Ravello is the hilltop village of the Amalfi Coast: perched high above Atrani and Amalfi, it is known for its villas and their gardens, Villa Rufolo and Villa Cimbrone, and for its summer music festival. A former city of the maritime republic of Amalfi and the seat of a bishopric since 1086, Ravello has long attracted artists, musicians and writers. This Ravello travel guide covers what to see, how to get up there, what time the sun sets over the Gulf of Salerno in each season and what the US and UK governments say about entry and safety.
For the whole coast, see our Amalfi Coast guide, the calendar for when to go to the Amalfi Coast, our page on Positano and our guide to Naples.
Our travel deals for Ravello
Affiliate links: we earn a commission, at no extra cost to you.
FlightsKiwi.comCompare flights and airline combinations to Ravello.Compare flights
Ravello at a glance
- Time zone UTC+1, UTC+2 in summer: 1 hour ahead of London and 6 hours ahead of New York
- Setting hilltop village in the province of Salerno, above Atrani
- Light sunset around 8:34 pm in mid-June, around 4:35 pm in mid-December (calculated)
- Entry Schengen area; no visa for stays of up to 90 days for US and UK citizens (U.S. Department of State, last updated August 11, 2025; UK FCDO, updated 21 October 2026)
- Main sights Villa Rufolo, Villa Cimbrone and the Terrace of Infinity, cathedral, San Giovanni del Toro, summer festival
What to see in Ravello: the highlights
Villa Rufolo and its gardens
Facing the cathedral square, Villa Rufolo dates from the 13th century; it was built for the Rufolo family, rich merchants of Ravello, one of whom appears in Boccaccio’s Decameron. Bought in the mid-19th century by the Scot Francis Neville Reid, who had it restored, it is organised around an entrance tower, a cloister-like courtyard and flowery terraces overlooked by the Torre Maggiore, with views over the coast and the Gulf of Salerno. Richard Wagner visited it in 1880 and imagined Klingsor’s enchanted garden, in Act II of Parsifal, there. Hours and prices: see the villa’s official site.
Villa Cimbrone and the Terrace of Infinity
On a rocky spur at the end of the village, Villa Cimbrone goes back at least to the 11th century. It was extensively remodelled in the early 20th century by the Briton Ernest William Beckett (later Lord Grimthorpe), who also redesigned the gardens. The villa is now a hotel, but its gardens are open to the public: people come for the Terrace of Infinity (Terrazza dell’Infinito), a viewpoint lined with busts above the sea. Check access conditions on the official site.
The cathedral and the churches
Ravello Cathedral, on the main square, holds the Gospel pulpit made in 1272 by Nicolò di Bartolomeo da Foggia. The church of San Giovanni del Toro, older than the year 1000, keeps a pulpit dated 1200–1230, decorated with fragments of ceramic. Santa Maria a Gradillo, from the 11th century, and the 14th-century sanctuary of Saints Cosmas and Damian complete the visit.
The Ravello Festival
Held every summer since 1953 in memory of Wagner’s visit, the Ravello Festival, long nicknamed the “Wagner festival”, lasts almost two months and mixes major orchestras, chamber music, jazz, dance and exhibitions; concerts take place in the gardens of Villa Rufolo. The programme and dates change every year: check the festival’s official site before booking.
Walking down to Atrani
From Ravello, stepped paths lead down towards the sea at Atrani. The descent is steep: take good shoes and water, and avoid the hot hours in summer.
Ravello in one day
- Morning: Villa Rufolo and its gardens, then the cathedral and the main square.
- Midday: village lanes, the churches of San Giovanni del Toro and Santa Maria a Gradillo.
- Afternoon: Villa Cimbrone and the Terrace of Infinity, then walk down to Atrani or return by road.
- Evening (summer): a festival concert if the programme allows.
When to go to Ravello: light and seasons
Ravello shares the Mediterranean climate of the Amalfi Coast: hot, dry summers and mild but rainy autumns and winters. There are no official published normals for Ravello: our page on when to go to the Amalfi Coast details the climate month by month from the nearest reference station. Below, our calculation of daylight, useful for placing your visit to the gardens and viewpoints.
| Month | Sunrise (15th) | Sunset (15th) | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 7:23 am | 4:58 pm | 9 h 35 min |
| February | 6:55 am | 5:36 pm | 10 h 40 min |
| March | 6:13 am | 6:07 pm | 11 h 54 min |
| April | 6:23 am | 7:40 pm | 13 h 17 min |
| May | 5:45 am | 8:11 pm | 14 h 26 min |
| June | 5:30 am | 8:34 pm | 15 h 04 min |
| July | 5:43 am | 8:31 pm | 14 h 48 min |
| August | 6:11 am | 7:59 pm | 13 h 48 min |
| September | 6:41 am | 7:11 pm | 12 h 29 min |
| October | 7:12 am | 6:21 pm | 11 h 10 min |
| November | 6:47 am | 4:44 pm | 9 h 56 min |
| December | 7:17 am | 4:35 pm | 9 h 17 min |
Reading the table: in mid-June the sun sets around 8:34 pm and the day lasts 15 h 04 min; in mid-December it sets around 4:35 pm, for 9 h 17 min of daylight. In winter, an afternoon garden visit must therefore start early. In spring and autumn, sunset time (around 7:40 pm in mid-April, 6:21 pm in mid-October) leaves time to combine the two villas.
By your plans
| Your plan | Our advice |
|---|---|
| Gardens in bloom | Spring and early summer; check the villas’ seasonal hours |
| Concerts | In summer, during the festival (dates on the official site) |
| Walking down to the sea | Outside the hottest hours, in the morning or late in the day |
| Quiet and soft light | Shoulder season, outside weekends and public holidays |
| A winter stay | Short days and many businesses closed: check before booking |
Getting to Ravello and getting around
Ravello is not on the sea: you go up by road from the coast, by car, taxi or regional bus, or on foot by the paths from Atrani. From Naples or Salerno you first reach the Amalfi Coast. Check bus and boat timetables with the operators before you go.
Transfers and driving
The UK FCDO (GOV.UK, updated 21 October 2026) says thefts from parked cars are common across Italy and advises against leaving luggage in a vehicle, even out of sight in the boot. The U.S. State Department (travel.state.gov, last updated August 11, 2025) says break-ins of rented vehicles are common throughout the country. The UK FCDO also says you need a pass to drive into the historic centre of many Italian cities (ZTL zones, marked by a black-on-yellow sign) and that cameras record your registration number. A private transfer from Naples airport or Salerno station avoids driving and parking: compare direct booking and resellers (fixed price, luggage, waiting time if delayed, cancellation terms).
Where to stay in Ravello
Staying in Ravello means choosing quiet and views, away from the beaches. Accommodation ranges from hotels in former mansions, such as the one at Villa Cimbrone, to rooms in private homes. For the sea and boat connections, Amalfi or Atrani, below, are more practical. In summer, during the festival, book early.
Entry requirements, health and safety
Rules checked in the official sources read on 26 October 2026. Rules can change: confirm with the Italy embassy before you travel.
US citizens
According to the U.S. Department of State (travel.state.gov, last updated August 11, 2025), U.S. citizens must arrive at Italian ports of entry with a valid passport, a rule described as strictly enforced; a passport that has ever been reported lost or stolen, or that has expired, can lead to refused entry. US citizens may enter Italy for up to 90 days for tourist or business purposes without a visa. For travel in the Schengen area, the page says your passport must be valid for at least 3 months beyond your stay and that you need proof of sufficient funds and a return ticket.
UK citizens
According to the UK FCDO (GOV.UK, updated 21 October 2026), you can travel to the Schengen area, which includes Italy, without a visa for up to 90 days in any 180-day period, as a tourist or to visit family and friends. Your passport must have been issued less than 10 years before arrival and must expire at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave the Schengen area. At the border you may be asked for a return or onward ticket and proof of enough money for your stay, proof of accommodation and proof of travel insurance. The EU’s Entry/Exit System (EES) may require you to register fingerprints and a photo on your first entry; there is no fee.
The two sources agree that US and UK visitors can make short stays without a visa; the exact day count and passport wording differ, so follow the stricter reading and confirm with the embassy. See also our guide to entry requirements.
Safety and local rules
- Petty crime: the UK FCDO says crime levels are generally low but petty crime, particularly bag-snatching and pickpocketing, is higher in city centres and at major tourist attractions; the U.S. State Department says organised groups of thieves operate at major tourist destinations and in train stations. Stay alert on arrival in Naples and Salerno.
- Hotel registration: the UK FCDO says hotels in Italy must register your passport details with the police: wait until staff have done so and do not leave your passport behind.
- Walking: the UK FCDO advises checking forecasts and wearing suitable footwear for hiking; dial 112 for emergencies.
- Earthquakes: both governments note that earthquakes and tremors are frequent in Italy.
Staying connected
Roaming conditions for US and UK plans depend on your operator. See our travel eSIM guide.
If you… then…
| If you… | Then… |
|---|---|
| Have only half a day | Villa Rufolo and the cathedral, then the Terrace of Infinity at Villa Cimbrone |
| Want evening light over the gulf | Plan around sunset: about 8:34 pm in June, 4:35 pm in December (calculated) |
| Love classical music | Come during the summer festival and book on the official site |
| Want to walk | Walk down to Atrani in good shoes |
| Rent a car | Leave nothing in the car (UK FCDO, U.S. Department of State) |
| Want the beach | Stay below, in Amalfi or Atrani, and come up to Ravello for the day |
Frequently asked questions
What is there to see in Ravello?
Villa Rufolo and its gardens, Villa Cimbrone and its Terrace of Infinity, the cathedral and its 1272 pulpit, the churches of San Giovanni del Toro and Santa Maria a Gradillo.
How long do you need in Ravello?
One day is enough for the two villas, the cathedral and the lanes; one more evening if you attend a festival concert.
Can you visit the inside of Villa Cimbrone?
The villa is a hotel; it is its gardens, with the Terrace of Infinity, that are open to the public. Check conditions on the official site.
When is the Ravello Festival?
Every summer, over almost two months. Exact dates change every year: check the festival’s official site.
How do you get to Ravello?
By road from the Amalfi Coast (regional bus, taxi, car) or on foot by the steps from Atrani.
Do you need a visa for Ravello?
Not for stays of up to 90 days, for US citizens (U.S. Department of State, last updated August 11, 2025) or UK citizens (UK FCDO, updated 21 October 2026). Your passport must be valid for at least 3 months after you leave the Schengen area.
Our sources
- UK FCDO, Italy foreign travel advice (GOV.UK, updated 21 October 2026): entry requirements, safety and security, road travel; read 26 October 2026
- U.S. Department of State, Italy country information (travel.state.gov, last updated August 11, 2025): entry and exit requirements, safety and security; read 26 October 2026
- English Wikipedia articles “Ravello”, “Villa Rufolo”, “Villa Cimbrone” and “Ravello Festival”
- Astronomical calculations: NOAA solar algorithm, applied by Destination de Voyage to the coordinates of Ravello (15th of each month, year 2027)
- Our methodology
Updated November 2026.
