Ravello is one of the most beautiful towns on the Amalfi Coast, perched high in the hills above Amalfi and Minori with sweeping coastal views and centuries-old villa gardens. Unlike Positano, Amalfi, or Atrani, Ravello sits well above sea level, so it takes a bit more effort to reach, but the views from Villa Rufolo and Villa Cimbrone are some of the most photographed on the entire coast.
We’ve visited the Amalfi Coast twice. On our first trip, traveling with our kids on a tight schedule, we didn’t have enough time to make it up to Ravello. On our second trip, we spent a week based in Positano and used that time to explore the region more thoroughly. This time, we hired a driver for the day, since we knew we’d be wine tasting that afternoon, and having a driver made it easy to add Ravello onto our plans on the way.
In this guide, we cover the best things to do in Ravello, how to get here, how much time to plan for, and whether it’s worth working into your Amalfi Coast itinerary if your time is limited.
The Essentials
LOCATION | Amalfi Coast, Italy, in the hills above Amalfi and Minori
BEST FOR | Villa gardens, iconic viewpoints, a quieter alternative to Positano and Amalfi
MUST-SEE | Villa Rufolo and Villa Cimbrone
TIME NEEDED | 2 to 3 hours
HOW TO GET THERE | Bus, car, or private driver — no boat access
Is Ravello Worth It?
Ravello is a beautiful town, but whether it’s worth visiting comes down to how much time you have on the Amalfi Coast and how you’re getting around.
If you only have one day and you’re relying on public transportation (ferries and buses), we’d recommend prioritizing Positano and Amalfi first. Both towns are easier to reach, have beaches, iconic sights, and excellent restaurants and shopping within an easy walk of the ferry docks and bus stops. Ravello sits high in the hills and getting up and back down adds a lot of time to your day.
That said, Ravello is genuinely iconic. The elevated views over the coastline from Villa Rufolo and Villa Cimbrone are some of the best on the Amalfi Coast, and worth the detour if you have a rental car, a private driver, or more time to spare.
We only made it to Ravello on our second Amalfi Coast trip, when we had a full week based in Positano and hired a driver for the day. That made it simple to fit in before an afternoon of wine tasting near Tramonti.
Between Positano, Amalfi, Atrani, and a boat tour along the coast, though, those were still our favorite experiences on the Amalfi Coast. We’re glad we saw Ravello, but it wouldn’t be our first recommendation if you only have one day and are getting around by public transportation.
Best Things to Do in Ravello
1. Stroll through Piazza Centrale
Piazza Centrale is the main square of Ravello. On this square is the Duomo, cafes, shops, restaurants, an art gallery, and the entrance into Villa Rufolo. We stopped at one of the cafes here for a quick espresso before heading into Villa Rufolo, a nice way to take in the square before diving into sightseeing.
Piazza Centrale and the Duomo di Ravello
Villa Rufolo entrance on Piazza Centrale
2. Visit the Duomo di Ravello
This church dates back to 1086, and its bronze doors are one of its most striking features. They were cast in 1179 by Barisano da Trani, they’re one of fewer than two dozen bronze church doors still standing in Italy.
Inside, look for the marble pulpit, supported by six spiral columns resting on carved lions, and the Chapel of St. Pantaleone, which holds a relic said to liquefy each year on July 27.
In 1918, Pope Benedict XV elevated the cathedral to a minor basilica, and you can also visit the small Duomo museum and an art gallery. We went inside on our visit. It’s a quick stop since it sits right on Piazza Centrale, and worth the few minutes even though it’s not the main draw of Ravello like the two villas.
Inside the Duomo di Ravello
3. Stroll through the Gardens at Villa Rufolo
A visit to Villa Rufolo is one of the best things to do in Ravello.
When it was built in the 13th century, Villa Rufolo was one of the largest and most luxurious villas on the Amalfi Coast. It was built by a wealthy merchant and during the 14th century, banquets for kings and nobility were held here.
Over time, the villa fell into disrepair. Sir Francis Neville Reid, a Scottish botanist, purchased the villa in 1851 and renovated it. Richard Wagner, a German composer, visited the villa in the late 1800’s and was enthralled with it. He stated “I have found the enchanted garden of Klingsor” and went on to write the second act of Parsifal while staying in Ravello.
Villa Rufolo is now a popular tourist destination in Italy. Each summer, the Ravello Festival is held here, and the spirit of Richard Wagner lives on.
Villa Rufolo
On a visit to Villa Rufolo, you can tour the buildings of the villa, but they are rather barren on the inside. The real beauty is in the gardens. From the botanical gardens, you look out over the Amalfi Coast and the towns of Minori and Amalfi, making this one of the most beautiful viewpoints in all of the Amalfi Coast.
Capturing the photo of the tree, the church, and the Amalfi Coast is one of the most iconic shots of Ravello.
Villa Rufolo
Hours can vary from July through September during the festival. Get updated pricing and hours before you go on the official website.
DID YOU KNOW? Ravello has long been a destination for artists, writers, and musicians. Virginia Woolf, Richard Wagner, Tennessee Williams, M. C. Escher, Joan Miró, Greta Garbo, and Jacqueline Kennedy are just a few of the people who were frequent visitors of Ravello.
4. Visit Villa Cimbrone
Like Villa Rufolo, a visit to Villa Cimbrone is one of the best things to do in Ravello.
This villa is even older, dating back to the 11th century. However, most of the gardens and building as we see them today are about 100 years old, dating back to the early 20th century.
Visitors to Ravello can visit the gardens, which are extraordinarily beautiful. Guests can stay in the villa, a luxury 5-star hotel, and Villa Cimbrone is a popular destination for luxury weddings and events.
For most visitors, the highlight of Villa Cimbrone is the Infinity Terrace (Terrazza dell’Infinito). This terrace is lined with marble busts and has a stunning view out over the Amalfi Coast.
Infinity Terrace
To get to the Infinity Terrace, you will stroll along the Avenue of Immensity (Viale dell’Imenso), walking under a pergola where wisteria bloom during the springtime. From the walkway, there are paths that lead deeper into the gardens and it is well worth your time to visit these as well. Fountains and statues can be found throughout the gardens.
Avenue of Immensity
Villa Cimbrone Cloister
Near the Infinity Terrace, there is a small restaurant with views out to Pontone, a neighboring town. And don’t miss the cloister and crypt, which is located next to the entrance.
Get updated pricing and hours on the official website. The gardens can close for special events at the villa.
Getting to Villa Cimbrone: Villa Cimbrone is a 10-minute walk from Piazzale Centrale (the city center of Ravello). It is a slightly uphill walk to the villa.
PRO TRAVEL TIP: In our opinion, it is worth it to visit both Villa Rufolo and Villa Cimbrone since they both offer different experiences. Villa Rufolo is smaller and closer to Piazzale Centrale and from here, you get the iconic view of the tree, church, and Amalfi Coast. From Villa Cimbrone, you get to visit the famous Infinity Terrace.
5. Go Shopping
Shop for ceramics, limoncello, art, and souvenirs around Piazza Centrale and on the streets extending off of the square. We did some window shopping here on our way between the villas. It’s a pleasant way to fill a few extra minutes if you finish the main sights with time to spare.
Ceramics shop
Shopping in Ravello
6. Walk from Ravello to Atrani or Amalfi
Ravello also connects to the coastline below by a network of stepped mule paths. The most popular route descends to Atrani, passing terraced lemon groves, small homes, and gardens along the way; allow about 1 to 1.5 hours downhill.
If you’d rather end in Amalfi, that walk takes a bit longer. Wear sturdy shoes because the steps are steep and uneven in places.
7. Ravello Festival
The Ravello Festival, also known as the “Wagner Festival,” in celebration of Richard Wagner, takes place each summer. Richard Wagner was a German composer who loved the gardens at Villa Rufolo.
The festival runs for two months, starting in early July and ending in early September. During this time, visitors can attend musical performances that range from symphonic concerts to jazz shows to piano recitals. You can learn more on the official website.
How to Get to Ravello
Since Ravello sits high in the hills above the coastline, it tends to be a little less crowded than Positano and Amalfi and getting here takes a bit more planning, since there’s no boat access.
By bus: The SITA bus connects Ravello to Amalfi, and the ride takes about 25 to 35 minutes depending on traffic. Buses run fairly often in high season, less frequently on Sundays and holidays, and you’ll need to have your ticket before boarding. Drivers don’t sell them on board. Coming from Positano or Sorrento, plan on a longer trip overall, since you’ll need to connect through Amalfi first.
By car: Driving up is possible, but the roads are narrow and winding, and the historic center itself is a pedestrian zone. Cars aren’t allowed past the edge of town. You’ll park in a garage or lot near Piazza Duomo and walk in from there.
By private driver: This is what we did. We had a rental car for our week in Positano, but since we had a full day planned that included wine tasting (more on that below), we hired a driver instead of navigating ourselves. It made the day easy: no worrying about parking or driving the coastal or mountain roads.
How Much Time Should You Spend in Ravello?
To visit both villas, do some shopping, and stroll through the compact city center, you need 2 to 3 hours in Ravello.
Ravello can be combined with Amalfi and Positano, if you are taking a day trip along the Amalfi Coast. Ravello can also be combined with Tramonti, which is another town that sits higher in the mountains. Tramonti is surrounded by vineyards and has a much different vibe than the coastal towns, but it is lovely.
If you’re getting here by public bus rather than a private driver or rental car, build in some buffer time around the bus schedule, since departures are less frequent than you might expect.
We visited Ravello in the morning and Tenuta San Francesco (a vineyard near Tramonti) in the afternoon and had an unforgettable experience. To walk through the vineyard, see the grapes hanging on the vines, taste the wines, and have a home cooked meal, made this one of our favorite experiences on the Amalfi Coast. You can learn more in our guide to the Best Things to Do on the Amalfi Coast.
The view from Villa Rufolo
Plan Your Amalfi Coast Trip
- Deciding which towns to visit → Our 17 Beautiful Towns on the Amalfi Coast guide covers all of the towns worth adding to your itinerary, big and small.
- Figuring out how to get around → Our Best Way to Get Around the Amalfi Coast guide breaks down the bus, car, boat, and private driver options.
- Planning a fall visit → Our Sorrento & the Amalfi Coast in October guide covers the weather, crowds, and what’s open (or closed) this time of year.
- Building a bigger Italy trip → Our 14 Day Italy Itinerary covers how to combine the Amalfi Coast with Rome, Florence, Tuscany, the Cinque Terre, and Venice.
- Deciding where else to go in Italy → Our 25 Best Places to Visit in Italy guide helps you prioritize your list.
- Looking for more of Italy → Our Italy Travel Guide covers all of our guides to Italy, from Rome to Tuscany to the Dolomites and Sicily.
If you have any questions about the best things to do in Ravello, let us know in the comment section below.
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