SalernoGulf of Salerno · Italy

All About Salerno

Salerno has had a long and impressive history, with relics that date back to at least the Greco-Roman period. Shifting ownership on numerous occasions during the centuries, along its ancient streets you can find evidence of Norman French, Spanish, and even Napoleonic rule. More recently, Salerno has become an important place of pilgrimage for veterans of the Second World War, since its coastline was the destination for the Allied Operation Avalanche landings of 1943.

One of the wonders of the Campania region, Salerno has a phenomenal position on the southwest coast of Italy. Just a short distance south of Naples, it is close to both the wonders of Pompeii, as well as Sorrento and the island of Capri. The modern city consists of three distinctly different areas, with Salerno’s ferry services arriving and departing close to the medieval old town. Slightly further away, visitors will also find the nineteenth-century expansion of the city, in addition to a residential area constructed in the post-war period. For ferry tickets to Salerno, look no further than Ferryscanner. It’s an easy way to compare routes and book ferries to this glorious southern Italian city.
 

Routes and Ferries to Salerno

Ferry tickets to Salerno are available to three main destinations on two different continents. While not the quickest means of getting from A to B, these voyages are wonderfully evocative and as much a part of a vacation as spending time on the beach or exploring the many attractions Salerno has to offer.

Sicily can be reached in 9-13 hours. There are three alternative routes from Salerno for reaching the Mediterranean’s largest island, with the shortest pulling into the dock at Messina on the east coast of the island in nine hours. Like all current ferry tickets to Salerno, this route is operated by Grimaldi Lines. One of the most respected ferry companies in the region, it runs large and well-equipped ferries that provide everything a passenger can need for a comfortable journey, from cafeterias to private cabins. They also welcome on board those looking to transport motor vehicles, although the prices quoted here are based on a single adult foot passenger.

Messina is reached from Salerno three times per week at a cost of €28-160. It’s also possible to reach Palermo, the island’s provincial capital, in 9.5 hours at a cost of just €32-52. Finally, Catania can be reached in thirteen hours using one of up to six sailings in either direction each week.

Away from Sicily, ferries that dock at Salerno also cross the Tyrrhenian Sea to Cagliari on Sardinia. This journey takes approximately 17 hours with up to two sailings per week. Tickets normally cost €35-60.

Ferry tickets to Salerno can also be purchased for ferries that make the crossing to Tunis, the capital and main port of Tunisia in North Africa. There are up to two sailings each week, with scheduled journey times of 22 hours.

Salerno Costa d’Amalfi Airport is also known as Salerno-Pontecagnano Airport. It is a relatively small airport but still manages to welcome flights from cities as diverse as Olbia, Verona, and the island of Malta.
 

Ports of Salerno

The ports of Salerno are important cargo and passenger ports. Tucked into a bay around which the city developed, its new maritime passenger terminal was designed by Zaha Hadid. One of the world’s most renowned architects, she also worked on the creation of the Tokyo Olympic stadium. Overall, the port consists of three primary marinas, the Manfredi Pier, Mascuccio Salernitano and the Marina di Arechi. Most ferries dock within the Mascuccio Salernitano, which is located on the eastern end of the ports, although it’s always best to double-check your ticket information before heading directly there.
 

Best Beaches

Not only is Salerno one of the main gateways to the Amalfi Coast, but it is also home to several beaches that would otherwise be missing from the cliffside villages that make the region such an attractive destination. Below you’ll find our top picks for the best beaches in Salerno.

Spiaggia Santa Teresa

You can’t get much closer to central Salerno than Spiaggia Santa Teresa. Sitting between two of the port’s main piers, it is just 100 meters long and a very welcome stretch of soft sand. It can get a little rowdy during the high summer, but for most of the time, you’ll be sharing the sands with only a few others.

Crestarella

Highly rated by residents of Salerno, Crestarella is still close to the city center, to the west of the port. Situated on the edge of the Riserva Statale Valle della Ferriere, the sun loungers here quickly fill up during the vacation season.

Spiaggia Cavallo Morto

Track along the coast in a westerly direction from Salerno, and the beautiful gently winding road will soon bring you to Spiaggia Cavallo Morto. Like many beaches in the region, it isn’t the largest expanse of sand. However, it is absolutely stunning, and its shallows well protected by the surrounding cliffs.

Spiaggia Libera

Easier to reach for those dependent on public transportation, Spiaggia Libera is one of a series of lido-style beachfronts that stretch south of the city. Facilities on the beach itself are limited, although you’ll find plenty of amenities on the main road just a short stroll away.
 

Places to Visit

Salerno sits in the middle of what is called the 3Ps Triangle, made up of Pompeii, Positano, and Paestum. There is so much to see within the city itself, so set aside time to make it to these three famed destinations.

Lungomare Trieste

This elegant seafront promenade was created in the 1950s on the Bay of Salerno in the style of French Riviera destinations such as Nice. Running for eight kilometers around the bay, its palms provide a lovely backdrop for evening strolls, cycle rides, or for enjoying views out across the Med.

Centro Storico

Follow the signs for the Centro Storico and you’ll soon be at the center of what many people consider to be the best maintained historic city center in Italy. An excellent way to explore is probably to simply stroll amid its sunny streets, but be sure not to miss the duomo (cathedral), which began being built in 1076.

Arechis Castle

The hilltop position of Arechis Castle gives it commanding panoramas of the entire region. Named after the Duke of Benevento, who enlarged the castle a full 300 years before the cathedral was begun, its ancient rooms are used for temporary exhibitions throughout the summer.

Etruscan-Samnite Necropolis

Located on the outskirts of Salerno, the Etruscan-Samnite Necropolis (or Area Archeologica Etrusco-Sannitica di Fratte in Italian) is the most southerly archeological site of its kind in Italy. Protecting the remains of this ancient town and burial ground, many of its smaller finds have made their way to the city’s museum.
 

Transportation Around Salerno

Salerno has a small metro system that uses mainland railway stations. In total, it consists of nine different stations running along the coast from Via Monti in the historic center to the north and west of the city as well as to Stadio Arechi to the south and east. It also includes stops at the duomo and the central station. Buses are easiest to board at the stop outside the central station. The city’s bus routes are operated by CSTP and SITA buses. You need to buy your tickets before boarding, from tobacconists or newsstands. They cannot be purchased on board.