Visiting the Royal Palace of Caserta from Sorrento


Tickets: EUR 12
Closed: Tuesdays; 1 January; 25 December
Hours: from 8:30 am to 17:30 pm; gardens close one hour before sunset
Directions: the train station is located directly across from the entrance to the Royal Palace. Trains depart from the Napoli Centrale in central Naples and run frequently. Otherwise, there is a large parking lot in front of the palace if arriving by car.

The Royal Palace of Caserta is located in the city of the same name, 30 kilometers north of Naples. Construction of this sumptuous palace began in 1752, when the Bourbon King Charles III of Naples commissioned the architect Vanvitelli to build a palace larger than the famous French estate in Versailles. The architect was up to the challenge, and built the largest 18th century palace in Europe and the largest royal residence in the world. The "Reggia" covers 47,000 square meters, including 1,200 rooms, 34 staircases, and three square kilometers of surrounding park and gardens.

The Royal Palace of Caserta was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site and was the setting for a number of scenes in the Star Wars films.

Because of the size of the Royal Palace, it takes an entire day to tour the palace and its gardens. You can rent bikes or tandem bikes to explore the grounds, or opt for a romantic carriage ride. There is also a shuttle bus service inside the estate.

To make the most of your visit, we suggest purchasing tickets online in advance to avoid the long lines at the palace entrance.

Where to Stop for Lunch

For a quick pizza before or after your visit to the Royal Palace, try Pizzeria I Masanielli, famous for its “pizza a canotto”, given the high, soft crust that forms a canoe-shaped pie. For a more gourmet meal, book a table at Le Colonne di Rosanna Marziale, run by a young chef known for dishes highlighting local buffalo mozzarella. Try the fried mozzarella ball stuffed with tagliolini pasta.