11 Best Day Trips from Salerno

It's true that Salerno has plenty to see and do, but what if I told you that its surroundings do too? Check out the best excursions

Andressa García

Andressa García

11 min read

11 Best Day Trips from Salerno

Vista alta de la playa de Salerno |©Antonio Longobardi

You should know that one of the best things to see and do in Salerno is definitely an excursion. From boat trips to visits to cities that have been declared World Heritage Sites thanks to their historical value.

One of the best things about this city is that you can go and see the entire Amalfi Coast and the towns that are located in the nearby region. I'll show you some of the best activities where you can see coastal landscapes and picturesque streets.

1. Enjoy a boat tour along the Amalfi Coast

Amalfi Coast|©Agustin
Amalfi Coast|©Agustin

If you want to see more of the Amalfi Coast, book a boat tour of the Amalfi Coast. You will go on a boat cruise along the entire coastline departing directly from the port of Salerno. This is an experience for small groups of no more than 12 passengers.

Along the way you will have the opportunity to stop for swimming and snorkelling in the coves along the coast. You will have free time to visit and explore Amalfi and Positano, and a tour guide will tell you some of the best places to see and visit in these towns before returning to Salerno.

Vietri sul Mare, Conca dei Marini and the Furore Fjord are other places of interest to visit on this tour. One thing you'll love is that, as you board the boat, you can enjoy a welcome toast with Prosecco, definitely one of the best tours of Salerno and its surroundings.

Interesting details

  • Price: You will have to pay around €157 per person to join this tour.
  • Duration: Your tour lasts approximately 7 hours.
  • Means of transport: The whole experience is completed by boat, however, you have to get to the port on your own.
  • Advantages of this option: You are offered bottled water, snacks and drinks.
  • Disadvantages of this option: Not a wheelchair friendly experience. Personal expenses and food and drinks not included in the package are not included.

Book a boat trip along the Amalfi Coast

2. Visit Paestum on an excursion from Salerno

Paestum|©Angel de los Rios
Paestum|©Angel de los Rios

One of the best things to do if you're in Salerno is to book an excursion to Paestum, a Greco-Roman city 40 kilometres away.

This excursion, in which you will be accompanied by a professional guide who will give you all the details about the Greek, Lucan and Roman history of this place, lasts approximately 4-5 hours.

And, in addition, you have the option to:

  • Visit the National Archaeological Museum of Paestum and the archaeological site, declared a World Heritage Site.
  • Book a visit to the organic farm of Tenuta Vannulo where you can enjoy a tasting of the best buffalo mozzarella. Don't hesitate if you like this variety of cheese.

Interesting details

  • Price: You will have to pay around 351 € per person to participate in this trip.
  • Duration: Your tour lasts approximately 4-5 hours.
  • Advantages of this option: Includes return transport.
  • Disadvantages of this option: Only available from March to November.

Book an excursion to Paestum

3. Discover Capri with a boat trip

Boat in Capri|©Brianna Mauro
Boat in Capri|©Brianna Mauro

Another of the best things to do on your trip to Salerno is to book an excursion to Capri. Departing from Molo Manfredi in the Port of Salerno, you will go straight to one of the most beautiful islands in the Mediterranean, Capri. The first point of interest on your tour is the island of Li Galli, where you can enjoy the waters for swimming.

After visiting the Li Galli island, you can continue to Capri, where you can sign up for one of the top 10 activities on the island of Capri, which is swimming in front of the Faraglioni. After this swimming stop, your tour guide will take you to see some of the most wonderful places in Capri. Finally, your last stop will be at Punta Campanella, a real natural oasis.

Interesting details

  • Price: This experience is priced at approximately €178 per person.
  • Duration: This tour has a duration of 7 hours.
  • Means of transport: This experience is done by boat.
  • Advantages of this option: Bottled water, alcoholic drinks on board and snorkelling equipment.
  • Disadvantages of this option: Lunch is not included.

Book an excursion to Capri

4. Stroll around Pompeii

Rocky street in Pompeii|©Carola Ducci
Rocky street in Pompeii|©Carola Ducci

If you book an excursion to Pompeii, you'll see the ruins of the city that was devastated by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius and buried for almost 2000 years. Your experience begins at your chosen departure point within the city of Salerno, where you will board the bus that will take you to Pompeii.

Once at the archaeological site, your tour guide will take you on a tour of the site, while the expert guide will tell you what life is believed to have been like for the inhabitants before the volcano erupted. You will see the bakeries, the House of the Vetti, the forum and the lupanar.

Interesting details

  • Price: You will have to pay around 76 € per person for this experience.
  • Duration: It will take you at least 4 hours to complete the tour.
  • Means of transport: The whole tour is done in an air-conditioned vehicle.
  • Advantages of this option: No-queue entry to Pompeii and the accompaniment of a tour guide are included.
  • Disadvantages of this option: Food and drink and personal expenses are not included.

Book an excursion to Pompeii

5. Take a trip to Positano, Amalfi & Ravello

Houses in Positano|©austinvffnut
Houses in Positano|©austinvffnut

You will travel along the entire Amalfi Coast on this tour of Amalfi, Positano and Ravello. You will have dinner and visit the boutiques and artisan shops of the region, where you will have the opportunity to buy whatever you want.

In Positano you will be able to visit one of the best beaches there, which is none other than Spiaggia Grande. From there, you will have the opportunity to walk along the entire coastline of the town.

You will also visit the Duomo di Sant'Andrea in Positano, before visiting Ravello, a town that stands out thanks to a couple of ancient villas, with terraces and gardens that you will love to photograph.

Interesting details

  • Price: This tour costs approximately €275 per person.
  • Duration: It will take you around 8 hours to complete this experience.
  • Means of transport: The tour is completed by minivan and partly on foot.
  • Advantages of this option: Transport to and from your hotel or accommodation is included.
  • Disadvantages of this option: Lunch and entrance fees to the Cathedral of Sant'Andrea are not included.

Book a boat trip on the Amalfi Coast

6. Sign up for a quick midday tour of Pompeii

Tourists at the ruins of Pompeii|©Ene Rok
Tourists at the ruins of Pompeii|©Ene Rok

Book a tour to Pompeii and you'll explore and learn about the site in the company of a professional guide, who will tell you how this city, during Roman times, was rich and full of public and private buildings.

This is an ideal experience if you are short on time to visit the best sights in Salerno and close to the city. The expert guide will tell you all the details of the eruption of the volcano that destroyed Pompeii and how the city remained under the ash for about 1700 years.

Interesting details

  • Price: This experience will cost you around €76 per person.
  • Duration: It will take you no more than 4 hours to do this tour.
  • Means of transport: The whole trip is in an air-conditioned vehicle.
  • Advantages of this option: Entrance fees to the archaeological site are included.
  • Disadvantages of this option: It is not a wheelchair friendly tour.

Book an excursion to Pompeii

7. Discover the Prince's Path

View of Amalfi from the mountain|©Nick Amoscato
View of Amalfi from the mountain|©Nick Amoscato

Booking a trekking tour on the Prince's Path along the Amalfi Coast will take you along some of the most scenic trails in this region of Italy. The great thing about this hike is that you can enjoy the scenery without the need to follow trail markers or follow maps.

Along the way you will be able to see incredible panoramic views and take pictures of them. You can also visit quiet villages and talk to the locals.

Interesting details

  • Price: You will have to pay around 56 € per person.
  • Duration: The tour lasts approximately 3 hours.
  • Means of transport: The whole tour is on foot.
  • Advantages of this option: It includes the accompaniment of a professional guide.
  • Disadvantages of this option: Not recommended for pregnant women or travellers with heart conditions or other serious medical problems.

Book a trekking tour to the Prince's Trail

8. Don't miss out on a bus trip to Pompeii

Tourists in Pompeii|©Ene Rok
Tourists in Pompeii|©Ene Rok

This excursion is for you if you arrive in Salerno on board a cruise ship or are taking one of the best boat trips along the coast of Salerno. Together with a local expert you will reach the ruins of Pompeii. Your tour guide will be waiting for you at the port of Salerno, to start the adventure.

The tour from Salerno takes no more than 30 minutes, and then you will walk to the foot of Mount Vesuvius and the ancient city of Pompeii. You will pass through the Porta Marina, which was once the entrance to the forum of Pompeii, stroll along the cobbled streets, and look at the remains of grand and luxurious mansions, temples, theatres and Roman baths.

Details of interest

  • Price: You can find this activity for around €48 per person.
  • Duration: It will take you around 6 hours to complete this experience.
  • Means of transport: The experience is completed partly by bus and partly on foot.
  • Advantages of this option: Transport to and from Salerno cruise port is included. Transport by bus, the company of a guide, entrance to Pompeii and headphones are included.
  • Disadvantages of this option: Not wheelchair friendly. Pets and assistance animals are not allowed.

Book an excursion to Pompeii

9. Take a private minivan tour of Sorrento, Positano and Amalfi

High view of Sorrento|©RH&XL
High view of Sorrento|©RH&XL

Whether you've transferred between the airport and Salerno to stay in the city, or you're taking a cruise, your tour will begin in a private minivan waiting for you at the city's port, where you'll travel through Sorrento, Positano, Amalfi and Vietri sul Mare. The best thing about this private shore excursion is that you'll have time to explore each town as much as you like.

You'll have time to connect with and learn about the history and cultural heritage of these towns as you visit their churches, villas and monasteries, always with the insightful commentary of your tour guide.

Interesting details

  • Price: You can participate in this experience, paying from 300 € per group of up to four people.
  • Duration: It will take you around 8 hours to complete this experience.
  • Means of transport: The whole trip is completed by minivan, but you will have to arrive on your own at the port of Salerno, which is the meeting point.
  • Advantages of this option: The transport is air-conditioned. In addition, this is a private experience, which is completed by car or minivan. Salerno port access tax is included.
  • Disadvantages of this option: Food and beverages are not included unless specified in the booking.

10. Complete your list with a tour of Spaccanapoli and Cristo Velato

Spaccanapoli|©Joop van Meer
Spaccanapoli|©Joop van Meer

During this walk to Spaccanapoli you will get to know the most iconic street in the old town of Naples. You will also have the opportunity to see the Veiled Christ, which is undoubtedly one of the most amazing sculptures in the world. When you arrive in Naples, you will go straight to Piazza del Gesù Nuovo to see the church in the square and admire the obelisk.

Then you will go straight to Via San Biagio, which is also known as Spaccanapoli. Your tour guide will tell you the history of the church of Santa Chiara just before you go to visit the chapel of Sansevero, to see and take pictures of the statue of the Veiled Christ.

As the last place on your itinerary, you will go to see the Cathedral of Naples, and its Royal Chapel of the Treasury of San Gennaro. After finishing your visit, you can have lunch at any restaurant in the centre of Naples.

Interesting details

  • Price: This experience will cost approximately €89 per person.
  • Duration: It will take you around 10 hours to complete the tour.
  • Means of transport: The whole tour is done by minibus and part of the tour is on foot.
  • Advantages of this option: Entrance to the Sansevero Chapel and all other sites requiring entrance, tour guide and minivan transport are included.
  • Disadvantages of this option: Food and drinks are not included.

11. Take a trip to Herculaneum

City of Herculaneum|©Pablo Cabezos
City of Herculaneum|©Pablo Cabezos

You'll set off with your tour guide for Herculaneum, where you'll see the archaeological remains of this Roman city that was buried by the eruption of Vesuvius, which also destroyed the city of Pompeii. Once you are in Herculaneum, you will spend the next two hours touring the excavation site.

Your tour guide will show you what daily life was like for the inhabitants of this city and what the tragedy of the volcano's eruption would have been like. You will pass by the Corinthian Atrium House, where you can see the mosaic that remains intact.

During this tour, which is definitely one of the best excursions from Salerno, you will see iconic sites such as the thermal baths of the Forum, the house of Neptune's mosaic and the house of the Deer.

Details of interest

  • Price: This experience is priced at approximately €125 per person.
  • Duration: It will take you around 6 hours to complete this tour.
  • Means of transport: The whole tour is done by minibus and partly on foot.
  • Advantages of this option: Entrance to Herculaneum is included. Transport to and from Herculaneum is included, as well as a tour guide.
  • Disadvantages of this option: Pets are not allowed. At least two participants are required for this activity to take place.

How to book an excursion from Salerno?

Salerno Beach Boat Tour|©maxcammarota
Salerno Beach Boat Tour|©maxcammarota

When you have already enjoyed the best things to see and do in Salerno, an ideal option is to book an excursion. For this type of experience you should go online and search for the tour or excursion you want to do. You should then contact a sales agent who will explain all the details about the package, what is included and what is not included.

You should also make sure to ask all the details about the cancellation of the booking, and you should have all the relevant information regarding the confirmation of the experience.

Book a guided tour of Salerno