Located on the eastern extreme of Italy's famous Amalfi Coast, Salerno is a large port city with a well-preserved historic district, long waterfront walkway and vibrant southern Italian atmosphere. In the Middle Ages, Salerno was a center of learning and culture, and became famous as home to the world's first university for the study of medicine, Schola Medica Salernitana.
Today it consists of three main districts: the medieval district, a planned 19th-century district and the post-war district. Although the commercial port is not very attractive, the historical old town is well worth a visit, with a well-preserved, vibrant center full of shops and restaurants.
A plethora of religious and secular sites of interest give tourists much to see, including the impressive Duomo of San Matteo, the Arechi Castle and the pretty Villa Comunale gardens and waterfront. Be sure to compare Salerno's city atmosphere with the charm of nearby towns such as Amalfi, Positano and Sorrento, all of which are accessible by local ferries.
Location
After Naples, Salerno is the second largest port for cruises in the region of Campania. The port is at the western end of town, and most cruises provide a shuttle to the Piazza della Concordia, about 15 minutes away. Information for the port (in English) can be found at http://www.porto.salerno.it.
Salerno has a smaller Porto Turistico (Tourist Port) just two blocks from the train station. Local ferries leave Salerno from this port, also called the Molo Masuccio Salernitano. From there, you can take a ferry along the coast to Amalfi and Positano, both with beautiful public beaches.
Ferry service for Capri and Ischia departs from the Molo Manfredi in the commercial port. Note that the ferries from Salerno to Capri also stop in Amalfi and Positano.
Larger ferry companies, particularly Grimaldi Lines, run to Palermo, Sicily. These ferries leave from Salerno's commercial port. It is most conveniently reached by taxi or bus, both of which are available immediately outside the train station.
Shore Excursions
Popular shore excursions in Salerno include a walking tour of the historic city center with a visit to the Duomo of San Matteo. Other options include tours of the archaeological ruins of Pompeii or Herculaneum, a visit to Mount Vesuvius, tours of the Greek temples and museum at Paestum, a coach tour along the Amalfi Coast road with stops in Positano, Amalfi and Ravello, boat tours along the Amalfi Coast with stops at Positano and Amalfi, coach tours to Sorrento or a day trip to Capri.