Ravello sits on a hill more than 1,100 feet (350 meters) above sea level. It is one of the 16 municipalities of the Amalfi Coast, all in the province of Salerno. It suits travelers who want gardens, a terrace over the Gulf of Salerno and a summer of concerts. The reference airport is Naples International, at Capodichino.
The last stretch is the catch. The town is reached by SITA bus, taxi or car. The reference train station is Salerno. Salerno is the reference station. Access to the limited traffic zone gates and to parking is reserved for holders of an authorization from June 1, so drivers should sort that out before they arrive.
At a glance
- Location: Amalfi Coast, province of Salerno
- Elevation: more than 1,100 feet (350 meters) above sea level
- Nearest airport: Naples-Capodichino
- Train station: Salerno, then taxi or SITA bus
- Ravello Festival 2026: July 4 to September 5, 22 events
- Entry for U.S. citizens: 90 days without a tourist visa
Where is Ravello and what is it like?
Ravello is on the Amalfi Coast, in the province of Salerno, on a hill high above the sea. Naples International Airport is the reference airport, and Amalfi, down the hill, is the port where boats from Salerno arrive.
The heart of town is Piazza Vescovado. Villa Rufolo overlooks it, and the Basilica of Santa Maria Assunta and San Pantaleone stands on it. Castiglione, a coastal hamlet of Ravello near Amalfi, holds the town’s beach. Up on the hill, the pace is that of a place of squares, garden walks and terraces.
Music is part of the town’s calendar. The Ravello Festival reached its 74th edition in 2026, and the villa hosts its musical events in July.
What is there to do in Ravello?
Villa Rufolo and Piazza Vescovado
Villa Rufolo overlooks Piazza Vescovado, the heart of Ravello.
In July the villa hosts the Ravello Festival series of musical events. Anyone who wants a concert in the setting should plan the trip around those dates.
The Coral Museum, created by the collector Giorgio Filocamo, is part of the town’s sights. Visitors can also visit the ceramic workshops. Start at the square, since it is the center of town and the rest follows from there.
Villa Cimbrone and the Terrace of Infinity
The gardens of Villa Cimbrone are open to the public. The villa’s viewpoint is called the Terrace of Infinity.
A pedestrian road leads to the villa. Along it are restaurants with panoramic terraces, many inside 5-star hotels. That makes the walk a natural place to plan lunch or dinner.
Visitors can also climb to the top of the Torre Maggiore for a view of the entire Gulf of Salerno. Pair the tower and the terrace on a clear day, when the view carries.
The Ravello Festival
The 74th edition runs from July 4 to September 5, 2026, with 22 events.
Other dates fall in the same summer. The other Ditirambo Nights are scheduled for July 22 and August 26. L’Agorà della Dieta Mediterranea will be held on September 12.
If a concert is the reason for the trip, book the hotel first and the dinner right after.
The beach at Castiglione
The beach of Ravello is in the hamlet of Castiglione. It can be reached by sea, and by land via the state road and a flight of a couple of hundred steps.
Go early. The cliffs cast their shadow over the bay in the afternoon, so the morning is the time for sunshine.
Where to eat
Traditional trattorias and informal pizzerias cluster around Piazza Vescovado and along Via Roma. The panoramic terraces are on the pedestrian road to Villa Cimbrone.
Reservation is compulsory, especially for dinner, from May to September, because of strong international demand and limited tables. Small-group culinary activities are in high demand too and should be booked in advance.
In short: gardens and views point to Villa Cimbrone, music points to July and the Festival, and a swim points to Castiglione. The beach suits travelers less if a couple of hundred steps are a problem, though it can also be reached by sea.
Where to stay in Ravello
Ravello itself is the base for the hill and its squares. The hotel Villa San Michele is in Ravello, on the Amalfi Coast.
In high season, the rooms at Villa San Michele are bookable only with the half board package. Dinner tables across town are in strong demand from May to September, so book lodging and dinners together.
How do you get to Ravello and get around?
Naples-Capodichino is the reference airport, and from there Ravello can be reached by taxi or SITA buses. By train, the reference station is Salerno, again followed by a taxi or a SITA bus.
From Salerno, a hydrofoil runs to Amalfi. Once in Amalfi, scheduled buses and taxis make it an easy climb.
With Navigazione Libera del Golfo, departures are guaranteed every two hours from Naples, Sorrento, Salerno and Castellammare di Stabia. From the ports of the coast you can continue by sea to Capri, the Sorrento Coast and the Phlegraean Coast.
By car from Naples, the fastest route is the A3 Napoli-Pompei-Salerno motorway to the Angri Sud exit. Then follow the signs for Valico di Chiunzi and Costiera Amalfitana. The panoramic route leaves the same motorway at Vietri sul Mare and passes through Cetara, Maiori and Minori. From Rome, take the Roma-Napoli motorway to the Caserta Sud exit, then the A30 towards Salerno, and exit at Angri Sud.
From Minori it’s 2 miles (3 km) on the SS163 Amalfi Coast road, then 3 miles (5 km) on the SS373 to Ravello. By bus from Minori, go to the Amalfi terminal or the Castiglione di Ravello stop, then take the SITA Amalfi to Ravello line.
From June 1, access to the limited traffic zone gates and parking across the municipality is allowed only to holders of authorizations issued through the new web platform of the Municipality of Ravello. Renewals of the earlier R1 and R2 parking authorizations are done online, and the deadline for them was May 31.
When should you go to Ravello?
Late spring and summer bring the dry, warm weather. June reaches a high of 83°F (28°C) with about two rainy days, and July reaches 88°F (31°C) with about one. That also matches the Ravello Festival, which runs from early July to early September in 2026.
Winter is wetter and cooler. January has a high of 56°F (13°C) and about nine rainy days.
Summer is also the season to book early. Dinner reservations are compulsory from May to September.
What to know before visiting Ravello
According to the U.S. State Department, U.S. citizens can stay in Italy for 90 days without a tourist or business visa.
- Passports must be valid for at least 3 months beyond your planned date of departure from the Schengen area. A 6-month validity is recommended, and passports must have 2 blank pages for the entry stamp.
- You will need proof of sufficient funds and a return plane ticket.
- Italy sets a limit of 10,000 euros, or the equivalent, on currency carried in and out.
- There are no vaccination requirements.
- To stay longer than 90 days, you must apply for a visa from an Italian Embassy or Consulate, then obtain a permit of stay (permesso di soggiorno).
Booking Ravello for November: what to know
The dinner reservation rule is stated for May through September, and the 2026 Ravello Festival ends on September 5.
Sources
- ncei.noaa.gov (https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/products/wmo-climate-normals), checked 2026-10-30
- italia.it (https://www.italia.it/en/campania/salerno/ravello), checked 2026-10-30
- fondazioneravello.com (https://www.fondazioneravello.com/la-fondazione/come-arrivare-a-ravello/), checked 2026-10-30
- travel.state.gov (https://travel.state.gov/en/international-travel/travel-advisories/italy.html), checked 2026-10-30
- ambwashingtondc.esteri.it (https://ambwashingtondc.esteri.it/en/chi-siamo/gli-uffici/), checked 2026-10-25
- amalficoastliving.com (https://www.amalficoastliving.com/en/best-restaurants-in-ravello/), checked 2026-10-30
- fondazioneravello.com (https://www.fondazioneravello.com/il-festival/archivio-edizioni/), checked 2026-10-30
- conssanfrancisco.esteri.it (https://conssanfrancisco.esteri.it/en/servizi-consolari-e-visti/servizi-per-il-cittadino-straniero/visti/instructions-for-visas/), checked 2026-10-25