other great ancient sites near Naples, see Pompeii and Herculaneum, and the National Archaeological Museum in Naples.

Paestum: Small-Group Tour with an Archaeologist and Tickets

Entry is included (€15 from March to November, €10 from December to February, valid 3 days and also covering Velia). Transport to Paestum is not included.

2 hours

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