Both easily reached by public transport from the city, no trip to Naples would be complete without a visit to the famous volcano and the site of its destructive powers. Pompeii provides the unrivalled archaeological wonder of a 2,000 year old town truly frozen in time, where everything from paintings to people has been preserved in volcanic ash. Vesuvius is still an active volcano, but this does not discourage visitors from enjoying the trek to the top of the mountain to peer down its rim and into the 200m crater within.
Built in 1590, this chapel was later modified by the eccentric prince Raimondo di Sangro and now contains many macabre sculptures, particularly that of the ‘veiled Christ,’ which is so realistic as to leave viewers in awe.
One of Naples’ most popular attractions, this fourth-century cathedral is tucked away down a side-street, making its stunning interior all the more impressive. The Duomo features artwork and architecture by some of 17th century Italy’s finest minds, as well as the relics of San Gennaro and archaeological finds from the Greek and Roman periods.