Royal Palace of Caserta
Reggia di Caserta
One of the largest royal palaces in the world, with 1,200 rooms and a 3-km axial garden of fountains and waterfalls. A UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Royal Palace of Caserta lies about 30 km north of Naples. Bourbon King Charles III commissioned it, and the architect Luigi Vanvitelli began building it in 1752 with the aim of rivaling Versailles. It was inscribed as a World Heritage Site in 1997. The palace has roughly 1,200 rooms. Its grand Staircase of Honour and royal apartments were once filming locations for Star Wars. Behind the palace, the garden runs along a 3-km central axis, layered with fountains, pools and sculptures. At the far end are an 82-metre-high great waterfall and an English garden. Entry costs about €18, and the palace is closed on Tuesdays. The grounds are vast, so rent a bicycle or take the shuttle bus. From Naples Centrale station, the train takes about 40 minutes, and the palace is just steps from the station exit.
Opening hours
8:30 am–7:30 pm; closed Tuesdays (garden hours vary by season)
Nearby sights
- Museo di Capodimonte
- Catacombs of San Gennaro
- Naples Cathedral
- Naples National Archaeological Museum
- Napoli Sotterranea
- Via San Gregorio Armeno
- Sansevero Chapel
- Santa Chiara Monastery