Villa Cimbrone

The Terrace of Infinity gives you the best sea and nature view I’ve ever seen, anywhere. The whole villa grounds and park are stunning and beautifully maintained. It’s a truly life affirming experience, one of those visits that’s hard to put into words. It’s also a starting point for scenic downhill hikes to Atrani, though there are lots of stairs.

We didn’t stay at the hotel, so I can’t comment on its service, but visitors can explore the gardens. We enjoyed an easy hour long walk around the grounds, and there’s a café for visitors too. Villa Cimbrone’s past stretches back to the 11th century, when it was owned by noble families including the Acconciajoco and later the Fusco. It eventually fell into ruin. In 1904, Ernest William Beckett, later Lord Grimthorpe, found the property and chose to restore it. The wealthy, eccentric Englishman worked with local builder Nicola Mansi, creating the villa’s mix of Moorish, Venetian, and Gothic styles with elements from across Italy. During Beckett’s time there, it hosted notable writers, artists, and thinkers such as Virginia Woolf, E.M. Forster, Winston Churchill, and Greta Garbo. The Vuilleumier family owns it today and has preserved its historic beauty as a charming hotel, known for its serene gardens and the striking Terrace of Infinity.

If you’re driving to Amalfi, make the trip over to nearby Ravello, though parking is a bit of a disaster. Have a wander through the village centre and its nice square, then it’s about a 10 minute walk to Villa Cimbrone. The garden is the main reason to visit, with a beautiful Amalfi Coast view from the terrace called Terrazza dell'Infinito. There’s also a little bar in the garden with the famous balcony. Enjoy.

The gardens are incredibly beautiful and so carefully kept, and wandering around them was a real pleasure. The views are breathtaking, like the rest of the Amalfi coast, only more so. We also stumbled upon the villa restaurant, not the Michelin star one, and had the best meal of our stay in Italy. Amazing food, impeccable service, and that view. My wife and I can’t wait to return. I’d hoped to see la Rondinaia in Ravello, but that wasn’t possible, so we went to Villa Cimbrone instead. The 10 euros per person entry fee felt rather steep, and the woman at the ticket counter was rude, as if tourists like us were only to be tolerated. Everyone else was thoroughly charming and wonderful.