My husband and I would like to spend one night in Salerno so that we can visit Paestum. We'd appreciate any hotel recommendations.
Thanks in advance.
Posted by
North Georgia, USA
1183 posts
If the only reason you're staying there is to visit Paestum, why not stay in Paestum itself? My husband and I picked up a rental car next to the Salerno train station and drove to Paestum. We stayed at https://www.tenutaducamarigliano.it/. The second night, we ate dinner in their excellent restaurant. Seriously, it was amazing. One of the best dining experiences we've ever had.
With a car, we were able to drive to a buffalo farm for a late lunch on our arrival day that literally made me cry! The next morning, we had a private tour at https://www.tenutavannulo.com/en/mozzarella/. It was so interesting! I emailed them a few weeks in advance to set it up. We spent the afternoon at Paestum visiting the site and the museum. Easy drive back to Salerno the next morning to drop off the car. I really enjoyed this little side trip!
Posted by
105 posts
Hello,
We stayed at Holiday Guest House when we were in Salerno a year ago and can definitely recommend it. I have included the link to our Trip Report in case that is helpful.
Enjoy!
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/trip-reports/trip-report-february-march-in-italy
Posted by
Idaho, USA
8008 posts
From my 2022 trip report:
Salerno – 2 nights: When I shared our experience of Salerno with my husband during a FaceTime call, he remarked, “You know, you’re having the Back Door experience that Rick Steves intended when he began his tours.” I do like to gravitate towards the lesser traveled routes, so Salerno was more appealing to me than Sorrento. Also, I really wanted to see Paestum after finding it during on-line research. I highly recommend Casa Santangelo, the former summer home of marquis Santangelo from Naples.. I booked the family suite, so we could stretch out a bit at this location. Our two-room suite was perfect for our daughter to see the grand elegant past (my room is on their website - spectacular original gold walls & painted ceiling of pre-eruption Pompeii!)
Our host commented that we chose wisely to be able to experience “authentic South Italy”, not just “tourist South Italy” on the Amalfi Coast. We walked down to the boardwalk and caught the end of a windsurfing competition in the bay, meandered along the old town lanes and dressed up for the Saturday night passeggiata that didn’t disappoint! Our last evening, we had reservations at the Osteria dei Mercanti restaurant in the old center and enjoyed both the food and the family running the restaurant. The owner told us a couple of times to be sure to go up to Ravello.
Day-trip to Paestum: An easy 30-minute train ride from Salerno, and we were walking the well-marked lane to the Greek ruins of Paestum. What an amazing experience – first seeing these 500 BC temples in such great shape, and then being able to walk up to them & even climb up inside the Neptune Temple! They are mammoth in size and some of the best preserved in the world. As you would expect by now, we arrived when they were opening and enjoyed a leisurely lunch afterwards of the local Buffalo mozzarella topping a fresh salad and an appetizer charcuterie of Buffalo blue cheese, etc. – delicious!
Amalfi – 3 nights: We took the ferry from Salerno over to Amalfi.