Salerno
Salerno is a port city with a medieval old town, a palm-lined seafront and a practical base for the Amalfi Coast.
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Salerno is a port city on the Gulf of Salerno, on the Tyrrhenian Sea, in Campania. It is the capital of the province of the same name, and it sits where the Irno valley opens onto the sea, between the Amalfi Coast and the Sele plain. The medieval center has narrow alleys, baroque churches and artisan workshops. Salerno Cathedral, built in the 11th century, keeps the relics of Saint Matthew in its crypt. Arechi Castle, on the hill above the city, has views over the gulf. The Giardino della Minerva, one of Europe's oldest botanical gardens, once grew medicinal plants for students of the Salerno medical school.
Salerno works as a base for the Amalfi Coast, with ferries from the commercial port of Manfredi, and Pompeii, Paestum and Positano are all within reach. Salerno station is the main railway station, and the A2, A3 and A30 motorways run to the city. Summers are hot, with highs around 31°C in July and August, while autumn and winter are rainy.
Salerno in five
- Use Salerno as a budget base for the coastRooms cost less than in Positano or Amalfi, and fast trains reach Naples. You give up a sea view and commute to the coast by ferry or SITA bus.Amalfi Coast
- Take the ferry in seasonFerries run to Amalfi, Positano and Capri from the port in the warm months, and are often calmer than the coast road. Check the operators' timetables, since services depend on the season and the sea.
- Go to Paestum by train or busThe Greek temples of Paestum are a short ride south of Salerno, and the site is flat and open. Visit in the morning and check the museum and site hours before you go.Paestum
- See the lights in winterThe city is known for its Luci d'Artista light installations, which usually run from late autumn into January. Check the city's official page for dates before you plan a winter stay.
Things to do in Salerno
See all attractions in Salerno
Need to know
- Airport
- Naples (NAP), about 1 hour by train or bus; Salerno has a small airport
- Getting there
- Fast and regional trains from Naples and Rome
- Getting around
- On foot in the center; ferries and buses along the coast
- Best base
- Near the station or the seafront
- Time needed
- 1 night as a base; half a day as a stopover
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryRain14 rainy daysHigh12°Low6°Mild, quietJanuaryRain
Poor
- High
- 12°
- Low
- 6°
- Precipitation
- 149 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, quiet
- FebruaryRain12 rainy daysHigh13°Low7°Mild, quietFebruaryRain
Mixed
- High
- 13°
- Low
- 7°
- Precipitation
- 130 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, quiet
- MarchRain14 rainy daysHigh15°Low8°Spring startsMarchRain
Mixed
- High
- 15°
- Low
- 8°
- Precipitation
- 135 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Spring starts
- AprilRain13 rainy daysHigh18°Low10°Green, EasterAprilRain
Good
- High
- 18°
- Low
- 10°
- Precipitation
- 83 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Green, Easter
- MayRain13 rainy daysHigh21°Low14°Warm, clearMayRain
Best
- High
- 21°
- Low
- 14°
- Precipitation
- 106 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, clear
- JuneClear6 rainy daysHigh27°Low19°Hot, sea warmJuneClear
Best
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 19°
- Precipitation
- 38 mm
- Rainy days
- 6
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, sea warm
- JulyClear4 rainy daysHigh30°Low22°Hot, busyJulyClear
Best
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 22°
- Precipitation
- 21 mm
- Rainy days
- 4
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, busy
- AugustClear7 rainy daysHigh30°Low22°Hot, FerragostoAugustClear
Best
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 22°
- Precipitation
- 37 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, Ferragosto
- SeptemberClear9 rainy daysHigh26°Low19°Warm, calmerSeptemberClear
Best
- High
- 26°
- Low
- 19°
- Precipitation
- 131 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, calmer
- OctoberClear10 rainy daysHigh22°Low15°Mild, quietOctoberClear
Best
- High
- 22°
- Low
- 15°
- Precipitation
- 118 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, quiet
- NovemberRain16 rainy daysHigh17°Low12°Rain, windNovemberRain
Poor
- High
- 17°
- Low
- 12°
- Precipitation
- 282 mm
- Rainy days
- 16
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rain, wind
- DecemberRain12 rainy daysHigh14°Low8°Lights, coolDecemberRain
Poor
- High
- 14°
- Low
- 8°
- Precipitation
- 176 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Lights, cool
Average daily high and low in Salerno, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Salerno
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
13
- Feels like
- 11°
- Humidity
- 90%
- Wind
- 16 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 100%
Salerno
09:37 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today14°12°100%Monday: Rain. High 14°, Low 12°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Tue18°11°68%Tuesday: Rain. High 18°, Low 11°. Chance of rain 68%.
- Wed19°11°5%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 19°, Low 11°. Chance of rain 5%.
- Thu18°12°11%Thursday: Cloudy. High 18°, Low 12°. Chance of rain 11%.
- Fri18°13°25%Friday: Rain. High 18°, Low 13°. Chance of rain 25%.
- Sat16°14°21%Saturday: Rain. High 16°, Low 14°. Chance of rain 21%.
- Sun18°14°13%Sunday: Rain. High 18°, Low 14°. Chance of rain 13%.
Updated 07:27 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Every year
- Jun–JulNapoli Teatro Festival ItaliaNaples, a day trip
- SepFesta di PiedigrottaNaples, a day trip
Before you go to Salerno
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Rules for Salerno, checked
- Most non-EU visitors can stay up to 90 days in any 180-day period across the Schengen area. Check entry rules on the Italian visa site before you book.Source
- Dial 112 for police, fire or an ambulance anywhere in Italy.
- Cover shoulders and knees before entering churches, including Salerno Cathedral and its crypt.
- Check with the Italian Ministry of Culture before you take antiques or old ivories out of Italy, since some need an export licence.
Plan around Salerno
Regions, cities and the rules every visitor needs
Read the guideAmalfi CoastTowns, buses, ferries and the coast road
Read the guidePaestumGreek temples south of Salerno
Read the guidePositanoThe cliff village reached by seasonal ferry
Read the guideNaplesThe city an hour up the line
Read the guideItaly by train off-peakHow to price regional rail legs
Read the guideSalerno FAQ
Is Salerno worth visiting?
Yes, as a practical base and for its old town and seafront. It has fewer postcard views than the coast towns, but it is lively and cheaper, and the train links are the best in the area.
Is Salerno a good base for the Amalfi Coast?
Yes if you value lower prices and trains, and are happy to ferry or bus to the coast. You will not wake to a cliff view, so choose Positano or Amalfi if scenery matters most.
How do you get from Salerno to Amalfi?
By seasonal ferry in about half an hour, or by SITA bus along the coast road in about an hour or more. The ferry is more scenic when it runs, so check the timetable the evening before.
How far is Salerno from Naples?
About 35 to 60 minutes by train, depending on whether you take a fast or regional service. Fast trains from Naples Centrale are quick, and regional trains are cheaper but slower.
What is there to see in Salerno?
The cathedral, the old town lanes, the seafront promenade and a hilltop castle. It is a stopover rather than a major sight city, so one day is enough.