Renting a car in Salerno and driving along the Amalfi Coast has been a bucket list item for people from all over the world since the 1950s, when the area became famous after appearing in several Hollywood movies. Due to its location and excellent tourist infrastructure, Salerno is a great base to explore well-known holiday resorts like Positano and Sorrento.
The city of Salerno itself has plenty to keep you entertained. Its ancient history is imprinted in the town’s narrow alleys, which are dotted with beautiful examples of medieval architecture. The majority of must-see landmarks are clustered around Salerno’s cathedral. These include the town’s medieval aqueduct, the archeological museum, San Agostino Palace and Salerno’s ceramics museum.
There’s a second cluster of tourist attractions further east toward the ferry terminal. Some interesting sights here include the hand-painted murals on Via Portacatena, the luscious public gardens at Villa Comunale and Santa Teresa beach, which is also the starting point of Lungomare, Salerno’s seaside promenade.
The local cuisine is undoubtedly Mediterranean, as it strongly features ingredients like olive oil, lemon, figs, nuts and fish. Some traditional dishes worth trying include linguine with anchovies, ciambotta (a refreshing veggie stew) and ravioli with ricotta and hazelnut. You can end your meal like the locals do and indulge in a shot of limoncello, a popular liqueur with digestive properties made with locally grown lemons.
There are many restaurants and trattorias along Via del Carmine and in the historical center between Villa Comunale gardens and the cathedral.
Make a plan to visit Arechi Castle if you’re visiting Salerno with children. At 300 meters above sea level, the castle offers panoramic views over the Gulf of Salerno and is a fun day trip for the entire family. Free parking is available on-site.
Another option for families with kids is taking a boat tour along the Amalfi Coast all the way to the pretty island of Capri. Although driving the Amalfi Coast is a must while in Salerno, these boat tours offer a different view of this spectacular stretch of coastline.
Lastly, you can drive your rental car or van in Salerno for 30 minutes and spend the day at Aquafarm, a large water park that offers endless fun from May to September.
The biggest shopping mall in Salerno is Le Cotoniere, a four-story shopping emporium where you’ll find local and international brands, restaurants and movie theaters. In the downtown area, the main shopping area is Corso Vittorio Emanuele. In addition, there’s Drapparia – Via dei Mercanti, a busy shopping area since the Middle Ages, now home to stores selling handmade items and souvenirs.
One of the most awaited events in Salerno is the annual Carnival, celebrated every February. Other notable events include the Children’s Film Festival in Giffoni, a 30-minute drive from Salerno, which takes place at the end of July, and Ravello’s Classical Music Festival, held throughout the summer in a scenic location 18 miles west of Salerno.
