The province of Salerno is one of the most varied in Italy: in a few hours on the road you go from Greek temples to caves, from gardens perched above the sea to the great monasteries of the interior. We have chosen five places outside the city that, in our view, are absolutely worth the trip. For the monuments of the city itself, see What to see in Salerno.
1. Paestum and its temples
The first place is almost a must: the archaeological area of Paestum, in the municipality of Capaccio Paestum. The city was founded by Greeks from Sybaris under the name of Poseidonia around the middle of the 7th century BC and became a Latin colony, named Paestum, in 273 BC.
Walking among the Temple of Hera, long known as the "Basilica", the great Temple of Neptune and the Temple of Athena is an unforgettable experience. In the museum, the Tomb of the Diver awaits you, painted around 480–470 BC. Since 1998 the site has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We talk about it in Paestum and its temples.
2. Velia, the city of philosophers
Heading down the Cilento coast, in the territory of Ascea, you will find the archaeological park of Elea-Velia. The city was founded around 540 BC by Greek exiles from Phocaea and in the 5th century BC became famous for the philosophical school of Parmenides and Zeno.
What we liked most was the climb to the acropolis, among olive trees and Mediterranean scrub, up to the medieval tower overlooking the sea. Along the way you pass through the Porta Rosa, one of the most celebrated remains of the ancient city. The whole story is in The Archaeological Park of Velia.
3. The Certosa di Padula
In the Vallo di Diano a place awaits you whose sheer size takes your breath away: the Certosa di San Lorenzo in Padula. It was founded in 1306 by Tommaso II Sanseverino and covers more than 50,000 square metres, with three cloisters, gardens and a richly decorated church.
The great cloister, of about 15,000 square metres, is said to be the largest in the world. Do not miss the elliptical staircase completed in 1779 to a design by Gaetano Barba, a pupil of Vanvitelli. The Certosa, too, has been a UNESCO site since 1998. We describe the visit in The Certosa di Padula.
4. The Pertosa-Auletta Caves
Not far away, between Pertosa and Auletta, you enter the bowels of the earth. The Pertosa-Auletta Caves are crossed by the Negro river, and the visit begins with a short boat ride on an underground river: an experience that thrilled us like children.
The caves also preserve the remains of a Bronze Age village built on stilts. Then you continue on foot among stalactites and stalagmites. Bring a sweatshirt: even in summer it is cool inside. Find out more in The Pertosa-Auletta Caves.
5. Ravello and Villa Rufolo
The last stop is on the Amalfi Coast, in Ravello, suspended above the sea. Here we recommend Villa Rufolo, the 13th-century residence of the wealthy Rufolo family, with an Arab-Norman style cloister and the Torre Maggiore.
In 1880 Richard Wagner visited the villa and drew inspiration from it for the enchanted garden of Parsifal; from that link comes the tradition of the summer concerts. From the gardens, the view of the coast is one of the most beautiful we have ever seen. Read Villa Rufolo and Villa Cimbrone and Ravello: what to see and major events.
How to get there and when to go
A car is the most convenient way to reach these places: Paestum and Velia lie along the coast south of Salerno, Padula and Pertosa are reached via the A2 motorway, Ravello via the Amalfi Coast road. Paestum also has a railway station on the line to the Cilento. Spring and early autumn are perfect for the open-air sites. Some caves and sites have seasonal closures: check opening times and tickets on the official website before you set off.
In the surroundings
To plan the whole trip, start from Salerno and its surroundings and, for the south of the province, from The Cilento: what to do and what to see. If you want to combine a day in the city with one in the province, read Visiting Salerno in 3 days. To finish with a swim, here are The most beautiful beaches in the province of Salerno.
