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Ravello Travel Guide
After a few days in Positano, we made our way to the mountaintop of the coast to stay in Ravello for two nights. It was a quick trip. But, it was stunning with amazing views. And, the slow pace of life there was exactly what we needed. Ravello has been nicknamed the City of Music. And, after visiting Villa Rufolo, the gardens where the concerts are played, it seems so fitting. The village is well-known as a destination wedding location (my good friend Lourdes got married there) and it’s easy to see why. The ancient stone pathways and small alleyways are medieval romance at it’s finest!
Since we were at a higher altitude, it was nearly 10 degrees cooler than we anticipated. I was super glad I brought my denim jacket and my favorite pair of white denim for walking around! I hope you enjoy my Ravello Travel Guide of things to do, places to eat and where to stay.
Shop this Ravello Post:
Outfit 1 – Smocked Top // Denim: AG Jeans // Jean Jacket: AG Jeans // Shoes: Sole Society // Bag: Chanel (similar here) // Earrings: Baublebar // Boater Hat: Rag & Bone (old, similar here)
Outfit 2 – Dress: Cece c/o (also in blush) // Jacket: same as above // Bag: same as above // Hat: bought in Positano
Outfit 3 – Linen top and shorts: bought in Positano (similar here and here) // Bag: Etsy // Hat: same as above // Shoes: Soludos (also love these)
How to Get to Ravello
It’s safe to say that if you’re headed to Ravello, you’re likely already in the Amalfi Coast area. Ravello is situated right above the towns of Amalfi. But, the traffic in the Amalfi Coast can be a bit unbearable, even if you go in the off season or shoulder season. It took us nearly two hours to get from Positano to Ravello by taxi due to all the tour buses in Amalfi. Then, it’s an uphill climb to the top of the mountain where Ravello looks down on the sea. My point is – be sure to give yourself enough time to get there! We wanted more than a day trip ourselves. So, we planned two relaxing days to take in a new part of Italy.
The Best Things to Do in Ravello
Being a small town, there are a limited number of things to do in Ravello. But, between relaxing at the luxury 5 Star hotels available, seeing the sites, shopping and eating at some delicious restaurants, you’ll be sure to fill up your days. Below are the top 3 things to see in Ravello, according to me:
Villa Cimbrone
The first three photos above are at Villa Cimbrone and it was my favorite place to visit in Ravello. We just missed seeing the wisteria in bloom (it covers the walkways and arches). But, the gardens were still beautiful! They’re very well maintained since the property also includes a hotel (see below). It was a 20 minute walk from our hotel to Villa Cimbrone. Which included a lot of steps (beware!). That said, it was well worth the effort to get there and then walk through the expansive gardens.
Villa Rufolo
When I asked our taxi driver which gardens were his favorite, Villa Rufolo was his answer! As a taxi driver by day / musician by night, his love of music brought him to the gardens to play concerts over the years. The floating stage for the summer concert series wasn’t up during our visit. But, the photos we saw of entire orchestra’s floating outside the garden over the Mediterranean Sea as they played looked magical.
Il Duomo di Ravello
The church in town is in the main square and definitely worth a walk through. It was built in the eleventh century and is known for it’s bronze door. Note – the church is much smaller in comparison to some you can see in Amalfi (or places like Rome). But, it’s pretty. And, after you visit you can grab a gelato in the square.
Mamma Agata Cooking Classes
One of the top things to do on my list that we missed was taking cooking classes. Mamma Agata is the go-to in Ravello! The food is supposed to be stellar and they have a certified sommelier as well! What’s better than amazing Italian food paired with amazing Italian wines?!
Related: What I’m Packing for Italy
Where to Stay in Ravello
Like Positano, the great luxury hotels in Ravello sell out QUICKLY! So, if you opt for more than a day trip, you’ll want to look for where to stay in Ravello and prioritize getting your lodging. We were lucky to get rooms at the Palazzo Avino with only 2-3 months notice.
Palazzo Avino
Known as the “Pink Palace”, this was our home for two nights in the charming town of Ravello. I highly recommend it! In my post about Positano, I raved about the service at Le Sirenuse. The kind people at Palazzo Avino might have them beat! From helping arrange our taxi back to Naples, to figuring out train times for us and making our dinner reservations – they were so helpful. The swimming pool area is a dream. There are lots of loungers and the pool itself is heated. There are also jacuzzi’s up on the rooftop (it has spectacular views since you’re 1,000 feet above sea level!). My dad soaked in it each morning. Matt and I got massages at the spa, which was much needed and pretty well priced. Also, the owners have a dachshund that you’ll see around the hotel. He’s the cutest!
Villa Cimbrone
After walking through the gardens on our second day in town, I asked myself why we didn’t stay at Villa Cimbrone. I think the answer was price. But, I also think it was sold out. Villa Cimbrone is on the outskirts of the town. So, while it’s incredibly beautiful, the trek to town will be a bit longer (about 15-20 minutes).
Belmond Hotel Caruso
Located directly next to Palazzo Avino, the Hotel Caruso is centrally located to town (just a short 5 minute walk). The interior is stunning, with blue and white tiled floors. And there’s an infinity edge pool that reminded me of our trip to Greece! We also looked to stay here, but they already had a waiting list!
Best Restaurants in Ravello
Before we left for our trip, I read a ton of reviews for different places to eat in Ravello. But, since it’s really just a small village it wasn’t hard to find the best restaurants!
Cumpa Cosimo
This family-owned restaurant is the real deal! Like many others, “Mama” came over to our table and while we partially ordered off the menu, she rattled off another half dozen items that sounded great and we said okay! The table favorite was my fettuccine bolognese. But the dessert was the highlight! I’d read online about a traditional Amalfi Coast recipe called Lemon Delight (aka Delizia al Limone). It’s basically a lemon sponge cake filled and topped with a smooth lemon custard. The one at Cumpa Cosimo is out of this world! In the reviews, a lot of people said their bill did not align with what they ordered! We didn’t have that issue. So, just double check!
Mimi Bar Pizzeria
This place specializes in pizza and they have two pages to choose from! Apparently there is also a B&B if you want to stay (who knew!?). I could have eaten the entire pie myself. (I had margherita with artichokes and prosciutto). If you can, try to eat outside on the terrace.
Bar Klingsor
So… while this is a restaurant, all we got was gelato! But, it was our favorite in town! We stopped here on the way back from Villa Cimbrone and all got cones. The mint chip was delicious! The reviews seem mixed on the restaurant itself. So stick to the gelato instead.
48 Hours in Ravello, Italy
We loved Ravello, but two days was plenty of time here in my opinion. It gives you just enough time to explore the city, see the gardens, eat some great food and then relax at your hotel. While it makes for a fantastic stop if you’re in the Amalfi Coast, another fabulous place is Sorrento. But, I’ll have to take another trip to give you all my recommendations there! Ciao!
