Paestum private tour: Three Doric temples and museum

Walk among three ancient temples and see the frescoes that survived them

A private walking tour of Paestum's Archaeological Park with a licensed guide in English or Italian, visiting the Temple of Hera, Temple of Poseidon and Temple of Ceres, then the National Archaeological Museum. The tour covers the Via Sacra, Roman Forum and Amphitheater in roughly two hours. Entrance tickets to both the park and museum are included. The guide speaks one language per booking.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Paestum archaeological sites

• Visit Paestum Archaeological Park
• See the Temple of Hera II
• Explore the Temple of Poseidon
• Walk through the Roman Amphitheater
• Visit the National Archaeological Museum

The experience

Paestum sits on the coast south of Salerno as one of the most intact Greek cities outside Greece itself. The tour opens at the Archaeological Park, where three Doric temples rise from the same ground they occupied 2,500 years ago. The Temple of Hera, built in the 6th century BC, is the oldest and stands in the Doric style with columns that still convey the strength typical of early Greek architecture. The Temple of Poseidon, built around 460 BC, is the largest (comparable in scale to the Temple of Zeus in Olympia), and features a double row of columns that define the harmony of Greek design at its peak.

The route continues through the Via Sacra, where you walk past the Roman Forum and the Amphitheater, an elliptical structure built during the Roman era for public spectacles. The third temple, dedicated to Ceres, completes the trio. After the ruins, the tour ends at the National Archaeological Museum of Paestum, which houses painted tombstones, ceramics, sculptures and frescoes that offer a direct look at the daily life and beliefs of the people who built these temples. The museum's most famous piece is a fresco of a naked man diving, suspended in air, about to enter water: an image that survives on the cover plate and speaks to the sophistication of the artists who worked here.

A licensed guide leads the entire route and speaks either English or Italian depending on your choice at booking. The walk covers archaeological sites on mostly level ground, and the full experience takes roughly two hours.

What’s included

• Private walking tour with a licensed guide in English or Italian.
• entrance to the Archaeological Park of Paestum.
• entrance to the National Archaeological Museum of Paestum.
• access to the Temple of Hera, Temple of Poseidon and Temple of Ceres.
• the Via Sacra, Roman Forum and Amphitheater.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day9 departure times: the first at 09:00, the last at 17:00

Book up to12h before

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Italian

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.Operator's directions: “Archaeological museum entrance (Paestum)”

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Paid on site€ 15

Prices and times updated 10 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearbyNot for heart conditions

Operated by ITALYGONIA TRAVEL

Is this one for you?Book this private tour if you want a guide who speaks your language and can pace the walk to your questions. The two-hour route suits anyone comfortable with a walking tour of archaeological sites on mostly level ground. Public transportation options are available nearby if you prefer not to walk the full distance.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Italian.

What are the three temples I'll see on this Paestum tour?

The Temple of Hera, the Temple of Poseidon and the Temple of Ceres. The Temple of Hera is the oldest, built in the 6th century BC in the Doric style. The Temple of Poseidon, built around 460 BC, is the largest and features a double row of columns. It is considered one of the wonders of Doric art and rivals the Temple of Zeus in Olympia in scale and elegance. The Temple of Ceres completes the trio.

Does the tour include entry to the National Archaeological Museum?

Yes. After walking the Archaeological Park, the tour ends at the National Archaeological Museum of Paestum, where entrance is included. The museum houses painted tombstones, frescoes, ceramics and sculptures that show the daily life and culture of the ancient city.

How long does the tour take?

The tour takes roughly two hours and covers the Archaeological Park, the Via Sacra, Roman Forum, Amphitheater and the National Archaeological Museum on foot.

What is the Temple of Poseidon like compared to other ancient temples?

The Temple of Poseidon in Paestum, also called the Temple of Neptune, is one of the largest and most majestic Doric temples in the Greek areas of Italy. Built around 460 BC with a double row of columns, it is comparable in size and architectural perfection to the Temple of Zeus in Olympia and stands as one of the finest examples of Doric design.