Archaeological Park of Paestum

Just an overview below of where we ended up today. We were supposed to go to Capri, but apparently they were only going one way. So, it was a very cool surprise going here today. I've never heard of it and can day it was a interesting as Herculaneum, but dated much much earlier. Paestum was established around 600 BCE by settlers from Sybaris, a Greek colony in southern Italy, under the name of Poseidonia (Ancient Greek: Ποσειδωνία). The city thrived as a Greek settlement for about two centuries, witnessing the development of democracy. In 400 BCE, the Lucanians seized the city. Romans took over in 273 BCE, renaming it Paestum and establishing a Latin colony. Later, its decline ensued from shifts in trade routes and the onset of flooding and marsh formation.[4] As Pesto or Paestum, the town became a bishopric (now only titular), but it was abandoned in the Early Middle Ages, and left undisturbed and largely forgotten until the eighteenth century. Today the remains of the city are found in the modern frazione of Paestum, which is part of the comune of Capaccio Paestum in the Province of Salerno in the region of Campania, Italy. The modern settlement, directly to the south of the archaeological site, is a popular seaside resort with long sandy beaches. The Paestum railway station on the Naples-Salerno-Reggio Calabria railway line is directly to the east of the ancient city walls.

Worth every penny 15 eur tickets in season Easy parking but don’t park at the expensive pay one by the entrance just park by the road and pay in the machine or on the app Plenty of instructions in English The museum ticket center is inside of the town There is plenty of shops selling Chinese junk marked as Italian lol You will love the history and how spectacular the place is

This park is awe inspiring. The size and scale of the city is impressive. Signage is limited, there is an App that may help (I did not use). Your eyes will be amazed. The estimate this city was for 15-20 Thousand. The layout and the breath is pretty grand. Houses, pools, Temples, business, amphitheatres, rods, etc. the scale is so grand. Wear good shoes, dress for the weather, bring your camera... There is no in-out access so bring what you need. It's big so water and a snack are good ideas. Visit the indoor museum to really appreciate your visit.

This archaeological park is a true treasure—beautifully preserved and impressively expansive. Its size means you can explore at your own pace without feeling overwhelmed by crowds, a refreshing contrast to more tourist-heavy sites. While getting there isn't the easiest journey, the reward is well worth the effort. The peaceful atmosphere and rich historical significance make it an unforgettable experience for anyone with a passion for the past.

I love ancient sites, I've been lucky enough to see plenty of these throughout the countries around the Med. But this Paestum one, it's really something in my opinion! And I've been to Petra, Hierapolis, Pompei, Volubilis, Saqqarah and Caesarea (to name just a few). The park is so beautiful with majestic trees everywhere, its roman ruins and, obviously, those breathtaking ancient greek temples of Hera and Athena. Makes me want to watch the old picture Jason and the Argonautes again! If you're a history enthusiast, you can't miss that one!

Sublime ancient greek temples (better than most you can find in greece). Absolutely no crowds on a sunny november afternoon. Unmatched vibes.

Magnificent well preserved Greek temples. There's an app called Paestum & Velia that explains the ancient site. Definitely download it before you visit as it helps you understand the ruins. The ticket was €15 for adults but under 18 was free. We loved being able to explore the area and absorb the history. We went on a weekday late in the afternoon so it was not too busy. Definitely worth a visit!

An incredible place. It's worth visiting and experiencing what things were like 2,400 years ago.