How to Visit the Temples of Paestum

Posedonia. I love the sound of the ancient word for this ancient place, evoking gods and the sea. In the spirit of adventure instead of heading to Capri after a languorous week in Positano as is our habit we turned the other direction towards what in modern day Italy is known as Paestum. This stretch of land just past the vertiginous Amalfi Coast is home to wide sandy beaches, some of the best mozzarella in Italy and the breathtakingly intact ancient temples. 

These are my tips for how to visit the temples of Paestum.

Go Early

Or, go late in the afternoon. If you are visiting the temples in high summer my advice to you is go early or go late. There is very little shade. You are very likely to have the place to yourself. 

The ticket office is at the entrance to the museum across the streets from where the temples are located. Buy the small guide book and be your guide among the the Doric style temples dedicated to Hera and Athena. There are Roman era sites to explore as well. 

Archeological Site
8:30  - 19:30 in July/August Check here for specific times in other months
Tickets €7(includes museum visit) 

Cool Off

The clean lines and terrific AC of the 1930’s Museum designed by Marcello De Vita sooth after a morning spent gazing at wandering among the ruins in the summer sun. The very well curated and manageable collection deepen the experience of a temple visit. Head to the back of the museum for the star of museum. The tomb of the diver (La tomba del tuffatore) is a frescoed funerary object that dates from 470-480 BC that is believed to depict the metaphorical moment of passage between life and death. It is extraordinary. 

Museo Paestum
via Magna Greco 
08:30 - 19:30

Have a Drink

The Bar de Museo is directly in front of the archeological site. There are plenty of chairs, plenty of shade and a cool breeze. Have a cold drink or some made on site and very fancy gelato while you gaze over towards the temples. 

Via Magna Grecia, 913