Weekend in Paestum and Agropoli, many low cost tips to visit the architectural beauties of Cilento and indications on where to eat and where to sleep cheaply in Campania, read the post.
Paestum with the archaeological area, Agropoli and the whole coast of Cilento are perfect destinations for even a short holiday, even in winter. The archaeological area needs no introduction, it is one of the most important sites of Magna Graecia: Poseidonia, founded in the 7th century BC
THEentrance to the archaeological area and at the Museum it is possible every day, from 8.45 am to sunset (variable hours according to the seasons) and costs 7 euros. If you buy a ticket to also access the archaeological area of ​​Velia you pay 1 euro more.
The visit of the area is a journey through time thanks to the splendid temples, perfectly preserved and majestic (the temple of Neptune, the Basilica and the temple of Ceres) but also for the remains of the city, first a Greek colony, then Romanized: amphitheater and spa, swimming pool, forum, villas, entire neighborhoods. There are mosaic floors beautiful, you can admire marble basins to collect water, entire and collapsed columns. The visit to the museum is also very nice, where the history of the site is told, of the successive civilizations and where there are some very famous pieces, such as the frescoed slab from the tomb of the diver.
The whole archaeological site is very well kept, with green and well-kept lawns, explanatory signs and splendid sunny days, which the Campania coast offers with both hands. Paestum is still today surrounded by strong and well preserved walls. Paestum is also on the sea, in a place that is called, from an administrative point of view, Capaccio. The area is very touristy, both for the excavations and for the coast, which here is typically sandy with a pine forest just behind the beach.
To stay I opted for a B&B which is located in a quiet countryside area but a few hundred meters from the museum area. The name is The Chora of Paestum, price per double room with breakfast 60 €. I had a good time, good welcome and lots of advice from Rossella, comfortable room (the whole structure is new), hearty breakfast with homemade cakes. Also you can park your car in the garden, which is full of flowers and beautiful trees, because the house is a renovated farmhouse. La Chora is located in via Laghetto in Capaccio.
There are many accommodation facilities in Capaccio, but the inhabited center does not have much attraction, the buildings are recent and certainly not masterpieces. Even for eating the choice can be vast, since we are in the tourist area. I went to the restaurant for dinner La Pergola, a place where all the ingredients and dishes are refined and of great quality. This is not a low cost place, but I would recommend it because the atmosphere is pleasant (a large fireplace lit in the main room), the table well set, you can eat even just a good pizza, or choose from more refined dishes. and an extensive wine list.
After all, pizza and mozzarella here can be found at every step and all of good quality. If you then move from Paestum a little, going towards Agropoli, you will find a quaint village and a place to further explore the local cuisine. Large areas of this town are closed to traffic and pedestrianized; its beauties, in addition to the sea (Blue Flag, like many other places in Cilento) are the ancient village on the acropolis (hence the name) where you can visit the Angevin Aragonese Castle and the historic center.
Agropoli is undoubtedly the starting point for the exploration of the Cilento coast, which stretches south to Marina di Camerota with breathtaking views over a crystal clear sea and delightful villages.
In Agropoli I experienced an excellent place to have an aperitif: it's called Some nights and is located in via Patella, the uphill road that reaches the seventeenth-century door of the old village walls. An amazing wine list and really tasty “mom made” snacks: forget the usual chips.
To eat instead, a safe address is, always in the ancient village, The Piazzetta: many tables outside for outdoor dining in the summer and two rooms where you can sit down during the cold season to enjoy wonderful pizzas, not too high and served in wicker trays, or the first of the Campania tradition, both with meat, fish and vegetables . Rustic but very low cost environment.
