Temple of Athena in Paestum.

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Salerno & the Cilento

Salerno may not have the glamorous looks of the Amalfi Coast resorts, but its gritty centro storico (historic centre) is a kind of mini Naples without the mad motor scooters. Anchoring proceedings is an enthralling archeological museum and a Norman cathedral worthy of a city twice the size.

Attractions

Must-see attractions

  • Paestum's Temples

    Paestum's Temples

    Paestum

    Very different to Pompeii, Paestum’s ruins are smaller, older, more Greek and – crucially – a lot less overrun. Consequently, it is possible to steal some…

  • Crypt of Salerno Cathedral, Campania, Italy, 11th century

    Duomo

    Salerno

    One of Campania's strangely under-the-radar sights, Salerno’s impressive cathedral is considered by aficionados to be the most beautiful medieval church…

  • Grotte di Castelcivita

    Grotte di Castelcivita

    Salerno & the Cilento

    The grottoes are fascinating, otherworldly caves that date from prehistoric times: excavations have revealed that they were inhabited 42,000 years ago,…

  • Teggiano

    Teggiano

    Salerno & the Cilento

    The ancient coil of streets that makes up Teggiano (population 8,100) comprise what is arguably the most dashing of park’s 80 villages. Grafted onto a…

  • Castle of Arechi, Salerno, Campania, Italy (Photo by Marka/UIG via Getty Images)

    Castello di Arechi

    Salerno

    Hop on bus 19 from Piazza XXIV Maggio to visit Salerno’s most famous landmark, the forbidding Castello di Arechi, dramatically positioned 263m above the…

  • BKY8TD Tourists in the blue grotto, Cape Palinuro, Cilento, Campania, Italy BKY8TD Tourists, in, the, blue, grotto, Cape, Palinuro, Cilento, Travel, Europe, Italy, Mediterranean, Countries, Person, Caucasian, Appearance, Women, Men, Adults, Small, Group, of, People, Casual, Clothing, Nature, Landscape, Scenics, Water, Ocean, Tranquil, Scene, Travel, Destination, Day, Outdoors, Beauty, in, Nature, Boat, Leisure, Activity, Vacations, Holidays, Looking, Campania, Mediterranean, Travel, Europe, Italy, Mediterranean, Countries, Person, Caucasian, Appearance, Women, Men, Adults, Small, Group, of, People, Casual, Clothing, Nature, Landscape, Scenics, Water, Ocean, Tranquil, Scene, Travel, Destination, Day, Outdoors, Beauty, in, Nature, Boat, Leisure, Activity, Vacations, Holidays, Looking, Campania, Mediterranean, Sea, Blue, Cave, Rock, Rocks, Rural, Scene, Cilento, people, Cave, Tyrrhenian, sea

    Grotta Azzurra

    Cilento Coast

    Although it doesn’t have the hype of its Capri counterpart, Palinuro’s Grotta Azzurra is similarly spectacular, with a brilliant play of light and hue.

  • Certosa di San Lorenzo

    Certosa di San Lorenzo

    Salerno & the Cilento

    A giant among monasteries, even by Italian standards, the Certosa di San Lorenzo dates from 1306 and covers 250,000 sq metres. Numerologists can get a…

  • Museo di Paestum

    Museo di Paestum

    Paestum

    Facing the east side of the ruins, the Museo di Paestum houses a collection of much-weathered metopes (bas-relief friezes). Among these are originals from…

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