Paestum
A Greek city on the Tyrrhenian coast, where three Doric temples stand on the Sele plain, about 40 km south of Salerno.
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Paestum is an ancient Greek city site on the Tyrrhenian coast of southern Italy, in the Campania region. Colonists from Sybaris founded the Greek city, called Poseidonia, around 600 BCE. Three Doric temples, mostly built between about 550 and 450 BCE, are the main reason to visit. The second Temple of Hera is the largest of them, and the Temple of Athena stands on the highest point of the town. The city walls, with a perimeter of about 4.75 km, are almost entirely preserved.
The modern town of Paestum is a frazione of Capaccio Paestum, about 40 km south of Salerno and 97 km south of Naples, on the Sele plain. Trains on the line from Naples to Reggio Calabria via Salerno stop at a station right beside the eastern ancient walls, so the site is within walking distance. The National Archaeological Museum holds most of the finds, including the Tomb of the Diver frescoes. The site drew over 216,000 visitors in 2021.
Paestum in five
- Visit the temples early or lateThe three temples stand in open ground with little shade. In summer, go as the site opens or in the last hours of the day, and bring water. Check the official park site for current hours and ticket options.
- Pair the ruins with the museumThe archaeological museum holds finds from the site, including the painted Tomb of the Diver. Allow about 90 minutes there, and check whether your ticket covers both the site and the museum.
- Book a dairy visit aheadBuffalo-mozzarella farms around Paestum often offer tastings and tours, usually in the morning. Reserve in advance and check which days they work, because small farms vary.
- Use the train from Naples or SalernoRegional trains stop at Paestum on the Naples–Salerno–Reggio line. Buses and taxis cover the short link from the station to the ruins, so check the timetable before a day trip.Italy by train off-peak
Need to know
- Airport
- Naples (NAP), about 1.5–2 hours by train and bus
- Getting there
- Regional train via Salerno; direct buses from some Campania towns
- Getting around
- Walk between the temples; taxi or bike for farms and beach
- Best base
- Paestum village, or Salerno for day trips
- Time needed
- Half a day to a full day
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Best
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryRain14 rainy daysHigh12°Low5°Quiet, mildJanuaryRain
Poor
- High
- 12°
- Low
- 5°
- Precipitation
- 211 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Quiet, mild
- FebruaryRain11 rainy daysHigh14°Low6°Quiet, mildFebruaryRain
Mixed
- High
- 14°
- Low
- 6°
- Precipitation
- 159 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Quiet, mild
- MarchRain14 rainy daysHigh15°Low7°MildMarchRain
Mixed
- High
- 15°
- Low
- 7°
- Precipitation
- 185 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild
- AprilRain12 rainy daysHigh19°Low9°Spring, warmAprilRain
Best
- High
- 19°
- Low
- 9°
- Precipitation
- 116 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Spring, warm
- MayRain13 rainy daysHigh22°Low13°Ideal for ruinsMayRain
Best
- High
- 22°
- Low
- 13°
- Precipitation
- 144 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Ideal for ruins
- JuneClear7 rainy daysHigh28°Low17°Hot, go earlyJuneClear
Best
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 17°
- Precipitation
- 51 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, go early
- JulyClear4 rainy daysHigh31°Low20°Very hotJulyClear
Best
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 20°
- Precipitation
- 30 mm
- Rainy days
- 4
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Very hot
- AugustClear7 rainy daysHigh31°Low20°Very hot, busyAugustClear
Best
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 20°
- Precipitation
- 41 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Very hot, busy
- SeptemberRain9 rainy daysHigh27°Low17°Warm, easierSeptemberRain
Best
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 17°
- Precipitation
- 160 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, easier
- OctoberPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh22°Low13°Mild, calmOctoberPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 22°
- Low
- 13°
- Precipitation
- 137 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, calm
- NovemberRain16 rainy daysHigh17°Low10°Rain riskNovemberRain
Poor
- High
- 17°
- Low
- 10°
- Precipitation
- 297 mm
- Rainy days
- 16
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rain risk
- DecemberRain13 rainy daysHigh14°Low7°Cool, quietDecemberRain
Poor
- High
- 14°
- Low
- 7°
- Precipitation
- 207 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, quiet
Average daily high and low in Paestum, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Paestum
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
13
- Feels like
- 13°
- Humidity
- 91%
- Wind
- 4 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 100%
Paestum
09:38 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today14°11°100%Monday: Rain. High 14°, Low 11°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Tue19°11°23%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 19°, Low 11°. Chance of rain 23%.
- Wed20°11°0%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 20°, Low 11°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Thu19°13°11%Thursday: Cloudy. High 19°, Low 13°. Chance of rain 11%.
- Fri19°14°20%Friday: Cloudy. High 19°, Low 14°. Chance of rain 20%.
- Sat17°15°18%Saturday: Rain. High 17°, Low 15°. Chance of rain 18%.
- Sun20°15°10%Sunday: Rain. High 20°, Low 15°. Chance of rain 10%.
Updated 06:08 PM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Every year
- Jun–JulNapoli Teatro Festival ItaliaNaples, a day trip
- SepFesta di PiedigrottaNaples, a day trip
Day trips by train
- Agropoliabout 20–30 min by train or carA hilltop old town with a castle and harbor, at the gate to the Cilento.Read the guide
- Cilento Coastabout 30–60 min by carQuiet beaches, cliffs and villages in a national park.Read the guide
- Pompeiiabout 1.5–2 hours by trainThe Roman city buried by Vesuvius, a longer day from here.Read the guide
Before you go to Paestum
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Rules for Paestum, checked
- Visa rules depend on your passport and nationality. Check current entry requirements on the Italian Foreign Ministry travel site before you book.Source
- Restaurants may add a cover charge (coperto) per person. Check the bill before you tip.
- Dial 112 for police, fire or an ambulance anywhere in Italy.
- Ticket prices and opening hours change. Check them on the official archaeological park website before you visit.
Plan around Paestum
Regions, cities and how to link them
Read the guideCilento CoastBeaches and villages south of Paestum
Read the guideAgropoliOld town and castle on the way south
Read the guidePompeiiThe other great ancient site of Campania
Read the guideItaly by train off-peakSlow-rail trips that avoid the summer crowds
Read the guideSchengen 90/180 ruleHow long you can stay if you add Cilento to a longer trip
Read the guidePaestum FAQ
Is Paestum worth visiting?
Yes if you like ancient Greece. The temples are among the best-preserved Greek buildings in Italy and the museum is strong. It is less crowded than Pompeii, but it needs a half to a full day with little shade.
How do you get to Paestum from Naples?
Take a regional train via Salerno to Paestum station, usually with a change, and allow about 1.5–2 hours each way. Check the timetable the day before, because schedules vary by day and season.
Is Paestum better than Pompeii?
They are different. Pompeii shows a Roman city, while Paestum shows Greek temples in open grass. Paestum is quieter and smaller, so choose it if you dislike crowds, and Pompeii if you want streets and houses.
How long do you need at Paestum?
Two to three hours for the temples and about 90 minutes for the museum. Add time for a dairy visit or a beach stop. A full day is comfortable, and a half day works if you start early.
When is the best time to visit Paestum?
April, May, late September and October bring mild weather for walking the open site. Midsummer heat is intense in the afternoon, so go at opening time then.