Planning a Trip

Getting There

Paestum is well connected by public transportation, with several trains stopping at its two train stations: Capaccio-Roccadaspide (formerly Capaccio Scalo) and Paestum, only 5 minutes from each other. The first is in the village of Capaccio Scalo, closer to the ruins of the Sanctuary of Hera Argiva; the second is near the archaeological area of Paestum (about 1km, or a half-mile). It is a 30-minute trip from Salerno and a 90-minute trip from Naples. Contact Trenitalia (tel. 892021 in Italy; www.trenitalia.it) for fares and information.

Paestum is also an easy bus connection from Salerno. CSTP (tel. 800-016659; toll-free within Italy, or 089-487001; www.cstp.it) has regular service to Paestum from Napoli and Salerno (both line 34), with both lines continuing on to Agropoli and Acciaroli, in the Cilento. SITA (tel. 089-226604 or 089-405145; www.sitabus.it) makes runs from Salerno to Capaccio Scalo; and Autolinee Giuliano Bus (tel. 0974-836185; www.giulianobus.com) has several lines between Naples, Salerno, and the Cilento, making stops in Paestum and Capaccio Scalo (lines 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 10).

By car, take autostrada A3, exit at BATTIPAGLIA onto SS 18, and follow the brown signs for Paestum.

Getting Around

If you are just visiting the temples, you will be able to do so on foot. Via Porta Sirena leads from the Paestum train station to Via Magna Grecia, which cuts through the middle of the archaeological site. Should you want to explore farther afield, you can rent a car from Travelcar, Via Magna Grecia (tel. 0828-811034; www.travelcar.it); Aesse Renault, on SS 18, Km 97 (tel. 0828-721226), or from one of the following companies who also offer taxi/car service with a driver: Leonardo D'Onofrio, Via Cesare Pavese 27 (tel. 0828-721107 or 339-3201101); and Fratelli Di Filippo, Capaccio Scalo (tel. 0828-724707).

Visitor Information

AACST, Via Magna Grecia 887, 84063 Paestum (tel. 0828-811016; fax 0828-722322; www.infopaestum.it), maintains an information point at Via Magna Grecia 151, by the Archeological Museum, not far from the main entrance to the temples (Sept-June Mon-Sat 9am-3pm, Sun 9am-1pm; July-Aug Mon-Sat 9am-7pm, Sun 9am-1pm).

Campania Artecard Cilento -- Artecard offers great advantages, whether you are planning an extensive visit to the whole region or just one city or area of interest. The Artecard Cilento costs 13€, is valid for 3 days, and grants access to the archaeological area, the National Archeological Museum of Paestum, the Carthusian Monastery of Padula, the Grotte dell'Angelo in Pertosa, and the excavations of Velia. In addition, it allows you to purchase special guided tours in the Cilento National Park with CitySightseeing at discounted rates. Reservations are recommended; call tel. 800-600601 toll-free within Italy, or 06-39967650; or visit the website at www.campaniartecard.it.

Fast Facts

You'll find a pharmacy on Via Licinella (tel. 0828-721190) and several in Capaccio Scalo, including one on Via Magna Grecia 316 (tel. 0828-725382). The closest hospital is in Salerno. For an ambulance, dial tel. 118. Dial tel. 113 or 112 for the police, tel. 115 for the fire department, and tel. 116 for ACI road assistance. The post office (tel. 0828-811029) is on Via Licinella; and there is one in Capaccio Scalo, at Via C. Dalla Chiesa (tel. 0828-725246). A bank (tel. 0828-811141) is at Via Licinella 1.

Special Events

The sixth edition of the occasional Paestum Balloon Festival took place in 2009. This is a great opportunity to take some pictures of the balloons taking off from the Greek temples and soaring into the sky. For those fortunate enough to secure a flight, the view on a clear day stretches from the Appenines to Capri and beyond. The event is usually scheduled in the fall; visit www.mongolfiere.it for information.