Salerno Travelers Recommend

South of the Amalfi Coast, the port city of Salerno is an important transport hub, with a major highway, rail line, and cruise ship harbor. Though most travelers simply pass through on their way to the coast, the city’s historic center merits a visit. Here’s how to see Salerno and fit in a quick excursion in one day.

Morning: City Highlights

Push past the busy port and its bland modern architecture to the charmingly timeworn historic center of Salerno, set under the forbidding Arechi Castle (Castello di Arechi). Crowded with lovely medieval churches, old-school trattorias, and bustling shops, Salerno’s centro storico has an authentic, lived-in feel missing from many of Italy’s more popular tourist towns. Be sure to visit the lavish 11th-century cathedral, take in the view from the fortress above the city, and pop in to the local Pinacoteca painting gallery as well as the Archaeological Museum, recently updated and home to a number of ancient treasures, including a bronze head of Apollo from the first century BC.

Afternoon: Ancient Temples

Chances are you are either coming from or headed to the Amalfi Coast to the north, so take advantage of Salerno’s southern location to turn your sights even farther down the coast to the magnificent archaeological site of Paestum. This stretch of the Italian peninsula was once part of the ancient Greek empire of Magna Grecia, and Paestum is home to three of the world’s best-preserved Greek temples, dating as far back as the sixth century BC. Tour the glorious ruins—a UNESCO World Heritage Site—with a guide for a better understanding of their historical and architectural context. Modern-history buffs can instead opt for a tour that traces the route of the Allied landing in this area during World War II.

Night: Dinner and a Stroll

Like many southern cities, Salerno comes to life at night, when the temperatures drop and residents come out in droves to dine al fresco, window shop in the cool evening hours, or enjoy the timeless passeggiata, or after-dinner stroll. The city has undergone a number of important urban-renewal projects to dust off the historic center, and one of the most impressive is the seafront reclamation. Join throngs of locals along this lovely, tree-lined promenade to savor the Mediterranean breeze, enjoy a gelato, and bid a cheerful goodbye to Salerno. 

Salerno is one of the most popular gateways to the highlights along Italy’s southern coast. With three days, you’ll have time to savor its old town and the nearby temples of Paestum, admire the beauty of the Amalfi Coast and Capri, and even take in the majesty of Pompeii and Mt. Vesuvius. Here are your options for three days in Salerno.

Day 1: Salerno and South

Spend your first day exploring Salerno’s old town, a bustling district set beneath the impressive Arechi Castle and home to one of the most beautiful medieval cathedrals in Italy. Spend time visiting the 11th-century cathedral, Pinacoteca painting gallery, and Archaeological Museum; linger over a meal; and browse the bustling local shops. In the afternoon, join a guided tour to Paestum to see three of the world’s best-preserved Greek temples, dating as far back as the sixth century BC. World War II history buffs may instead opt to join a tour that traces the route of the Allied landing in this area. Cap off your day back in Salerno with a leisurely stroll along the picturesque seaside promenade. 

Day 2: The Amalfi Coast and Capri

Today, join the steady stream of tourists headed to the postcard-perfect villages of the Amalfi Coast by joining a tour by land or sea. Opt for a full-day driving or boat tour that includes free time in each village to explore, shop, and pause for lunch or a boat tour to Capri, arguably the most elegant island in the Mediterranean. Sail around the coastline, visit the Blue Grotto, swim in the crystalline waters, and dock to tour Capri’s highlights. Gourmands can instead choose a food tour at a farm on the Cilento Peninsula to see how artisan buffalo mozzarella and other fresh cheeses are made, with tastings of cheeses, charcuterie, and other area delicacies.

Day 3: Pompeii and Mt. Vesuvius

On your third day, head even farther north on a day trip to one of the most important archaeological sites in the world and the volcano that sealed its fate. The ancient city of Pompeii was a prosperous coastal resort when it was buried under a layer of hot volcanic ash and stone by the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in AD 79. Join a guided tour to explore its captivating ruins, then head up the steep slopes to the volcanic crater topping Mt. Vesuvius. Views from its peak overlooking the city of Naples and its eponymous bay stretch as far as Sorrento and are the most impressive in the region of Campania.

Salerno is a popular gateway to the Amalfi Coast and Capri for travelers arriving by car, train, or cruise ship. Before you head farther north up the coast to admire the picturesque fishing villages and island, take a day to visit the port city’s historic center and nearby Greek temples. Here are your options for two days based in Salerno.

Day 1: Salerno and Paestum

**Morning:**Thick with medieval churches, lively trattorias, and local shops, Salerno’s old town is a cheerfully timeworn quarter set beneath the storied Arechi Castle. Take time to wander the bustling lanes and admire the 11th-century cathedral, Pinacoteca painting gallery, and  Archaeological Museum before heading uphill to take in the view from the fortress above. 

**Afternoon:**Take a quick jaunt along the coastline to the south with a guided tour of the dazzling archaeological site at Paestum. Once part of Magna Grecia, these ancient ruins are home to three of the world’s best-preserved Greek temples. Alternatively, retrace the route of the Allied landing in World War II with a themed tour. 

**Night:**Enjoy your evening by joining the locals in the timeless ritual of the passeggiata, or after-dinner constitutional. One of the most charming corners of Salerno is its tree-lined seaside promenade along the Mediterranean coast, packed with Salernitani hoping to catch the cool evening breeze, gelato in hand. 

Day 2: The Amalfi Coast and Capri

**Morning:**Join the exodus headed farther north to the villages of the spectacular Amalfi Coast with a driving or boat tour to Positano, Ravello, and Amalfi; most include time to explore each town independently and a stop for lunch. Alternatively, stay closer to Salerno with a food tour on the Cilento Peninsula, stopping at a local farm for a tour and mozzarella-making demonstration. 

**Afternoon:**You can also opt to set sail for the cosmopolitan island of Capri with a boat tour that includes a turn around the island, a stop to visit the Blue Grotto, swim breaks along the coastline, and free time to have lunch and explore the island’s highlights by land before the return trip to the mainland.

**Night:**Relax after your day spent on the Amalfi Coast, Cilento Peninsula, or island of Capri with an informal dinner in one of Salerno’s many old-school trattorias, serving the city’s traditional fish and seafood specialties, local cheeses, and regional wines.