Meet Salerno

Salerno is my native city, and despite our love-hate relationship, I really think it's a great city where to spend Erasmus experience, because life isn't expensive and it's situated near one of the most breathtaking scenery of Italy: Amalfitan Coast. Moreover teachers help students and once there, you'll find ESN association willing to help you find a room or explaining what to do. There are parties/events almost every night, especially during spring Term.

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University Campus is situated far away from the city centre, in a nearby village named Fisciano, with Faculty of medicine having its own campus in Lancusi, a hamlet of Fisciano. You can reach it with three buses (depending on which bus stop you choose, there can be just one available): 17, 27, 7. Buses aren't Salerno's forte as they sometimes miss routes or don't respect time schedule. This Campus is lovely, you can find a bus/coaches terminal, canteen, restaurant, bars, book shops, pic nic tables, bank office, a library, post office, a police station, a pool, a football field and so on.

I recommend choosing second semester period as the weather become nice and you can experience a full social life, going sunbathing at Vietri, or Amalfi, visiting Naples, Positano, Ravello, Sorrento, Paestum, Cetara, Palinuro, Pompei, Acciaroli, Marina di Camerota, Castellabate and there's plenty more to be discovered. There are many events such as fairies and patron saint's festival (i recommend the one of Cetara and of Praiano).

Within the city you'll find the Cathedral, a church full of story and full of historic periods succession. You may also visit Piazza Abate conforti, San pietro a corte, Via dei Mercanti and Largo Campo, where the night movida takes place. The Castle watch over the city, and if you know someone with a car you can go upon Mazzo della Signora, a hill where to enjoy Salerno peacefully from on high.

If you love going to theather Salerno offers events and nights, it has many theathers, and you don't have to worry about your nightime in winter since ESN organizes tons of events and parties in many discos or bars, or even on the beach. There is a urban railway that links the center with the suburbs, nice places where to have a walk, go for a cheap shopping, easy reachable on foots as well. If you come to Salerno during Xmas era, you'll find this city glittering and sparkling with the author-created lights, original and lively event that bring every year thousand of people from all over Europe/Italy.

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You'll find many shops along the Corso, or in a town nearby, Pontecagnano, where there's the Mall.

There's also an IKEA store near university.

And food! What about food?! Pizza, babà, ice cream, bakery and specialties to try.

For what concerns a room to rent, you should stay near city center, on the Corso, near the station, or nearby Carmine zone, where most of Erasmus students live (but also Piazza XXIV maggio, via silvio baratta etc). University, being a campus, offers a room in the halls, sure it's sociable but you'll be far far from the city (and most likely from all your friends), and Salerno does not have night buses (a taxi will be too expensive).

Besides pros, Salerno has a lots of cons, but you'll find out once you'll be there.

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