Naples Private Paestum Greek Temples Excursion

Description

• Private, air-conditioned and licensed round-trip transportation from your Naples Cruise pier!
• Private English-speaking diver/guide!
• Drive along the coast with photo stops!
• Visit the Greek Temples of Paestum!
• Option to stop at the Archeological Museum of Paestum!
• Complimentary bottled water!

Step back in time to Greek mythology at one of the most significant and valuable archaeological sites in Italy! The Paestum is known for its stunning Doric temples, which you will be free to explore.

You will meet outside your Naples cruise port for the almost 2-hour drive to Paestum. Founded as Poseidonia in honor of the Greek god Poseidon, God of the Sea. Paestum was one of the most prosperous cities in the Mediterranean! It was given its present name by the Romans and was abandoned when that empire collapsed, to be rediscovered in the 18th century.

Please note this is a self-guided private excursion; your driver will not accompany you inside the ruins.

During your first 2 hours, you will be able to visit the three temples, all remarkably intact! The first Temple of Hera is the oldest, having been built around 550 BC; 18th-century archaeologists named it The Basilica. Once mistakenly believed to be dedicated to Poseidon, the second Temple of Hera was constructed around 450 BC. Finally, the Temple of Athena, circa 500 BC, has three medieval Christian tombs located on the floor, suggesting that this particular temple was once used as a Christian church. In addition to the three well-preserved temples, there is an amphitheater and a forum! You will wish you had more time to explore everything! This excursion does not include the entry fee to the site and museum.

Not far from the temples is the Archaeological Museum of Paestum where you will have an hour to explore some of the most important artifacts in southern Italy. The highlights are the Sele metopes, the Tomb of the Diver (the only tomb decorated with human figures), and contents from the heroon (a shrine dedicated to an ancient hero). There are also large fragments of painted terracotta from the temples, figurines, statues, and pottery.

You will have an hour before returning to Naples. You may want to spend that time having a bite to eat, or you could visit a local mozzarella factory.

At the end of your excursion, your private driver will take you back to your Naples cruise terminal.

What is included?

• Private, air-conditioned, and licensed round-trip transportation from your Naples Cruise pier
  
• Private English-speaking diver/guide
  
• Drive along the coast with photo stops
  
• Visit the Greek Temples of Paestum
• Stop at the Archeological Museum of Paestum
• Complimentary bottled water

Excursion Notes

• Excursion prices shown are quoted in US dollars, however, the balance must be paid in Euros only. The total amount in Euros will be shown on your E-Ticket.
  
• Entrance fees are NOT included. The cost is 6 Euros per guest from December to February and 12 Euros from March to November, the ticket includes the Museum and Archeological Park. This fee might vary slightly.
  
• We suggest you have cash (Euros) on hand for the entrance fee, refreshments, excursion staff gratuities, shopping, etc.
  
• Sensible, rubber-soled walking shoes are highly recommended along with sun protection.
  
• Your driver is not a guide and will not accompany your group inside the ruins.
• Please pay attention to the restrictions and requirements for this excursion, no refund will be granted if the requirements are not met.
  

Where we meet

For this Naples Private Paestum Greek Temples Excursion, you will meet your local guide just outside your Naples cruise port. All necessary details will be printed on your Electronic Shore Excursion Ticket.

Excursion Restrictions

• This excursion is not wheelchair accessible.
  
• Guests must be able to step in and out of the transportation.
  
• Guests must be able to walk on paved, gravel, and cobblestone surfaces, some on inclines.
• There are steps required to enter several of the sites as well as steep curbs in some areas.

Excursion FAQ

Cancellation

• Your ship arrives into port late and you cannot make it in time to the meeting location (we will verify with the tour operator).
• Your ship skips/misses the port.
• Weather conditions or equipment failure prevents the operator from running the excursion.
• A medical problem prevents you from safely participating in the excursion (we will verify with the excursion operator and the guest may send doctor's note). This applies to individuals only and not the remainder of the group.
  
• Cancellations/deposit refund requests that do not comply with the above may not be subject to refund.
• Refunds may be subject to a service charge fee as determined by the payment processor, please refer to Terms and Conditions for more information.