Best Things To Do In Salerno, Italy - Updated 2024

things to do in salerno italy
Natascha
Natascha 
Updated
| 4 min read

Salerno recently invested in urban regeneration programs and now features a dramatic new ferry terminal and tree-lined seafront promenade. This place has a certain charm about it, surrounding its vibrant centre, where churches share the same space as bars, restaurants and tattoo parlours. It has defined its own individuality but kept its medieval features. Salerno has a Mediterranean climate, with a hot and relatively dry summer and a rainy fall and winter.

1. Museo Archeologico Provinciale



This museum is divided between an outdoor garden, the ground floor and the first floor. The ground floor follows in chronological and topographical order. The archaeological finds here, come from many places with various cultural artefacts from prehistoric to Roman times. One significant piece is housed at this museum: the head of Apollo. The work is one of great archaeological importance, as it is believed that the head dates from the fourth or fifth century B.C.

Museo Archeologico Provinciale

Address: Via S. Benedetto, 28, 84122 Salerno SA, Italia

Website: Museo Archeologico Provinciale

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2. The Virtual Medical Museum


Right in Salerno’s historic center, is this engaging museum that has 3D and touch-screen technology to that explores the teachings and procedures of Salerno’s once-famous medical institute. Established around the 9th century, the school was the most important center of medical knowledge in medieval Europe, reaching the height of its prestige in the 11th century. It was closed in the early 19th century. Salerno’s remarkable achievement is to help spread the knowledge of Medieval history and Medicine with this virtual museum.

The Virtual Museum comes from the transformation and expansion of the Educational Museum of the medical school of Salerno and is intended to the public of persons with disabilities.

Museo Didattico della Scuola Medica Salernitana

Address: Chiesa di San Gregorio, Via dei Mercanti, 74, 84121 Salerno SA, Italy

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3. Museo Diocesano San Matteo



Since 1990, the Museo Diocesano ‘San Matteo’ di Salerno has been housed in the building that was once home to the Archiepiscopal Seminary, founded in 1563. The original collection of art belonging to the cathedral and other pieces were donated to the church by the Marquis Ruggi d’Aragona and by the Archbishop.

The examples of medieval art here, are of significance and some of the exhibits are very rare. They include a series of ivory tablets, dating back to the 12-century, that depict scenes from the Old and New Testament. The collection is a testament to the development of the local culture, from the eastern Byzantine to the Baroque.

Museo Diocesano ‘San Matteo’ di Salerno

Address: Largo Plebiscito, 12, 84121 Salerno

Website: Museo Diocesano ‘San Matteo’ di Salerno

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4. Museo Pinacoteca Provinciale

If you are a lover of art, you should head over to the Museo Pinacoteca Provinciale. It is located deep in the heart of the historic quarter and once housed the government palace. With 22 rooms, it has six galleries, with several exhibits. The museum houses a collection dating from the Renaissance right up to the first half of the 20th century as well as Venetian paintings from the 15th and 16th century. It also has late medieval and Neapolitan artwork from the beginning of the century.

It is open Tuesday to Saturday, with free admission on the first Sunday of every month. Typical admission price is 3 EUR (3 USD). The museum also provides guided audio tours and has a small gift shop. It also hosts free classical concerts, during the summer months.

Museo Pinacoteca Provinciale

Address: Via dei Mercanti, 63, 84121 Salerno SA, Italy

Website: Museo Pinacoteca Provinciale

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5. Minerva's Garden

#ilgiardinodellaminerva #scuolamedicasalernitana #matteosilvatico

A post shared by Silvia Izzo (@silviaizzo3) on Apr 10, 2017 at 1:17am PDT


In the heart of medieval Salerno, near the Fusandola River, Is Il Giardino Della Minerva, or Minerva’s Garden. This garden, belonging to the Villa Comunale, is located exactly halfway to this castle and contains significant historic and artistic value. Visitors today will see a major restoration, that ended in September 2000.

Visitors to the historic Minerva’s Garden will understand its important and significant value to the historic center of Salerno. The Garden, in partnership with the “Foundation Salerno Medical School”, offers guided tours, a reception hall and great insight into the history of the Salerno Medical School.

Il Giardino Della Minerva

Address: Vicolo Ferrante Sanseverino, 1, 84121 Salerno SA, Italy

Website: Il Giardino Della Minerva

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6. Parco del Mercatello

Salerno Mercatello-Park
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user [Unknown] used under CC BY-SA 3.0

The Parco del Mercatello is one of the largest urban parks in Italy, and links three-quarters of the city of Salerno: Mariconda, Mercatello and the Quartiere Europa. There is a small river that flows through it, a beautiful rock garden and a collection of cactus plants from the Acquaviva Foundation. There is also an artificial lake and a canal, considered to be the most scenic locations of the park. There is a large space reserved for performances and a bar that serves park visitors in all seasons of the year. The park is divided into four themed areas, based on the trees in that area. The park also offers complimentary WiFi.

Parco del Mercatello

Address: 84132 Salerno, Province of Salerno, Italy

Website: Parco del Mercatello

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7. Entrance to the seaside


Salerno, a seaside town, offers more than meets the eye when passing through the Amalfi Coast. With its coastal views, it’s a family-friendly town where you can enjoy the Italian sun and pizza that will make you want to return, every year, for a slice of perfection.

Salerno’s long history has left the city divided into three distinct regions – the medieval zone, the 19th-century zone and the post-war zone, the latter being the most populous. The city actually served as Italy’s capital for a very short period, in 1944, and now the area showcases its restored architecture with an array of shopping and dining options.

Salerno has developed a bustling promenade that divides the city from the sea. This allows visitors and locals to take in the beauty of the harbor and the energy of the city. With its street performers, entertaining the tourists with their puppetry shows and the city’s food market, next to the promenade, those wanting to enjoy a seaside stroll will be welcomed by a variety of sights and aromas.

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8. Seductive and beautiful Amalfi Coast (from USD 303.0)

Aside from its sheer beauty, the Amalfi Coast is a combination of great beauty and gripping drama. The coastal mountains plunge into the sea, with picturesque towns and forests. The Amalfi Coast is home to superb restaurants and hotels and is also one of Italy’s top spots for hiking, with marked trails which provide a means of getting away from the coastal clamor.

The villages of Sorrento, Positano, and Vietri Sul Mare are along the coast and each brings picturesque views of the sea. There are many restaurants and shops to visit.

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Salerno to Sorrento, Positano, Amalfi Private Shore Excursion

Duration: 8 hours

23 reviews

Explore every little town

You could spend weeks exploring Salerno and the Amalfi Coast. Every little town and village has its own identity to explore. Enjoy every piece of it and make sure to slow down a bit…this is a trip of a lifetime!

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Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
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