It keeps intact the character of the historic seaport towns of the Rome-Naples shore. Some old streets are mere flights of steps between gaunt white-painted houses. The important ecclesiastical sight is the lavishly-decorated Column of the Easter Candle in the 13thC cathedral. The Diocesan Museum (it keeps short and unpredictable hours – try 9 am or 5 pm) portrays a turbulent religious past. Gaeta’s Serapo beach, 1.5 km long, has reasonable bathing and, at either end, excellent sub-aqua possibilities. From above the Crucifix sanctuary, wedged in a chasm, you have good seascapes. On the coast road 15 km west are natural marine caves, including a large one associated with Emperor Tiberius; objects found in them are now in the museum at Sperlonga, 2 km west.