Italo guides you in the exploration of Salerno, the enchanting city of Luminaries: let’s have a look at the must-see sights.
To enjoy the magic of summer, leave with Italo for a vacation or romantic weekend in Campania and discover the history, monuments, scenic beauty, and cultural importance of Salerno, one of the most important cities in southern Italy. From Salerno, you can easily reach the Amalfi Coast by train, where you can admire some of Italy’s most beautiful beaches. Thanks to its geographical setting, the city of Salerno has expanded lengthwise. Here, the mountains and the sea ensure breathtaking views. If you prefer to take a trip in winter, however, don’t miss our guide on what to see in Salerno at Christmas.
What to see and do in Salerno in one day
- Duomo di Salerno
- Crypt in the Cathedral of Salerno
- Giardino della Minerva
- The Medieval Aqueduct
- Via Mercanti
- The Lungomare Trieste
- Castello Arechi
- How to reach Salerno by train
- How to get around Salerno
- How to get to the Amalfi Coast from Salerno
Start your day tour of Salerno from Salerno Cathedral, or St. Matthew’s Cathedral in the historic center. You can reach it on foot or by bus line 43 to Piazza Alfano I.
An interesting fact: the Cathedral was built on the site of an early Christian church which, in turn, was built on the ruins of a Roman temple. It is dedicated to St. Mary of the Angels and the Apostle Matthew. Inside, you can admire fine mosaics and sculptures and, outside, the 12th-century bell tower. Visit the Treasure Chapel with Gothic relics and statues of Salerno saints and the crypt on the lower level.
The 17th-century Crypt is the second stop on this tour. It is located in the lower level of Salerno Cathedral and consists of nine rows of columns and a double altar. It was built by architects Domenico Fontana and his son Julius Caesar, who took advantage of the centrality of St. Matthew’s tomb, which is the most sacred place in the entire Church. Admire the frescoes and the splendid altar marbles.
Salerno Cathedral is open Monday through Saturday from 8.30 am to 8.00 pm and on Sundays and holidays from 8.30 am to 1.00 pm and from 4.00 pm to 8.00 pm. The Crypt is open from Monday to Saturday from 9.00 am to 7.45 pm and on Sundays and holidays from 8.30 am to 1.00 pm and from 4.00 pm to 8.00 pm. The ticket for the Cathedral is free; admission to the Crypt costs €1.
If you love art, don’t miss our guide to the most picturesque villages near Salerno.
The third stop on this tour is the Minerva Garden, the Botanical Garden of the Salerno Medical School. From the historic center, it takes about eight minutes on foot or by bus on lines 1 and 26 to the De Renzi 62 stop.
In the Minerva Garden, established in the Middle Ages for educational purposes, you can find herbs, medicinal plants, spices and organic farming projects. Visit this Botanical Garden for a truly unique experience in nature and enjoy herbal beverages brewed in the tea shop. If you want to stop for a short break, here are our tips on what to eat in Salerno, the typical dishes.
The Minerva Garden, here is the complete guide, is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 9.30 am to 7.30 pm. The cost of the full ticket is €3, reduced admission for eligible categories is €1,50. Admission is free for school groups of all orders and grades.
The Medieval Aqueduct is the fourth stage – another one of Salerno’s significant symbols. You can reach it in a few minutes on foot from the historic center from Via Velia or by bus, taking the no. 43 to the Arce-Mutilati intersection.
The building, with its two courses of large arches, was built in the 9th century to supply water to the monastery of St. Benedict. It is a few hundred meters long, but in the past it had a length of 650 meters and an approximate height of 21 meters. You should also know that this ancient structure is steeped in myth and over time, the local people have coined popular names for some of its features, such as the Devil’s Arch and the Devil’s Bridge because, according to legend, it was built in a single night with the help of demons summoned by a sorcerer.
You can visit it free of charge at any time of the day. To discover other wonders, follow our itinerary on favorite places to visit in Campania.
The fifth stop is via Mercanti, the oldest and most characteristic street in Salerno. From the Medieval aqueduct, you can reach it in eight minutes on foot. The route starts from the Arco di Arechi and continues to Piazza Portanova.
Via Mercanti passes through the entire downtown district and dates back to the Middle Ages. It has traditionally been the city’s main thoroughfare and high street, with many stores engaged in the textile business. A walk down this street is a journey through time and history. Its width varies from three to five meters, and it is flanked by historical churches and other stately buildings. Remember that Salerno is an important cultural city with numerous events, festivals, exhibitions and an active theater scene. Highlights include the Salerno Film Festival and the spectacular Luci d’Artista, the festival of lights held at Christmas time.
The sixth leg of your trip offers a leisurely 2 km walk along the Lungomare Trieste, Salerno’s seafront promenade, enjoying the beautiful view of the Gulf of Salerno surrounded by mountains. The promenade connects the Port of Salerno to the beach of Santa Teresa, which is the most popular destination for the local townspeople as it is closer to downtown. For a romantic dinner, I recommend the section of our guide on Salerno’s seafront restaurants.
While strolling, you can admire towering palm trees, historic palazzi, the beautiful sea of the Amalfi Coast, well-tended flower beds, and stepped alleyways and passages that take you directly to Salerno’s most beautiful beaches. We also recommend our itinerary among the dream beaches of Positano and our guide to Vietri Sul Mare, with its fabled beaches and distinctive ceramics.
The seventh and last stop is the Arechi Castle, a medieval fortress 300 meters high that dominates the city and the entire gulf. It is located in the city center, but you can reach it in a few minutes by taking bus no. 19 to the Strada Per Croce-Castello stop .
Among Arechi Castle’s features, you can admire the crenelated walls that join the two towers that were part of the structure’s defense system It is Salerno’s landmark and takes its name from the Lombard duke Arechi II. Nowadays, it is a large monumental complex that hosts conferences, private ceremonies, the nature park, the headquarters of the Enoteca Provinciale, a food court, and two museums. In the Medieval and Multimedia Museums, you can see weapons, ceramics, glass, metals, coins, and tools associated with ancient crafts found throughout the Salerno area. From the castle, you can enjoy a spectacular view of the entire Gulf of Salerno and its beautiful beaches that fly the 2022 quality award Blue Flag.
The Castle is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 9.00 am to 4.00 pm. The cost of the full ticket is €4; reduced admission for eligible categories (groups with more than 15 people and children between 18 and 25 years) is €2. Admission is free for children under 18 and elderly visitors over 65 years.
By high-speed train, Italo takes you to Salerno, with its beaches and beautiful promenade. If you are looking forward to a balmy summer weekend, buy your ticket and head for Salerno with one of our many trains serving the route. Daily trains serve Salerno from Bologna, Florence, Milan, Naples, Reggio Emilia, Rome and Turin. Did you know that it’s only a two-hour trip from the capital? Remember to always access your reserved area to take advantage of the Plus Offers, rates dedicated only to subscribers. If you haven’t already done so, you can sign up for the Italo Più Loyalty Program for free, get 5% off your first trip right away, and collect points with your trips to claim free award tickets.
When you arrive at the Salerno train station, you can easily visit the entire old town on foot, while to reach less central attractions, you can rely on public transportation such as the metro system, which connects the entire length of the city, and suburban buses that take you everywhere, including the outskirts.
The ticket cost for a single ride is €1, the daily ticket is €2.70 and the weekly ticket costs €9.40.
From Salerno, you can reach the Amalfi Coast either via SITA buses or sea connections with ferries and hydrofoils. A short walk from the central station, the Salerno high-speed rail terminus , i.e. from Piazza della Concordia, the Traelmar ferries whisk you off to the heart of the most beautiful villages of the Amalfi Coast: Cetara, Maiori, Minori, Positano and Amalfi, which offers a most beautiful coast for a beach weekend.
Fares to the Amalfi Coast vary according to the route. Here are the charges and validity: 45-minute hourly ticket €2.50. 90-minute hourly ticket €3.80. Daily ticket 24 hours €7.60. 3-day ticket €18.00.
