Caserta is a city in Campania. Its main attraction is the called Palazzo Reale (Royal Palace). During Italian summer holidays it can get quite packed. During the rest of the year it is a sleepy town.
Palazzo Reale (di Caserta). Closed on Tuesdays, Palace: 8:30-19:30 (year round), Garden: 8:30-1.5h before sunset. Arguably the most touristically interesting part of the city. Entrance: €12 including garden, Artecard for 1/2 price.
The palace is one of the largest in Europe, comparable to Versailles, mainly due to the garden architecture - in fact, it was built to compete with it. A former royal residence in Caserta, southern Italy, constructed for the Bourbon kings of Naples. It was the largest palace and one of the largest buildings erected in Europe during the 18th century. In 1997, the Palace was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, described in its nomination as "the swan song of the spectacular art of the Baroque, from which it adopted all the features needed to create the illusions of multidirectional space". Interestingly, even the toilet on the ground floor of the palace might be worth a visit.
The garden. is approx. 3 km long with a few side-branches. A small buffet is available at the north end. There's a (mostly fully occupied) micro-bus service that takes you up and down the garden.
At the north end of gardens, it's possible to enter a separate part - Giardino Inglese.. It can be entered with the all-in-one ticket, but it closes approx. 1-2h sooner than the rest of the garden. The garden is characterized by the apparent "natural" disorder of plants (many rare), waterways, ponds, "ruins" (resembling Pompeii excavations). Outstanding are the bath of Venus, the Cryptoportico, the ruins of the Doric Temple.
Caserta was used as the location for Queen Amidala's Royal Palace on Naboo in the 1999 film Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace and again in the 2002 film Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones as Queen Jamilla's palace. The same room was also used in Mission: Impossible III as Vatican City. In fact, the square where the Lamborghini is blown up is actually the square inside the Palace. The main staircase is also used in Angels & Demons as the Vatican's staircase. The mezzo soprano Cecilia Bartoli used the palace as primary location for the film "L'art des castrats" that accompanies her album "Sacrificium", dedicated to the music written for the castrato singers of the baroque period.
Palazzo Reale (di Caserta). Closed on Tuesdays, Palace: 8:30-19:30 (year round), Garden: 8:30-1.5h before sunset. Arguably the most touristically interesting part of the city. Entrance: €12 including garden, Artecard for 1/2 price.
The garden. is approx. 3 km long with a few side-branches. A small buffet is available at the north end. There's a (mostly fully occupied) micro-bus service that takes you up and down the garden.
At the north end of gardens, it's possible to enter a separate part - Giardino Inglese.. It can be entered with the all-in-one ticket, but it closes approx. 1-2h sooner than the rest of the garden. The garden is characterized by the apparent "natural" disorder of plants (many rare), waterways, ponds, "ruins" (resembling Pompeii excavations). Outstanding are the bath of Venus, the Cryptoportico, the ruins of the Doric Temple.
Local farmer goods. The artichokes they sell on the side of the road may look suspicious to you, but they're delicious. You can get fresh mozarella, vegetables, and bread daily too. Consider buying some of this for lunch.
There are plenty of local, family restaurants that are fairly accommodating to foreigners. Look for one that seems nice, and try it. Your mileage will vary, of course, but I generally found people to be friendly.
Stop into a coffee bar somewhere, and order a cafe. There's a lot of variety, so you may have some trouble ordering one. But it'll definitely be worth it.