Walk among enormous Doric temples in Paestum, an ancient city on the Tyrrhenian Sea. The archaeological site features three beautifully preserved Greek temples built from honey-coloured limestone. The entire complex is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and offers a fascinating glimpse of life in ancient Italy.
The Temple of Neptune is the best-preserved and dates to around 450 BC. You’ll be amazed by the soaring Doric columns and enormous altars guarded by carved stone statues. The Temple of Hera is the oldest and features intricate inscriptions dedicated to the Greek goddess of women.
Visit the museum in the village to view millennia-old ceramics and frescoes. The village also offers several small cafes, tavernas and pizzerias. Dine al fresco in the sunshine and enjoy a scoop of traditional Italian gelato. The archaeological is a stone’s throw from the coast, which is dotted with “lido” beach clubs, where you can rent a sun lounger for a few hours and cool off in the sparkling Tyrrhenian Sea.
Getting there
Paestum is in the Province of Salerno, a 45-minute drive from Salerno and 1.5 hours from Naples. The village is compact and easy to get around on foot. Trains run between Paestum and Naples in 1.5 hours.