3 Best Sights in Italy

Sant'Agata's most famous vantage point is on the far north side of the hill, where an ancient Greek sanctuary is said—somewhat fancifully—to have been dedicated to the Sirens of legend. That choice location became Il Convento di San Paolo al Deserto, a monastery built by the Carmelite fathers in the 17th century and now occupied by an order of nuns. The monastery's famed belvedere—with panoramic views of the blue waters all around, and of Vesuvius, Capri, and the peninsula—was a top sight for Grand Tour–era travelers.

Access to the belvedere's tower involves a steep climb, and opening hours can be sporadic. In fall and winter, closing is at 5 pm, while it's open until 7 from April to September (with at least a three-hour lunchtime closure). To get to the Deserto from the center of Sant'Agata, take the main road (Corso Sant'Agata) past the church of Santa Maria delle Grazie on your right, and keep walking uphill on Via Deserto for a little more than half a mile.

First built in 1299, these cloisters and their courtyard, up the hill above the Valle dei Templi near the modern city, are open to the public. However, most visitors only stop by the adjacent abbey for a treat and tour of the church, so be sure to ring the doorbell and try the chewy almond cookies. On special occasions, there may be kus-kus dolce—a sweet dessert dish made from pistachios, almonds, and chocolate—made from a recipe that the Cistercian nuns learned from Tunisian servants back in the 13th century. For the full abbey experience, visitors can choose to stay at the monastery guesthouse, which offers seven single rooms and four double rooms.

The renovated 16th-century ex-convent of Santa Margherita Nuova is perched precariously at the top of a cliff facing the small bay of Corricella; a breathtaking view is guaranteed.