The 100 WondersProjectSearch
A view of the ancient temples of Paestum

316 · Further Horizons

Paestum

Three great surviving Greek temples offer a direct encounter with monumental architecture in southern Italy.

PhotographOliver-Bonjoch · CC BY-SA 3.0

Summary

Paestum is an ancient city in southern Italy, known for three substantial Greek temples. Streets, civic remains and later layers surround buildings whose columns and proportions still convey their original monumental scale.

The survival of the temples makes ancient architecture unusually immediate. Comparing the buildings reveals differences of design within a setting that explains their place in a much wider city.

301–400 · Further Horizons

The essentials

Explore the full photo gallery →

Allow time

1 day as an initial allowance, excluding approach travel

Choose a base

Paestum or a nearby Campania base

Getting there

Take a train to Paestum station and walk about 800 metres to the archaeological site, or arrive at the museum and Porta Principale entrance by road. Velia is a separate journey despite the combined ticket.

Plan ahead

The park ticket covers the Paestum archaeological area, its national museum and Velia. Online tickets are available through Musei Italiani; check separate reservations for special visits and shuttle services.

Practical notes updated 30 September 2026. Visitor information and sources

Italy · History
Country guidesItaly
Open my 100Record a visit

The essential experience.

A detail that changes the visit

Temple exteriors and museum collections tell complementary stories; leave enough time for both.

Lion-head spouts from the Temple of Hera in Paestum’s museum
Paestum Museum Paestum Museum Temple-Hera Lion-Head-Spouts 20240506Photo: Rigorius · CC BY-SA 4.0

For the curious reader

History, landscape and context.

Paestum was a major ancient Greek city on the coast of the Tyrrhenian Sea, in Magna Graecia. The ruins of Paestum are famous for their three ancient Greek temples in the Doric order dating from about 550 to 450 BC that are in an excellent state of preservation. The city walls and amphitheatre are largely intact, and the bottom of the walls of many other structures remain, as well as paved roads. Paestum was established around 600 BC by settlers from Sybaris, a Greek colony in southern Italy, under the name of Poseidonia (Ancient Greek: Ποσειδωνία).

Abridged background from Paestum, by Wikipedia contributors, under CC BY-SA 4.0. Paragraphs have been selected and shortened; this adapted background remains under the same licence. Retrieved 23 September 2026. Source revision.

The ancient temples of Paestum
Paestum Temples (Italy, October 2020) - 12Photo: Bruno Rijsman · CC BY-SA 2.0
The Basilica (misnamed when discovered in the 18th Century; actually a Temple of Hera, 550 BC), Paestum - north face
The Basilica (misnamed when discovered in the 18th Century; actually a Temple of Hera, 550 BC), Paestum - north facePhoto: Dave & Margie Hill / Kleerup from Centennial, CO, USA · CC BY-SA 2.0

From inspiration to a practical plan

Plan your visit.

Physical demands
The temple area is broad and exposed, with archaeological surfaces underfoot. Ask the park about its accessible routes and assisted off-road mobility vehicle if required.
The consequential detail
Temple exteriors and museum collections tell complementary stories; leave enough time for both.
Add to my travel workbenchResearch access requirements

Through the seasons

A place in the world.

Italy.

A place in the world
Paestum location mapPaestum location map

Select the pin to open a detailed map. Use Closer look to see the surrounding region. Drag to move a zoomed map.

Map: Natural Earth
Explore the interactive atlas

In pictures.

Walk between Paestum’s three Greek temples to compare their columns and proportions.

A view of the ancient temples of PaestumPhoto: Oliver-Bonjoch, CC BY-SA 3.0
The ancient temples of PaestumPhoto: Bruno Rijsman, CC BY-SA 2.0
Lion-head spouts from the Temple of Hera in Paestum’s museumPhoto: Rigorius, CC BY-SA 4.0
The Basilica (misnamed when discovered in the 18th Century; actually a Temple of Hera, 550 BC), Paestum - north facePhoto: Dave & Margie Hill / Kleerup from Centennial, CO, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0
The stone columns of Paestum’s templesPhoto: Bruno Rijsman, CC BY-SA 2.0
Calyx krater, National Archaeology Museum at PaestumPhoto: Dave & Margie Hill / Kleerup, CC BY-SA 2.0
The stone columns of Paestum’s templesPhoto: Bruno Rijsman, CC BY-SA 2.0
Carved architectural fragments in Paestum’s museumPhoto: Dave & Margie Hill / Kleerup from Centennial, CO, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0
Open the complete galleryDiscover the world in photographs

Follow the connection

Keep exploring.

Explore more places in the same country.

The towns and slopes of the Amalfi Coast

174 · Italy

Amalfi Coast

A coastline shaped by cliffs, terraces and compact towns.

The ancient stone buildings of Matera

302 · Italy

Matera

A city of excavated spaces and stone-built façades makes the relationship between dwelling and rock exceptionally visible.

Read the landscape more closely

Serial World Heritage property

Useful links and further reading.

Choose a source for the job: official visitor information for access, the UNESCO record for the named property’s designation, and background or library resources for deeper reading.

Visit · parchipaestumvelia.cultura.gov.it

Paestum: official website

The official website associated with this place. Look for visitor information, contact details and local announcements; availability varies by provider.

External resource. Check the provider for access and current arrangements.

Understand · UNESCO World Heritage Centre

UNESCO World Heritage property record

Read the named property’s significance, maps, components and conservation documents. The World Heritage boundary may cover only part of this guide’s wider destination.

External resource. Check the provider for access and current arrangements.

Read · Wikipedia

Paestum: background reading

Encyclopaedic context and its bibliography. Follow the cited research for a deeper examination of particular claims.

External resource. Check the provider for access and current arrangements.

Visit · Wikivoyage

Find travel information for Paestum

A clearly labelled search of the community travel guide; check the page’s coverage and the age of practical details.

External resource. Check the provider for access and current arrangements.

Books · WorldCat

Find books about Paestum

Search library holdings and editions, useful for finding specialist histories, field guides and works beyond a general travel guide.

External resource. Check the provider for access and current arrangements.

Photography · Wikimedia Commons

Find photographs of Paestum

Explore further photographs and their individual credits.

External resource. Check the provider for access and current arrangements.

Maps · OpenStreetMap

Explore the local map

Inspect the surrounding area.

External resource. Check the provider for access and current arrangements.
Visitor information behind these practical notes