Things to do in Salerno

No. 1 of Best Things to Do in Amalfi

Amalfi Coast

Amalfi Coast is a stretch of coastline on the southern side of the Sorrento Peninsula in the province of Salerno, southern Italy. It extends from Positano in the west to Vietri sul Mare in the east, with over a dozen coastal towns built into the cliffs along the way. Steep cliffs, terraced hillsides, and the deep blue Tyrrhenian Sea form the core scenery here. The terraces are planted with lemon trees, grapevines, and olive trees, presenting a typical Mediterranean coastal landscape. The representative towns along the coast each have their own unique characteristics. Positano is famous for its cascading colorful houses and steep stone steps, with buildings clinging to the hillside from the beach upwards; the town of Amalfi was once the center of a medieval maritime republic, and it is filled with narrow alleys and staircases, where the facade of theCathedral of St. Andrew, blending Arab and Norman styles, is a landmark of the town; Ravello sits high on a ridge, and the gardens of Villa Rufolo and Villa Cimbrone offer views overlooking the entire coastline, among which the "Terrace of Infinity" at Villa Cimbrone is a viewing spot for a panoramic view of the coast. Vietri sul Mare is known for its traditional handmade ceramics, and colorful pottery shops can be seen everywhere in the town. The "Path of the Gods" from Agerola to Positano is a classic hiking route. It follows the ridge, offering high-altitude views of the coastline and the full panorama of the towns along the way. The region is famous for a slender variety of Amalfi lemon, and the local limoncello made from it is also a specialty. The coastal road is winding and narrow, prone to traffic jams in summer, and ferries are also available for travel between the towns.

Chiesa della Sacra Famiglia

Chiesa della Sacra Famiglia is a unique modern Catholic church designed in collaboration by architect Paolo Portoghesi and local engineer Vittorio Gigliotti. Unlike typical classical churches, it is constructed entirely of reinforced concrete with continuous curved surfaces and is considered a significant example of postmodern church architecture in Italy. The circle is the core language of the building: the floor plan consists of multiple nested circular spaces. Looking up, you can see three protruding arcs converging overhead to form a dome, each symbolizing different imagery. The two ramp entrances surrounding the church subtly reflect the theme of an embrace. The lighting is also worth savoring. Slender strip windows are embedded in the curved walls, and stained glass dyes the daylight into various colors, casting flowing light and shadows on the concrete surface as the angle of the sun changes. Upon entering the main door, a set of stained glass windows depicts the image of a traditional church with a pitched roof and a high bell tower, creating an interesting contrast with the modern space behind it. The central stone altar, the unique lectern, and the tubular sculptures inside all showcase exquisite modern craftsmanship and are worth a close look.

No. 11 of Best Things to Do in Italy

Pompeii Archaeological Park

The Pompeii Archaeological Park is located on the shores of the Bay of Naples in southern Italy, with Mount Vesuvius as its backdrop. In 79 CE, the sudden eruption of the volcano buried the entire town under ash and pumice, inadvertently preserving its streets, houses, shops, and frescoes—freezing the daily life of an ancient Roman town at the moment of disaster. Beyond the ruins, the site also features poignant casts of victims: cavities left by decomposed bodies in hardened ash were filled with plaster by archaeologists, recreating their final moments, with a group of such casts displayed in the Garden of the Fugitives. The tour typically begins at the Porta Marina in the west, where the Temple of Venus, the patron goddess of Pompeii, stands on a high platform to the right of the entrance. Along the main street, visitors can see the rectangular Basilica with its recognizable column remnants and frescoes, followed by the ancient Temple of Apollo nearby. Further ahead lies the central forum, where the columns of the Temple of Jupiter frame the silhouette of Mount Vesuvius in the distance—a classic photo spot. The stone-paved streets outside the forum still bear deep ruts from ancient cart wheels. To the south are the Large Theatre and the covered Odeon, the latter once used for musical performances, with the Temple of Isis reflecting Egyptian influence nearby. Heading north to an intersection, the Stabian Baths offer a glimpse into ancient Romans' passion for bathing. Further east, the House of the Venus in the Shell features a small garden surrounded by a colonnade, with the famous fresco of Venus reclining in a shell still adorning the garden wall. At the southeastern end of the town stands the Amphitheatre, built around 2,000 years ago and capable of seating 20,000 spectators—one of the earliest surviving stone Roman amphitheatres, offering panoramic views from the upper seats. The House of the Faun in the northwest occupies almost an entire block; its excavated Alexander Mosaic is now housed in Naples' National Archaeological Museum. Nearby, the House of the Tragic Poet displays the famous "Beware of the Dog" mosaic at its entrance, with interior frescoes depicting mythological and theatrical scenes. The vast site offers limited shade, so allocate at least half a day for exploration, wear comfortable shoes, and bring water. Those interested in seeing the original Alexander Mosaic and other artifacts can pair their visit with the National Archaeological Museum in Naples.

No. 16 of Night Attractions in Italy

Positano

Positano is a cliffside town on the Amalfi Coast in southern Italy. The entire town faces the sea, built into the mountainside, with colorful houses cascading from the cliff top down to the seaside. This "vertical" town layout is its distinctive feature. There are few roads in the town; instead, there are winding stone steps and narrow alleys, dotted with handicraft shops, galleries, and lemon-themed boutiques along the way. The town's landmark is the Church of Santa Maria Assunta, whose iconic colorful dome often appears in classic images of Positano. The terrace in front of the church offers a panoramic view of the pier and the Mediterranean Sea. Walking down from the church to the seaside, you will find the main beach, Positano Spiaggia. This crescent-shaped beach connects the colorful buildings on the cliff with the blue sea. Alternatively, you can follow the coastal path to the slightly more distant Fornillo Beach, which is quieter.

Ravello

Ravello is perched high above the coastal cliffs, with the winding coastline and terraced orchards below. The mountain scenery is beautiful, and the mansions and historic buildings built by wealthy merchants along the cliffs remain to this day, creating a unique atmosphere. When visiting, the two cliffside gardens are the key highlights: the viewing terrace at the end of Villa Cimbrone faces the endless sea, making it a classic vantage point for overlooking the coastline; another historic mansion features cloisters and terraced gardens with a unique fusion of styles, and its scenery has inspired many literary and artistic works. The cathedral in the town center houses exquisite carved pulpits, which is also worth a visit. The town is built into the mountainside, and the main views are within walking distance, offering visitors a romantic and cultural experience.

No. 2 of Best Things to Do in Amalfi

Cathedral of St Andrew Apostle

The Cathedral of St. Andrew was founded in the first half of the 10th century and serves as the cathedral of Amalfi. This church, which combines various architectural styles, has an exterior dominated by dark gray and creamy white, while the interior is largely Baroque in style, magnificent, ornate, and exquisite. A long flight of stairs leads directly to the church's main entrance, and the cloister is the burial place of former Amalfi nobles. The most precious treasure in the church is the relics of St. Andrew, the patron saint of Amalfi, which are buried in the crypt. Today, the relics are only displayed for veneration during important religious events.

No. 1 of Best Things to Do in Ravello

Villa Rufolo

Villa Rufolo is famous for its 19th-century garden. From its elevated position, you can see exotic colors, artistic towers, and vibrant flowers. In 1880, Wagner wrote that he had found the garden of Klingsor (the setting for Act II of his opera *Parsifal*). Today, the garden is used to host concerts during town festivals.

Cathedral of Santa Maria degli Angeli, San Matteo and San Gregorio VII

Sorrento

Sorrento is located near the Bay of Naples, with the entire town built atop seaside cliffs. The famous Italian song "Come Back to Sorrento" sings of this very town. The song has been sung for a century and has become a unique cultural symbol of Sorrento. The 16th-century poet Tasso was also born here, and the town square is named after him. The town is surrounded by lemon groves and olive trees, and Limoncello, a lemon liqueur made from local lemons, is a signature specialty of Sorrento. Piazza Torquato Tasso is the central starting point for sightseeing. Next to the square is the Valley of the Mills, a deep gorge embedded in the heart of the city, where abandoned old mills remain at the bottom, overgrown with vegetation. The Cloister of San Francesco was built in the 14th century, with arches and columns arranged in an interlaced pattern along the cloister. Museo Correale houses medieval sculptures, paintings, and local decorative arts, while the Museum of Wood Inlay is dedicated to showcasing the wood inlay craftsmanship that has continued in Sorrento for hundreds of years. Looking out from the edge of the cliffs, you can see the silhouette of Mount Vesuvius and Capri. The streets and alleys of the old town are winding, and the Marina Grande fishing village on the coast retains a rustic atmosphere, with colorful houses arranged along the harbor.

No. 1 of Best Things to Do in Ottaviano

Mount Vesuvius

Mount Vesuvius is an active volcano on the Apennine Peninsula. It was formed by the collision of the Eurasian plate and the African plate. It once destroyed the ancient city of Pompeii when it erupted in 79 AD and is currently dormant. This volcano has erupted many times, so it is also one of the most dangerous volcanoes in the world. You can climb Vesuvius on foot, follow the slope of the volcanic rock to the crater, and in about 20-30 minutes you can go up to the top to see the crater. Because of the high altitude and the high wind speed of the mountain pass, you need to hold the railing when you reach the top. There is a special bus from Pompeii to Mount Vesuvius. The journey takes about an hour. There is a ticket office to Mount Vesuvius at the entrance of Pompeii Railway Station, and the departure point is also at the entrance of the railway station. There are not many buses, and there is usually a train on time. After the car passed through the Vesuvius National Forest Park, it stopped halfway up the mountain and had to change to a car specially used for climbing, and then changed to walking, and climbed along the handrail to the crater.