A Local’s Guide to Visiting Salerno, Italy
Tucked away in the shadow of the soaring Sorrentine Peninsula, Salerno is one of the Campania region’s most overlooked and underrated cities. With all of the convenience of big city life but retaining the charm of a small town, this is a delightful place that inexplicably has yet to be discovered by mass tourism. Let’s hope it stays that way!
Founded by the Romans in the 2nd century BC, this a historic city with a remarkable amount of significance, mostly owing to its position as the seat of the Salerno Medical School, Europe's first medical institution, dating back to the Middle Ages.
You can explore this storied past by visiting sites like the magnificent Salerno Cathedral, a stunning example of the mixed architectural tradition of the region, or explore the imposing Castle of Arechi, perched on a hilltop overlooking the cityscape and providing panoramic views of the Tyrrhenian Sea.
And whenever you get hungry, you’ll be able to treat yourself to an array of authentic regional dishes, such as the famous seafood pasta - scialatielli -, or the delectable sfogliatella, a pastry filled with sweet ricotta cream. Of course, as with everywhere in this part of Campania, don't miss the opportunity to taste locally produced limoncello, a staple of the region.
Ready to learn more about this lovely city? Then keep reading!
More Amalfi Coast travel info:
For more info on travel in the Amalfi Coast, check out our Amalfi Coast travel guide and our article on getting around the Amalfi Coast.
And if you could use some one-on-one help planning your trip to this lovely part of Italy, schedule an Amalfi Coast travel consultation!
Table of Contents
Why visit
Where is Salerno
How to get there
Best time to visit
How long to spend
Where to stay
What to see and do in Salerno
Restaurants & dining
Local help with your planning
Because most travelers come to the Amalfi Coast for only a few days, the hardest part of planning a visit is always deciding how to maximize your time. And there are no perfect answers!
So if you could use some help sorting through all your options, consider scheduling an Amalfi Coast travel consultation with our Salerno-based Local Expert Roberto!
These are one-hour Zoom calls where you’ll get to chat with Roberto about the trip you’re planning and he’ll share his tips and advice, answer your travel questions, and help you perfect your itinerary.
Why visit
Imagine Naples, now remove most of the chaos, traffic, and general mess of the city, and you are left with something that resembles Salerno. This pleasant city still has all of the charm, history, hospitality, and of course, good food that you would find in Naples or any typical city in Campania, but it blends that with the convenience and cleanliness of a city in northern Italy.
As soon as you step off the train at the central station, you are greeted with a beautiful green square that leads you to the sea, just two short blocks away. The architecture of the city center is largely built in the classic liberty style, while the buildings themselves are painted in the traditional yellow, orange, white, and pink that is common in the coastal areas of the Campania region.
This melding of styles and colors gives the city a retro chic feel while paying homage to southern Italian culture.
As I alluded to above, while Salerno is just a short train ride away from Naples, there are some really noticeable differences between the two cities. The pace of life in Salerno is much slower, more similar to that of the nearby Sorrento peninsula than the hectic chaos of Naples. There is also much less street noise, but you’ll still find a vibrant atmosphere and warm hospitality, with locals eager to chat with you.
Another interesting feature here is the clear North African and Eastern Mediterranean influence. The Salerno peninsula had more contact with those areas than the rest of Campania did, which can be seen in the fascinating mixture of Byzantine, Roman and Arabesque details in the Salerno Cathedral and throughout the surrounding historic center.
Salerno is known for being a melting pot of these different cultures, all of which have influenced the city’s food, architecture, regional dialect, and even the founding of the famous Salerno Medical School whose founders were a mixt of Christians and Muslims.
So, if you’re looking for a truly diverse Mediterranean experience in a lovely southern Italian city, Salerno should absolutely feature in your itinerary.
Where is Salerno?
Located along Italy’s southwestern coast on the Tyrrhenian Sea, the city of Salerno is about 50 kilometers south of Naples, and 270 km south from Rome, the capital of Italy.
Salerno is nestled between the sea to its west, the Sorrentine peninsula to the northwest, and the Apennine mountain range to the north and east. Heading south from the city, you will reach the Parco Nazionale del Cilento, Vallo di Diano e Alburni, and if you continue, will eventually cross in the region of Calabria.
An excellent base when touring the Campania region, Salerno is conveniently close to a host of touristic hotspots, and sits just on the edge of the world-famous Amalfi Coast. Also nearby are the The archeological sites of Pompeii, Herculaneum, and Paestum, and Mt. Vesuvius.
The region surrounding Salerno, like much of southern Italy is a mixture of soaring mountains and extensive coastline. Outside of the big urban centers like Salerno, Naples, and Benevento to the north, the region is quite rural and home to its fair share of farms, forests, and parks.
The only industrial centers are located around Naples, so the vast majority of Campania is quite literally a breath of fresh air.
How to get here
From Rome
There are several ways to arrive to Salerno from Rome, but the most common and cost effective is the train. High-speed Frecciarossa trains go directly from Rome’s central Termini station to Salerno, with the journey taking between 1.5 to 2 hours.
Two companies, TrenItalia and ItaloTreno, service the route, and you’ll find trains leaving at least once per hour. One-way tickets with either company will cost between 20 to 30 euros assuming you purchase them at least a few weeks in advance (the price can increase significantly if purchased last minute).
From Naples
If you’ll be in Naples before continuing on to Salerno, the trip between the two cities is very simple. There are two options, a regional train or the Line 2 commuter train.
The regional train is the faster of the two options, but it only departs from the central Napoli Centrale station, so may be less convenient if you’re staying in further flung parts of the city. A trip on the regional train takes about 40 minutes and there are departures once or twice per hour all throughout the day. Just be aware that not all trains are direct, so be sure to book one that does not require making a transfer.
The Line 2 commuter train is your other option. It’s a bit slower, taking from 1 to 1.5 hours, but it makes several stops within Naples and its peripheries (places like Mergellina, Chiaia, Montesanto, and the Sanita/ historical center), so may be more convenient for you if you’re staying in any of those areas.
All Line 2 trains go direct to Salerno, so there is never a need to worry about a transfer, and trains leave every 20 minutes.
One-way tickets on either train will cost around 5 euros, although the prices have been increasingly steadily in recent months/years.
Both trains drop you off at the Salerno station.
From Milan
If you plan to head down to Salerno, Naples, and/or the Amalfi Coast directly from northern Italy, Milan is the central transit hub and most convenient place from which to get here. You’ll have two options, a low-cost flight or the high-speed train.
If you decide to take the high speed train, there are direct trains that run between the Milano Centrale station and Salerno, with the journey taking 5.5 to 6 hours. Tickets are fairly expensive, starting from around 70 euros and increasing significantly from there, but considering the distance to be traveled, it’s really not a bad deal.
The direct trains run about once per hour, but there’s typically at least one other departure each hour for trains that require making a change in Naples.
The other option, which typically costs less but is a bit more of a hassle, would be to fly from Milano to Naples and then take the train to Salerno. Fights with Ryanair usually cost under 50 Euros and the flight takes about 1.5 hours. There are usually at least half a dozen of these flights leaving from Milan’s Malpensa’s airport to Naples each day.
Once you arrive in Naples, there is a 5 Euro bus service called Alibus that takes you directly from the airport to Naples Central Station, from where you can continue on to Salerno via the regional train or the Line 2 commuter one.
Connect with Local Expert Roberto for help perfecting your itinerary, answers to all your travel questions, and fabulous local tips for a better visit!
Best time to visit
Photo: Pan Camel at pl.wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The BEST time to visit: Late September and all of October
The best time to visit Salerno and the Amalfi Coast region as a whole is without a doubt late September and all of October. This period is perfect in that you’ll still be catching the end of summer and will have long, sunny, and warm days, but the enormous crowds of tourists who visit over the summer months will have already departed.
This means that the weather is likely to be perfect, and you may even be able to snag deals on car rentals, accommodation, etc., as demand will have suddenly decreased significantly. You’ll also be able to go out and enjoy the region’s beaches, mountains and other natural attractions without being shoulder to shoulder with other people or baking under the summer sun.
You could even try to stretch your trip into early November, but unless you get lucky, you’ll probably run into some rainy and gloomy weather. Not ideal for a trip to a coastal region.
When NOT to go - from mid-Spring through late Summer
I know that for many people the summer holidays are the only period when they can make an international vacation work, so I understand that my advice here may not be pleasant reading. However, my honest recommendation is to absolutely avoid the entire period from mid-May through mid-September if you can.
The weather during these months can be oppressively hot, sticky and humid, and since this is peak tourist season, the entire region becomes incredibly crowded and hectic. Locals and visitors alike are agitated, places that were not built for tourism (or certainly not on the scale seen today) become so crowded that it is almost impossible to walk around anywhere, and everything is sold out way in advance.
You’ll rarely be able to slow down or relax for long enough to actually enjoy or appreciate the area and what it has to offer, and you will find yourself rushing around crazily trying to get a table, a beach lounger, a taxi/bus, and anything else before someone else does.
Even the beaches become difficult to enjoy because they get absolutely packed and the water often becomes polluted from people not picking up after themselves.
From a local’s perspective, trust me on this. While magazines and Instagram influencers may try to make a summertime trip to this region seem glamorous and idyllic, the reality is quite different.
Visiting in winter
Winter in Salerno and much of southern Italy more broadly is a very quiet time. Starting in November and running through March, almost no tourists visit. So, if you come here during this period you will be seeing a very calm, local side of the city. Prices for hotels, car rentals, and any other tourism-related goods/services are quite affordable as well, and there’s great availability.
So what’s the downside? Well, the weather. November to March sees frequent rainfall and overcast, gloomy days, which makes exploring the city and surrounding region rather dreary and unpleasant.
Maybe we’re just not as tough as people from colder climates, but the rain during this time is a wet rain that you can feel in your bones and that makes you not want to leave the comfort of your bed or hotel room.
Additionally, it’s far too cold for swimming, and while hiking can be pleasant on the dry days, it can also be dangerous, as there can be a risk of landslides.
How long to spend in Salerno
If you want to get the most out of your stay in Salerno, I would recommend staying here for about 4 days. The city itself is fairly small and its major sights can be explored in a day, but this is the perfect location from which to make day trips out to a host of major attractions, like Mt. Vesuvius, Pompeii, Herculaneum, the Amalfi Coast or Paestum.
You don’t need to stay in Salerno to visit all of those places, but using the city as your base rather than the smaller towns in the region will allow you to come back each night to a bustling place with tons of restaurants, bars, cafes, and things to do.
If you have 4 days, here’s how I’d suggest spending your time:
Day 1: Spend your first day exploring Salerno and getting acquainted with your home base for the next few days. Check out the local museums, the Medical School, the churches, the castle, and of course, the food scene (I’ll get into specific recommendations later).
Day 2: On your second day, make your first day trip out to the surrounding region. I would recommend heading out for a full day exploring as much of the Amalfi coast as possible. All of the towns along the coast are accessible via the local public bus, so you don’t even need to rent a car or hire a driver.
Day 3: Today, dedicate your morning to exploring the ancient Greek archeological site of Paestum, just a short 30-minute train ride from Salerno. Expect to spend around 2-3 hours touring the ruins. In the afternoon, head into the nearby Parco Regionale Monti Picentini for hiking, biking, or just an afternoon spent out in glorious, undisturbed nature.
Day 4: On your final day in Salerno, hiking on Mount Vesuvius and visiting a winery (right nearby) should be your priority. Vesuvius is about an hour away from Salerno, and to get there you will pass right by Pompeii, so plan to visit these famous ruins in the late afternoon. Spend your final evening back in Salerno enjoying the city’s atmosphere.
Where to stay
Although Salerno has a population of around 100,000 people, it is a super compact city and there aren’t a ton of neighborhoods for visitors to choose between. Rather, your best bet is to stick to the city’s historic center.
Here are a few hotels that I would recommend:
If your budget is fairly loose and you want to stay in a place that emulates the rich architectural history of the region, Casa Santangelo Suites is the perfect spot for you.
Situated in the historic center and a quick five-minute walk to one of the city’s most popular beaches, this accommodation is perfect for those who want to be comfortable and have great mobility. Rooms run around 250 Euros per night for two and include services like an Italian breakfast brought to your room.
Located smack in the middle of the historic center between the train station and the port, Hotel Montestella is an excellent mid-range to more upscale option. Rooms are very modern, and many have balconies with panoramic views of the city.
Breakfast is offered in a buffet-style every morning. Expect to spend around 170 Euros per night.
This place is an absolute steal. You get spacious apartments with very cool design in a pretty building that is well-located in the old town for enjoying the city, and all at excellent prices.
You can often get a standard apartment just at or under $100 USD.
With great views over the Amalfi Coast and Mediterranean Sea, the Grand Hotel Salerno is an excellent mid-range option. The rooms are simple, but clean and comfortable, and the views are truly outstanding (every room has a balcony).
The dining room, with its expansive wall of windows, also offers incredible views of the peninsula. Rooms here run around 140 per night and private parking is available if you’ll have a car.
In the heart of Salerno’s old, this is a very stylish B&B that, like Vinto House, present really exceptional value. Even in the height of summer high season you can usually find rooms for just $150 USD, and considerably less in the off season.
It’s not flashy, but it’s affordable and doesn’t sacrifice location. You get a great location on the seafront right in the city’s historic center. The rooms are simple yet modern, and they give a nice glimpse into what many homes in the region look like. Nightly rates are approximately 75 Euros.
What to see & do in Salerno
1. See the Cathedral of Salerno
One of the most, if not the most interesting structures in the city is the Cathedral of Salerno. With a fascinating mixture of Byzantine, Romanesque, and Norman architecture, this nearly 1,000 year-old cathedral will transport you back in time. Don’t forget to visit the basement crypt with its incredibly ornate paintings and mosaics.
As a reminder, this is a religious building and you will likely be turned away if you are wearing shorts or otherwise revealing clothing. I would recommend bringing a light shawl for women and for men to wear pants.
The cathedral. Photo: Berthold Werner, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Cropped from original
2. Hit the beach!
Unlike nearby Naples, Salerno has a wide variety of beaches to choose from, including some very nice ones right within the city center. If you’re looking to take a dip near your accommodation, Santa Teresa beach is just a five minute walk from most hotels in the city center. Although it might not be the best beach in the area, it is free and super convenient.
If you want a nicer beach experience, you can take a pleasant walk down the lungomare (seaside promenade) to Mercatello beach. Here, you will have to pay a fee of 10-15 Euros to rent a beach bed, but the sand is spotless and the water is very clean.
3. Relax in the tranquil Minerva botanical garden
Located in the middle of the historic center, this botanical garden is an excellent place to unwind and experience some nice green spaces, which are notoriously hard to find in southern Italian cities.
The gardeners here still maintain centuries-old techniques and the garden has a very wide variety of species. Tickets cost around 3 euros.
4. Tour the Provincial Archeological Museum of Salerno
Although significantly smaller than the Archeological museum of Naples, the one in Salerno has a focus on non-Roman history, and much of the museum is dedicated to the Etruscans and the Byzantines.
While visiting, you’ll surely be impressed by the incredibly preserved busts and statues dating back thousands of years and showcasing the diverse history of the region, which is often overlooked by larger institutions.
Tickets are 4 Euros for adults.
5. Take a stroll along the Lungomare of Salerno
Salerno’s seaside promenade stretches out for kilometers along the city’s coastline. A pedestrian only walkway, this is a wonderful way to stroll through the city, taking in views of the sea unbothered by cars, traffic, or anything else. There are lots of benches and little green spaces to take a break along the walk.
The promenade starts at the city’s principal port and continues for around 2 kilometers until reaching the harbor at Piazza Concordia.
Photo: SOLOXSALERNO at it.wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Connect with Local Expert Roberto for help perfecting your itinerary, answers to all your travel questions, and fabulous local tips for a better visit!
6. Explore the Arechi Castle
On the outskirts of the city, the impressive Arechi Castle is a great place to visit. The castle is well preserved and offers fantastic views over the the city and Mediterranean sea.
The grounds also include a museum of ceramics as and a number of walking trails.
While you can walk here from the city center, I would recommend taking a taxi as the hill up to the castle is very steep and not always pedestrian friendly. If you do take a taxi, expect to pay around 10 Euros (if drivers quote you anything over 15, that’s too much). There is also a public bus that stops near the entrance.
Arechi Castle. Photo: Jack56, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
6. Take a food tour
If you’re curious about the city’s and wider region’s cuisine, you should absolutely take a food tour with Civitatis Tours.
The experience lasts about four offers and offers an in-depth introduction and to the city’s culinary scene and history. You’ll be able to sample everything from regional variations of the Neapolitan pizza to local cuts of cured meats and, of course, lemons.
The cost is about 80 euros per person.
7. Visit Paestum
Just a 30-minute train ride south of Salerno, the archeological site of Paestum is one of my favorite places in all of Campania. The site contains a series of ancient Greek temples that make you feel as if you’ve been transported to Athens.
Thousands of years ago, the south of Italy was part of greater Greece (also known as Magna Grecia), and Paestum is one of the best preserved ruins dating from that era. The archaeological park is the big draw, but the onsite museum is quite nice too.
Tickets cost about 15 euros per person. The regional train from Salerno will drop you off just outside the archeological park. Only a 15-minute walk away from Paestum’s entrance is a pretty nice beach, so if you bring your bathing suit, you can even go for a swim after.
Paestum
8. Tour the towns of the Amalfi Coast
While Salerno is technically considered the last town of the Amalfi Coast, you really need to head out along the peninsula to see it in all its glory. When here, I highly recommend setting aside a full day to tour the towns of the coast.
The nearest Amalfi Coast town to Salerno is Vietri Sul Mare, a gorgeous and often overlooked town that is known to locals for its ceramics, seafood, and gorgeous view of the rest of the peninsula.
Other towns worth a visit include Amalfi, Ravello and Atrani. For a full list of recommendations, have a look at our guide to the Amalfi Coast.
9. Explore Mt. Vesuvius
While many travelers admire the mighty Mt. Vesuvius from afar, it is a completely different experience to see it up close. There are trails that you can hike up (it’s more of a walk) to reach the crater/summit, from where you’ll have magnificent views over the Gulf of Naples.
Although reaching Vesuvius from Salerno can be a bit of a trip in and of itself, it is absolutely worth it.
To get there in the most efficient way, you need to take the Line 2 commuter train from Salerno to Pompeii, then walk over to the Pompeii Scavi stop (which is another train line), where you’ll find buses that run up to Vesuvius.
You can also take a taxi from the train stop, but they are expensive to begin with and will very likely try to overcharge you.
10. See the ruins of Pompeii and Herculaneum
A visit to Mount Vesuvius is almost always combined with a tour of one or both of the ancient towns that its eruption destroyed about 2,000 years ago - Pompeii and Herculaneum. It’s no exaggeration to say that no trip to the Campania region is complete without a visit to the Greek and Roman cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum.
If you plan to visit in a single day trip, I would recommend picking one site and taking your time to explore it rather than trying to fit in both. Pompeii is the more famous of the two and is significantly larger than Herculaneum, and it’s quite an experience to walk through such an expansive set of ruins and actually feel as if you’re in a city.
I personally prefer Herculaneum however, as it is much better persevered and has incredibly intact frescos and artifacts. Due to its smaller size, you can also see the whole city in just one visit.
Fares for a complete Pompeii ticket will run you 22 Euros, while tickets for Herculaneum are 13 Euros.
Restaurants and dining
The food scene in Salerno, as in much of the region, is characterized by abundant amounts of seafood and a wide variety of local sweets and treats.
Being a coastal area with an active fishing industry, the seafood that you find here will almost always be incredibly fresh, often caught and served on the same day.
With that in mind, it’s always my recommendation to feast on the bounty of the sea when visiting this part of Italy.
The Campania region has some other local specialties as well though, and below are a few of them:
Foods to try when in Salerno
Scialatielli ai frutti di mare: this pasta dish, one of my personal favorites, is made with fresh pasta that is cut by hand and boiled shortly after. It’s a bit chewier and thicker than the pasta that you might be used to, but the texture blends perfectly with the seafood of the dish.
Scialatielli is very typical to the region and is difficult to find outside of the Amalfi Coast/Campania. It’s most often combined with clams, mussels and whole shrimp.
Cuoppo fritto (fried seafood cup): true to its name, this is an assortment of fried seafood served in a cup or paper cone. It’s quite common in the whole region of Campania but is particularly popular in smaller coastal towns and cities, such as Salerno.
The type of seafood will change a bit depending on the season, but you will likely find shrimp, octopus, a seasonal fish, and anchovies all fried to perfection and lightly seasoned with salt and lemon.
Zizzona di Battipaglia: the famous mozzarella cheese originates from the region of Campania, but within the region there are many local variations. The most famous and most treasured one in the province of Salerno is the Zizzona di Battipaglia.
It is very similar to what you might recognize as a normal ball of mozzarella, but is unusually large, around the size of an adult man’s hand, and is slightly saltier than what you’ll find elsewhere, such as in the more common varieties from the province of Caserta.
Delizia al Limone: this rich pastry is a delicacy throughout the Amalfi coast, and is quite hard to find outside the area. Made with local Amalfi Coast lemons, this is a cake-like sphere that is tart, sweet, and surprisingly filling.
It hits all the right notes that a pastry should, but doesn’t make you feel too heavy afterwards. Highly recommended!
Limoncello: this iconic alcoholic drink is well known all over Italy, but since the Amalfi Coast is famous for its lemons, limoncello is even more popular here than elsewhere in the country. The limoncello made here is also better than anywhere else!
Even if you wind up at a standard tourist shop here, their limoncello will almost certainly be better than any other you’ve ever had.
Restaurants in Salerno
Pescheria & Cuopperia Fatima
If you’re looking for a quick, easy and tasty meal that won’t break the bank, Pescheria & Cuopperia Fatima is a great choice. This is essentially a take out/street food joint, and they are best known for their cuoppo fritto (cup of fried seafood) and other fried dishes.
Unless you are absolutely famished and order a feast, you won’t spend more than 10 euros per person here.
Hostaria il Brigante
For a casual sit-down meal with an interesting atmosphere, head over to Hostaria il Brigante, where you’ll feel like you’re eating in someone’s living room.
The menu is handwritten and changes every day, and the food is authentic, featuring local ingredients. A hearty meal (multiple courses) should run you between 10-15 Euros per person.
Osteria Canali
For a more standard restaurant where your meal isn’t predetermined by the chef (as at Hostaria il Brigante), Osteria Canali is a nice option. The menu changes seasonally to reflect what’s being grown or fished at any given time, and their seafood pastas are especially excellent.
Expect to spend around 30 euros per person.
Portovecchio
For something more upscale, but not absurdly so, Portovecchio serves up some of the best fish you can find in Salerno, in a very nice setting.
This is probably the most affordable high-end restaurant in the city, and as long as you don’t go overboard with food or wine, it shouldn’t cost much more than 50 euros per person.
Re Mauri
Specializing in haute cuisine and with all their ingredients sourced from local vendors, Re Mauri takes traditional food and elevates it into an art and an experience.
For ambiance, the dining room has stunning views of the city and the harbor. Dishes are intricate, extremely carefully prepared, and plated beautifully. It’s far from inexpensive (a meal here will cost from 120-150 euros, if not more) but for special occasions, this is hard to top.
Bar Nettuno
Bar Nettuno is a great place to grab a pastry or gelato after walking along the lungomare, Salerno’s seaside promenade. For its central location and the high quality of their pastries and ice cream, the prices here are an absolute bargain, which is always a pleasant surprise.
More of a take away place than somewhere to sit down, you can grab your pastries and then enjoy them in the park across the street.
Punto Freddo
Near the lungomare and under the arches of a building right next to the city hall, Punto Freddo has great gelato. It has a relaxed atmosphere, some nice outdoor seating, and an ice cream will cost from 2.5 to 5 euros depending on how many scoops you get.
Being next door to city hall, there’s also great people watching.
Panificio Clefra
A little bit of a walk out from the city center, this excellent bakery has anything and everything you could possibly want. They have mini pizzas, local breads, pastries, cakes, and everything in between.
This is one of those places that every local knows about but that visitors only rarely stumble into, and even then, always by accident.
Guided tours on the Amalfi Coast
If you’re interested in taking a tour while on the Amalfi Coast, you’ll find all sorts of neat experiences. While there are lots of short walking tours of the individual towns, we usually think that they’re really only worth it for Naples and Salerno, which are bigger cities. Ravello can also be interesting if you’d like to visit some of its beautiful villas.
Rather than individual walking tours, we think a better use of time is to take a full-day driving tour that includes stops in a host of different towns. Because they’re mostly very small, you can typically visit much of the coast in a single day.
You’ll also find quite a few different boat trips, both shared and private, that go to places like Capri, Procida, Ischia, and the famous Blue Grotto.
Of course, archaeological tours are often another highlight of any visit to the Amalfi Coast. Just nearby you have the ruins of Pompeii, Paestum, and Herculaneum, three of the finest examples of Roman ruins anywhere in Italy.
Walking tours
If you’re interested in walking tours, we highly recommend them in Naples and Salerno. Naples is a big city full of history & culture, hidden corners, and wonderful architecture. It can also be chaotic and confusing, so having a local guide with you really adds to the experience.
Salerno, while not remotely as big as Naples, is an interesting little city that has a lot to see. The town of Ravello is home to some beautiful villas and gardens, like those found at Villa Cimbrone. Both places deserve a longer visit if you have the time.
For terrific walking tours, we always recommend local guide Roberto. He’s an archaeologist-guide based in Salerno who runs really fun and interesting experiences.
Archaeological tours
Anyone with even a passing interest in archaeology, history, or Roman civilization should dedicate at least a morning or afternoon to exploring the Amalfi Coast’s stunning archaeological sites. Pompeii is the best known, but Paestum and Herculaneum are also wonderful places to visit (and much less crowded).
As for walking tours, our go-to guide is always Roberto, who is a PhD archaeologist and fully licensed guide.
Driving tours
For those with limited time, a full-day driving tour is a great way to see a lot of the Amalfi Coast in a little bit of time. Most driving tours are 8-9 hours and drivers can typically accommodate up to 6-8 guests in their vehicles.
When possible, we recommend doing a driving tour on the day you arrive to the region as it gives you a good introduction to the entire Amalfi Coast and it saves you some money on a transfer as you can get picked up at the train station, airport or ferry terminal in Naples and then finish the tour at your hotel on the coast.
For driving tours, we always recommend driver-guide Marco who is based in Sorrento and has lived his entire life in the region.
