Paestum, the Greek Doric temples
Paestum is ~70 km from Maricelle Rooms, in Castellammare di Stabia: about 2 hours by regional train with one change at Salerno, or ~1h10–1h15 by car. It is a day trip to the south, part of the UNESCO site "Cilento and Vallo di Diano National Park with the Archaeological Sites of Paestum and Velia, and the Certosa di Padula", famous for its Greek temples.
For our guests Paestum is the furthest day trip but one of the most surprising: you head south along the Gulf and, after the change at Salerno, you find yourself before three Greek temples standing in open country. Set out early and give it the whole day, then come home to the Gulf of Naples.
The Doric temples and the museum
Paestum holds three of the best-preserved Greek Doric temples in the world: the Temple of Hera I (the so-called "Basilica", ~550 BC), the Temple of Neptune (or Hera II, ~450 BC) and the Temple of Athena (or Ceres, ~500 BC), in the ancient Greco-Roman city of Poseidonia. The Museo Archeologico Nazionale, beside the excavations, keeps the celebrated Tomba del Tuffatore (~470 BC), the only Greek figurative tomb-painting of its kind to have survived. If you love archaeology, Paestum is the perfect companion to Pompei and the Museo Archeologico in Naples.
Getting there
By train
By Trenitalia regional train with one change at Salerno (the Battipaglia–Paestum line), about 2 hours in all; Paestum station is a short walk from the excavations. Full details are on our how to reach Maricelle Rooms page.
By car
By car it is about 70 km / 1 hour and 15 minutes from the B&B, via the A3 and the SS18. Handy for setting your own pace on a full-day outing.
The route from the B&B
The route from Maricelle Rooms, in Castellammare di Stabia, to the Parco Archeologico di Paestum.
Useful information
- Paestum is ~70 km from Maricelle Rooms: about 2 hours by train with a change at Salerno, or ~1h10–1h15 by car.
- You can visit the archaeological area with the three temples and the Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Paestum; tickets and opening times on the official site.
- It is a full-day trip: it is best to set out early, and the temples are in the open air, so bring a hat and water in summer.
- Information and tickets on parchipaestumvelia.cultura.gov.it
- Pompeii
- Naples
Tip: Paestum is a full-day trip (~2 hours by train with a change at Salerno): set out early. The temples are in the open air — bring a hat and water in summer. Opening times and tickets on the official site.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get to Paestum from Castellammare di Stabia?
By Trenitalia regional train with one change at Salerno (the Battipaglia–Paestum line), about 2 hours in all; Paestum station is a short walk from the excavations. By car it is about 70 km / 1 hour and 15 minutes via the A3 and the SS18.
What is there to see at Paestum?
Three of the best-preserved Greek Doric temples in the world, the ancient Greco-Roman city and the Museo Archeologico with the celebrated Tomba del Tuffatore.