Naples is a beautiful city located in southern Italy; the bay of Naples covers its southern border. The city is right next to the still-active Mount Vesuvius; this was the volcano that destroyed the ancient Roman town of Pompeii. The city is home to centuries worth of art and architecture. It has many beautiful panoramas and a city line that is just so elegant. The people and food there are just amicable, and you won’t have a tough time sparking a conversation with the locals. This is truly one of Italy’s stunning masterpieces. Here are various sites you must visit on your trip to this mesmerizing city.

1. Cappella Sansevero

This beautiful Masonic-inspired baroque chapel is home to one of Giuseppe Sanmartino’s incredible sculptures, the Cristo Velato or Veiled Christ. The marble veil of the sculpture is so realistic that you would be tempted to remove the veil to take a look at the face underneath. The place also hosts several other artistic wonders like frescoes by Francesco Maria Russo, Disinganno by Francesco Queirolo, and Antonio Corradini’s Pudicizia. The frescoes by Francesco Maria Russo have remained untouched since they were created in 1749. The chapel was originally built at the end of the 16th century to contain the tombs of the di Sangro family. It was Prince Raimondo di Sangro who later commissioned the finest artists on the land to adorn the interiors of the chapel. The queues to the chapel can be notoriously long, so you are better off booking tickets online in advance. While it will cost you an extra two Euros, it is worth it. The standard entry fee is around seven Euros.

2. Museo Archeologico Nazionale

The National Archaeological Museum in Naples is home to one of the finest collections of Roman and Greek artifacts. This building was initially a barrack for the cavalry and later became the seat of the city’s university. The museum was established in the late 18th century by the Bourbon king Charles VII to house the antiquities he had inherited from his mother. The collection also includes items that were looted from Pompeii and Herculaneum. The major exhibits in the collection are the mosaics from Pompeii’s Casa del Fauno and the Toro Farnese sculpture. The entry to the museum costs about 15 Euros, while a guided Tour with an archeologist can cost you over $150. You can buy the “National Archaeological Museum of Naples” book to make sure you know the history of each piece.

3. Certosa e Museo di San Martino

This museum was originally built as a monastery in the 14th century. It is the high point of the Neapolitan baroque and has been altered, adorned, decorated by some of the finest architects and artists of Italy over the centuries. It is now a standing record of both Italian and Neapolitan artistry. The museum and complex of buildings surrounding it houses many frescoes and paintings from some of the greatest artists in Naples during the 17th century. These include works done by Jusepe de Ribera, Guido Reni, Massimo Stanzione, and Battista Caracciolo. The museum is closed on Monday, and the entry fee is about 6 Euros. A private tour of the artwork will cost you about $50.

4. Galleria Borbonica

This beautiful gallery is placed along the Bourbon tunnel in Naples. It was originally meant to connect the Palazzo Reale to the barracks and the sea, but it was never completed. In the tunnel, you will be able to traverse five centuries of artwork. There are many varieties of tours in the gallery, so pick the one that suits you the most. A standard tour will cost you ten Euros.

5. Parco Sommerso di Gaiola

This is one of the major marine reserves in Italy. A series of steep steps lead you down to the marine reserve, filled with a rich variety of plants and animals while also having many submerged Roman ruins. Due to its limited size, only 100 bathers are allowed at a time. Since this is a very fragile reserve, bathers are rather just tolerated than encouraged. You could enjoy a less damaging educational activity instead. There are tours all around the year for the marine reserve and adjacent clifftop Parco Archeologico del Pausilypon, covered by ruins of the Villa di Pollione from the first century BCE. There are also glass-bottom boat tours, snorkeling. and diving tours all year round. The timing for each tour depends on the month that you visit, so do check the official website before you start planning.

6. Teatro San Carlo

This theatre was originally built in the 18th century but was subsequently burnt down. Antonio Niccolini later reconstructed the theatre in the 19th century to its former glory. This is the largest opera house in Italy and an evening spent spectating and performance here is truly magical. Even if you are not able to make it to a performance, be sure to take part in the 45 minute guided tours that are offered in the venue. These tours take you through the foyers, the main hall, and the extravagant royal box. The tickets to the tour can be bought for just 15 minutes before the tour gets underway, so you don’t have to book in advance. The museum about this theatre is just housed in the adjacent Palazzo Reale. The guided tours cost nine euros, and the cost of attending an event in the theatre will depend on the performing troupe.

7. Ovo Castle

This seaside castle was built by the Normans back in the 1100s. The Roman poet Virgil supposedly had buried an egg on the place where the caste now stands and prophesied that when the egg breaks, the castle and Naples will be doomed. This gave rise to the castles name, which means the castle of the egg. The castle also offers an amazing panoramic sight along its ramparts.

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