Amalfi Coast- Salerno Cruise Port Guide
If you're fortunate enough to have a day to explore this gem during your cruise, you're in for a treat. From historic wonders to stunning coastal views, the Amalfi Coast offers a mix of culture, cuisine, and captivating scenery. We spent 5 days exploring the Amalfi Coast and most recently were here at the Salerno Cruise Port and enjoyed a day on a boat tour to the town of Amalfi. Here’s the ultimate guide for making the most of your day in Salerno.
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Amalfi Coast Excursion:
Salerno serves as a gateway to the renowned Amalfi Coast. It’s Southeast of Naples at the eastern end of the beautiful Amalfi Coast. Consider joining an excursion to explore this UNESCO World Heritage site. Discover the pastel-hued villages of Positano and Amalfi, perched along the cliffside. Immerse yourself in the charm of these coastal gems and capture postcard-worthy moments.
Boat Tour to Coastal Villages:
For a unique perspective of the region, consider a boat tour. Sail along the Amalfi Coast, exploring hidden coves and seaside villages. This allows you to appreciate the coastal beauty from a different angle and provides an opportunity to swim in the crystal-clear waters. We loved the amazing views on our boat ride to the town of Amalfi. We had a few hours to explore on our own and stopped along the coast for an unforgettable swim in the ocean.
Salerno:
Arechi Castle
Explore the Historic City Center: Wander through the charming streets of Salerno's historic center. Visit the Duomo di Salerno (Salerno Cathedral), an architectural masterpiece with its medieval and Baroque elements. Don't miss the Museo Diocesano di Salerno, which houses a collection of religious art.
Salerno Walking Tour: Explore the hidden gems of Salerno on this Guided Salerno Walking Tour.
Stroll Along Lungomare Trieste: Take a stroll along Lungomare Trieste, the picturesque seafront promenade. Enjoy views of the Tyrrhenian Sea.
Cooking Class: Master Italian Cooking at a local home with an expert Private Cooking Class.
Indulge in Local Cuisine: Savor the flavors of Salerno by trying local dishes at a traditional trattoria. Try fresh seafood, handmade pasta, and delicious pastries. Piazza Flavio Gioia, the main square, is a great place to find a variety of dining options.
Shopping in Salerno: If you enjoy shopping, Salerno won't disappoint. Explore the local markets and boutique shops for handmade ceramics. Via dei Mercanti is a charming street lined with shops offering Salerno's artisanal products.
Arechi Castle: Perched on a hill overlooking Salerno, Archi Castle is a historical landmark with its origins tracing back to the 8th century, this fortress offers a fascinating journey through time and provides panoramic views of the city and the surrounding coastline.
Boat Rental:
Rent a private boat from Salerno and enjoy the Amalfi Coast on your own boat.
Ravello:
Ravello Italy is a small charming town that offers a peaceful retreat from the more popular destinations along the Amalfi Coast. I could have spent an entire day here enjoying the views and shops.
Villa Cimbrone Gardens: The Villa Cimbrone Gardens is my favorite stop on the Amalfi Coast. Villa Cimbrone, a 12th-century residence is now a luxury hotel. Next to the hotel are the Villa Cimbrone Gardens. These gardens are filled with sculptures, beautiful hedges, and rose gardens. Once inside the gardens, don’t miss the Infinity Terrace (Terrazaa Dell’Infinito). This terrace is filled with stone busts and offers a stunning panoramic view of the Amalfi Coast… Probably my favorite travel photos I’ve ever taken were on this terrace!
Villa Rufolo: Wander through the lush, terraced gardens, don’t miss the famous Terrace of Infinity. Step inside the 13th-century villa to admire its architecture and frescoes. The villa often hosts cultural events and exhibitions.
Explore Ravello’s beautiful ceramic shops.
Travel time from Salerno to Ravello by vehicle is approximately 30 minutes. The ferry takes 40 minutes and costs 7 Euros.
Amalfi:
The Amalfi Cathedral is located in the heart of the town. It’s the #1 attraction in Amalfi and one of the most beautiful churches in Italy. The cathedral is dedicated to St. Andrew, the town’s patron saint, and houses his relics. The cathedral’s Cloister of Paradise is the most beautiful part of the church. It’s an enclosed courtyard adjacent to the cathedral. The cloister is a serene space. It has a beautiful garden, ancient Roman sculpture, Moorish arches, and palm trees.
Historic center: Stroll through the historic center of Amalfi. We love the fountain, quaint shops, and charming cafes. We explored the backstreets and found stands selling lemon gelato and beautiful ceramics.
Don’t miss the opportunity to visit the Museum of Paper, showcasing Amalfi’s historic paper-making tradition.
Travel time from Salerno to Amalfi by vehicle is approximately 25 minutes. The ferry to Amalfi is 35 minutes and 8 Euros. It’s a beautiful boat ride.
Positano:
Explore the Cliffside Village: Wander narrow streets lined with colorful buildings and boutiques, framed by dramatic sea views.
Relax on the Beach: Sink your toes into the dark sand at Spiaggia Grande and bask in the Mediterranean sun.
Hike the Path of the Gods: Discover breathtaking panoramas along this famous coastal trail.
Dine with a View: Savor dishes at cliffside restaurants, offering spectacular vistas.
Shop for Linens and Ceramics: Find unique, locally crafted souvenirs in charming stores.
Travel time from Salerno to Positano by car is approximately 50 minutes.
Sorrento:
Old Town & Piazza Tasso: Piazza Tasso is a lively square, surrounded by cafes and shops at the edge of Old Town. It's the biggest square in Sorrento. We enjoyed exploring the narrow streets and visiting shops selling leather, ceramics, and lace.
When you visit you’ll notice everything is lemon themed🍋: They have lemon candies, lemon chocolates, lemon ornaments, limoncello, lemon embroidered tablecloths, and ceramic lemons.
Lemon/Lime Grove: I Giardini di Cataldo: There is a large lemon/lime grove in the middle of Sorrento. It smells like fresh citrus and is a nice break from the busy Piazza Tasso.
Marina Grande is one of the more charming parts of Sorrento. Wander the picturesque fishing village with colorful boats, and indulge in fresh seafood at waterfront trattorias
Relax on Sorrento’s Beaches: Enjoy the sun and sea at Marina Piccola or the public beaches.
Travel time from Salerno to Sorrento by car is approximately one hour.
Capri:
Blue Grotto:
This is Capri’s most famous attraction so expect lines, there could easily be an hour's wait depending on how busy it is. I couldn't believe how small the opening was to get inside the Grotto. You have to lie down as you enter so you don't bump your head. It’s also pretty small once inside. But it's worth a few boat rides to see the amazingly blue water that reflects off the limestone bottom. When the waves are too high it is impossible to enter the Blue Grotto. Luckily, the weather was perfect the day we visited.
Mount Solaro:
We took a chairlift up to Monte Solaro to see amazing views of Naples and the Faraglioni Rocks. Make sure to save time to soak up the views! Next, we headed down Monte Solaro for a fairly easy 45-minute hike.
Spend some time in the town of Capri:
Capri has a variety of high-end shops, especially along Via Camerelle, where you’ll find luxury fashion brands like Gucci and Prada. The town also has charming local boutiques with handmade crafts and souvenirs.
Garden of Augustus:
We loved our stroll through the dreamy Garden of Augustus. This botanical garden offers stunning views of the gorgeous blue waters and the rugged landscape. There is a beautiful Monastery in the middle of the gardens.
Travel time: If you want to visit Capri you should join an excursion or hire a boat. Explore the beauty of Capri on a small-group boat tour from Salerno.
Pompeii:
Nestled beneath the shadow of Mount Vesuvius, Pompeii is a place where the past comes alive. This ancient Roman City, buried and preserved by the volcanic eruption of AD 79, offers a unique glimpse into daily life over two millennia ago. Through the excavation, you get an insight into the life of a city at the height of the Roman Empire. It’s incredible how it was preserved, down to the pottery and the statues. Pompeii is a historical treasure that tells a captivating story of a bygone era. We spent about 2.5 hours enjoying Poppeii. Here is a Pompeii-guided walking tour from Salerno. Or visit on your own: From Salerno, Pompeii Train & Entry Tickey with Audio Guide.
Pompeii is 15 miles northwest of Salerno. Travel time is approximately 30 minutes by car and 19 minutes by train.
Naples:
Naples is buzzing with energy and reminds me of what Italy would have been like years ago. It also seems to be a little more rough as the guidebooks pointed out. Our goal wasn’t to conquer Naples but to get a feel for its vibe and our #1 reason for visiting was to try the PIZZA! And yes Naples has GREAT pizza! 😉🍕
Discover the Historic Center:
Start your journey in the heart of Naples by exploring the historic center. Wander through the narrow winding streets, admire the architecture, and visit iconic landmarks like Spaccanapoli Street and the Church of San Domenico Maggiore.
Visit Naples’ Museums:
Naples boasts many museums, offering a unique glimpse into the city’s history and art. Don’t miss the National Archaeological Museum, home to a vast collection of artifacts from Pompeii and Herculaneum, as well as the Museo di Capodimonte, which showcases Italian masterpieces.
San Gregorio Armeno:
Next, take a stroll along San Gregorio Armeno. This is Naples’ Christmas street. It’s devoted to the Neapolitan obsession with Presepe or Christmas cribs. The “cribs” are fantastical nativity scenes, bursting with a cast of characters from Naples folklore.
You cannot come to Naples, the birthplace of pizza, and not give it a try. The most iconic is L’Antica Pizzeria da Michele, a loved Naples institution and famously the spot from the movie Eat Pray Love. This is where Elizabeth Gilbert had her out-of-body pizza experience. First, take a numbered ticket from the attendant and wait to be called. Once seated (and it might be a while), you can order your choice of Margherita or Marinara.
Travel time from Salerno to Naples by vehicle is approximately 45 minutes and 41 minutes by train.
As your cruise ship docks in Salerno, seize the opportunity to immerse yourself in the rich history, and breathtaking landscapes. Whether you choose to explore Salerno or embark on an Amalfi Coast adventure, your day promises to be a memorable highlight of your cruise journey. Buon viaggio!
