Paestum Location Guide

Once a thriving Greek port city called Poseidonia, famed for its roses and violets, today Paestum’s three surviving Doric temples are ranked among the best-preserved Greek Temples in the world. Immensely evocative, as you walk amongst the ruins it is easy to understand why these temples became a myth for Romantic writers and artists such as Goethe, Shelley, Canova and Piranesi.

After their rediscovery in the 18th century, the Paestum temples became an essential stop on the Grand Tour in the 18th and 19th centuries, which brought travelers from across Europe to experience Italy’s rich artistic and cultural history. Surrounding the ancient city, the beautiful landscapes and local gastronomy make this a delightful stop for anyone visiting Italy’s Campania region.

Top Things to See and Do
Explore the archaeological ruins and Greek temples.
Visit the National Archaeological Museum and the Diver's Tomb.
Taste the local Mozzarella di Bufala cheese.
Walk around the historic centre and promenade in Agropoli.
Explore the Cilento and Vallo di Diano National Park.
Visit a caseificio (cheese factory) and learn how to make Mozzarella di Bufala.
Visit the Christian Basilica of the Annunciation near the Paestum ruins.
Relax on the sandy beaches at Marina di Paestum.

Events

July – The Children’s Film Festival
Every July, the town of Giffoni Valle Piana, not far from Salerno, hosts the Giffoni International Film festival. Started in 1971 by Claudio Gubitosi, this is the largest children’s film festival in Europe, attended by over 2,000 children and teenagers who learn about filmmaking, watch film and award prizes to the best ones.

May – The Artichoke Festival
The town of Pertosa, located northeast of Paestum, is known for the fine white artichokes they grow in the area. Every May 15th, the town presents the Sagra del Carciofo bianco di Pertosa, a food festival dedicated to the local specialty.

Local Food and Drink

Mozzarella di Bufala
Mozzarella is one of Italy’s most famous foods, and in Campania it has been elevated to an art form. The region is known for its Mozzarella di Bufala made from water buffalo milk. Visit the local buffalo farms and dairies in the region to watch the production process and taste some of the freshest mozzarella imaginable.

Paestum Artichoke
Another local crop is carciofi (artichokes) including The Tondo di Paestum, named for its round shape. The town of Pertosa, however, is known specially for growing the white variety of the Tondo di Paestum.

The Diver's Tomb
One of the most famous things to see amongst the archaeological ruins of Paestum is this tomb painting of a man executing a fine dive from a platform into a small pool of water. Located in the National Archaeological Museum adjacent to the ruins, the tomb dates from 480 BC, and is the only Greek painting known to have survived in its complete form. There are also other remarkable works discovered during the excavations in Paestum making the museum well worth a visit.

How to Get There

Paestum is located just south of Salerno in Campania. Salerno is well-connected by train, boat and bus to Naples.
By Plane: Naples Capodichino Airport is the closest major airport to Paestum, providing easy access from many of Italy and Europe’s major cities and from New York.
By Car: Paestum can be reached by car by following the A3 Autostrada that runs from Salerno to Reggio-Calabria. Take the exit for Battipaglia and follow signs. A more scenic route is the Strada Litoranea (Shore Road) that runs along the coastline south of Salerno. After leaving Salerno, follow the signs for Paestum.
By Bus: Salerno’s transportation authority CSTP has lines connecting Salerno with Paestum. Buses depart from Salerno’s Piazza della Concordia near the train station.
By Rail: Italy’s Intercity and Eurostar trains connect Salerno to Naples in about 40 minutes. Transfer in Salerno to one of the local trains to Paestum, which depart approximately every two hours. The Paestum train station is about a half-mile from the archaeological area.