9 Best Things to do in Ravello – [2024 Ravello Travel Guide]

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Ravello, Italy is the Amalfi Coast’s most beautiful town and is thoroughly deserving of more than just a day trip. Through this travel guide, learn all you need to know before visiting, including useful travel tips, where to stay, where to eat and discover all of the best things to do in Ravello, gem of the Amalfi Coast.  

Standing on Villa Cimbrone’s Terrazze dell’Infinito, crowning glory of the Amalfi Coast’s dignified Ravello, one could easily be forgiven for thinking you are on the edge of the earth, where the land of man ends and a cosmic ascent into utopia unfurls.

I don’t think I’m alone in this thought, either. At the entry point to this terrace of infinity is the classical figure of Pheres, Roman god of Harvests, who was strategically placed as sentinel under a dramatic portico that has earned itself the moniker of “Doorway to the Sun“.

Through this portal, you catch your first glimpse of infinitude, as the horizon blurs cerulean sky into an even bluer sea and where the edge of the earth fades to a haze and slips into another dimension. It is a heady vista that is fully deserving of this lofty prelude from a Roman god. 

An introduction to the Amalfi Coast town of Ravello

Ravello’s History

The hilltop hamlet of Ravello has been mesmerizing mere mortals for many centuries. The town grew to prominance as part of the Duchy of Amalfi, where it traced its path of success along that of the Golden Age of the Maritime Republic of Amalfi, rising to prominance from the 10th century onwards.

Stimulated by trade with North Arab Africa and the Byzantine Empire, Ravello grew rich as part of the Republic of Amalfi, where trade was organised along a geographical triangle.

Boats were loaded with wood at the Arab centres along the African coast, which was then sold for gold, before making their way to Byzantium, where they acquired luxury goods, fabrics, spices and precious stones.

It was during this time when multiple civil and religous buildings were built in Arab-Sicilian style and when wealthy, patriarchal families begun to build sumptuous dwellings, such as the 13th century Villa Rufolo, in the town. 

From the 14th century onwards, the town declined, until the plague decimated its population in the 17th century, leaving the glory days of Ravello as mere whispers of memory. 

RELATED READING | How To Spend 10 Luxurious Days On The Amalfi Coast

What is Ravello famous for?

Entrenched in the town of Ravello is a deep musical and literary heritage.

Of particular note, Ravello found itself on the map once more from the late 19th century onwards, when Richard Wagner arrived to Villa Rufolo in 1880 and was struck with divine inspiration for the magical gardens of Klingsor that went on to feature in his operatic masterpiece, Parsifal. 

In July and August each year, the Ravello Music Festival (known also as the ‘Wagner Festival’) takes place under the stars from the rather fitting location of the gardens of Villa Rufolo.

Since its inauguration in 1953, the festival has grown to become an almost two-month long programme of classical music, chamber groups, jazz and arts, featuring musicians and artists that are oftentimes world-renowned. 

If you’re wondering what to see in Ravello during these months, you simply must try to book tickets to an outdoor concert.

On the literary side, Ravello has, for quite some time, been sheltering and inspiring some of the world’s best writers.

In 1927, D.H. Lawrence famously wrote a number of chapters of Lady Chatterley’s Lover in Ravello and American author Gore Vidal was so taken with the town, that he eventually moved there, where he resided happily for 30 years and was eventually made an honorary citizen.

Prior to this, at the turn of the 20th century, the Villa Cimbrone gained popularity amongst Virginia Woolf and London’s Bloomsbury Set, which included amongst its ranks John Maynard Keynes, the 20th century’s most famous economist. 

From this point onwards, (gaining a particularly glamorous glow in the 1950’s and 60’s) Ravello has attracted a whole host of high profile guests, including Greta Garbo, Humphrey Bogart, Churchill, Jackie Kennedy and 007 himself, Pierce Brosnan, to name but a handful. 

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Is Ravello worth visiting?

While there are more famous towns along this stretch of the Tyrrhenian Sea – Amalfi is quaint, Positano iconic – without a doubt, Ravello is the most beautiful town on Italy’s Amalfi Coast, which even when viewed on its own, makes it highly worth visiting. 

However Ravello also offers visitors an intoxicating mix of attributes that you won’t find elsewhere. Firstly, are those jaw-dropping views.

While Ravello does not have a beach, this charming town rests on the laurels of its mountaintop position, where it acts as overlord of the Costiera Amalfitana and thus with it, boasts those far-reaching views.

Its starring role as muse in many artistic, musical and literary endeavours also permeates every cobbled street and winding alley of this truly gorgeous Italian town, allowing you to be absorbed in the real life canvas for many a famous work. 

And then, there are the gardens – firstly, the Villa Cimbrone Gardens with its iconic terrace and mesmerizing views, along with the terraced gardens at Villa Rufolo in the center of town, which so captivated Richard Wagner.

Simply put, Ravello oozes with a quiet, dignified sophistication that the nearby towns of the Amalfi Coast (such as Amalfi and Positano) find out of their reach.

While you may have to deal with a busy town centre during the day, that is easily remedied by choosing some sublime Ravello lodging that offers access to those impeccable views on tap while the day trippers are in town, before emerging to find the town very much your own in the latter part of the day. 

Things to do in Ravello, Italy

We’ve covered off why you should visit, but exactly what is there to do in Ravello? Besides losing yourself in those gorgeous views, you’ll find that there is plenty to keep you occupied, with a variety of pursuits ranging from the intellectual to the outdoors-y in the list of Ravello things to do!  

Visit the iconic gardens in Ravello

Ravello is home to not one, but two stunning gardens, which have become synonymous with the town and which are both must see attractions in Ravello. No visit is complete without a trip to Villa Cimbrone and Villa Rufolo in Ravello!

Villa Cimbrone Gardens

At the apex of the town sits Villa Cimbrone, an elegant 11th century manor complete with resplendant gardens that hover gloriously above the shimmering Tyrrhenian Sea.

While the villa itself is now home to a luxury five star hotel, the gardens are open to visitors for a fee and offer some of the most spectacular views you are ever likely to encounter in your lifetime. 

Make your way to the famous Infinity Terrace (Terrazze dell’Infinito), known also as the Belvedere, for the best views of the Amalfi Coast. This lofty perch stretches along the top of a cliff and is lined with regal, Romanesque busts that thoroughly befit their setting. 

My top tip is to visit as it approaches dusk, so you can time seeing both the brilliant blues of daylight as well as an otherworldly sunset as the sun slips below the horizon – you really won’t regret it.

Also allow for ample time to explore the rest of the gardens, which truly are magnifcent, making sure to take in the Temple of Bacchus and its sweeping views onto the sea, the nearby town of Scala and the deep ravine that lies below. 

Plan your visit to the Villa Cimbrone Gardens | Admission: €7 (ticket booth at gate) // Opening Hours: 9am – 7pm

Villa Rufolo 

Located just off Ravello’s town square, Piazza Vescovado, Villa Rufolo is a regal, patrician villa which was originally built in the 13th century. In its glory days, the villa was one of the largest and most grand on the Amalfi Coast, before it eventually fell into ruin.

Purchased by Scottish botanist Sir Neville Reid in the 19th century, Villa Rufolo was slowly restored, with what could be salvaged of the villa renovated and the gardens receiving a new lease of life. 

Close to the entrance you’ll find a sublime Moorish cloister and further on, the terraced-gardens that Villa Rufolo has become renowned for (these are the gardens that inspired Wagner, remember?).

There is also another splendid vista of the sea from here and Villa Rufolo also forms the centre of the action for the Ravello Musical Festival in summer. 

Plan your visit to Villa Rufolo |  Admission: €7 (ticket booth at gate) // Opening Hours: Summer 9.00am – 9.00pm (last entry at 8.30pm)   | Winter 9.00 – Sunset

Discover some of Ravello’s churches

Duomo di Ravello

Ravello Cathedral occupies a prime position in Ravello’s main town square, a position it has proudly held since its origins in 1087. It is well known for its bronze Romanesque doors, which were designed by Barisano da Trani in 1179. 

Inside the church, you will find a small museum that is worth taking some time to peruse. The interiors of the church are light, bright and replete with soaring ceilings and include mosaic carvings and medieval features.

Chiesa S.Francesco dei Frati Minori Conventuali

The Church of San Francesco (as it translates in English) is an unassuming building that you will likely encounter if you walk via Via San Francesco from Ravello town centre to Villa Cimbrone.

Local legend has it that it was built by Saint Francis himself, who travelled via Ravello in 1222 when heading to Amalfi. Annexed to a Franciscan convent, access to the church is via a covered atrium, that you access directly from Via San Francesco. 

Chiesa dell’Annunziata

If you’ve seen any images take from the gardens of Villa Rufolo, you’ll likely be familar with that iconic Ravello shot of the trees and two dome towers, with the spendid blues of the sea in the background.

These are the famous twin towers of Chiesa dell’Annunziata, which can be accessed by taking roughly 100 steps down from the town.

It’s worth popping your head in to see the church. Now deconsecrated, it is known today as the Annunziata Historic Building and is a music venue used for concerts by the Ravello Concert Society.

Inside, it houses a unique alterpiece and a frieze-like fresco that runs along the bottom of the church’s vaulted ceiling. 

The Church of San Giovanni Del Toro

Like many of Ravello’s structures, this little church is pretty ancient, having started its life in 1089.

Located in what was formerly an aristocratic neighbourhood, it has seen a demise not once, but twice in its lifetime – firstly following damage in the 1715 earthquake and then having been left fall into disprepair by the end of the 19th century. 

Inside, there are sections of glass floor for viewing below, and the church is also home to some beautiful mosaics, one depicting Jonah emerging from the whale, and a 13th century pulpit that dates from the time of Roger I of Sicily in the 13th century. 

Enjoy the atmospheric surroundings of the town square and Ravello’s unparalleled, amazing views 

Lets face it, Ravello boasts surroundings that are so captivating it’s likely that you’ll want to spend a good deal of time wallowing in them upon your arrival. The town square, the Piazza Vescovado, is the perfect spot for doing just that.

Housing Ravello Cathedral, the entrance to Villa Rufolo and a clattering of cafes and bars along its edges, the town square is the perfect spot to grab a coffee/gelato/wine and soak it all in.

It’s also a strategic location for people watching and if you’re lucky you’ll be witness to a wedding party or two – cross your fingers that it’s an Italian one, as guests are always uber-stylish. 

Outside of that, follow where your feet take you and see how many different vantage points you can discover of the coastline from the winding streets of Ravello. I promise, it’s a view that you could never grow tired of. 

READ NEXT | A Blissful 4 Day Amalfi Coast Itinerary – Sun, Sea & Scenery

Attend a concert in Ravello 

Ravello Festival

The Ravello Festival takes place in the summer months of July and August. If classical music in serene surroundings is your jam (and if you’re prepared to book your accommodation well in advance and pay premium rates), then try to time your visit to Ravello to tie in with the music festival. 

The festival’s main stage is a genius piece of engineering that seems suspended between sea and sky on the edge of the Villa Rufolo Gardens. Holding 750 people, this is an intimate setting that boasts unique natural acoustics.

A much clamoured after event is the Dawn Chorus that takes place each 11 August at 5am as the sun rises over Ravello – if you can snag tickets for this then you’re in for an experience that you’ll never forget.

Check out the Ravello Festival website for further info on the festival. 

Ravello Concert Society

Musical performances in Ravello are not just constrained to the months of July and August. The Ravello Concert Society hosts regular performances throughout the year in a range of venues around the town.  Check their website to see what musical performances are taking place in Ravello during your visit.

Oscar Niemeyer Auditorium

This uber-modern concert venue in Ravello, designed by famous Brazilian architect and namesake Oscar Niemeyer, has been dividing visitors since it was built.

Stark white, curved and at what some would call flagrant contrast to the surrounding town and hillsides of Ravello, the Auditorium Oscar Niemeyer seats an audience of 450 people.

You’ll find the auditorium on Via della Repubblica, a few hundred metres away from the main town square. As well as musical performances, the venue also hosts periodic sculptural and artistic displays, doubling up too as the town’s art centre. 

Go shopping in Ravello, Italy – discover charming shops and boutiques 

If you want to take a break from all the things to see in Ravello, the main thoroughfares of the town are lined with a host of shops and boutiques, offering wares that range from ceramics to cashmere.

Stores here are far less touristy than some other towns along the Amalfi Coast, making Ravello a great spot to pick up some high quality ceramics and clothing. 

Ceramiche d’Arte Carmela

Located close to the main square of Ravello is this gorgeous little family run ceramic shop, that offers well priced Vietri and Deruta ceramics, along with extremely helpful staff.

We (my family) have purchased a number of bits and pieces from here, that have travelled well, have been long lasting and which look great at home.

Filo d’Autore

This popular boutique offers high quality made in Italy cashmere clothing. You’ll find it on Via Trinità and will likely pass by it if on your way to the Villa Cimbrone!

Profumi della Costiera

Nestled amongst the winding lanes of Ravello is this little limoncello producer. Made with the gigantic local lemons that are particular to the area, known as sfusato amalfitano, lemons are peeled by hand before being infused with alcohol to create delicious limoncello.

Traditional recipes are deployed, with no colouring, flavouring or preservatives added during the process. 

Hiking in the Amalfi Coast – Ravello walks

Because of its beautiful views and unique scenery, the Amalfi Coast is a popular spot in which to go hiking. There are a number of walks that you can do along the Amalfi Coast, that span a range of difficulty levels and duration.

A number of these, including the Amalfi Coast’s most famous walk, the “Path of the Gods” are accessible from Ravello. 

Ravello to Amalfi Trail

It is possible to walk to Amalfi from Ravello.  If you’re wondering how to get from Amalfi to Ravello on foot, there are a number of scenic routes that take you through terraces, farmland and stoned pathways and which offer incredible views of the coastline as you weave your way downhill.

While the quickest walking routes from Ravello to Amalfi are between 3-4km, you will likely want to avoid sharing the oft-times frenetic main roads with the daredevils that career around them. Thankfully, there are a pedestrian paths that can shepherd you to Amalfi safely. 

One of the most popular routes is via the town of Pontone and Atrani, before reaching Amalfi.

You can also go directly through Atrani, which means your walk takes around 1 hour downhill or add an additional stop in Scala, which of course increases your walking time to anything from 2-3 hours, depending on your pace and how many times you stop!

From Amalfi, you can then choose to walk back to Ravello – warning, this is uphill, with many steps and will take you longer than it did to come down – or take one of the frequest SITA buses that run from Amalfi to Ravello. 

Ravello to Minori/Maiori Trail  & the ‘Lemon Walk’

Minori is a delighful little seaside down that is nestled right on the shoreline underneath the cliffs that hold Ravello. Further along the coastline, around a little peninsula, is the larger town of Maiori. 

It’s extremely easy to reach Minori from Ravello, via a series of well-worn, uneven stone steps. The route takes you by homesteads, past little churches, through arches and offers the most spectacular views of the Amalfi Coast along the way.

I’ve walked this at night from Ravello and it took us around 40 minutes. The walk for the most part was quiet, well lit and was extremely atmospheric at that time of the day.

Once you reach Minori, you can then take the “Sentiero dei Limoni.”, or Lemon Walk. It takes you through dozens of lemon groves and wows with stunning views of the Amalfi Coast, before ending in Maoiri. The walk from Minori to Maoiri takes around an hour if you include a few stops to take in the view.

I’d suggest doing the full walk through to Maoiri from Ravello, before returning to Minori and taking a dip in the sea, followed by a visit to one of Minori’s restaurants.

Two fantastic restaurants in Minori that I can recommend are the upscale Giardiniello and local trattoria Ristorante la Botte, which has the most incredible Napolitan style pizzas.

You can then finish of your visit to Minori off with a stop at the Villa Romana, the excavated ruins of a Roman villa that was destroyed and covered in ash during the 79AD eruption of Vesuvius that’s situated right in the heart of the town. 

Path of the Gods

The Amalfi Coast’s most famous walk, this famous path runs for 7km between the towns of Bomerano and Noccelle. With a name like “Path of the Gods”, you can probably guess in advance what’s in store for you here.

By the time you finish your hike in Nocello, you’ll have reached the highest point on the Amalfi Coast and have gazed upon the deep blues of the Tyrrhenian Sea, amidst breathtaking views that defy man’s imagination.

You can continue your walk to Positano, where you can get the SITA bus back to Ravello via Amalfi, or a ferry to Amalfi/Minori either, from where you can make your way back to Ravello. 

Visit other towns on the Amalfi Coast

If you’ve exhausted the list of what to do in Ravello town itself, you’ll be very well placed to discover many of the other towns of the Amalfi Coast using Ravello as a base.

Its proximity to both Minori and Amalfi mean that you can easily access the best means of transport to get around the Amalfi Coast – the sea – the regular ferries travelling to and from both Minori and Maoiri.

From there, you can easily pay visits to many of the Amalfi Coast’s most popular spots. The following incorporate some of the best day trips from Ravello: 

Many of the smaller towns, such as Minori, Atrani and Maoiri offer a respite from the crowds that throng towns such as Positano and Amalfi, allowing you to experience a more traditional Italian holiday town.

You have a chance to wander amongst the locals and an opportunity to dine at authentic restaurants that are found in these towns. 

Take a cruise along the Amalfi Coast

While the views and scenery from the towns of the Amalfi Coast are spectacular, there’s a whole other way to explore the region and obtain a different viewpoint, and that is from the sea!

Charter your own boat, or rent one with a skipper if you’ve no experience of driving a boat. I’d recommend setting aside a whole day to make the most of a full-day experience, as you can amble from location to location and sun yourself in the meantime – bliss!

Search for Amalfi Coast boat hire providers and read reviews here.

Do a cooking class in Ravello

Mamma Agata’s Cooking School has become an extremely well known name in Ravello and is spot of choice for those seeking an authentic cooking experience in the area.

Using recipes passed down from Mamma Agata herself, this is the activity of choice for foodies visiting Ravello and with incredible views from the school to boot, what more could you want?

What to do in Ravello – where to eat & stay

Where to stay in Ravello

There are many hotels in Ravello and the surrounding area, however amongst the hordes it can be difficult to find accommodation that is ‘just right’. Below are what I would consider to be the best hotels in Ravello across a range of luxury price points.

If you leave it too late, finding accommodation in Ravello, Italy can prove difficult, so make sure to book well in advance as even in quiet times, some of Ravello’s most popular hotels will book out.

Where to eat in Ravello

Thankfully, there are plenty of restaurants in Ravello, and some good ones at that. The following delicious restaurants are in my opinion, the best restaurants in Ravello, Italy and I am more than happy to recommend. 

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Rossellinis | Via San Giovanni del Toro 28 Palazzo Avino, 84010, Ravello Italy

Rosellinis is a rather fabulous Michelin starred restaurant that is set in the iconic Palazzo Avino hotel – in fact, it’s the best restaurant in Ravello, Italy. I was lucky enough to be surprised with dinner here for my 30th birthday and it’s an experience that I’ll never forget.

Dinner started with some pre-dinner drinks and amuse bouche on the outdoor terrace, before we moved to a table on the balcony in the restaurant. We proceeded to work our way through a tasting menu that had a nod to regional cuisine with a creative twist, along with some utterly incredible views. 

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Da Salvatore | Via della Repubblica 2, 84010, Ravello Italy

Located along the road that runs just underneath Palazzo Avino, Da Salvatore is a great restaurant in Ravello that also offers unparalleled views from its perfect terrace. The menu is high quality and creative too, with a woodfired pizza oven forming a central feature of the restaurant space.

Book ahead and request a table with a view. This is also a perfect venue for a special dinner should you not wish to go all out and splurge on a Michelin experience at Rossellinis.

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Ristorante Pizzeria Vittoria | Via Dei Rufolo 3, 84010, Ravello Italy

Enjoying a position close to Ravello’s main square, Vittoria is a family run, traditional restaurant that is packed to the rafters in the evenings. Not just a pizzeria, I had excellent seafood pasta here and their menu offers a wide variety to diners. 

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Mimi Bar Pizzeria | Via San Francesco 12, 84010, Ravello Italy

We were sent here by a local and boy, is Mimi Bar Pizzeria a great recommendation! Another location that was out-the-door busy, it is the most informal of the restaurants on this list.

The speciality, you guessed it, is pizza – and particularly great pizza at that. Nestled along the Via Francesco, there is also some charming outdoor seating areas here – both tucked in a corner along the street and outdoors in a lovely terrace garden.

How to get to Ravello

The Amalfi Coast is not known for its ease of manoeuvrability or access, but with great challenge comes great reward!

Unfortunately, you will find that there are no flights to Ravello, Italy! If you’re flying from outside of Italy (or internally if the distance justifies a flight), then the closest airport to Ravello is Naples Airport. 

Naples Airport is approximately 37km from Ravello as the crow flies, or anywhere from 59km to 78km by road, depending on the route taken.

How do I get from Naples to Ravello?

Here, you have one of three options:

1. Take a taxi from Naples Airport. If you flag one from Naples Airport, expect it to cost €150 plus depending on group size, amount of luggage and time of day/night. The journey takes approximately 90 minutes.

My method of choice would be to pre-book your transfer with Welcome Pickups who are my provider of choice when it comes to getting to and from airports abroad.

As an idea of cost, the price quoted from Naples Airport to Ravello for 2 people with 2 pieces of luggage was €150 when I checked, with the added bonus of having a driver waiting for you in arrivals when you land!

2. If it’s running, get the Pintour Bus, which is a privately operated shared minibus service. Buses cost €25 per passenger one way and run a number of times throughout the day.

If their schedule lines up well with your flight arrival time, then this is a great option if you are trying to keep costs down, but don’t want to take the train. Note that their schedule is not too frequent, however.

3. Take the train from Naples to Salerno and then transit by private transfer/taxi or bus from there. The train from Central Station Naples runs over 40 times a day and takes only 30-40 minutes to reach Salerno. Book your train tickets in advance here.

To get to Naples Central Station from the airport, take the dedicated Alibus, a shuttle that runs every 15-25 minutes and drops you outside the station. 

How do I get from Salerno to Ravello?

Once you’ve made it as far as Salerno, you can take a taxi or pre-book a private transfer to Ravello. Like the taxi from Naples, however, this is pricey and could cost up to around €100 for an hour’s journey depending on if you hail a taxi, or book privately.

Otherwise, you can get the local SITA bus, which departs from outside the train station (purchase tickets inside from the newstand). Bear in mind that you must take the bus to Amalfi first, and then transfer there for the final leg of the journey to Ravello. 

How to get to Ravello from Rome

A trip to the Amalfi Coast is often combined with a few days in Italy‘s captial, Rome, which makes sense as they are not too far apart and offer two very different sides to Italy.

The most straightforward way to get from Rome to Ravello is by car (self-drive or private transfer) but you may not wish to drive and the cost of a private transfer may also be outside of what you are willing to pay (it may well end up costing €400+).

Therefore, the best way to get to Ravello from Rome is to take the train from Rome Termini Station to Salerno, before making your way onwards to Ravello as per my recommendations above.

There are many trains running daily and the fast train does the journey in around 1.5 hours. To obtain the best price on tickets, make sure to book in advance. You can do so here. 

How do I get from Positano to Ravello?

With the exception of hiring a private driver (or driving yourself), then the easiest way of getting from Positano to Ravello is to first take a ferry from Positano to Amalfi. The journey will take around 30 minutes and you can check ferry schedules here.

From Amalfi, you will then need to take a SITA bus, which will take around 20 minutes to reach Ravello. You can find up to date bus schedules here.

Should I rent a car for Amalfi Coast?

Having visited with a car, and without, I feel well rehearsed to answer this question. My answer would be a resounding “no”. Driving on the Amalfi Coast is not enjoyable and the narrow roads are subjected to dense traffic and with it, numerous traffic jams.

Furthermore, parking is very scarce (parking in Ravello is no different) and expensive so it is just more hassle than it is worth. 

There’s an extensive public bus system (more below) and also, you can easily get the ferry between all towns on the coast. It’s a short bus ride from Ravello to Amalfi and from there, the Amalfi Coast is your oyster from its ferry port! 

Getting around the Amalfi Coast without a car

There are three main ways that I would recommend getting around the Amalfi Coast: 

1. Getting around the Amalfi Coast by bus

The Ravello SITA bus stop is located just outside of the pedestrian tunnel off Ravello’s main square.

Most routes will require you to transit through Amalfi, which is no big deal, but it is worth noting that you will need either two single-ride bus tickets (“corsa singola“).

If you plan on hopping on the next bus immediately to your end destination, you can purchase an “orario” ticket, which is cheaper than two singles. 

It may work out better for you to purchase the 24-hour bus ticket that is called the “costierasita,”. Validated when you step on your first bus, this allows you unlimited travel for 24 hours from this point and is the most cost effective option. 

Note: tickets for SITA buses can be bought from local shops such as newsagents, grocers etc – just ask a local in the town where the nearest spot is.

Also, while you can check bus timetables at this website, don’t get too hung up on schedules – due to the nature of the traffic on the Amalfi Coast (very unpredictable), the bus will arrive when it arrives!  

2. Getting around the Amalfi Coast by ferry

The ferries are a wonderful (and quite novel for most) way of getting around the Amalfi Coast. Journey times are drastically cut as you don’t have to battle traffic and you also receive spectacular views of the Amalfi coastline to boot. You can check ferry schedules on this website. 

While you can purchase your tickets at the ferry, it’s a good idea to purchase these in advance during the busy summer months, especially if going to Capri. You can do so at this website.

3. Getting around the Amalfi Coast by scooter

As Ravello is not quite on the coast, you’ll need to get to the nearest port towns of Minori or Amalfi before utilising the ferry.

If you’re planning on visiting a few of the Amalfi Coast towns, want flexibility and are confident on a scooter, then this is a great way to make your way around the Amalfi Coast from Ravello. You can book a scooter here.

Common questions to have when visiting Ravello

Since this post was first written, there have been a number of questions that have popped up – I will do my best to answer these below.

Day trip itinerary – what to do in Ravello in a day

The perfect Ravello itinerary will be somewhat different for everyone, but here is what I would do in Ravello in a day.

1. Visit Villa Rufolo and its gardens.
2. Head to the town’s Piazza Duomo to visit Ravello’s cathedral. Afterwards, sit at one of the cafes and watch the world go by.
3. Wander through Ravello’s labyrinth of quaint streets.
4. Browse Ravello’s shops and pick up some ceramic pieces.
5. Head Villa Cimbrone to visit the gardens and Terrace of Infinity (try time your visit with sunset).
6. Finish with a special meal – Palazzo Avino’s Rossellini’s is really something else. Da Salvatore is a little more wallet friendly, but still comes with exceptional views.

How much time do you need in Ravello?

How much time you should spend in Ravello will be dependant on a number of factors. Firstly, if you’re visiting on a day trip and not staying, then one day will be sufficient to see Ravello’s highlights.

However, if you’d like to stay in Ravello, how long you should base yourself there for will be dependant on how long you have in the Amalfi Coast and what sort of trip you have planned. I’ll address both in the next couple of questions below.

Is Ravello worth staying in?

I’d argue that night time is the best time to experience Ravello and so it is highly worth staying in Ravello. Day trippers have departed and the town feels a lot more intimate – you really get to experience it charms.

In my opinion, sunset is also the best time to visit Villa Cimbrone and Villa Rufolo. The colours that streak the sky as the sun slips down below the horizon are positively spectacular – and this is something you mightn’t have time to witness if you’re visiting on a day trip.

While they can book out well in advance, there are also some beautiful places to stay in Ravello. If you want somewhere to relax by a pool amidst some of the best views in the world, then Ravello makes for a wonderful choice.

When to visit Ravello

The best time to visit Ravello is in the shoulder months of May or September. Temperatures will be warm enough for sunbathing, but the crazy summer crowds will be absent.

That being said, if you don’t mind the crowds (and the steeper prices) then summer in Ravello provides for the ultimate Italian summer vacation experience and if you are a music lover July and August is when you will find the Ravello music festival running.

Is Ravello a good base for Amalfi Coast

It’s not to say that you won’t be able to get around the Amalfi Coast from Ravello (you’ll easily be able to hop on buses throughout the day), but Ravello is probably not the best base if you plan on seeing a lot more of the Amalfi Coast from one designated spot.

The reason for this is that it is not directly on the coastline and thus does not have access to the Amalfi Coast’s best means of getting around – the ferries.

Ravello is perfect for dedicating a couple of relaxed days to. It makes for an extremely romantic place to visit with a partner or spouse, is a good choice if you’re also staying somewhere like Positano during your trip too, or is a fabulous way to cap off the end of a longer Amalfi Coast itinerary.

How do you get around in Ravello Italy?

The good news is that you’ll be able to explore all of Ravello on foot due to its relatively diminutive size. Note that it’s probably not the most accessible of places if your mobility is impaired – there are quite a lot of cobblestones and steps.

In terms of accessing other parts of the Amalfi Coast from Ravello, I have dealt with this in the “Getting around the Amalfi Coast without a car” section above.

Does Ravello have a beach?

The town of Ravello itself does not have a beach. Perched on a particularly elevated patch of cliff along the Amalfi Coast, there is no sea access from the town, so you will not be able to swim in the sea at Ravello. The closest beach is in the town of Minori, which sits directly below Ravello along the shoreline.

Visiting the Amalfi Coast? Some more reading:

• AMALFI COAST 4 DAY ITINERARY | A Blissful 4 Day Amalfi Coast Itinerary – Sun, Sea & Scenery
• AMALFI COAST 10 DAY ITINERARY | How To Spend 10 Luxurious Days On The Amalfi Coast
• ROME, NAPLES & AMALFI COAST | A Rome, Naples, Amalfi Coast Itinerary for Culture, Food & Scenery
• FLORENCE, ROME & AMALFI COAST | A Sophisticated Florence, Rome & Amalfi Coast Itinerary
• Capri travel guide | Escape to Paradise: The Insider’s Guide to Visiting Capri
• Sorrento wine tours | 10 Best Sorrento Wine Tasting Tours & Experiences
• Capri or Ischia | Which Island Paradise Should You Choose?

Travelling to Italy? You might find the following useful:

• ROME TRIP PLANNING | How Many Days Do You Need in Rome? [For Weekend Getaways, Cultural Immersions, or Something in Between]
• ROME CITY GUIDE | The Perfect 4-Day Rome Itinerary – Food, Culture & A Little Luxury
• FLORENCE GUIDE | How To Spend 2 Days In Florence – A Comprehensive Guide
• TUSCANY GUIDE & ITINERARY | Tuscany Guide – How To Have A Very Memorable Tuscan Road Trip
• SIENA CITY GUIDE | The Perfect Way To Spend A Day In Siena, Italy

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