Readers often write to us saying they would like to visit the Royal Palace of Caserta in a wheelchair, with an elderly parent or with a relative who tires easily. The question is always the same: can it be done? The answer is yes, as long as you plan carefully. On this page we have gathered only information we have checked against the official sources of the museum and the Ministry of Culture, without promising services we cannot confirm. For anything that changes over time, such as opening times, bookings and available services, the official website of the Royal Palace remains the reference.
First of all: the scale
To plan an accessible visit, you need to start with the numbers. The palace has around 1,200 rooms arranged around four courtyards; the park covers about 120 hectares and is almost 3 kilometres long, from the palace façade to the Great Waterfall, 78 metres high, which tumbles down from Monte Briano. The English Garden alone covers about 23 hectares. In other words, seeing everything in one day is demanding for anyone: for people with reduced mobility, it is best to decide beforehand what to visit.
The entrances: which one to choose
The Royal Palace has two main entrances:
- Piazza Carlo di Borbone, opposite the railway station: this is the central entrance, through the main gate of the palace, and it has priority access for people with disabilities. It is the entrance the museum recommends to visitors with mobility impairments for reaching the ticket office.
- Corso Giannone: this leads directly into the Royal Park. The museum points out that entering here does not restrict your visit, but some ticketing services are only available at the main entrance.
Our advice is simple: if someone in your group has a disability, enter from Piazza Carlo di Borbone, where you can also ask the staff for assistance.
The Royal Apartments and the lift
The Royal Apartments are on the piano nobile, reached by the famous Grand Staircase, 116 marble steps. For those who cannot manage stairs, there is a lift inside the palace reserved for visitors with disabilities: just ask the staff at the entrances, who will accompany you. Once upstairs, the rooms of the apartments follow one after another, and the route can be taken at a gentle pace. We describe what to see in The Royal Apartments of the Royal Palace of Caserta.
Tickets and free admission
People with a disability recognised under Italian Law 104 and/or holders of a Disability Card enter free of charge, together with one companion. Bring the document that proves it. The museum also reminds visitors that entry is allowed within the time slot shown on the ticket: arriving much earlier doesn't help, but it is worth leaving some extra time to park and reach the ticket office.
The Royal Park: how to tackle it
The park is the most demanding part. From the palace façade, the great vista of pools and fountains rises gradually towards the waterfall, and the distance is considerable. Here is how we would organise things:
- Pick a goal: the first pools and fountains are already spectacular and let you turn back without too much effort.
- Find out in advance about any transport inside the park that may be running and whether it is accessible: services can vary, so check the official website.
- For cyclists, there is a bike hire service at the park entrance on the palace side; your own bikes can only enter from Corso Giannone.
- Bring water and a hat: in summer there is little shade along the central avenue.
Before you set off, read our guide to the Royal Gardens of Caserta and The English Garden of the Royal Palace of Caserta, so you can choose the stops that interest you most.
Tactile tours and initiatives
The Royal Palace takes part in the Ministry of Culture's initiatives to improve the accessibility of cultural sites and, on some occasions, has offered tactile experiences, with 3D reproductions of the palace to explore by hand. They are not always available: if you are interested, check the events calendar on the official website or ask for information before your visit.
Getting there and parking
Caserta station is right opposite Piazza Carlo di Borbone, which makes the train a convenient option even for people with limited mobility. Parking is not allowed inside the complex and the museum does not run its own car parks: the nearest to the main entrance is the Sottovia Carlo Vanvitelli car park, while other parking areas can be found near the two entrances. For general transport information, see our page How to get to and around Campania.
The best seasons are spring and autumn, when the heat doesn't make getting around outdoors tiring. Check opening times, tickets and services on the official website of the Royal Palace before you set off.
Nearby
For a complete overview of the visit, see our guide to what to see in Caserta. If you want to stay for a few days, our guide Caserta and its surroundings covers all the other stops in the province.