The Royal Palace of Caserta: How to Visit from Naples

Tucked away in the quiet town of Caserta, just north of Naples, lies one of Italy’s most jaw-dropping and criminally underrated royal residences: the Royal Palace of Caserta (Reggia di Caserta).

Imagine Versailles, but with fewer crowds and a distinctly Italian flair—marble for miles, endless symmetrical gardens, fountains that erupt like myths come to life, and halls so gilded they practically glow. Built in the 18th century for the Bourbon kings of Naples, the Royal Palace of Caserta was designed to dazzle, to intimidate, and, perhaps most importantly, to outshine anything the French could do. It succeeded.

I visited on a day trip from Naples, where I was spending several days deep-diving into the city’s greatest hits—think: back-to-back pizza tastings, the most chic eateries wandering through Caravaggio-lit churches, peeking into courtyards, and checking out the coolest boutique hotels in the historic center.

Naples itself is only about four hours from where I live in Puglia, so when the opportunity to tack on a royal excursion presented itself, I took it. And I’m so glad I did. Caserta is easy to reach, simple to navigate, and well worth carving out a full day or even half a day for.

If you’re already in Naples, it’s an effortless add-on—and one that gives you an entirely different view of Campania’s rich and layered history.

A Brief History of the Royal Palace of Caserta

The Royal Palace of Caserta, or Reggia di Caserta, was the Bourbon monarchy’s audacious attempt to outshine the grandeur of Europe’s most celebrated palaces. Commissioned in 1752 by Charles VII of Naples—who would later become Charles III of Spain—the palace was designed to serve as the administrative nerve center of the Kingdom of Naples while offering a secure inland retreat away from the vulnerable coastline.

The king tasked architect Luigi Vanvitelli, one of the finest minds of the Italian Baroque, with bringing this imperial dream to life. Vanvitelli delivered: five floors, 1,200 rooms, 34 staircases, a royal theatre modeled after San Carlo in Naples, and a library that whispers stories of Enlightenment thought.

But what truly elevates Caserta to a class of its own is its visionary layout. Vanvitelli designed not just a palace but an entire ecosystem, integrating formal gardens, monumental fountains, English-style landscapes, and even an aqueduct—the Carolino Aqueduct—to supply water to the palace and its elaborate water features.

It’s the kind of detail you don’t fully appreciate until you’re standing there, squinting down the endless stretch of manicured gardens, realizing this wasn’t just architecture—it was orchestration.

When I visited, what I noticed the most wasn’t just the size—it was the silence, even through the crowds. Despite its opulence, the palace carries a haunting stillness, as if its once-mighty ambitions now echo through gilded halls that are more serene than showy. History, here, feels less like a storybook and more like a breath held just under the surface.

How to Get to the Royal Palace of Caserta

Getting to Reggio di Caserta is pretty straightforward. The easiest and most efficient way to reach the palace from Naples is by train. From Napoli Centrale, the city’s main train station, there are frequent regional trains to Caserta—typically departing every 30 to 40 minutes throughout the day. The journey takes around 40 minutes, and tickets are inexpensive, usually costing between €3 and €5 each way. You can book your tickets ahead via Omio.

Once you arrive at Caserta train station, the palace is just a short walk—less than 10 minutes—from the station exit. You’ll actually see the palace from the platform; it’s that close. No taxis or extra connections needed.

Driving is another option, but I wouldn’t recommend it unless you’re planning to explore more of the surrounding region. If you have a rental car to explore spots like the Amalfi Coast (not recommended), Pompeii, and the rest of Campania, then you’ll be able to drive to Caserta.

The drive from Naples to Caserta takes about 45 minutes via the A1 motorway, and while parking is available near the palace, it can be limited on weekends and holidays. In my experience, the train just makes everything easier—no stress, no traffic, and you’re dropped off practically at the palace gates.

If you prefer everything already organized for you, book this Caserta Royal Palace Tour From Naples, which will allow you to visit the site with a local guide.

Admissions & Details

The Royal Palace of Caserta is open every day except Tuesdays, January 1st, and December 25th. The Royal Apartments are open from 8:30 AM to 7:30 PM, with final admission at 6:15 PM.

The park opens at 8:30 AM, but its closing hours shift with the seasons—closing as early as 4:00 PM in winter (January) and staying open until 7:00 PM during the height of summer (April through September).

The English Garden follows a similar seasonal schedule, generally closing one hour earlier than the park.

Ticket prices are straightforward: a full-access ticket, which includes both the Royal Apartments and the park, costs €25, while park-only access is €15.

EU citizens between 18 and 24 are eligible for reduced fares, and children under 18 (with ID) can enter free of charge.

Tickets can be purchased online or at the on-site ticket office in Piazza Carlo di Borbone, which opens at 8:30 AM. It’s worth buying tickets online, in advance, if you visit in the peak summer months. If you want to explore more deeply, audio guides are available for an additional fee. While photography is allowed, flash and professional gear are restricted in most interior areas.

The palace is wheelchair-accessible and there’s paid parking nearby—though if you’re taking my advice and arriving by train, you’ll have no need for it.

One last tip: wear comfortable shoes. The palace grounds are vast, and you’ll be walking a lot—especially if you want to see the famed fountains at the far end of the park. In summer, it’s also wise to bring a lot of water, sunglasses, and a hat.

Notable Things to See at the Royal Palace of Caserta

The Royal Palace of Caserta isn’t just one of the largest royal residences in the world—it’s a monumental experience layered with architectural genius, political theater, and landscape artistry. You can easily spend the whole day here just walking around and explore it all. Here are the key highlights every visitor should seek out:

Grand Staircase (Scalone d’Onore)

The palace makes a dramatic first impression with its Grand Staircase, a sweeping double staircase crafted from polished marble and flanked by massive columns and elegant statues.

Designed by Luigi Vanvitelli, it acts as a theatrical prologue to the palace’s upper levels, where power was performed as much as it was wielded. The acoustics and proportions are deliberately awe-inspiring—this was no ordinary staircase, but a royal stage-set meant to humble.

The Royal Apartments

The heart of the palace lies in its vast series of Royal Apartments. You’ll pass through a succession of increasingly ornate rooms, each with its own theme and story. Expect frescoed ceilings, crystal chandeliers, inlaid wood floors, and velvet-upholstered furniture.

Highlights include the Throne Room, a cavernous space decorated with allegorical frescoes and golden embellishments, and the Hall of Mirrors, which draws obvious parallels to Versailles but with a softer, distinctly Italian aesthetic.

Each room showcases the Bourbon dynasty’s desire to project power through taste, wealth, and style.

The Palatine Chapel

Inspired by the royal chapel at Versailles, this private place of worship is a Baroque jewel box hidden within the palace’s formal architecture.

It was designed for the exclusive use of the royal family and court, and although smaller than some of Italy’s major cathedrals, the craftsmanship here—marble columns, gold detailing, delicate ceiling frescoes—is exquisite. It’s often quiet, and that silence gives the space a kind of reverent gravity.

The Court Theatre

Tucked away within the palace, the Court Theatre is often missed—but it shouldn’t be. This intimate Baroque theatre is modeled after Naples’ Teatro San Carlo and features tiers of gilded boxes, red velvet seats, and a painted ceiling.

Though small, it was a key part of court life, hosting private performances, operas, and concerts for the royal elite. Today, it’s open to visitors on weekends and special occasions.

The Royal Park and Formal Gardens

Stretching nearly 3 kilometers from the palace’s rear facade, the Royal Park is a masterpiece of symmetry and hydraulic engineering. Known as the Via d’Acqua (Waterway), the central axis is lined with a series of elaborate fountains, cascades, and sculptures drawn from mythology—look for Diana and Actaeon, Venus and Adonis, and the Fountain of the Dolphins.

It’s a long walk (or shuttle ride), but the culminating cascade backed by a faux-ruined palace is breathtaking. I’d recommend walking up the central axis so you can get a closer look at the fountains, and then grabbing the shuttle bus back.

The English Garden

Commissioned by Queen Maria Carolina and designed in the 1780s, the English Garden is a counterpoint to the geometric formality of the main park. It’s more romantic, deliberately wild in appearance, with winding paths, artificial ruins, rare and exotic plants, and a sense of serene seclusion.

It’s one of the earliest examples of an English-style garden in Italy, and on a quiet day, it feels almost like wandering through a forgotten botanical dream. It’s a must-visit, so make sure to keep an eye out on the garden’s more limited opening hours.

The Caroline Aqueduct (Aqueduct of Vanvitelli)

An engineering marvel of the 18th century, the Acquedotto Carolino was built to supply water to the palace, gardens, and fountains. The most iconic portion of the aqueduct is its three-tiered arcade that cuts dramatically across the valley near Maddaloni.

Though not within the palace itself, it’s a part of the larger Caserta complex and speaks to the scale and ambition of Vanvitelli’s master plan.

Terrae Motus Collection

Inside the palace’s vast halls is an unexpected surprise: a contemporary art collection born from tragedy. Assembled by gallerist Lucio Amelio in response to the devastating 1980 Irpinia earthquake, Terrae Motus includes works by global art icons such as Andy Warhol, Keith Haring, and Joseph Beuys.

It’s a powerful and thought-provoking contrast to the palace’s historic décor—a modern voice inside an old shell.

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Ready to experience Reggio di Caserta? Have any questions or comments about your trip? Let me know in the box below.