Ravello City
Scenic Amalfi Coast town with cliffside gardens
Perched above the Amalfi coastline, Ravello lures concert-goers to Villa Rufolo and its terraced gardens, and sightseers to Villa Cimbrone’s belvedere. Small cafés pour coffee and limoncello between narrow lanes and mountain vistas.
Ravello at a Glance#
Costs: Typical daily budget: $120-300 - upscale Amalfi Coast pricing for hotels and dining; boutique stays are expensive.
Safety: Generally safe; watch traffic and cliffs - safe for tourists; narrow cliffside roads and busy walkways require care.
Best Time: May-June and September (best balance) - spring and early autumn offer warm weather with fewer crowds and vivid gardens.
Why Visit Ravello?#
A peaceful Amalfi Coast hill town favored for its terraced gardens, refined atmosphere and sweeping coastal views. Villa Rufolo and Villa Cimbrone draw visitors who appreciate sculpted gardens and promenades framed by lemon groves, while the annual Ravello Festival brings chamber music and cultural gravitas. Limoncello, seafood-accented cuisine and narrow lanes lined with artisan shops complete the experience for those seeking an elegant, less crowded slice of the coastline.
Best Things to Do in Ravello#
Ravello Bucket List#
Villa Rufolo - Villa Rufolo, 13th-century villa with terraced gardens and sea-framed views over the coast.
Villa Cimbrone - Villa Cimbrone’s Terrace of Infinity and manicured gardens overlooking the Amalfi Coast panorama.
Ravello Cathedral (Duomo) - Ravello Cathedral (Duomo), medieval church with elegant cloister and historic artworks on display.
Vallone delle Ferriere - Vallone delle Ferriere gorge trail to ancient mills and lush waterfall microclimate and shade.
Local ceramic ateliers - Local ceramic ateliers offering hand-painted Amalfi ceramics and bespoke pieces from regional artisans.
Quiet garden cafés - Small garden cafés off the main piazza for relaxed coffee and coastal views.
Best Time to Visit Ravello#
Ravello is best from late spring to early autumn for warm weather, cliffside views and outdoor events. Winters are mild but quieter; summers are hot and busiest.
December - February
8-15°C (46-59°F)
Mild, off-peak months - quieter streets and cooler temperatures ideal for sightseeing; some indoor venues close earlier in winter.
March - May & September - November
14-24°C (57-75°F)
Perfect visiting weather - warm days, comfortable evenings and fewer crowds; gardens and terraces shine, making cliffside walks delightful.
June - August
22-30°C (72-86°F)
Hot, sunny Mediterranean days - busy with tourists, lively terraces and outdoor concerts; bring sunscreen and expect higher prices in peak months.
Temperate climate with warm summers (peaking in August) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 4°C to 27°C. Abundant rainfall (1002 mm/year), wettest in November.
January
January is the coolest month with highs of 11°C and lows of 4°C. Significant rainfall (112 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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February
February is cold with highs of 11°C and lows of 4°C. Regular rainfall (94 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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March
March is cold with highs of 13°C and lows of 5°C. Regular rainfall (83 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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April
April is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 8°C. Regular rainfall (89 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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May
May is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 12°C. Moderate rainfall (56 mm).
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June
June is mild with highs of 24°C and lows of 15°C. Moderate rainfall (30 mm) and mostly sunny skies.
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July
July is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 18°C. The driest month with just 27 mm and clear sunny skies.
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August
August is the warmest month with highs of 27°C and lows of 18°C. Moderate rainfall (38 mm) and clear sunny skies.
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September
September is mild with highs of 24°C and lows of 15°C. Regular rainfall (82 mm) and mostly sunny skies.
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October
October is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 12°C. Significant rainfall (121 mm).
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November
November is cool with highs of 15°C and lows of 8°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (149 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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December
December is cold with highs of 12°C and lows of 5°C. Significant rainfall (121 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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How to Get to Ravello#
Ravello is reached via Naples (NAP) or Salerno by train or road, then by SITA coastal bus or seasonal ferry to Amalfi followed by the short uphill bus to Ravello. Trains to Salerno plus bus/ferry connections are the usual itinerary.
Naples International Airport (NAP): Naples Capodichino (NAP) is the nearest major airport for Ravello. From Naples you can take the Circumvesuviana/urban transport to Napoli Centrale and then a regional train to Salerno; total door-to-door travel time to Ravello (via Amalfi or Scala) is commonly 1.5-2.5 hours depending on connections.
Salerno (QSR / Salerno-Pontecagnano): Salerno’s transport hub (train station and local airport services) is closer to the Amalfi Coast; from Salerno you can reach Amalfi by ferry (seasonal) or by SITA bus and then take the bus up to Ravello; ferry+bus combinations are often the fastest in summer.
Train: Napoli Centrale is the main rail hub. Regional trains from Napoli Centrale to Salerno take about 40-60 minutes and cost a few euros (regional fares are low). From Salerno change to a ferry or SITA bus to Amalfi.
Bus / SITA: SITA buses run the coastal routes (Amalfi, Ravello, Positano) - the Amalfi-to-Ravello bus climb takes around 15-25 minutes from Amalfi town. Ferries from Salerno or Positano to Amalfi operate in high season; bus connections are more reliable year-round.
How to Get Around Ravello#
Use the train to Salerno or arrive at Naples then transfer by ferry or SITA bus to Amalfi and the short bus up to Ravello. In summer ferries are efficient; year-round buses provide more consistent service.
- Train (Naples-Salerno) (€2-10) - Regional trains run between Napoli Centrale and Salerno frequently; journey time is about 40-60 minutes on regional services. Trains are reliable and inexpensive - the rail leg gets you close to the Amalfi ferry and bus connections.
- Ferry (Salerno/Positano-Amalfi) (€8-20 (seasonal)) - In summer fast ferries and hydrofoils run from Salerno and Positano to Amalfi, cutting road travel time and offering scenic views. Ferries are seasonal; if running they are often faster than the road route but cost more than buses.
- SITA bus (Amalfi-Ravello) (€1.50-3) - SITA or local buses connect Amalfi with Ravello via a steep uphill road; the ride takes about 15-25 minutes. Buses can be crowded in high season and luggage space is limited - arrive early or consider a taxi for comfort.
- Taxi / private transfer - Taxis or private transfers are the most convenient door-to-door option, especially with luggage or outside bus/ferry hours. They are significantly more expensive than public transport but time-saving on tight schedules.
- Walking - Ravello’s center and many viewpoints are best explored on foot - narrow lanes and stairways are common. The town is compact but hilly; wear comfortable shoes.
Where to Stay in Ravello#
Ravello centre - €60-130/night
Budget options in Ravello are scarce; most inexpensive rooms are simple B&Bs or small pensions and fill quickly during summer concerts.
Ravello / Amalfi Coast - €120-250/night
Mid-range choices are limited to a few family-run hotels and guesthouses with sea or village views; expect modest rooms but excellent location.
Ravello centre - €250+/night
Ravello is best known for high-end, historic hotels and boutique luxury stays; upscale options dominate the lodging scene, especially in peak season.
Belmond Hotel Caruso - Iconic cliff-top historic hotel with pool.
Palazzo Avino - Elegant, luxury hotel with Amalfi views.
Where to Eat in Ravello#
Elegant restaurants and pastry shops frame Ravello’s terraces, focusing on Amalfi Coast seafood, citrus-infused desserts and multi-course tasting menus with panoramic views of the coast and gardens.
- Rossellinis (Palazzo Avino) - Refined Amalfi Coast tasting menus available.
- Trattoria da Cumpa’ Cosimo - Home-style dishes and classic regional recipes.
- Pasticceria Sal De Riso (pastry shop) - Famous Amalfi pastries and lemon desserts.
Small cafés and family trattorie serve quick coffees, lemon-infused cakes and straightforward pastas-ideal for light meals between villa visits and cliffside walks.
- Bar Ristorante Vittoria - Casual lunches with terrace seating.
- Caffè Calce - Coffee, pastries and light daytime bites.
- Trattoria Da Carlino - Simple pasta dishes, local ingredient focus.
Breakdown of cuisine types found across Ravello’s restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.
Shopping in Ravello#
Ravello has a handful of boutique shops selling ceramics, local artisan foodstuffs (like limoncello) and handcrafted goods aimed at visitors. Larger shopping trips should be made to Amalfi or Salerno, where there’s a wider variety of stores and markets.
Nightlife in Ravello#
Evenings in Ravello are generally relaxed, often centred on concerts and cultural events (notably the Ravello Festival) rather than a bustling bar scene. Restaurants and wine bars stay open late, but don’t expect loud nightlife or nightclubs in town.
