Do you want to sleep with the Amalfi Coast at your feet? To dream of times gone by? To look out onto endless terraces?
Come to Ravello.
In fact, of all the towns on the Amalfi Coast, Ravello occupies a privileged position overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea, offering the best panoramic views in the area.
It's no surprise that the exclusive Cimbrone and Rufolo villas are located there.
Let's get to the point, shall we?
What to See in Ravello
If there's one thing you can't miss in Ravello, it's its famous villas.
Villa Cimbrone
Villa Cimbrone is a luxury hotel that opens its gardens to the public for the modest price of €7 per person.
In June 2017, the hours of operation were from 9:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
There, you'll be able to:
- See a beautiful, flower-filled cloister.
- Visit the crypt overlooking the Amalfi Coast.
- Strolling along the path of boundless space beneath a canopy of blooming wisteria.
- Fall in love with the famous infinity terrace overlooking the Amalfi Coast.
- Walking surrounded by colorful hydrangeas.
- Lose yourself among gardens, statues, gods, and nymphs.
- Smell the roses next to a tea room.
Villa Rufolo
Villa Rufolo is located just a few meters from Ravello's central square.
Admission was also €7 per person, and in June, the opening hours were from 9:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
And here, you'll enjoy:
- The famous views of the Amalfi Coast, with two domes in the foreground.
- A truly photogenic marble cloister .
- Access to the museum tower.
- A panoramic garden in bloom.
- The Belvedere, a venue that comes alive with music and energy during the Ravello Festival.
Villa Cimbrone or Villa Rufolo?
Which one is the best value?
If you only have time or a budget to visit one of them, my advice is to go with Cimbrone.
Overall, I found this villa to be more beautiful. The views from the "infinity" terrace aren't obstructed by trees, as is the case with Villa Rufolo. Plus, the gardens are very spacious and full of charming nooks and crannies.
Rufolo, on the other hand, is smaller, and the concert area doesn't look quite as impressive in the photos.
However, if you're tired of walking, Rufolo is located next to Ravello's Piazza del Duomo, while to get to Villa Cimbrone, you'll need to go to the farthest end of the town.
Where to sleep
Ravello is one of the most popular towns on the Amalfi Coast. So don't expect that just because it's farther from the sea, staying there will be cheaper. Quite the opposite…
Among the hundreds of options you can find on Booking, I recommend looking for a place to stay that makes the most of one of Ravello’s greatest attractions:
Its prime location on the Amalfi Coast
In other words, try to find a room with a view of the Tyrrhenian Sea.
Dimora Sveva
We stayed in one of the apartments offered by Dimora Sveva. It was wonderful!
Just take a look at this photo:
Our private terrace overlooking the Amalfi Coast.
She was so charming that we bought lamb's lettuce, tomatoes, and mozzarella, and… voilà!
- Light dinner: 15 €
- A shot of limoncello: €1?
- Panorama: It's priceless.
And that's not all.
The studio was large, had a well-equipped kitchen, and was spacious enough to accommodate up to 4 people thanks to the sofa bed in the living room.
In addition, they offered private parking for €8 a day, and it was just a 5- to 10-minute walk from downtown Ravello (though it was uphill).
Perhaps the only thing that didn't quite measure up was the breakfast, due to its simplicity (a cappuccino or coffee with a croissant, dry toast with jam, and a glass of boxed juice). But considering everything else, this was a minor detail.
It cost €130 per night, including breakfast, parking, and overnight fees for two people. I would stay at Dimora Sveva again in a heartbeat.
Treat yourself
Ice Cream
Don't leave the Amalfi Coast without trying some authentic Italian gelato . I'm sure that no matter where you feel like having some, it'll be delicious.
Over the course of our five years living in this country, Nahuai and I have coined a saying that remains unbeatable to this day (based on our experience, of course):
In Italy, there's no such thing as bad gelato.
So pick a place, and go for it.
Want to make sure you get the best in Ravello? I tried the ones at Baffone's ice cream shop, and they were finger-licking good.
€3 for a small ice cream might seem like a lot. However, the portion was more on the medium side, and that price is quite common in the area.
Personal recommendation: Panera (coffee) and pistachio. Chocolate is also a safe bet. Mmmm… Yum, yum.
Limoncello
The Amalfi Coast is famous for the citrus fruits grown on its natural terraces. And one of the star products made from them is lemon liqueur: the famous limoncello.
Forget about the ones you've tried so far. Take advantage of the fact that you're in the land where limoncello originated.
Many of the production facilities have a small shop right next to the entrance and often offer free shots to tourists in the hope of boosting their sales.
Go into one of them and try the different varieties. I'm sure you'll take home a delicious souvenir.
We paid €7.50 for a liter at the place I've marked on the map at the bottom of the page. But there are dozens of them all over town. Go on your own adventure!
Buffalo mozzarella
Naples is famous for its inimitable buffalo mozzarella. Although you can enjoy good mozzarella anywhere in Italy, you won't find any as spectacular as the Neapolitan variety.
At delis and supermarkets, you'll see white cheese balls floating in a container filled with liquid. Ask for one and make yourself a delicious Caprese salad in your apartment.
Just make sure it's made from buffalo, not cow. They taste very different.
How to Get to Ravello
By car
If you're arriving in your own vehicle, make sure you've reserved a parking spot at your lodging.
Otherwise, you'll have to buy a ticket for a seat near the Duomo or in the basement of the Ravello Auditorium.
You'll recognize the latter by its structure, which stands out from the rest of the town: a sort of flattened white egg.
By bus
The Sita company, which operates along the entire Amalfi Coast, also offers a route between Amalfi and Ravello. Each trip takes about 25 minutes and costs €2.20.
Budget
- Accommodations ( breakfast and parking included): 130€ for 2 people.
- Meal: 50€ for 2 people.
- Tour of the villas: 28€ for 2 people.
In total, during our 24 hours in Ravello, we spent 208€, or 104€ per person.
The Amalfi Coast PDF Guide
Want a PDF with all the travel tips from this blog on how to plan your own DIY trip to the Amalfi Coast?
Save it to your tablet or phone and check it whenever you need it.
- Choose when, where, and how.
- Tailor your budget to suit your wallet.
- Live your own adventure.
Sounds good? Then click here to grab it for just €1.95.
Useful links
- Amalfi-Ravello Bus Schedules.
- Hotels in Ravello.
- Our apartment with a view at Dimora Sveva.
- Flight deal search engines: Trabber, eDreams, Momondo, and Vueling.
- 5% discount on your IATI travel insurance.
Planning a road trip along the Amalfi Coast?
Don't miss the rest of the stops we made:
- A 7-day road trip along the Amalfi Coast.
- Positano, one of the most beautiful towns in Italy.
- The Path of the Gods, from Bomerano to Positano.
- The Tre Calli circuit: a bird's-eye view of the Amalfi Coast.
- The beautiful towns of Amalfi and Atrani, in 24 hours.
Do you have any questions? Let me know in the comments. 🙂