Salerno: what to see, where to eat and what to do in the evening

Photo by Jack45. Salerno is a city with a medieval imprint but which always remains in step with the times, moreover located in the timeless context of the Amalfi Coast. There are so many things to see, both historical and modern, plus it offers an excellent culinary offer and a wide choice of night clubs. We assure you that visiting it is a real pleasure! Here is more information about Salerno: what to see, where to eat and what to do in the evening .

What to see in Salerno

1 – Castello Arechi
The Castello Arechi is a medieval fortresslocated 300 meters high to dominate the city and the entire gulf. It is a crenellated wall that unites the two towers used to protect the structure. It is in fact considered the symbol of Salerno and takes its name from the Lombard duke Arechi II who ordered its construction. The castle is today a large monumental complex that includes some halls that host conferences and private ceremonies, the naturalistic park, the headquarters of the Provincial Enoteca, a refreshment point and two museums, the Medieval and the Multimedia one, in which weapons, ceramics are exhibited. , glass, metals, coins and tools of ancient crafts found throughout the Salerno area.

• How to get there: it is located outside the historic center, but can be reached in a few minutes by car or by bus 19 to the stop Strada Per Croce – Castello – Get directions
• Hours: Tuesday to Sunday from 9:00 to 16:00
• Ticket price: full € 4.00 – reduced (groups with more than 15 people and children between 18 and 25 years) € 2.00 – free for children under 18 and seniors over 65

2 – Medieval
Aqueduct The Medieval Aqueduct is another important symbol of Salerno, built in the 9th century in the center of the city to stock up on water for the monastery of San Benedetto. Impossible not to notice it with its large arches divided into two branches, one coming from the north and the other from the east, which join in Via Arce for a current length of a few hundred meters. The original length, before several demolitions, was instead of 650 meters with a height of about 21 meters. Around this extraordinary and ancient architectural work various legends and nicknames were born such as “Archi dei Diavoli” and “Ponte dei Diavoli” since the most widespread story tells that the construction took place in one night with the
It can be visited for free at any time of day, you can reach it in a few minutes on foot from the historic center along Via Velia or by bus 43 to Arce – Mutilati Crossing – Get directions

3 – Salerno
Cathedral The Cathedral of Salerno, or Cathedral di San Matteo, and dedicated to Santa Maria degli Angeli and the Apostle Matthew, built on an early Christian church which in turn stood on the ruins of a Roman temple. Over the years it underwent several extensions up to the current structure, a large atrium surrounded by arcades and columns that precedes the access to the Cathedral through a Byzantine bronze door. Inside, on the other hand, there is a central nave decorated with mosaics and sculptures. A bell tower is also part of the complexerected in the mid-twelfth century, the Tesero Chapel which preserves Gothic relics and statues of Salerno saints, and finally the Crypt on the lower level made up of nine rows of columns and a double altar.

• How to get there: it is located in the historic center but can also be reached by bus 43 to Piazza Alfano I – Get directions
• Hours: Cathedral from Monday to Saturday from 8:30 to 20:00 – Sundays and holidays from 8:30 to 13:00 and from 16:00 to 20:00 / Crypt from Monday to Saturday from 9:00 to 19:45 – Sundays and public holidays from 8:30 to 13:00 and from 16:00 to 20:00
• Ticket price: Free Cathedral – Crypt € 1.00

4 – Monumental Complex of Santa Sofia
This is a complex that includes both the ancient monastery built around the 10th century by the Benedictine Order in honor of Santa Sofia, and the former Church of Santa Sofia . The monastery initially housed the founding monks, later the nuns of the same order and was finally abandoned for several years until. A not too distant restoration has given it once again the beauty of its neoclassical style and transformed it into a building that hosts events, exhibitions and events .

• How to get there: it can be reached on foot in a few minutes from the historic center along Via dei Canali or by bus 43 to the Abate Conforti stop – Get directions
• Hours: Monday to Friday from 8:00 to 12:00 and from 16:00 to 19:00
• Ticket cost: free

5 – Giardini della Minerva
The Giardini della Minerva are the Botanical Garden of the Salerno Medical School, which were born in the Middle Ages for educational purposes for the students of the same school. This botanical garden is not a traditional garden, but a proposal of countless themes related to the topic such as aromatic herbs, medicinal plants, spices and organic farming while remaining faithful to Mediterranean vegetation. Visiting the gardens is a real experience, just think of the wide range of educational activities for school groups and children and the herbal tea room created to spread the knowledge of some herbs useful for the preparation of drinks with lots of creation and tasting.

• How to get there: about 8 minutes on foot from the historic center or by bus with lines 1 and 26 to the De Renzi 62 ​​stop – Get directions
• Hours: from Tuesday to Sunday from 9:30 to 19:30
• Ticket price: full € 3.00 – reduced (children) € 1.50 – free for school groups of all levels

6 – Villa Comunale
Photo by Jack56. The Villa Comunale is the public garden of the city , designed as early as 1874 and over the years it has become a popular meeting place. Inside the path is enriched by a large fountain, several statues and a luxuriant Mediterranean vegetation which was most enriched during the restoration of the 90s. To embellish everything there is a pond and an inevitable kiosk where you can take a break. The Villa Comunale is however among the most famous attractions of Salerno as it hosts the magical scenery of the famous winter event “Luci d’Arista”which exhibits luminous works of art also known as the Salerno illuminations. In summer, on the other hand, there are several events hosted in the villa including handicraft exhibitions and exhibitions of rare flowers and plants.

• How to get there: it can be reached in just two minutes on foot from the historic center or by buses 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 14, 18, 19, 20, 21, 40, 42 and 43 coming from any direction to the Teatri Verdi stop – Get directions
• Hours: every day from 8:00 to 24:00
• Ticket cost: free

7 – Lungomare Trieste
Photo by Jack45. The Lungomare Trieste is a pleasant 2 km walk that connects the Port of Salerno to the beach of Santa Teresa , the closest to the historic center and the most popular in the city (Get directions). The path is characterized by very tall palm trees and historic buildings on one side and the beautiful sea of ​​the Amalfi Coast on the other, all embellished with well-kept flower beds and stairs and walkways that lead directly to the beach , comfortable especially during the summer but also in winter if you wish to stop and admire the view offered on the gulf surrounded by the mountains.

8 – Provincial Archaeological Museum of Salerno
The Provincial Archaeological Museum was created to house a very rich collection that spans the time span from prehistoric times to the late Roman age from the entire province. Inside there are the lapidary made up of Roman finds such as statues and cinerary urns, the prehistoric section that tells the cultures that defined Campania and Salerno, the section of geometrically decorated ceramics, the exhibition of the Greek period, the finds of the archaeological area of ​​Fratte and the numismatic collection of coins of each people. Do not miss the bronze head of the god Apollo found in the waters of the Gulf of Salerno in 1930.

• How to get there: it is located on the edge of the historic center, reachable in a few minutes via Via Mario Iannelli – Get directions
• Hours: Monday to Saturday from 8:00 to 19:30 – Sunday and holidays from 9:00 to 13:30
• Ticket cost: free

9 – Via Mercanti
Photo of SOLOXSALERNO. Via Mercanti is the oldest characteristic street of Salerno that crosses the entire historic center, in fact it dates back to the Middle Ages when it was the main trade and communication route with a wide range of shops, especially textiles. Taking this route is a journey through time and history! Just think of its width ranging from 3 to 5 meters and all the historical structures, such as churches and palaces, that surround it. The road goes from the Arch of Arechi to Piazza Portanova, and along the way you will come across the ancient via Duomo. Get directions

10 – Complex of San Pietro a Corte
Larghetto San Pietro a Corte, which can be reached by crossing Via dei Mercanti, andone of the most important places in the history of the city . Here is the complex of San Pietro in Corte, used over the centuries in a different way.
It was born in Roman times as a spa , then it was transformed into a church and cemetery in the early Christian periods, later converted into a private chapel dedicated to Saints Peter and Paul and for the exclusive use of Prince Arechi II. During the Middle Ages it changed its use again and became the seat of Parliament and the place for conferring degrees to students of the Salerno Medical School. The complex testifies in a more or less visible way all the eras passed through, with the ancient Roman frigidarium and the external bell tower dating back to the 10th century.

• How to get there: easily reachable on foot from Via dei Mercanti – Get directions
• Orari: Mar-Sat 9:30-18:30, Sun 10:00-19:00
• Ticket cost: free

11 – Virtual Museum of the Salernitana Medical School
The Virtual Museum was conceived and curated by Maria Pasca and Queen Maria Rosaria Mari, with the scientific advice of Alessandro Di Muro and Luciano Mauro. It was set up in the ancient Church of San Gregorio to present and disseminate the history, themes and protagonists of the Salerno Medical School , with the use of modern information technologies. In fact, the exhibition itinerary includes interactive and engaging installations, animated miniatures and spectacularizations that embrace different contents with which it will be impossible to get bored!

• How to get there: it is located along Via Mercanti, reachable on foot or by bus 43 to the Duomo stop – Get directions
• Hours: Tuesday and Wednesday from 9:30 to 13:00 – Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 9:30 to 13:00 and from 17:00 to 20:00 – Sunday from 10:00 to 13:00 – Monday closed
• Ticket price: full € 3.00 – reduced (school groups, university students and over 65s) € 2.00

Salerno itinerary in one day
If you have only one day available to visit Salerno, we would like to suggest you an itinerary to follow in order to try to visit most of the must-see attractions of the city without wasting precious time. Unfortunately, due to lack of time, we had to exclude the Santa Sofia Complex and the Virtual Museum of the Salerno Medical School since the latter has complex schedules and it would not always be possible to visit it.

• Morning : The day will be busy, so get up early and start at the Medieval Aqueduct with a good breakfast at the nearby Nualis Cafe. Then continue with the Provincial Archaeological Museum, then walk along Via Mercanti admiring the shops and buildings until you reach the Cathedral of Salerno and, when you have finished the visit, head towards the Lungomare Trieste and enjoy a beautiful and suggestive walk until lunchtime, for which we suggest the typical restaurant Il Caminetto.
• Afternoon : after the break, retrieve your car, or alternatively wait for the bus, to move towards the unmissable Castello Arechi which remains open only until 16:00, then go back down to the city and visit the beautiful Minerva Gardens.
• Evening : to end the day, discover the length and breadth of the Villa Comunale and finally enjoy an excellent pizza from Campania. We recommend the nearby Donna Margherita pizzeria.

One day itinerary at a glance

1. Medieval Aqueduct – opening hours: always accessible – ticket price: free
2. Provincial Archaeological Museum – opening hours: from Monday to Saturday from 8:00 to 19:30 – Sunday and public holidays from 9:00 to 13:30 – ticket price: free
3. Via Mercanti – opening hours: always accessible – ticket price: free
4. Salerno Cathedral – opening hours: Basilica and Crypt have different hours and days, it is advisable to consult the official website – ticket price: free Cathedral / Crypt € 1.00
5. Lungomare Trieste – opening hours: always accessible – ticket price: free
6. Lunch at Il Caminetto – Get directions
7. Castello Arechi – opening hours: from Tuesday to Sunday from 9:00 to 16:00 – ticket price: full € 4.00 / reduced € 2.00 / free under 18 and over 65
8. Giardino della Minerva – opening hours: from Tuesday to Sunday from 9:30 to 19:30 – ticket price: full € 3.00 – reduced € 1.50 – free school groups
9. Villa Comunale di Salerno – opening hours: always accessible – ticket price: free
10. Dinner at Donna Margherita Pizzeria and Kitchen – Get directions

Where to eat in Salerno

1. Fish market : cooking at km 0 exclusively of fish with large portions of grilled, fried and homemade pasta
   Average price per person: € 35.00
   Address and contacts: Corso Giuseppe Garibaldi, 227 Get directions / tel: 0899955823
2. Donna Margherita : excellent quality pizzas that meet Campania standards prepared with 0 km ingredients
   Average price per person: € 30.00
   Address and contacts: Via Roma, 282 Get directions / tel: 089223935
3. Il Caminetto : typical restaurant with a rustic atmosphere with a traditional menu of Salerno and Campania cuisine in general
   Average price per person: € 25.00
   Address and contacts: Via Roma, 232 Get directions / tel: 089229614
4. Trattoria da Sasa : ​​small restaurant with fresh fish menu and super competitive prices
   Average price per person: € 20.00
   Address and contacts: Via degli Orti, 22 Get directions / tel: 089220330
5. Il Pacchero : elegant restaurant offers refined dishes with excellent raw materials
   Average price per person: € 40.00
   Address and contacts: Via de Luca A.Maria, 4 Get directions / tel: 0892964612

What to do in the evening: nightlife areas and the best clubs
In Salerno, fun never fails! The historic center and the Lungomare Trieste are full of clubs , especially in the summer, of various kinds and ideal for any type of evening. Whether you like to dance, sing, listen to music or simply be in company in a quiet way, in Salerno you will find many pubs, lounge bars and discos with DJ sets and live music, but above all with good culinary proposals accompanied by all kinds of drinks. The premises are also very close to each other being mostly in the central area. This allows you to move to different clubs during the evening so getting bored will be practically impossible!

• Jump Salerno : disco pub with excellent sandwiches and drinks that offers evenings with live bands, DJ sets and music of various kinds / Address: Via Paradiso di Pastena, 2 Get directions
• B-Side : the cult nightclub in the area where you can dance until dawn to the rhythm of commercial and non-commercial music / Address: Via Generale Clark, 17 Get directions
• Mumble Rumble : pub for musical evenings with live bands ranging from soul to rock / Address: Via Loria Vincenzo, 35 Get directions
• Bogart Dinner Disco Club : night club that also offers the opportunity to dine and then let loose on the notes of the hits of the moment / Address: Via Rafastia, 9 Get directions
• La Cantinella : a mixture of pub and lounge bar where you can enjoy excellent cocktails and a selection of wines and beers in peace / Address: Vicolo Giudaica, 29 Get directions

Plan your stay in Salerno: info and useful tips

• How to get there: the closest airports are the Amalfi Coast Airport (20 km away, 20 minutes by car) and Naples Airport (52 km, 46 minutes by car). Both are connected by direct buses. The city is well connected to Naples and the entire Amalfi Coast by buses operated by SITA and by various regional railways. In summer it is also possible to arrive in Salerno by ferry starting from Positano and Amalfi for those who were already along the Amalfi Coast, while from Cagliari, Catania and Palermo all year round depart for Salerno several ships a week. Finally, for those traveling by car, Salerno is located both on the A3 motorway (from the south) and on the A30 and A1 motorways (from the north).
• How to get around : the historic center of Salerno can be easily visited on foot, while to reach the less central attractions you can rely on efficient public transport such as the metro that connects the whole city in length and the urban and extra-urban buses that take you everywhere, even in surroundings of Salerno. Tickets: € 1.00 single ride – € 2.70 daily – € 9.40 weekly
• Where to park : the city has several public and paid car parks, however the latter are more recommended as they are larger, guarded and served by a shuttle service that reaches the historic center, the port and the railway station for a price ranging from € 1.00 to € 2.50 per hour. The closest to the main areas of interest are in Piazza della Concordia (Get directions), Piazza Amendola (Get directions) and Via Vinciprova (Get directions)
• Where to sleep: Hotels and b & b from € 40.00 per room – see the offers
• What to see in the area : Vietri sul Mare (3 km / 15 min), Amalfi (25 km / 55 min), Ravello (29 km / 60 min) Positano (42 km / 80 min), Naples (54 km / 50 min) , Paestum (43 km / 50 min), Vesuvius National Park (46 km / 40 min), Pompeii (30 km / 30 min)
• When to go : It is particularly enjoyable during the summer, however it owes its recent tourist rediscovery to a special event that is celebrated in winter (from the end of November to the end of January), namely the “Luci D’Artista” exhibition, during which the streets of the center are illuminated by spectacular lights.