Ravello sits high above the Amalfi Coast with views that will stop you cold. Here's everything you need to know - things to do, where to eat, where to stay, and why you should spend the night.
Building your Amalfi Coast trip? Start with my complete Amalfi Coast guide and my Amalfi Coast towns breakdown to figure out where Ravello fits in your itinerary.
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Ravello is the Amalfi Coast town that makes you forget the others exist. It sits about 350 meters above the sea - high enough that on a clear day the view from Villa Cimbrone's Terrace of Infinity looks like the edge of the world. Unlike Positano or Amalfi, there's no beach here, no scooters weaving through traffic. Just narrow lanes, bougainvillea, ancient gardens, and that view. I'd stay at least one night. Here's why.
1. Stand on the Terrace of Infinity at Villa Cimbrone
The most photographed view on the Amalfi Coast - a clifftop overlook lined with marble busts and a sheer drop to the sea. Go early morning or an hour before sunset for the best light and fewest people.
2. Aperitivo at Villa Rufolo's Terrace
The most talked-about experience in Ravello right now - the 13th-century estate opens its terrace for evening aperitivo with views over the coast that are genuinely unreal. This is where that iconic "tree and turret" photo everyone posts on Instagram comes from.
3. Dinner at Rossellinis (Michelin Star)
Inside Palazzo Avino, Rossellinis holds a Michelin star with a clifftop terrace and refined Campania cuisine. You don't need to be a hotel guest - just book well in advance. This is the splurge dinner of the trip.
4. Dinner at Il Flauto di Pan (Villa Cimbrone)
Eating dinner inside the illuminated Villa Cimbrone gardens after the day visitors leave is an experience I still think about. The food matches the setting - book it for a special night.
5. Watch the Ravello Festival
Every summer (June through September), world-class classical concerts are staged at Villa Rufolo with the sea as the backdrop - a tradition since 1953. If your dates align, book tickets before you arrive.
6. Swim at the Belmond Caruso Infinity Pool
One of the most famous infinity pools in the world, perched on the cliff edge above the coast. Non-guests can access it by booking lunch or dinner at the hotel. Every "Ravello pool" photo you've seen on social media is this pool.
7. Explore the Duomo di Ravello
Right on the main piazza, this 1086 cathedral has two extraordinary pulpits with intricate 12th-century mosaics - and it's free, uncrowded, and almost always overlooked. Don't be one of those people who walks past it.
8. Hike the Path of the Gods
One of the best hikes in southern Italy - an 8 km ridgeline trail from Bomerano to Nocelle with views over Positano and the coast the whole way. Go early, wear proper shoes, and expect to be speechless most of the way.
9. Lunch at La Terrazza di Giuliana
A tiny terrace restaurant with homemade Campania cooking, garden produce, and some of the best views in town. Locals love it and it fills up fast - book ahead.
10. Day Trip to Minori Beach
Ravello has no beach, but Minori is just 20 minutes downhill - a charming coastal village with a sandy beach, great seafood restaurants, and none of the Positano prices. I'd go for a morning swim and head back up for lunch.
Where Is Ravello?
Ravello is a hilltop town in the province of Salerno, Campania, sitting about 350 meters above the Amalfi Coast between Amalfi and Minori. It's part of the UNESCO-protected Amalfi Coast coastline and has a permanent population of just over 2,500 - tiny, quiet, and completely enchanting. Read my full Amalfi Coast guide for a broader picture of the region.
How to Get to Ravello
Ravello has no train station. Here's how I'd get there:
From Amalfi: The most common route. SITA buses run regularly and the ride takes about 25 minutes up a winding mountain road. It's an experience in itself. I'd take the bus up and walk down (or take the bus both ways if it's hot).
From Naples: I'd fly into Naples International Airport (NAP), pick up a rental car or take a taxi to the port, then catch a ferry to Amalfi and the bus up to Ravello. Read my Naples guide if you're spending time in the city first.
From Positano or Sorrento: Ferry to Amalfi, then bus to Ravello. The coastal ferry ride is one of the best ways to see the Amalfi Coast. Check my Sorrento guide if you're based there.
By car: Doable but the road is extremely narrow and parking in Ravello is very limited. I wouldn't recommend it unless you're already driving the coast.
How Many Days Do You Need?
One full day covers the highlights - Villa Cimbrone, Villa Rufolo, a long lunch, and an evening aperitivo. But I'd spend two nights if I could. Ravello completely transforms once the day visitors leave, and mornings here - mist over the coast, bougainvillea, the sound of church bells - are worth waking up for.
Best Time to Visit
April through June is my pick. The weather is warm, the gardens are lush and flowering, and the summer crowds haven't peaked yet. May is especially beautiful.
September through October is equally good - fewer crowds than August, the Ravello Festival wraps up in September, and the light in early autumn is gorgeous.
July and August: Peak season. Ravello handles crowds better than Positano or Amalfi because it's elevated and pedestrian-only, but it still fills up. Book everything in advance.
Winter: Most restaurants and hotels close. Beautiful if you want solitude and don't mind limited options.
Where to Eat
Rossellinis (Palazzo Avino): Michelin star, clifftop terrace, the most refined food in Ravello. Reserve well ahead.
Il Flauto di Pan (Villa Cimbrone): Dinner inside the historic villa gardens after dark. Unforgettable setting, excellent food.
La Terrazza di Giuliana: Tiny, personal, traditional Campania cooking with great views. The pasta is made fresh daily.
Salvatore: A Ravello institution since 1958 - panoramic terrace, fresh local seafood, and a local crowd that keeps coming back.
Alba Cafe: Stunning sea views and excellent fresh seafood. Order the Spaghetto di Mezzanotte - capers, anchovies, tomatoes, garlic breadcrumbs. One of the best pasta dishes I've had on the coast.
Mimi Bar Pizzeria: The best pizza in town and a local favorite. Go for lunch or an early dinner.
Must-try dishes: Scialatielli al frutti di mare (local pasta with seafood), mozzarella di bufala, local limoncello, delizia al limone (a lemon cream sponge cake that is very much the dessert of the Amalfi Coast).
Where to Stay in Ravello
Ravello is a small town and even the fancier hotels feel intimate and personal. I'd stay right in the center - everything is walkable and the lanes are far too narrow for cars anyway.
Belmond Hotel Caruso (Luxury) One of the most iconic hotels in Italy. The clifftop infinity pool alone justifies the stay. Greta Garbo and Jackie Kennedy have been guests. Need I say more? 👉 Book on Booking.com
Palazzo Avino (Luxury) The "Pink Palace" of Ravello - home to the Michelin-starred Rossellinis restaurant and a private beach club on the coast. Old-world glamour done right. 👉 Book on Booking.com
Hotel Villa Cimbrone (Mid-range) Sleep inside the actual 12th-century estate that day visitors pay to tour. The Terrace of Infinity is yours alone after 6pm. Genuinely magical. 👉 Book on Booking.com
Villa Piedimonte (Mid-range) A beautiful boutique option with a pool and panoramic views. Peaceful, well-located, and excellent value for Ravello. 👉 Book on Booking.com
La Moresca (Budget) Centrally located with a shared terrace that has stunning sea views. Simple, clean, and great value for a town where everything else costs twice as much. 👉 Book on Booking.com
Hotel Parsifal (Budget) A former 13th-century convent converted into a charming small hotel with a terrace garden and views over the valley. One of the best budget options on the Amalfi Coast. 👉 Book on Booking.com
Hidden Gems and Local Tips
- Visit Villa Cimbrone at opening time (9am). The gardens are nearly empty for the first hour. By 11am, tour groups arrive and it's a different experience entirely.
- Walk down to Minori instead of taking the bus. The path takes about 30 to 40 minutes downhill and passes through terraced lemon groves and tiny hamlets. One of my favorite walks on the coast.
- The Duomo is free and almost always empty. One of the most beautiful churches on the Amalfi Coast and most tourists walk right past it to get to Villa Rufolo.
- Aperitivo at Villa Rufolo beats any bar in town. The evening terrace view with a glass of local wine is the best value experience in Ravello - and everyone on social media agrees.
- Book Ravello Festival tickets before you arrive. The most popular concerts (especially the Wagner program) sell out weeks in advance.
- Eat one meal somewhere with a view and one somewhere without. The view-restaurants are worth it for the experience, but the best cooking in Ravello is often in the smaller spots tucked into the lanes away from the tourist trail.
Ravello Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive, Gardens, Aperitivo, Dinner
Arrive mid-morning, drop your bags, and head straight to Villa Cimbrone. Spend 90 minutes in the gardens and on the Terrace of Infinity. Lunch at La Terrazza di Giuliana. Afternoon: explore Villa Rufolo and stay for the aperitivo on the terrace at sunset - this is the moment. Dinner at Rossellinis or Salvatore.
Day 2: Morning Mist, Minori, Hike
Wake up early and walk the town before anyone else is awake - Ravello at 7am is extraordinary. Head down to Minori for a late morning swim. Back up for lunch. Afternoon: either do the Path of the Gods hike or take the bus to Amalfi to explore the town. Read my Amalfi town guide before you go.
Travel Tips
- No cars needed. Ravello is pedestrian-only in the center. Leave the car in Amalfi if you have one.
- Wear comfortable shoes. The lanes are steep and made of uneven stone. Heels are a bad idea.
- Book restaurants ahead. The best tables - especially at Rossellinis and Il Flauto di Pan - fill up weeks in advance in summer.
- Bring a layer for evenings. The elevation means it cools down significantly at night, even in summer.
- Don't skip the Duomo. It takes 20 minutes and most people walk past it. Their loss.
- The bus from Amalfi is easy. SITA buses run regularly and cost a couple of euros. No need for a private taxi.
FAQ
Is Ravello worth visiting? Yes - it's one of the most beautiful and peaceful towns on the Amalfi Coast. Unlike Positano or Amalfi, it has almost no beach crowds or traffic. If you want the Amalfi Coast experience without the chaos, Ravello is the answer.
How do I get to Ravello from Amalfi? SITA bus - runs regularly and takes about 25 minutes up the mountain. Or taxi if you prefer. Walking down from Ravello to Amalfi (about 1 hour) is a beautiful option on the way back.
Should I stay in Ravello or day trip from Amalfi? Stay if you can. Ravello after 5pm - when the day visitors leave - is a completely different, much more magical place. Even one night makes a big difference.
What is Ravello famous for? The Terrace of Infinity at Villa Cimbrone, Villa Rufolo and its gardens, the Ravello Festival (one of Italy's top classical music events), and the most spectacular views on the Amalfi Coast.
Can I visit Ravello and Positano on the same day? Technically yes, but I wouldn't. Both deserve more time than a half day. If you're choosing between them, read my Amalfi vs Positano comparison first.
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