In a nutshell
- If you haven’t seen the view from Ravello, you haven’t really experienced the Amalfi Coast!
- Because Ravello is perched so high up, it’s far less crowded than the other towns on the Amalfi Coast — a real breath of fresh air.
- The easiest way to get there is by bus from Amalfi — it only costs a couple of euros and runs every half hour.
- The standout highlights in Ravello are its two villas and their gardens: Villa Rufolo and Villa Cimbrone.
What you need to know about Ravello
Here are the most important facts about Ravello at a glance:
- Even in high season, Ravello is far less crowded than Positano or Amalfi down on the coast.
- The best time to visit is from April through October.
- You can reach Ravello by bus from Amalfi, or by taxi, though that gets expensive fast. Driving up is winding, but there is parking available at the top of the village.
- Ravello sits at an elevation of 1,200 feet — which means stunning views await you.
- Ravello has no beach. The nearest swimming spots are down in Amalfi or Atrani.
How to get to Ravello
Because Ravello has no direct sea access, you first need to get to Amalfi and then make your way up to Ravello from there. From Amalfi, you have the following options:
By bus: A bus runs every half hour from Amalfi to Ravello. The ride takes about 25 minutes and a ticket costs €1–2.
By taxi: Faster, but pricey. Expect to pay around €40–50 for the ride from Amalfi.
On foot: You can also walk to Ravello from Atrani. It’s about a two-hour uphill hike.
Attractions in Ravello
The most famous things to do in Ravello center on its two spectacular villas — Villa Rufolo and Villa Cimbrone. But the town has a few other highlights worth seeing as well.
Plan to spend a full day exploring all of Ravello’s sights.
Villa Rufolo
Villa Rufolo is one of Ravello’s most iconic landmarks — and one of the best things to do in Ravello, full stop.
The villa features Moorish-inspired cloisters, small exhibition rooms inside a medieval tower, and a garden overlooking the sea.
The main draw is really the garden, which is far more spectacular than the interior spaces. The villa’s architecture is also at its best when seen from the outside.
Villa Rufolo is also famous for having inspired Richard Wagner‘s Parsifal. Every summer, the Ravello Festival is held at the villa in Wagner’s honor.
Admission is around €7 and is absolutely worth it.
Villa Cimbrone
Villa Cimbrone is considerably larger than Villa Rufolo, so plan for around two hours.
The absolute highlight is the famous Terrazza dell’Infinito, with its marble busts and panoramic views over the Amalfi Coast.
The gardens are filled with tropical plants, cypress trees, small temples, and pavilions.
In the main building of the villa, which is now used as a hotel, you can visit the medieval cloister.
There’s also a lookout tower you can climb. From the top, you get an additional panoramic view over Ravello and the coastline.
Fun Fact: In the film “Sissi — Fateful Years of an Empress,” Sissi goes to recuperate at a villa on Madeira. The actual filming location, however, was Villa Cimbrone in Ravello.
Staying at Villa Cimbrone
Part of the villa houses a luxury hotel, where you stay in a section separate from the public areas. Amenities include a pool, a restaurant, and of course rooms with sea views.
Staying here comes with a matching price tag — in high season, a double room runs into four figures. In April, May, and October, rooms cost around €800 per night.
Piazza Duomo
Ravello’s central square is also home to the town’s cathedral, San Pantaleone.
Don’t be fooled by the simple Romanesque facade — inside you’ll find colorful mosaics and the relic of Saint Pantaleon, the patron saint of Ravello.
Right on the square there are several cafés and small artisan boutiques.
Also worth a look is the Coral Museum, where you can see and buy jewelry and decorative items made from coral. Admission is free.
Belvedere Principessa di Piemonte
You’ll find this small, public park tucked away on a side street.
From here you get one of the most beautiful and at the same time most peaceful vistas of the coastline.
The park was named after the last queen of Italy, who was the first member of the Italian royal family to visit Ravello.
Sit on the benches and enjoy the sunset over the sea — it’s seriously one of the best free things to do in Ravello.
Auditorium Oscar Niemeyer
An eyesore to some, a breath of fresh air to others amid the traditional architecture of the Amalfi Coast.
Star architect Oscar Niemeyer from Brazil designed this futuristic concert hall at the age of 102.
You can only visit the interior during events, but the outdoor terrace overlooking the sea is open to the public.
Ravello hotel tips: great hotels in Ravello
Among the accommodations on the Amalfi Coast, Ravello has the largest selection of bed & breakfasts and vacation rentals. There are also several luxury hotels.
Here are our hotel picks in Ravello:
Casa Vittoria: Double rooms and small vacation apartments with breakfast, centrally located in Ravello. There’s also a pizzeria right in the building.
Gala Residence: Modern hotel with parking, nautical interior design, and a great terrace where breakfast is served in the morning.
Palazzo Confalone: Easily one of the most beautiful hotels on the Amalfi Coast. Luxurious, but not more expensive than comparable options on the coast.
Parking in Ravello
Unlike down on the coast, parking in Ravello is relatively straightforward — though it always comes with a fee. Here are two convenient parking options in Ravello:
Parking garage “Al Ponte” – Located a bit outside of Ravello, with a daily rate of €25. A shuttle bus to the village center is included in the price.
Piazza Duomo – A super central parking lot right in Ravello. You pay €4 per hour. In high season, spots here may fill up in the afternoon, so it’s best to arrive in the morning.
Restaurants in Ravello
Restaurants in Ravello tend to be pretty touristy. That doesn’t mean they’re not good, though! Here are two delicious restaurants in Ravello with great views:
Mimì: Pizzeria with a lovely garden terrace for outdoor dining. Pizzas range from €14 to €16.
Da Salvatore: A more upscale restaurant with a great terrace. If you want a table with a view, make sure to reserve ahead!
Osteria Ravello: This is where you can try the classic Pizza Fritta (fried pizza) from Naples. Definitely give it a try!
