Free walking tours in Caserta and what to see

Must-sees

Caserta, north of Naples, is best known for its Royal Palace, the great residence the Bourbons commissioned from Luigi Vanvitelli in the 18th century. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site together with the Carolino Aqueduct and the San Leucio complex. Inside you tour the royal apartments, with their decorated halls and period furniture, the grand staircase of honour and the court theatre.

The park is as important as the palace. A long vista of fountains and pools climbs up to the great waterfall, and beside it lies the English Garden, with exotic plants and artificial ruins. Outside the palace, it is worth going up to Casertavecchia, a medieval hilltop village with a Romanesque cathedral, and visiting the Belvedere of San Leucio, linked to the old silk factory.

Free tours and guided visits

There are no free tours in Caserta. The usual format is a guided group visit of the Royal Palace and its park, a private tour with a guide or a ticket to explore on your own. Casertavecchia and San Leucio are visited independently, and the easiest way up the hill is by car or taxi.

How long to spend

Allow a full day for the palace and park, as the walk to the waterfall is long and best done at a relaxed pace, on foot, by bike or on the internal bus. With a second day you can see Casertavecchia, San Leucio and the Carolino Aqueduct, or visit the amphitheatre of Santa Maria Capua Vetere.

Where to stay

The most convenient place to stay is the centre, between the railway station and the Royal Palace, where there are hotels, guesthouses and apartments, all within walking distance. If you want peace and quiet, Casertavecchia has small places to stay on the hill, though you will need a car. Naples is just over half an hour away by train.