Why Salerno is the perfect base camp for your trip to Southern Italy

It might as well be just my personal opinion but I’m firmly convinced that a trip to Southern Italy should be among the fundamental rights of every human beings past and future. Starting from late spring, Southern Italy becomes the perfect destination for a dream holiday: warm weather, breathtaking panoramas, incredible food, amazing places to visit… you name it, we have it.

However, if you really want to make the best out of your vacation you should perhaps be a little bit Southern Italy-savvy. First of all: carefully ponder over where you want to make your base. Means of transportation in Italy are not, well how should I put it… they do not exactly meet everyone’s expectations. In Southern Italy the situation tends to worsen so take this into account too.

But worry not as I shall give you the best tip ever! As a matter of fact, you can solve many of the problems posed by a vacation down here by simply make Salerno your holiday base! Why? Read on to discover!

Salerno is the door to the Amalfi Coast

If you plan a visit to Southern Italy you cannot not come visit the Amalfi Coast. Although there a couple of things you should know before coming here (as I’ve explained in the 8 Things You Should Know About Amalfi Coast part 1 and part 2), this is a real must. Yet, staying anywhere on the Amalfi Coast can be quite challenging money-wise. This is why Salerno is the perfect base camp: it’s super close to the Amalfi Coast and it’s not as expensive as the first is.

For example, you can book an affordable boat trip for the day that will take you from Salerno to the Amalfi Coast while sipping on Prosecco that the captain provides. Along the way, you can take a swim and dive off into the glistening waters.

Salerno is the last hub for high-speed trains

Salerno is directly connected to Rome and Naples (and pretty much everywhere else in Italy) by high speed trains, regional trains, private buses etc. As a consequence, even if you’re mainly staying in Rome you could still easily hop on a train and come to the beautiful South for a day trip. Conversely, even if your holiday is mainly South-centered you can simply buy a ticket to Rome for a day trip there.

Pro tip: you can reach Matera by bus in two hour from Salerno! 

Salerno is not as touristy as Sorrento

Many people chooses Sorrento over Salerno as their base camp but little do they know that Salerno is far less touristy than the rival. You can enjoy local life with affordably-priced aperitivi and eat excellent seafood at reasonable prices. Plus, Salerno is very interesting on a more cultural-artistic level (check the fine Salerno’s Provincial Archeological Museum and I’ll be proved right). So… just saying.

Or, go on a day trip to the wine town of Montemarano on this activity that you can book a cooking experience with a local and wine tasting with a genuine wine-family. This is how you can tour the vineyards of Cortecorbo, lunch in the countryside with a Sommelier after a pizza cooking class with a true Italian. 

Salerno is well connected by train to the archeological sites of Pompeii and Paestum

Everyone dreams of visiting Pompeii one day. Well, why limiting yourself to Pompeii when you could visit both the frozen-in-time town and the incredible Archeological Site of Paestum? Maybe the latter is less popular as its more famous sibling but it has no less to show. You can easily book a local walking tour from Salerno to Pompeii that includes train tickets as well as tickets to explore Pompeii itself too! The best way to learn about the ancient city is most definitely with a knowledgable guide. 

Salerno is beautiful

Yes, last but not least, you should make Salerno your base camp simply because Salerno is a really beautiful town. Not as big and chaotic as Naples, not as popular as Sorrento but still, you might wanna check it out before it turns into another touristic trap. Now’s the time. Ready to book your tickets? What are you waiting for?