Ravello

Clifftop town oozing with charm

Ravello sits high above the glittering Amalfi coastline. No beach umbrellas here, no jostling for space by the water. Just terraced gardens, mountain air, and that famous light cascading over the Bay of Salerno.

The town clings to a clifftop perch, 365 metres up (that’s 1,200 feet). Climb the stairs from Atrani or wind along the steep road – either way, you’ll arrive slightly breathless. The reward? Quiet, cobbled lanes, and views that stretch to Paestum on clear days.

Villa Rufolo's gardens spill down the hillside in layers of colour and stone. Wagner found inspiration here. Maybe you will too. The geometry of the paths, the contrast of cypress against sea – it’s theatrical without trying.

The Duomo sits at the heart of town. Simple, sober, a stable presence in Piazza Centrale. Its bronze door depicts religious scenes. Inside, the pulpit rests on six twisted columns held up by sculpted lions. The craftsmanship dates to 1272 and still draws the eye.

If you’re looking to relax, plan to spend at least a few hours here. Wander the quiet streets. Absorb the views. Stop into a ceramic workshop for a craftsman-made souvenir. Definitely enjoy an Italian lunch al fresco.