This Is Italy
Salerno is an enchanting city that has a lot to offer. The city is figuratively in the shadow of Naples, but certainly deserves its own audience. The old part of the town, which stretches on both sides of Strada San Biagio, has narrow, cobbled streets that are perfect for a romantic walk. Is Salerno worth it, people wonder. The answer can be short: yes!
Tourism in Salerno mainly revolves around visitors arriving by ferry from the port of Naples and strolling along Salerno's long palm-lined promenade.
Salerno is also a strategic choice for your next holiday destination if you want to find sun, sea, beach, culture and greenery in one place. The city is known for being affordable, thanks to the many budget hotels that have sprung up recently.
Stroll along the centuries-old buildings, admire the view from the seafront, make your way through rich architecture and artwork from many historical times. You will always find peace here in the greenery and the proximity of parks.
It is clear that there is something to suit everyone here. In the article below you will discover some of the best tips and highlights while visiting authentic Salerno!
1. Lungomare Trieste & Piazza della Libertà
The Lungomare Trieste is a long, well-maintained promenade lined with palm trees and shaded outdoor seating. The highlight of the area is the Piazza della Libertà, which reopened last year after a 15-year renovation and offers stunning views.
With a length of one kilometer, the promenade offers the perfect opportunity to visit one of the many coffee houses, cafes or restaurants ice cream to visit along the way. For a relaxing walk, but also for a pleasant evening.
2. Forte La Carnale
Forte La Carnale, a defensive fortress against Saracen incursions since the 16th century, is situated in such a way that it offers a phenomenal view over Salerno and the coast.
The fortress still has its cannons intact and offers several ancient artifacts for you to discover inside.
Do not feel like? Then just have a cocktail in the cocktail bar and enjoy the view. This popular spot turns into a relaxing, romantic oasis at night.
If you wish, you can also spend the night here in the holiday apartment (reservation, of course). Plus, there's even a restaurant for your hungry explorers!
3. Historic Center of Salerno
The program Old Town from Salerno is the best place in town. It consists of numerous historical buildings. Some even date from the 11th century. Throw in winding streets, palm trees, plenty of inviting restaurants and bars and proximity to the sea and you've got everything you could wish for.
In the time of the ancient Greeks, Salerno was a trading post for travelers from Africa and Europe. The sights, sounds and smells on the cobbled streets of the old town bring that history to life.
4. Villa Comunale di Salerno
Villa Comunale di Salerno is a historic park beautifully landscaped with lots of greenery, beautiful statues and monuments to admire. It is the perfect place to rest after touring the historic center of the city.
Catch your breath, do some reading or just enjoy this peaceful place. Families and friends alike come here to picnic and relax in the shade of olive and citrus trees.
The pond of the Villa Comunale di Salerno is home to an abundance of fish and the garden remains lush green all year round. The statues that surround the park give it its own sense of history.
5. Paestum
In the ruins of this ancient Greek colony about 50 minutes by car from Salerno, visitors can still meander through lavish streets and stroll through a once-great marketplace.
The inhabitants of Paestum built tombs for their great leaders on a hill overlooking the city. All three temples of Paestum are in remarkably good condition for their age, so it's easy to imagine the immense power of the ancient Greeks.
A museum is housed in an excavated building and although the most beautiful objects are now in other museums, you can still enjoy a variety of finds here.
You can also take a tour by expert guides. They can tell you all about the history of this fantastic, hidden attraction.
6. Port of Salerno
The port of Salerno has been an integral part of the Valle Caudina for over 1.200 years. The harbor was originally a refuge for ships, especially in stormy weather. Today, the activities in the port are mainly devoted to tourism and events promoting the local cuisine, with fish being one of the most popular exports.
The port of Salerno is located on the outskirts of the city and is busy, bustling and full of life. You can walk into the harbor to watch boats come in and out on the water.
If you want to experience the Salerno coastline in all its glory, a stroll through the harbor area is just what you need. Walking along Via Porto you can walk into the harbor and watch the many fishing, sailing and trading boats moored at the piers, whose craftsmanship pays tribute to ancient traditions.
7. Duomo of Salerno
The cathedral is located in the center of the city and is one of the main tourist attractions. With its Romanesque architecture combined with delicate arches and a beautiful facade, this impressive church is sure to please any architecture enthusiast.
The Duomo of Salerno has been around since the 11th century. Admired for centuries, it continues to awe as you take in the Baroque beauty of the ceiling, which is dotted with mosaics and paintings depicting heaven and hell.
The Duomo occupies a prominent place on the World Heritage List because it is not only an important structure that represents medieval Salerno, but also symbolizes Christianity defended by Saint Matthew against the heresy and paganism of outside cultures that embrace early Christian beliefs. threatened to overthrow.
The bell tower tens of meters high with a beautifully decorated dome contains the relics of one of the most remarkable saints in Christianity. Visitors can admire many artifacts and decorations inside the church and in the crypts.
8. Villa Rufolo
You immediately recognize Villa Rufolo as the place where the most famous tree in all of Italy state.
This garden near the town of Ravello (well worth a visit) offers some architectural delights, a magnificent view and abundant natural beauty.
You can enjoy the beautiful view of Villa Rufolo from almost any vantage point on the hill, as well as witness the dramatic sunsets. Located higher up on the cliffs between Salerno and Amalfi, there is plenty to do in this region all year round.
Located on perhaps the most beautiful coast of Italy, you can enjoy a great and visit to the villa here. As you explore the courtyards, living quarters and gardens of this ancient estate, you'll get a sense of how people lived centuries ago.
9. Parco del Mercatello, the city park of Salerno
Wherever you go in Salerno, Parco del Mercatello will always be an oasis of calm, away from the hustle and bustle of city life.
Let your feet lead you in search of serene paths through nature in the middle of the city.
The park is just over 80 hectares and offers a vast green space with flora and fauna, playgrounds for children, pavilions and benches for a nice picnic.
There are also regular events in the park and you can take yoga classes here.
10. Castello di Arechic
Standing majestically on a hilltop, this glorious medieval castle greets visitors with its proud towers and towering walls.
Explore the medieval remains of the original Castello di Arechi, or stroll through the beautiful gardens to discover traces of Neolithic tribes that once lived in these parts.
What is old is new again, thanks to the skilled craftsmen who restore old stone surfaces with contemporary materials that can be passed on from generation to generation.
The Castello di Arechi, which watched vigilantly over the Gulf of Salerno in the Middle Ages, is famous for its defensive function. Built by Longobardo Arechi II in an attempt to protect his country from attackers, it still stands today with walls up to 10 meters high.
The strategic location of the castle on one of the hills of Benevento, overlooking Salerno, still provides impressive views today.
Let a professional guide show you around all the remarkable features and take you completely into the story behind this castle.
11. Amalfi
This is the place where tourists can enjoy history and beautiful views. Here they will find breathtaking landscapes with sky blue water, colorful buildings and the peaks of the mountains in the distance.
The Amalfi Coast is located just south of the Gulf of Naples and just north of Salerno. Strictly speaking, the Amalfi Coast lies only on the south side of the peninsula, from Positano in the west to Vietri sul Mare in the east. But Sorrento and other places on the north side are also popularly counted as part of the Amafi Coast.
Let the beauty of the Amalfi Coast inspire you. Amalfi and the other spots on the coast make for a relaxing break with spectacular views. And you will notice why people from all over the world travel to this place.
12. Salerno . Provincial Archaeological Museum
Whether you are exploring the area around Salerno for the first time or if you have already visited it several times, there is no denying that the Provincial Archaeological Museum is definitely worth a visit.
Here, visitors can experience more than 400 years of history as they tour these beautifully recreated halls where Europe's most important empires once thrived.
The museum has an extensive library with an abundance of information on all facets of life in Salerno in the 15th century. Just walk around the halls to look at ancient artifacts from Salerno's history, such as stone urns, mosaics on floors and walls, gold jewelry found in tombs, and bone decorations.
13. Giardino della Minerva
Explore a 100-acre botanic ruin that was one of the first in Europe to grow plants for therapeutic use.
Dozens of species of plants from around the world are grown here, from old favorites like lavender to lesser-known herbs typical of Chinese medicine.
This stunningly beautiful garden has been restored to its 18th century splendor and is now open daily during high season for guided tours. Guided tours last about an hour, and you'll get full explanations of the ancient spice fields and a fascinating glimpse into this hidden corner of coastal life.
Haven't seen enough beauty yet? View the most beautiful cities, regions and places in Italy here.
Tip: from Eindhoven Airport you can fly to Naples in 2 hours and XNUMX minutes. Look for ferries to Italy and from Naples on FerryGoGo.
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