Ravello is and will always remain a 'must to see' on the Amalfi Coast. Its style, its small streets, the silence of the village and last but not least the breathtaking view make it a leading star and the tiara set in the Costa necklace. Almost hidden from the rest of the coastal villages , Ravello looks at all its companions from an enviable position of dominance clinging to the rock on the prominent crest of the Lattari Mountains that frame the entire coast. Reaching Ravello is not difficult but for less experienced drivers we recommend that you consider using a car service with driver or local public transport as the stretch of road that from the hamlet of Castiglione (Ravello Beach ed) on the SS163 Amalfitana goes up to Ravello is very narrow and two-way traffic, even if there is a traffic light to regulate traffic in the narrowest stretch there is always a road that climbs along a gorge and climbs towards the mountain.

Ravello: here's what to see.

• The summer atmosphere of Via Wagner.
• Via San Giovanni del Toro: the illustrious palaces.
• The Belvedere Principessa di Piemonte.
• Piazza Vescovado and the Basilica.
• Church and cloister of San Francesco.
• Gardens and courtyards on Via San Francesco and Via Santa Chiara.
• Which villas to see.
• Panorama from Via Boccaccio.

The summer atmosphere of Via Wagner.

The historic center of Ravello is a tribute to nature. Viale Wagner, then, it is one of the greatest expressions. Closer to Piazza Vescovado, rises between exposed stone walls and small bougainvillea that inebriate those who pass through it with fluctuating sensations: memories of holidays, spring chirps and the warm Mediterranean of stones heated in the sun. Main artery that allows citizens to reach the main square and go up towards the upper part of the city with a gentle slope and wide steps. Viale Wagner ends by opening into a beautiful panorama and emerging on the evocative and elegant Via San Giovanni del Toro. Here we go!

Via San Giovanni del Toro: the illustrious palaces.

One of the oldest streets in the city, Via San Giovanni del Toro preserves the noble life of Ravello in the palaces of the most illustrious families of the city. Today transformed into top-level accommodation facilities, they always remain a cinematic charm! The buildings line the street, transforming it into a painting with fluctuating colors. Be careful because the buildings will make you keep your nose up all the time and the luxurious and elegant atriums will force you to browse as if you were leafing through a high fashion magazine. On this road you will also find the colorful gardens of the Municipality of Ravello and, in the background, the San Giovanni del Toro Church overlooking the homonymous, refined square. Moreover, right between these streets and gardens and between the peace of Villa Rufolo and Villa Cimbrone the famous composer Richard Wagner composed some scenes of his own Parsifal. Finally (but not in order of importance and beauty) the panoramic gardens of the Belvedere Principessa di Piemonte.

The Belvedere Principessa di Piemonte

Photo from the Municipality of Ravello

Maria José of Savoy, the "Queen of May", the last sovereign of Italy, inaugurated this hanging garden to which this spectacular panoramic terrace was dedicated, preceded by a series of stone arches decorated with vines. One of the most beautiful artistic paintings in the city, the terrace lends itself to different perspective views of the sea and the cool and shady park, which lead those who enter it to immerse themselves in one of the most beautiful views of Ravello.

Piazza Vescovado, Santa Maria Assunta and San Pantaleone.

Piazza Vescovado is the starting point of every walk that you will want to do in Ravello. It can be considered a bit the nerve center of the small town, where visitors literally stop to breathe. Whether you want to stop for lunch, considering the numerous bars and restaurants in the square, take a break in the shady benches arranged on the opposite side of the Basilica or simply sip some fresh water at the fountain in the square, Piazza Vescovado is your point of reference. whether you are starting your tour around the town or about to finish it, or maybe you are simply returning from a shopping tour. On the side of the square, towards the belvedere, Villa Rufolo and also the Roman Basilica of Santa Maria Assunta and San Pantaleone made the scenery. The Basilica is preceded by a staircase that gives grandeur to the structure and will give you a beautiful perspective on the square. You will be surprised by the quiet that the square transmits to you, especially in spring and pre-summer afternoons. You will find many tourists intent on painting this luminous glimpse, and many intent on walking along the small street that branches off in the heart of Ravello between craft shops and art galleries.

Church and cloister of San Francesco

It suddenly opens up in front of you as you walk along the narrow and homonymous street, the Church of San Francesco. Tight to this point to having to forcibly cross the monumental portico immersed in the shade. According to legend, this convent was founded in 1222 by San Francesco d’Assisi, after having one built in nearby Amalfi. In addition to the church, we recommend that you take a look at the cloister where exhibitions are often set up. A mixture of art, flowers and the unique light of the Amalfi’s Coast.

Gardens and courtyards on Via San Francesco and Via Santa Chiara

Via San Francesco and Via Santa Chiara will literally fascinate you. They are among the most beautiful streets to see and walk in Ravello! Two small arteries pulsating with life that lead to the unmissable Villa Cimbrone. Starting from Piazza Vescovado, we walk along the small road to the right of the entrance of Villa Rufolo, ricca di negozietti dal sapore tipico e scorci nascosti che vale la pena esplorare e a cui dedicare un pò di tempo. Salendo a destra seguiamo Via San Francesco fino all’omonima chiesa e costeggiando il portico incrociamo Via Santa Chiara da cui si ammirano panorami e scorci sempre più belli, con tratti aperti sulle falesie e sul mare della Costiera. Ma il vero valore aggiunto sono i cortiletti, i giardini privati (spesso veri e propri vigneti o pergolati), gli atrii antichi, che si incontrano durante la passeggiata. Tenendo gli occhi aperti si scoprono maioliche vintage, grappoli di pomodori appesi, bottiglie di vino e botti impolverate, piante e fiori rigogliosi.

Which villas to see

There are two villas to see: Villa Cimbrone and Villa Rufolo. Seeing them both is a challenge if you want to stop and admire the various views that open up in both gardens. Villa Cimbrone will totally absorb you and will surely make you lose track of time. This is the predominant feeling that our guests experience upon returning from this experience. If you are short on time or your itinerary has reserved less time than you had planned, then opt for Villa Cimbrone. The villa dates back to the 11th century and has been completely restored by Lord Grimthorpe at the beginning of the 20th century. From the ‘Infinity Terrace’ one of the most beautiful views of the Amalfi Coast opens up. It is no coincidence that the structure and its large park were built on a promontory overlooking the sea. The Viale dell’Immenso it’s a bit of the central artery of the park, the one with which all the gardens, flower beds, caves and terraces are accessed. The Villa is one of the most prestigious hotels in Ravello and an exceptional wedding location but the walk inside the avenues will allow you to fully understand the soul of the villa, since it is accessible to external visitors. Absolutely not to be missed are the cloister and the crypt that opens onto a glimpse of the Mediterranean. Amazing!

Panorama from Via Boccaccio

In addition to the already mentioned Belvedere Principessa di Piemonte, if you really don't want to enter at least in one of the two villas, another point from which you can see the panorama in Ravello is Via Boccaccio. Easily reachable from Piazza Vescovado, passing in front of the entrance to Villa Rufolo and taking a tunnel that leads out of the historic center, near the bus stop. Via Boccaccio also has some shady spots, with benches on which to sit to admire the sinuous design that the coast offers while losing your gaze on the entire Gulf of Salerno.