Paestum day trip from Naples or Sorrento
A day trip to Paestum from Naples or Sorrento: the Temple of Athena, the National Archaeological Museum with the Tomb of the Diver, Porta Sirena and the city walls, the Roman Forum, the Temple of Neptune and the Basilica, then fresh buffalo mozzarella at the Tenuta Vannulo farm. Every stop has a typical visit length.
How long do you have?
Map: 1 days
Paestum in 1 day
Day 1
Porta Sirena and the city walls
The eastern gate of Paestum's nearly 5 km of Greek and Roman walls, near the railway station and still well preserved.
National Archaeological Museum of Paestum (Tomb of the Diver)
Museum beside the site with the painted Tomb of the Diver, temple sculptures and finds from the Greek and Lucanian city.
Temple of Athena
Greek Doric temple of the late 6th century BC at the northern end of the site, once thought to be dedicated to Ceres.
Roman Forum of Paestum
The Roman town's main square between the temples, with the remains of shops, a small amphitheatre and public buildings around it.
Temple of Neptune (Temple of Hera II)
Mid-5th-century BC Doric temple, one of the best-preserved Greek temples anywhere, with its columns and entablature still standing.
Basilica (Temple of Hera I)
The oldest temple at Paestum, from around 550 BC, with nine columns across its front and a row of columns down the middle.
Tenuta Vannulo buffalo mozzarella farm
Organic buffalo farm north of the temples where mozzarella, yoghurt and gelato are made from the herd's milk; a relaxed end to the day.
Watch: Paestum
A one-minute look at the plan: every stop, day by day, with the map.
Getting there
From Naples, regional trains on the Salerno line reach Paestum station in about an hour and a half, a short walk from Porta Sirena; by car it is about an hour and a half on the motorway via Salerno. From Sorrento there is no direct train: most visitors drive (about an hour and a half to two hours) or go by public transport to Salerno and change to the train for the last half hour.
Staying in Naples or Sorrento? This day fits into those city plans, and in the Trip Builder it is one click under each of them.
When to go to Paestum
April to June and September to October are the best months, warm enough for the site without the heat of July and August, when the open ruins get very hot. Winter is mild and quiet but some days are wet. The nearby beaches fill up in summer, especially in August.
Plan the rest of your trip
- Where to stay: hotels in Paestum on Booking.com or Trip.com
- Skip-the-line tickets: museums and sights in Paestum on Tiqets
- Tours and day trips: things to do in Paestum on GetYourGuide
- Data on arrival: an eSIM for Italy from Airalo
Some of these are affiliate links: we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Tips for Paestum
- Arrive in the morning: the temple area has little shade, and the midday sun in summer is strong; bring water, a hat and sunscreen.
- One combined ticket usually covers the archaeological park and the museum; the museum's painted Tomb of the Diver is the highlight, so leave time for it.
- Paestum station is a short walk from Porta Sirena and the temples, but trains are not frequent; check the return train before you set out.
- The Tenuta Vannulo farm is a few kilometres north of the temples, too far to walk comfortably; go by car or taxi.
- Wear comfortable shoes: the site is large and flat, with gravel paths and uneven ancient paving between the temples.
Make it your own
Open the guide in Andiamo Places to see every stop on a map with walking directions, move places between days, check opening hours for your dates, and add your own finds. After the trip, your photos become a journal and, if you like, a printed photo book.
Guides are made with the help of AI and public sources such as Wikipedia, and may contain errors. Opening hours and prices change, so check before you go. Spotted a wrong photo, a pin in the wrong place, a missing stop or a better one? Write to andiamotravelapp@gmail.com: the e-mail opens with this guide filled in.
Photo credits
- Basilica (Temple of Hera I): Miguel Hermoso Cuesta, CC BY-SA 3.0
- National Archaeological Museum of Paestum (Tomb of the Diver): Liberotag73, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Porta Sirena and the city walls: Oliver-Bonjoch, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Roman Forum of Paestum: Oliver-Bonjoch, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Temple of Athena: Berthold Werner, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Temple of Neptune (Temple of Hera II): Norbert Nagel, CC BY-SA 3.0
Opening hours change; check before you go. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
