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Go to SiteA Salerno cruise will reveal the shimmering beauty of Italy’s Amalfi Coast. The southern face of this mountainous peninsula juts into the sapphire-blue Tyrrhenian Sea, one jewel-like town after another clinging to its impossibly sheer slopes. Historic Salerno, itself fringed by endless beaches and a long, palm-lined promenade, is the gateway to this enchanting region.
Cruises provide easy access to the delights of the Amalfi Coast, from glamorous towns like Amalfi and the world-famous Positano to mountaintop Ravello, all highlights on an Italy cruise. Sophisticated Sorrento gazes over the north side of the peninsula from its clifftop, while the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Pompeii and the exquisitely pretty island of Capri are an easy day trip away.
Exquisite towns in gelato shades cling to the plunging hillsides of the Amalfi Coast. There’s beauty at every turn amid Positano’s cascading architecture, scenic stairways, and narrow, wisteria-draped lanes. Superyachts anchor off the pebbly beach here, ferrying their glamorous occupants ashore for lunch. Gorgeous Amalfi, meanwhile, spills over a cliff, the dramatic Cattedrale di Sant’Andrea at its heart, a lavish confection of patterned marble and a fine example of Baroque architecture.
In AD 79, the city of Pompeii and its inhabitants were buried as nearby Vesuvius spewed burning ash and pumice in a cataclysmic explosion. It was only 1700 years later, when archaeologists began to excavate, that the villas, baths, streets, and marketplaces were discovered perfectly preserved. Take a tour to wander through this haunting place. A good guide will interpret the intricate mosaics, which portray the daily, often decadent life of the Romans.
The beaches along the Amalfi Coast may be petite, but they’re among the most glamorous in Italy. Maiori is one of the best places to catch some rays; with its neat rows of colored umbrellas, it’s home to the longest stretch of unbroken sandy shoreline along the peninsula. When you’ve had enough beach time, stroll the Sentiero dei Limoni, or the Lemon Way, through the lemon groves to neighboring Minori for dazzling views amid the fragrant scent of sfusato, the lemon that’s unique to this region.
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A-listers have been drawn to exquisitely pretty Capri for millennia; one of the first was the Emperor Tiberius, who built the Villa Jovis as his opulent summer retreat. Don’t miss a boat trip to the Blue Grotto, where he famously swam in the luminous water. Inhale the fragrance of the manicured gardens around Villa San Michele, the former home of Swedish physician Axel Munthe. Unwind after your busy day with a Limoncello spritz on the Piazzetta square, the island’s top spot for people-watching.
Perched high in the Lattari Mountains that form the spine of the Sorrentine Peninsula, Ravello’s jaw-dropping views stretch all along the craggy Amalfi Coast, the Tyrhennian Sea glittering far below. Gaze at the Villa Cimbrone, a hotel with origins dating back to the 11th century, and stroll through its beautiful garden. There are more lush gardens at Villa Rufolo, after which the cafés and gelaterias of Piazza Centrale beckon.
Clinging to sheer limestone cliffs on the north side of the Sorrentine Peninsula, chic Sorrento has been a fashionable vacation spot since Roman times, the fragrance of those famous lemon groves always on the breeze. Stroll the exotic gardens and browse the chic boutiques lining the cobblestone streets for floaty fashions and bottles of zesty limoncello before settling down to fresh grilled fish with jaw-dropping views across the Bay of Naples and the mighty, brooding Vesuvius.
Seafood is understandably popular along the Amalfi Coast; spaghetti alle vongole, which is spaghetti with clams, garlic, olive oil, and chili, is a classic. Do as the locals do and try a cuoppo d’Amalfi, a paper cone of lightly battered seafood with a squeeze of lemon; it’s perfectly acceptable to eat this on the go. Not into fish? Gnocchi alla Sorrentina, gnocchi with tomato sauce and mozzarella, is true comfort food. Savor the simplicity of a perfect Caprese salad featuring buffalo mozzarella, tomatoes, and fresh basil. You’ll find thin-crust, melt-in-the-mouth pizza everywhere; Naples, home of the dish, is not far away.
Don’t miss sfogliatelle, shell-shaped pastries oozing with orange and cinnamon-scented ricotta, to go with your morning cappuccino. Try all the different flavors of gelato, from pistachio to fig, cinnamon-ginger, and lemon-basil. Bear in mind that the less lurid the color, the more likely the gelato is to be homemade.
There’s evidence that Salerno was inhabited by the Etruscans in the 6th century BC, although it was later named Salernum by the Romans, under whom it flourished as a port and military base. Various powers came and went over the centuries, and Salerno declined as nearby Naples rose to prominence. The city did, however, serve as the landing site for Allied forces during Operation Avalanche in 1943, playing a vital role in the liberation of Italy.
The Amalfi Coast, meanwhile, also thrived under the Romans, who built lavish villas here. After the fall of the Roman Empire, the Amalfi Republic rose to prominence as a powerful maritime state, eventually falling into decline around the 12th century. For centuries, the Sorrentine Peninsula consisted of simple farming and fishing communities until the 1800s, when wealthy travelers, artists, and writers began to discover its beauty for themselves. Today, the whole coast is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Ships dock at the Molo Manfredi at the western end of Salerno’s waterfront. The first thing you’ll see is the striking terminal building, a futuristic design by Zaha Hadid. The craggy Amalfi Coast stretches away into the distance.
The historic center is less than a mile from the port. Some ferries to the peninsula and Capri depart from Molo Manfredi and others from near the Piazza della Concordia, often reached via shuttle bus.
The towns of the Amalfi Coast and beyond stretch along the Sorrentine Peninsula from Salerno. A particularly fun and scenic way to get around is on the fast ferries that serve the cities and towns of the Amalfi Coast from Salerno. Ferries depart near the Salerno cruise port and take you to Amalfi and Positano, as well as some of the smaller villages. Journey times are short; for example, Salerno to Amalfi takes around 35 minutes. The crossing to Capri takes up to two hours, so time your return carefully if you have to be back the same day. There’s also a bus service running along the exceptionally beautiful coastal road. Taxis are also available.
There’s no end of stylish souvenirs to pick up around Salerno and the Amalfi Coast. Bottles of limoncello, lemon-fragranced soaps, handmade leather sandals, stylish beachwear, ceramics, handmade paper, and local wine all make great mementos of your trip. Positano is the spot for unique artisan goods, while Sorrento is the overall hub for shopping. For designer fashion, you can’t go wrong on Capri, where you’ll find everything from Gucci to Louis Vuitton and Dior. For shopping in Salerno, stroll along Corso Vittorio Emanuele, the main street, where you’ll find everything from high street names to high-end fashion.
The currency in Italy is the euro. ATMs are located around Salerno and the other main cities and towns of the Amalfi Coast. Most businesses accept credit cards. Tipping isn’t expected in Italy, though a small tip of a couple of euros per person is appreciated for great service. If “servizio” is mentioned on the check, you’re not expected to add an additional tip. If you see the word “coperto,” that’s a cover charge for bread, not a tip for the staff.
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