The Reggia di Caserta is Italy’s answer to Versailles—a sprawling 18th-century palace with endless gardens, fountains, and frescoed halls. Just 40 minutes by train from Naples, it makes for a spectacular day trip in September, when cooler air makes exploring the park more comfortable.

What to Expect

  • Frequent trains from Napoli Centrale to Caserta (40 mins)

  • Europe’s largest royal palace, built for the Bourbon kings of Naples

  • Formal gardens, Baroque fountains, and hunting lodges in the park

  • Combination of art, architecture, and landscapes

Bit of History

Commissioned by Charles of Bourbon in the mid-1700s, the palace was intended to rival Versailles. Architect Luigi Vanvitelli designed both the palace and its vast gardens, complete with aqueducts and cascades.

Things to Do

  1. Royal Apartments – Opulent rooms with frescoed ceilings and gilded furniture.

  2. Palatine Chapel – Inspired by Versailles, richly decorated.

  3. Throne Room – The grandest hall of the palace.

  4. Gardens & Waterfalls – Long axis of fountains ending at the Great Waterfall.

  5. English Garden – Romantic park with exotic plants and follies.

Where to Stay/Eat

  • Stay: Overnight stays aren’t essential, but Caserta has boutique hotels for longer visits.

  • Eat: Ristorante Le Colonne for fine dining; Pizzeria I Masanielli for some of Campania’s best pizza.

Hidden Gems

  • San Leucio Silk Factory – A short bus ride from Caserta, once a royal silk colony with working looms.

Travel Tips

  • Buy tickets online to avoid queues.

  • The gardens stretch for 3 km—rent bikes or use the shuttle bus.

  • September afternoons are cooler, ideal for the outdoor sections.

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Planning a longer trip? Find practical rail itineraries, travel tips and independent travel advice in Touring Italy by Train by Elena Rossetti.