The Best Thing About Salerno
The best thing about Salerno south of Naples is the view from the seaside promenade. Along with a handy proximity to the 3Ps: Pompei, Paestum and Positano.
Placed in the middle of the popular tourist triangle – Pompei, Paestum and Positano – the provincial capital Salerno tends to disappear. This is a great pity, because Napoli’s small brother has so much more to offer. And I’m not just talking about the gilded Duomo, the stunning views from Castello di Arechi or the Museo Didattico della Scuola Medica Salernitana that has been described in a previous blog entry.
A man looking out over the sea from the seaside promenade in Salerno.
Hold Your Breath
The best thing about Salerno, if you ask me, is the world passing by on Lungomare Trieste with neverending fishing rods and dreams and dogs on leash. Along with the impossibly crowded and colourful centro storico and main shopping area, where the streets are so narrow you have to hold your breath to avoid getting stuck. We tried driving through – guided by a local co-driver – to reach an underground garage, and I still find it incredible that the car emerged unscratched.
The best thing about Salerno is strolling around Lungomare and Centro Storico
Winter Lights
From November to January, Salerno hosts a Luci d’Artista festival and light sculptures of various artists float over the town in imitation of ‘Stelle cadenti, lanterne magiche e l’arcobaleno’. And among all the shooting stars, magic lanterns and rainbows everyone is free to make a wish.
The view from the seaside promenade in Salerno looking south toward Cilento.
Very nice photo collage! Salerno looks pretty.
It is always great to find out about the lesser-traveled towns.
I think Salerno is quite pretty, even if it is a lesser-travelled town. The amazing thing about Italy is that there are lots of undescribed places – even though Lonely Planet Italy runs to about 800 pages.
Those buildings are gorgeous!
What wonderful photos! Thanks for sharing.
I love your photos, Mette. For all the times I have been to Positano, I must admit I haven’t been to Salerno yet. I think I’ll have to change this on my next visit. Thankyou for visiting my blog and commenting. I’m always visiting Italy so I will keep up with your wonderful notes!
Altrettanto. I love finding other blogs that share my passion for food a travel :)
The Luci d’Artista festival and light sculptures sound amazing
They have the same tradition with light sculptures in Torino (Turin), if you want to drop by… :)
One of Italy’s hidden secrets.
Yes, but one of the good things about Italy – in my opinion – is that there are so many major sights that other very charming and authentic places go unnoticed.
We will be in Salerno in a few weeks to do some exploring, I am really looking forward to it. Your pictures are wonderful.
I’m looking forward to reading your report. By the way, there’s are small comfortable B&B right in the centre of Salerno, if you need a place to stay.
I’ve been to Pompei! It’s a tiny little town. Me and a friend travelled through Italy in train and we spent there the night before we went to Napoli. I love italian towns!
You’re right. The modern Pompei seems a lot smaller than the archeological sight.
When I head to the Amalfi Coast, our destination is always Positano but would love to also visit Salerno. We have been to Pompei which is also a great place to visit and since last year, we have been talking about visiting Paestum. We haven’t made it there yet.
There are just too many places to visit in Italy! :)
That’s right, but I think these a boat service from Positano to Salerno, so it shouldn’t be too difficult. Paestum is a longer drive, and – in my opinion – you have to be very fascinated by old temples, columns and architraves to make it worth while.