Want to sleep with the Amalfi Coast at your feet? Dream of past eras? Look out over infinite terraces?
Come to Ravello.
Out of all the towns on the Amalfi Coast, Ravello holds a privileged spot high above the Tyrrhenian Sea, giving it the best panoramic views around.
It is no wonder that the exclusive villas Cimbrone and Rufolo are located here.
Let's get right to it, shall we?
Things to see in Ravello
If there is one thing you can't miss in Ravello, it is 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, opening hours were from 9:00 in the morning to 20:30 in the evening.
Here you will be able to:
- See a lovely flowered cloister.
- Visit the crypt overlooking the Amalfi Coast.
- Stroll down the Alley of Immensity under a canopy of blooming wisteria.
- Fall in love with the famous Infinity Terrace overlooking the Amalfi Coast.
- Walk surrounded by colorful hydrangeas.
- Get lost 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 main square.
The entrance fee was also €7 per person and, in June, opening hours were from 9:00 to 20:30.
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 full bloom.
- The Belvedere, a stage that fills with music and life during the Ravello Festival.
Villa Cimbrone or Villa Rufolo?
Which one is more worth it?
If you only have the time or budget to visit one of them, my advice is to go for Cimbrone.
To me, this villa felt more beautiful overall. The views from the Infinity Terrace have no trees blocking the perspective, unlike Villa Rufolo. Plus, the gardens are very spacious, filled with charming little corners.
Rufolo, on the other hand, is smaller, and the concert stage detracts a bit from the photos.
However, if you're tired of walking, Rufolo is right next to Ravello's Piazza del Duomo, while reaching Villa Cimbrone requires heading all the way to the far end of town.
Where to sleep
Ravello is one of the popular towns on the Amalfi Coast. So don't expect staying here to be cheaper just because it's set back from the sea. Quite the opposite...
Among the hundreds of options you can find on Booking, I recommend looking for accommodation that makes the most of one of Ravello's greatest perks:
Its privileged position overlooking the Amalfi Coast
In other words, try to find a room with views of the Tyrrhenian Sea.
Dimora Sveva
We stayed in one of the apartments managed by Dimora Sveva. What a gem!
Just take a look at this photo:
Our private terrace overlooking the Amalfi Coast.
It was so lovely that we bought some lamb's lettuce, tomatoes, and mozzarella, and… voilà!
- Light dinner: 15 €
- Shot of limoncello: 1€ maybe?
- The panoramic view: Priceless.
And that's not all.
The studio was spacious, had a well-equipped kitchen, and plenty of room to sleep up to 4 people thanks to the sofa bed in the living room.
Plus, they offered private parking for 8€ a day, and it was located just a 5-10 minute walk from the center of Ravello (uphill, mind you).
Maybe the only thing that didn't quite measure up was the breakfast, just because it was so simple (cappuccino or coffee with a croissant, plain toast with jam, and a glass of bottled juice). But considering everything else, this was just a minor detail.
It cost 130€ a night, breakfast, parking, and tourist taxes included for 2 people. I’d stay at Dimora Sveva again in a heartbeat.
Treat yourself
Gelato
Don't leave the Amalfi Coast without trying an authentic Italian gelato. I'm sure that wherever you get a craving for one, it'll be delicious.
Throughout our 5 years living in this country, Nahuai and I have coined a saying that still holds true today (based on our experience, of course):
In Italy, there’s no such thing as a bad gelato.
So pick a spot and go for it.
Want a guaranteed hit in Ravello? I tried the ones at Baffone gelateria, and they were finger-licking good.
3€ for a small gelato might seem steep. However, the serving size was closer to medium, and that price is pretty standard for the area.
Personal recommendation: panera (coffee) and pistachio. Chocolate is also a safe bet. Mmm… Yum!
Limoncello
The Amalfi Coast is famous for the citrus fruits grown on its terraced hillsides. And one of the star products made from them is lemon liqueur: the famous limoncello.
Forget about any you've tasted before. Take advantage of being right where limoncello actually comes from.
Many local producers set up a little shop right by the entrance and usually offer free shots to tourists hoping to boost sales.
Pop into one of them and sample the different varieties. I'm sure you'll end up taking a delicious souvenir back home.
We paid 7.5€ for a one-liter bottle at the shop I've marked on the map at the bottom of the page. But there are dozens of them all over town. Follow your own adventure!
Buffalo Mozzarella
Naples is famous for its unbeatable buffalo mozzarella. While you can enjoy great mozzarella anywhere in Italy, you won't taste anything quite as spectacular as the Neapolitan kind.
In delis and supermarkets, you'll see white balls of cheese floating in liquid-filled containers. Grab one and make yourself a fantastic caprese salad back at your apartment.
Just make sure it's buffalo milk and not cow's milk. The flavor difference is huge.
How to get to Ravello
By car
If you're arriving by car, make sure you've reserved a parking spot with your accommodation.
Otherwise, you'll have to go for paid parking under the Piazza del Duomo or in the basement of the Ravello auditorium.
You'll recognize the auditorium by its contrasting design compared to the rest of the town: sort of like a flattened white egg.
By bus
The Sita bus company, which runs along the entire Amalfi Coast, also operates an Amalfi-Ravello route. Each trip takes about 25 minutes and costs 2.20€.
Budget
- Accommodation (breakfast and parking included): 130€/2 people.
- Food: 50€/2 people.
- Villa visits: 28€/2 people.
In total, for 24 hours in Ravello, we spent 208€, meaning 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 schedule.
- Hotels in Ravello.
- Our apartment with views at Dimora Sveva.
- Flight deal search engines: Trabber, eDreams, Momondo, and Vueling.
- 5% discount on your IATI travel insurance.
Road-tripping the Amalfi Coast?
Don't miss the rest of our stops along the way:
- 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 trail, the Amalfi Coast from a bird's-eye view.
- The beautiful towns of Amalfi and Atrani in 24 hours.
Got any questions? Let's chat in the comments! 🙂