Why do you need to know the best 17 things to do in Ravello? Simple – while Amalfi and Positano attract most visitors on the Amalfi Coast, you haven’t seen the beauties of the Amalfi Coast until you’ve had some time to revel in Ravello – a relatively hidden gem oozing charm, beauty, and culture.
Ravello is where I most often stay on the Amalfi Coast – I am addicted to the views.
It’s hard sometimes not to be on the water, but it’s fantastic spending the day in Sorrento, Positano, Amalfi, or one of the smaller and lesser-known towns then coming home at night to the old village square in Ravello.
It’s magical, and I’m in excellent company and you will be too as many very famous people have had the same idea over the last few centuries.
#1 TOP PICK
Naples: Boat Tour to Positano, Amalfi, and Ravello – 4.1/5 from over 2000 reviews – the most booked Ravello tour – by boat and minibus – includes visiting Positano and Amalfi from Naples in 9-10 hrs.
Getting To Ravello on the Amalfi Coast
Perhaps one of the reasons that Ravello is not inundated with visitors is that it takes a little effort to get to. Here are your options:
By Train, Ferry, and Sita Buses
There is no train station in Ravello, which means the basic plan is to take a train to Salerno and then take two buses.
Alternatively, take a ferry from Salerno, washing up in the tiny post of Amalfi where the buses depart to Ravello.
This is a beautiful trip and puts you in the Amalfi Coast mood! But if you want to skip the ferry and travel by bus or private transfer instead, here’s how you do it.
If, for example, you are flying into Rome, you can take the Leonardo Express from Fiumicino Airport to Rome’s main station, Roma Termini. From there, you take a direct train to Salerno (a total of 3h15m from the airport), or go via Napoli Centrale (around 3h).
SITA, Italy’s public bus company, offers routes from Salerno. You take the 5120 to Amalfi (1h15m) and then the 5110 to Ravello (25m).
In the summer, coach company Marozzi goes from Roma Tirburtina station each day at 7 a.m., arriving at Amalfi at 12 p.m.
The Ravello Bus Terminus in Amalfi
I swear the last time there were signs in Italy, it was during the time of the Roman Empire. There are two places where buses park next to the ferry dock in Amalfi.
The first is right next to the ferry dock and here you’ll get buses to everywhere except Ravello!
Further to the right is a covered walkway with seats and here the buses pull up for Ravello. I need to digress for a second here – across the road from the Ravello bus stop is a gelato store.
You just have to try the Amalfi lemon gelato!
OK, now you need a ticket for the bus to Ravello and, of course, there are no signs! Facing the village of Amalfi, on your left you’ll see a travel agency.
Buy your tickets here. I buy a bunch of them so this is the only time I need to do this.
By Taxi
The first time I went to Ravello I looked up the “Rome to Rio” website to see how long the bus from Amalfi to Ravello would take and how much it would cost. It said 7 minutes and about 5 Euros.
If you try this on a taxi driver at the port, they’ll laugh their head off or get cross with you. It’s a rollercoaster 20-minute ride and no one is going to do it for less than 25 Euros.
But the best way to get to Pompeii or Naples from Ravello is a private car. It takes the back route over the mountain rather than the spectacularly (crazy) Amalfi road.
By Private Transfer
If all that sounds like a lot, fear not, there is an easier option.
Private transfers can be booked from Rome, Naples, and Sorrento. This service comes at a price, however.
From Rome, even a group of eight can expect to pay around €100 a head, while from Naples the one-hour journey will be at least €35.
For smaller groups, the prices become more prohibitive.
By Guided Tour
Here are the four most popular high-quality tours that include Ravello in their itinerary:
Our Top 4 Picks
⛵ 🚌 Naples: Boat Tour to Positano, Amalfi, and Ravello – 4.1/5 from over 2000 reviews, this is the most booked Ravello tour that includes visiting Positano and Amalfi from Naples in 9-10 hrs. It’s a boat tour and a minibus to Ravello.
⛵ From Naples: Group Day Tour to Positano, Amalfi, and Ravello– 4.7/5 from almost 1000 reviews, this 8-hour small group tour is perfect if you don’t want to spend the day traveling by boat and would like to experience the amazing drive along the Amalfi coast, stopping to sight-see in Positano, Amalfi, and Ravello. Pick-up from the Cruise Port is possible as well.
⛵ Amalfi Coast: Ravello, Amalfi, Positano, & Sorrento Day Tour – 4.8/5 – if you’d prefer to see all of the Amalfi Coast on a small group tour, then this is definitely the best one to choose. One of the only small group tours to include Sorrento. You can join the tour in Naples or Salerno so it’s very convenient if you’re coming by train.
⛵ From Naples: Private Tour to Positano, Amalfi, and Ravello – If you’d like to see the major towns of the Amalfi Coast at your own pace, this is the tour for you. This private tour uses a sedan or minibus depending on how many people are in your party. It departs from your hotel in Naples, traveling along the Amalfi Coast and stopping in Positano, Amalfi, and Ravello.
Best Ravello Hotels for Every Budget
The trick to all Amalfi Coast accommodation is to really book well ahead. I mean 9 months ahead. I book a few and cancel closer to the time but within the free cancellation period.
Prices will double in the month or two before summer.
For a more comprehensive list of great stays, read Where to Stay on the Amalfi Coast.
Our Top 5 Picks
🏝️ Best New Luxury Hotel: 5-star Palazzo Avino is the only new luxury hotel on the Amalfi Coast. It has a Lobster and Martini Bar and a Michelin-starred restaurant, Rossellinis.
It has a Beach Club, Club House by the Sea, 15 minutes and 350 meters below the hotel, and the hotel has a 20-meter outdoor pool and a sundeck with an infinity hydro pool.
Book It🏝️ Best Luxury Hotel: Belmond Hotel Caruso – This hotel is in an 11th-century building surrounded by 100-year-old gardens. The historic interiors with their frescoed ceilings and the striking infinity pool at the edge of the cliff create a dramatic atmosphere.
The hotel has two restaurants and in summer offers complimentary boat tours along the Amalfi Coast.
Book It🏝️ Best Affordable Hotel with Views: Hotel Villa Fraulo – A popular 4-star hotel set in a renovated medieval villa. The rooms are minimally furnished and the hotel is popular for weddings and honeymooners because of its lovely terrace. The stunning views are reason enough to stay at the Ravello hotels that cling to the cliffs above the Amalfi Coast.
Book It🏝️ Best Mid-Range Hotel with Views: Gala Residence Villa Giovanna – This is an affordable luxury – the view down to the Amalfi Coast and across to the lemon groves and gardens of Ravello comes with a more modest price tag (which is why I have stayed here a few times!)
Gala Residence has terraces with sea views, a sea view from its handful of rooms (that you can see from your bed), and smartly decorated modern interiors. I think the rooms are nicer than the comparative Hotel Villa Fraulo. The sisters who run it are delightful.
Book It🏝️Best Budget Hotel: A Casa di Nonna Marianna is highly rated. It’s double rooms with sea views each has a terrace and a balcony, free wifi, and there’s a garden and shared lounge, continental breakfast, and daily maid service. Excellent views, location, and value.
Book ItWhen is the Best Time to Visit Ravello Italy?
I don’t usually recommend heading to one of the world’s most glamorous playgrounds in the middle of summer. The exception is if you have your own private jet!
Barring your own private jet though, I like that when the Amalfi Coast is at its most crowded, Ravello is still in the evenings, a village retreat.
The June and July Ravello Music Festival is an astonishing experience that draws music lovers from all over the world.
Watching a concert facing the Amalfi Coast and out to sea as the stars come out, is a fantastic experience that is worth the money. And yes, book early!
The gardens of Ravello are truly spectacular, so Spring and summer show them off to their best advantage. Fall (Autumn) is also lovely (go early), as the days are still long and warm.
Fall/ Autumn is also a good time to hike the Amalfi Coast.
The 17 Best Things to Do and See in Ravello Italy
1. Stroll through Piazza Centrale
As the name suggests, this is Ravello’s main square, and it’s a picturesque piazza idea to wander around.
It has everything you could want from an Italian square, including cafes if you are in the mood for a coffee. This is prime real estate to take in the local atmosphere (and perhaps relax after your journey!)
As well as the typical opportunities for people watching, Piazza Centrale is also home to the town hall, meaning you might catch a local wedding in these picturesque circumstances.
The square is often populated with artisans and other vendors selling ceramics, jewelry, and other souvenirs.
I love having an aperitivo in the square when the day trippers have gone and Ravello’s parents bring out their children who play in the square.
The piazza also frequently puts on events, such as festivals and other performances. It’s well worth googling before you go to see if there is anything planned during your stay.
Finally, the square also offers amazing views of the local verdant hills and the Tyrrhenian Sea.
Ravello is some 350m (1000 feet) above sea level, and this square, far from being enclosed, really allows you to benefit from that lofty position.
2. Visit the Duomo di Ravello
With all that said, there is a reason the Piazza Centrale is often called the Piazza Duomo: this is also where you find the town’s cathedral.
The cathedral goes all the way back to the 11th century and was consecrated in 1179.
Looking at its beautiful white façade, it is hard to believe how long it has stood there, but that is a testament to how well locals have preserved it.
To the right of the cathedral is the bell tower, a 13th-century addition, and a regular feature of many photos of Ravello.
Classed as Romanesque in style, it boasts clean lines with columns and arches and intricately worked central bronze doors.
Its interior is elegant and impressive, with an imposing and beautiful pulpit looming over the pews. It contains a number of historical artworks, notably the ancient statue of “Madonna with Child”.
As well as its religious function, the cathedral also plays host to concerts, especially during the Ravello Music Festival in July and August.
3. Wander through the Old Town
The cathedral is one of the jewels in Ravello’s crown, but there are plenty of other things to enjoy about Ravello’s Old Town.
Part of the joy of wandering through the Old Town is to allow yourself the chance of happening on unexpected spots.
The town is dotted with ancient chapels, cute courtyards, and small fountains. You’ll likely come across the 12th-century church, Santa Maria a Gradillo on Via Roma, and may even see a wedding in progress there.
4. Visit Beautiful Villa Rufolo
If the town’s lofty perch has you thinking of taking photographs of the view, Villa Rufolo offers you a palatial base from the Piazza Duomo to get started.
This stately building looks like it has been cut straight from a picture book, and offers equally eye-catching photo opportunities of the sea.
The first thing you see of Villa Rufolo from the main square is Torre Maggiore and the entrance to the villa through the archway in the entrance tower.
Its many rooms include a beautiful cloistered courtyard (and a small museum). I love the formal lower garden with its iconic views over Chiesa dell’Annuziata to the Gulf of Salerno.
Richard Wagner, the German opera composer, visited Villa Rufolo and imagined it as the Garden of Klingsor in his opera, Parsifal.
This fact became a major tourist drawcard when the Ravello Concert Society created the Ravenna music festival and began the annual erection of a concert stage over the lower garden of the Villa for concerts honoring Wagner.
5. Stroll the Gardens of Villa Cimbrone
Another villa, Villa Cimbrone, is just a ten-minute walk south and it’s a major reason to see Ravello.
Set in an impossibly pretty verdant garden space, Villa Cimbrone peers over the edge of the coast, atop a rocky outcrop known as “Cimbronium,” allowing you to wallow in the mix of the tranquility of the greenery and the vibrant blue of the sea.
It is the remains of a 12th-century villa that is a five-star hotel. The villa and gardens were altered and enlarged significantly in the 20th century but some architectural details remain.
The mock-Gothic cloister, Rose Terrace, and Tea Room are some of the added elements.
It’s hard to think of a more romantic garden and a great number of Amalfi Coast weddings happen here, especially on the Belvedere, the Terrace of Infinity.
6. Visit the Terrace of Infinity
The Villa Cimbrone gardens are also famed for the Belvedere or Terrace of Infinity. This infinity terrace makes for an enviably located lookout point.
Widely considered as the best view on the Amalfi Coast, the Terrazza dell’Infinito is more than 1200 meters above the Amalfi coastal towns and the Mediterranean Sea.
The long terrace is lined with Roman-style marble busts and it can become very crowded during the peak summer months.
Should you find yourself in the area just before sunset (Villa Cimbrone is open from 9 a.m. to sunset), make a beeline for the gardens to watch the sun go down in a parade of colors.
7. Eat Ravello specialties
As one can say about the entire Amalfi coast, you don’t have to look far for great food in Ravello!
Being close to Napoli, you can expect to find very authentic versions of pizza napoletana – with a thin crust, fresh tomato sauce, and excellent mozzarella cheese.
That other Italian favorite, pasta, is also well represented. Penne alla Puttanesca – another Neapolitan dish – is a must-try.
Served with a tomato-based sauce, it also contains onions, garlic, capers, and olives – so packs a bit more of a punch than some of the more typical sauces.
Another popular local option is Spaghetti alle Vongolo (with clams) and indeed seafood is a huge player on local menus.
Most restaurants will offer their version of seafood salada (Insalata di Mare) as well as other dishes.
Finally, my personal favorite local dish would be eggplant parmigiana (Parmigiana di Melanzane).
While the name might make you think of Parma, that is actually just a reference to the Parmesan cheese it contains. It is actually claimed by various Italian regions.
If you have never had it, it is a dish that features layers of eggplant mixed with tomato sauce, basil, and melted cheese.
Something like a lasagna in appearance, it retains the unique texture of an eggplant.
Shop for Local Specialties
8. Ceramics
For anyone wanting to snap up some locally made souvenirs, Ravello is a fun place to shop.
Ceramics are a definite possibility. In Ravello, ceramics go beyond being objects of function to being works of art.
The word ceramics perhaps doesn’t do justice to the kind of wares that are on offer, either. The colors here are what strike you: almost Mexican in their bold use of pinks, blues, and yellows.
The tourist trade boosts a vibrant local industry of artisans, who can be found working in local workshops, using age-old techniques.
9. Lemons and Limoncello
Lemons grow abundantly along the Amalfi coast, and locals have put the citrus fruit to good use.
The most famous by-product of Amalfi coast lemons must be Limoncello, the popular lemon-flavored liqueur that is ever-present on local menus.
While often served as an after-dinner digestive, it also serves as a rather naughty addition to ice cream dishes.
If you are not a liqueur person, you can find lemons put to healthier uses, as their fresh fragrance permeates soaps, candles, and even candies.
Finally, perhaps the most niche offering: Ravello is home to a traditional paper mill that produces paper according to ancient methods.
The attraction here is not just nostalgia: the quality and texture of the paper are striking. I have seen it for sale in Venice and Ravenna, but there’s something nice about buying it here where its made.
For any artists – professional or otherwise – captivated by the natural beauty around them in Ravello – the paper here makes for an inspiring alternative to a canvas.
10. Visit the Chiesa dell’Annunziata
The Chiesa dell’Annuziata (the Church of the Annunciation) is Ravello’s second-most important religious building.
Just a three-minute walk (down) from the Duomo di Ravello, this wonderfully aesthetic church has stood watch over the town since the twelfth century.
As well as appreciating the mix of Romanesque, Gothic, and Baroque styles of architecture, visitors also venture to the church to admire how its twin towers stretch up against the background of the sea.
Inside, the church is simple but elegant and offers a general sense of tranquility.
It’s also, naturally, a common choice for locals who are tying the knot, so if you are lucky you might catch a Ravello wedding in progress.
Hikes to local towns
While there is plenty to love in Ravello itself, it also functions as a good base to explore other local towns, such as Atrani, Amalfi, Scala, or Minori.
11. South to Atrani and Amalfi
Starting on high in Ravello means your first step will be to head downhill.
For many Ravello hikes, there is a stone staircase that leads you down to the coast, offering views of Ravello’s hillside next to the sea.
This is the case for the hike to Atrani and Amalfi. At the bottom of the stairs, the coastal path is well-marked out and takes you along the edge of the cliffs.
The hike takes 30-40 minutes, and your arrival in Atrani will be well worth it. A very pretty, distinctive seaside town, with its patchwork of buildings stretching out gorgeously over the sea.
Amalfi is in the same direction, but a little further away – around 2.5 miles.
This hike still allows you to pass through Atrani, as you simply continue to follow the same coastal path. It leads you along the rocky coastline to Amalfi.
Amalfi takes Atrani’s beauty to the next level. Italy has numerous gorgeous seaside towns nestling on steep hillsides, but Amalfi has a claim to be the most beautiful.
It also has plenty of culture and history, being the largest town on the coast, and a one-time maritime republic. The cathedral is spectacular.
12. Scala
Scala is a similar distance away, under two miles, although you head north from Ravello. The asphalt road under Ravello’s auditorium leads you to a set of steps that take you to Scala.
This is a straightforward walk and should take you just over twenty minutes.
Compared to Atrani and Amalfi, Scala is a little more imposing in its beauty, but it still has plenty to explore, from ancient churches to charming squares.
Many of the people who work in the tourist industry in Amalfi and Ravello live in Scala.
13. Minori
Minori is in a different direction again, northeast along the coast, and is my favorite walk down to the beaches and towns of the Amalfi Coast.
From Ravello, take the steps down near Villa Rufolo and this will begin your descent along Via Traglio.
The walk is scenic and not overly exerting, although there are a number of steps down and it is further than the other destinations, between 40-60 minutes.
With Minori, we are back to the seaside/hillside killer combo. Easy going down, but get the bus back!
Minori boasts a cute sandy beach, something which is relatively rare on the Amalfi coast, and which is an eternal draw to the more discerning visitors who flock here instead of going to the more famous local destinations. (Which takes 5 minutes to get to on the ferry).
As well as the churches and quaint streets you can find elsewhere, Minori also boasts the Roman Villa, an archaeological site that offers a portal into Minori’s ancient history.
Finally, Minori makes use of the local lemons in its own special way, with the Sfogliatella Santa Rosa, a pastry filled with lemon-flavored ricotta. Just the ticket after all that walking!
14. Hike the Path of the Gods (Sentiero Degli Dei)
I have to admit that I have not done this spectacular hike because I am not great with heights and tend to freeze up, clinging to the side of the cliff or hill!
But I know (and watch) many people take the hike and yes, they all rave about it so I will get to it on my next trip!
From Ravello, take the bus down to Amalfi and then to Bomerano (or alternatively, a taxi), to walk the cliff path that ends in Positano. Then return by bus from Positano to Ravello.
15. Visit the Oscar Niemeyer Theatre
Just outside the small tunnel that leads into the pedestrian-only part of Ravello is a short downhill walk to the Oscar Niemeyer Theatre on Via Della Republica.
In 2011 the seashell-shaped Auditorium was built so that the enormously successful summer music festival could be extended by providing an all-weather and permanent concert space.
Oscar Niemeyer designed the building and it was constructed by Italian architects and builders.
However, this goal became mired in controversy. Niemeyer didn’t visit Ravello and the siting of the modernist structure has been condemned as “building abuse” because of its location.
To add to its woes, cracks were discovered, but it has continued to host musicians and is a site for the annual summer music festival.
16. Get Tickets to the Ravello Music Festival
From the beginning of July until the end of August each year is the “Richard Wagner” or Ravello Music Festival.
Held primarily on a spectacular concert stage perched above the formal garden at Villa Rufolo (the Belvedere), the setting is a major drawcard of the event.
17. Stroll and Swim at Spiaggia Castiglione – Ravello’s Beach
Ravello has, strangely, a piece of Amalfi Coastline that is part of its commune. The beach is called Spiaggia Castiglione and it’s reached by 160 steps to the water from the road.
There are a few Ravello hotels with beach clubs here and shuttle buses to take you between your luxury villa or suite and the beach club.
15 Frequently Asked Questions about Ravello Italy
Is Ravello Italy worth visiting?
Ravello Italy is most definitely a part of the experience of visiting the Amalfi Coast in Italy. Perched above Amalfi, its gardens, villas, music festivals, and heart-stopping views make a visit not just worthwhile but mandatory.
What is Ravello Italy known for?
Ravello Italy is known as a major center for Amalfi Coast weddings because of its ancient villas with spectacular gardens, unbelievable views over the Amalfi Coast, and the Ravello Music Festival held in the evenings in summer looking over the Coast and Sea.
How do you spend a day in Ravello Italy?
Stroll the old narrow streets of the village, eat a meal in the main square, and visit the Duomo, Chiesa dell’Annuziata, and Villas Rufolo and Cimbrone (and its famous infinity terrace). Shop for local ceramics and paper products in the interesting shops around the village. Finally, make time to sit at an outdoor terrace and stare at the most wonderful view of the Amalfi Coast.
Which is better Amalfi or Ravello?
Amalfi is better is you want to be by the beach and if you’d like to be right at the ferry stop to take trips along the coast. Ravello is better for its unbelievably beautiful Amalfi Coast views, ancient villas, and beautiful gardens.
Is Ravello expensive?
All of the Amalfi Coast is expensive and hotels with Amalfi Coast and sea views are expensive. Ravello is less expensive than the blockbuster towns of Positano and Amalfi, but it is cheaper away from the cliff that overlooks the sea.
Can you walk from Ravello to Amalfi?
Walking from Ravello to Amalfi is possible and popular. It consists of walking down X steps, winding past homes and lemon groves. Take the bus back!
Can you walk around Ravello?
Despite the trip to Ravello being a steep one, once you arrive in Ravello, it is mainly flat and free of cars. It is an ideal village to walk around and you’ll find children playing in the streets and lots of small shops in narrow laneways.
How much time do you need in Ravello?
It’s possible to see Ravello in four hours if you don’t stop to eat or drink and whizz around the gardens of Villa Rufolo and Villa Cimbrone. You would have no trouble filling in a whole day seeing the sites of Ravello and wandering the village.
How many steps from Ravello to Amalfi?
The walk down the cliff from Ravello to Amalfi involves
How do you get around in Ravello?
Ravello is blissfully car-free. Taxis and buses stop at the entrance to the village where you walk through a short tunnel to arrive in the main square. It is a largely flat and lovely village to walk around and explore at your own pace.
Is Ravello or Sorrento better?
Ravello and Sorrento are very different places. Sorrento is a great base if you want to travel up and down the Amalfi Coast, go over to Capri, and be by the beach. It is also good if you plan to see the archaeological sites of Pompeii and Herculaneum, as well as Mt Vesuvius.
It is large, a major ferry hub, and has a lot of accommodation and bars. If you prefer a quieter stay away from the crowds and with the most spectacular views of the Amalfi Coast, Ravello is a wonderful village to use as a base, but it is not on the water.
How long is the boat ride from Ravello to Capri?
The ferry from Ravello to Capri
What is the best time of day to visit Ravello Italy?
Visiting Ravello at about 3 pm in the afternoon means that most day trippers have gone and Villa Rufolo and Villa Cimbrone will be less crowded. An aperitivo in the main square or catching an evening concert at the Ravello Music Festival in summer is a perfect way to experience Ravello
Can you walk from Ravello to the beach?
Not many people know that Ravello has its own beach, so it’s possible to stay in Ravello and be on the beach! But more commonly, it’s possible to walk down the local pathways full of steps to both Amalfi and Minori beaches.
Is Ravello a good base for Amalfi Coast?
Ravello is the perfect base for an Amalfi Coast holiday. It is less crowded and has the best views that are the essence of the Amalfi Coast. If you want to stay by the water, Ravello is not for you, but for all the times in the year when swimming is not possible, and as a quieter base from which to see the Amalfi Coast, it is perfect.
Keep Planning Your Trip to the Amalfi Coast
- Where to Stay in the Amalfi Coast (including Capri)
- 17 Best Things to Do in Ravello Italy in 2024
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- Visiting Pompeii and Mount Vesuvius: tickets, travel tips, tours, highlights [2024]
- Amalfi Coast Wedding – How To Plan Your Dreamy Destination Wedding
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- Herculaneum Ruins: How and Why to Visit in 2024
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