Salerno
Country: Italy · Region: Western Mediterranean · Currency: Euro
Salerno is a lively Mediterranean port town with a well-preserved historical old town, serving as an ideal gateway to the Amalfi Coast, Pompeii, Paestum, and Positano.
Top sights
Arechi Castle, Cathedral (Duomo), Garden of Minerva, Lungomare promenade, Provincial Archaeological Museum, San Giorgio church
Things to do
- Arechi Castle
- A symbol of the city built in the late Roman or Byzantine era, renovated by Lombard prince Arechi II, hosting a museum and serving as a hub for nature trails.
- Garden of Minerva
- A beautiful botanical and herbal garden on multiple terraces with well-labelled plants, an ingenious irrigation system, and wonderful views of the town and seashore.
- Cathedral (Duomo)
- An imposing 11th-century church built with a mixture of Romanesque, Norman, Arab and Byzantine architectural elements.
- Provincial Archaeological Museum
- Located in the historic San Benedetto complex, it houses artifacts from prehistoric times to the late Roman period, including a remarkable bronze head of Apollo from the Gulf of Salerno.
Beaches
- Lungomare
- A scenic boulevard with palm trees offering nice views of the sea and surrounding hills, perfect for evening walks.
Where to eat
- Il Vicolo della Neve
- One of the oldest restaurants in Salerno's historic center, famous for pizza and pasta e fagioli.
- Il Brigante
- A restaurant serving mainly vegetable-based dishes and local polpo (octopus) with basic but good food at low prices.
Getting around
Public buses (CSTP lines 4 and 9 connect Maritime Terminal to Train Station), regional trains, and light metro with seven stops serve the city; train station is three blocks from ferry terminal.
What to eat
Try local polpo (octopus) at Il Brigante or enjoy pizza and pasta e fagioli at Il Vicolo della Neve, one of Salerno's oldest restaurants in the historic center.
Tips
Buy bus tickets before boarding; the COSTIERASITA ticket (€10) provides 24 hours of unlimited travel on public transport along the Amalfi Coast.
Best for
Amalfi Coast access, Historical sightseeing