Salerno is a historic port city in Campania, on the Italian coast a short distance south of Naples. It sits on the Gulf of Salerno and has long served as a point of arrival and departure for travellers heading along the coast.
Why visit
Salerno works well as a base or a stop of its own. Its harbour gives the city a lively waterfront character, and its historic centre rewards a slow walk. For many visitors, the main appeal is its position: it is the gateway to two of the region's best-known areas.
Around the city
- The Amalfi Coast lies just to the south-west, reached by road or by sea, and is one of the most celebrated stretches of coastline in Italy.
- Cilento, the wider national park area to the south, offers quieter villages, hills and a less crowded shoreline.
- Naples is within easy reach to the north, for a day trip or a longer stay.
Salerno suits travellers who want a working Italian port city with good connections, rather than a resort. Plan your days around the coast, and use the city as a place to eat, rest and set out from.
