Salerno on a cruise: what to see, tips and tours
Discovering Salerno on a cruise is an experience you absolutely can't miss. Located on the stunning Amalfi Coast, Salerno offers a fascinating mix of natural beauty, history, and culture. This guide will help you visit Salerno in a short time and explore the main attractions. Here are all the useful tips to consider during your cruise stop in Salerno for a visit that will help you discover the city in a precise and well-organized manner, ensuring you don't miss any of the main attractions.
Why Visit Salerno During Your Cruise Stop
Visiting Salerno by sea allows you to enjoy breathtaking views and dock directly in the heart of the city. Cruises offer the convenience of exploring different destinations, making Salerno an ideal stop to discover the Amalfi Coast and the Cilento. Once you dock at the Salerno port, you will find the “drop on/off” of the free shuttle bus service adjacent to the Maritime Station, which will take you to the city center, the train station, and the Masuccio Salernitano pier, where the main sea connections to and from the Amalfi Coast depart.
So here are all the options for what to do if you're on a cruise in Salerno:
1. Visit Salerno's Old Town
If you have decided to visit Salerno, you can explore the city on foot and admire its most characteristic sights. Upon docking, the first point of interest is the modern Maritime Station, followed by Piazza della Libertà, the largest seaside square in Europe.
Don’t miss the Giardini della Minerva, the first botanical garden in Europe for medicinal crops, and the Salerno Cathedral, a masterpiece of Romanesque architecture with an impressive crypt.
We also recommend visiting the Castello di Arechi, where you can enjoy breathtaking views of the Gulf of Salerno, stretching from the Amalfi Coast to Agropoli.
For lunch, choose a restaurant in the historic center and try the delicious local dishes such as scialatelli with seafood, spaghetti with anchovy sauce from Cetara, buffalo mozzarella, and a good pizza.
There’s truly an embarrassment of choices! Don’t forget to use our suggested itinerary on Google Maps below:
2. Boat Tour Discovering the Amalfi Coast and Capri
An excellent option for exploring the Amalfi Coast is to join a boat tour, which can also include the renowned island of Capri. With a customized itinerary based on your available time, you can visit some of the most enchanting places along the coast, such as the picturesque towns of Amalfi, Positano, and Praiano.
During the tour, you'll have the opportunity to discover Capri's main attractions, including the famous Blue Grotto and the Faraglioni rock formations. You'll surely be amazed by the crystal-clear waters and the extraordinary beauty of the natural landscapes this location has to offer.
It's a unique experience that comes highly recommended! For more information on how to organize a private boat excursion along the Amalfi Coast, contact us below:
Discover the Best Attractions and Activities of the Amalfi Coast
Discover the main activities to do on the Amalfi Coast, from mountain trekking and boat tours that explore the entire coast and the island of Capri, to the craftsmanship of Vietri sul Mare and unique events like the Ravello Festival.
3. Visit the Archaeological Site of Paestum
For history lovers, a visit to the archaeological site of Paestum is a must. This ancient city of Magna Graecia is famous for its three magnificent Doric temples, perfectly preserved: the Temple of Neptune, the Temple of Hera, and the Temple of Athena.
Don't miss the chance to also visit the National Archaeological Museum of Paestum, designed like a temple. Inside, you will find numerous historical artifacts, including vases, frescoes, and the famous “Tomb of the Diver”.
To get to Paestum from Salerno, you can first use the shuttle bus service from the port to the Salerno train station. From there, take a regional train with a stop in Paestum on the “Napoli Centrale – Reggio Calabria” line. After about 30 minutes, get off at the “Paestum” stop.
Once you exit the station, a 15-minute walk will take you to Porta Sirena, from where you can reach the archaeological site.
4. Gli scavi di Pompei
An unmissable experience is a visit to the famous archaeological site of Pompeii, a historical treasure that should be seen at least once in a lifetime. Pompeii is known worldwide for its archaeological remains, from a city that was buried in 79 A.D. by the ashes and pumice of the Vesuvius eruption. After being buried for nearly 1,700 years, today you can explore its ancient ruins, including houses, temples, and shops.
Even if your cruise stop in Salerno is short, spending a day in Pompeii will allow you to immerse yourself in the atmosphere of an eternal Roman city, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
To reach Pompeii from Salerno, you can use the shuttle bus service from the port to Salerno’s train station. From there, take a regional train headed towards Naples, stopping at Pompeii; the journey takes about 40 minutes. Once you arrive at the "Pompei" stop (not to be confused with "Pompei Scavi"), you can access the archaeological site via the Piazza Anfiteatro entrance, which is about a 10-minute walk away.
5. Royal Palace of Caserta
The final suggestion is the Royal Palace of Caserta, a grand royal residence in Campania that has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This majestic palace spans about 5 hectares, making it one of the largest royal residences in the world, comparable to Versailles and the Royal Palace of Madrid.
You will be amazed by the opulence and luxury of the royal apartments, as well as the vastness of its park, offering a unique experience.
For this excursion, we recommend joining well-organized bus tours from Salerno, which will take you directly to the palace for an unforgettable day.
Explore more about the Amalfi Coast
These are just a few of the options to make the most of your visit to Salerno during a cruise. Stopping in Salerno means discovering a world full of attractions and beauty.
Whether you're looking for culture, history, or simply a place to relax, Salerno, along with its province and surrounding areas, offers something for every type of traveler.