It turns out that there are a lot of beautiful Italian palaces, but who could possibly visit them all? If you’re visiting Italy as a family, visiting one of the amazing Italian palaces is a must-do.
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Does Italy Have a Palace?
Almost every Italian city has a palace, or an Italian Palazzo, as the locals call it. Although it is difficult to count them, they are estimated to be about 150.
Italian Palaces Map
Best Italian Palaces to Visit in 2024
Which Italian palaces are the most stunning? What distinguishes them? Everywhere you turn in Italy, you are charmed by its abundance of natural beauty.
Discover which architectural wonders to see on your next holiday with a virtual tour of Italy.
If you’re looking for information on the top 7 palaces in Italy, you’ve come to the correct spot.
#1 Royal Palace of Caserta – Naples
The palaces of Madrid and Versailles served as the inspiration for the entire complex of Caserta Palace of Italy.
The former Italian royal palace is accompanied by a splendid park and gardens, along with the aqueduct and the former silk mill. Every day except Tuesday is open for visitors to this beauty. The palace is also recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
Why not try this guided tour from Naples?
#2 Palazzo Barberini-Rome
The Palazzo Barberini in Rome is a beautiful Baroque building commissioned by Pope Urban VIII. Today, it is the seat of the National Gallery of Ancient Art.
It houses numerous works of art, including some donated by noble families. If you love art, Palazzo Barberini is the perfect place to admire works by Titian and Caravaggio, among others.
The palace can be visited, and the ticket price for children is reduced to 3 euros.
For more information about Rome with kids and what to do and visit – here!
#3 Palazzo Pitti – Florence
The Pitti Palace in Florence, Italy, is one of the symbolic palaces of Florence. It bears the signature of the great Brunelleschi and overlooks the Boboli Gardens.
Inside the Pitti Palace in Florence, there is an extensive collection of works of art.
The palace houses museums such as the Palatine Gallery, the Gallery of Modern Art, the Porcelain Museum, the Fashion and Costume Museum.
Inside, there is a collection of works of art, all belonging to the Medici family, once the inhabitants of this historic buildings.
The palace can be visited in the afternoon, and children will enjoy running around the vast park.
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#4 Doge’s Palace – Genova
Once known as Palazzo Balbi, it was built in the 17th century to become the home of the noble Balbi family.
Later, the next owner gave the palace a baroque appearance, after which the palace passed into the hands of the Savoys, becoming their residence in the city, and the name was changed to the Royal Palace.
Today, the state owns this ancient building. It has become the headquarters of the Superintendence of the Liguria region.
The floor is a museum open to the public where you can admire the Gallery of Mirrors, the Chapel Gallery, the Hall of the Throne and the Audience, and some seventeenth-century frescoes and paintings.
You are welcome to visit the palace, but to avoid traffic and waiting at the ticket office, it is advised to schedule a visit.
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#5 Doge’s Palace – Venecia
The Doge’s Palace is one of the Venetian palaces that had to be included in the list of the most stunning palaces in Italy. It is one of the city’s landmarks with the undeniable charm of Venice, along with Piazza San Marco and the Rialto Bridge.
If you’re planning a family trip to Venice, make sure you read our guide on the best places to stay in Venice with kids + best areas.
It is a Venetian Gothic-Renaissance style structure connected to the Doge’s Palace by the now-famous Bridge of Sighs until the end of the seventeenth century.
The Palazzo is now a museum with pieces by Fabriano, Titian, Andrea Palladi, and Tintoretto. It also functions as a “stage” for occasionally held temporary exhibitions. Visit any day between 9:00 and 19:00 to witness this splendour in person.
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#6 Palazzo Madama – Torino
In the heart of Turin stands the Palazzo Madama in all its splendour.
Although it is a building built in the Middle Ages, it has a baroque-style facade for the renovation project desired by Maria Giovanna Battista of Savoy. She gave this building the name by which we all know it today.
Today it is a UNESCO World Heritage site and home to the Civic Museum of Ancient Art, which houses numerous works of art and even a collection of ceramics. Every day besides Tuesday is a visitation day for the palace.
#7 Palazzo dei Normanni – Palermo
Also known as the Royal Palace, the Palermo building became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2021 and is the oldest royal residence in Europe. It was actually the accommodation of the royal kingdoms of Sicily.
It is a large building, rich in architectural elements of different styles and numerous works of art. Inside, there is a maqueda courtyard and fountains.
You can go to the Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie and the Palatine Palace from the paved area to visit the incredible beauty of the decorative mosaics inside. You can see the palace every day until 16:30.
Read More: Palermo with Kids City Break Guide
FAQ’s: Italian Palaces
Royal Palace of Caserta – a marvellous palace with 1200 rooms, whose gardens “cut” Versailles is the largest in Italy. It was also the largest building in Europe when it was built in the 18th century.
Out of 58 protected locations, Italy is one of the top nations in terms of the number of structures and sites protected by Unesco. Among other palaces under the protection of UNESCO are the 18th-Century Royal Palace at Caserta with the Park, Palazzo Madama in Turin, The Palazzi dei Rolli in Genoa, and Palazzo dei Normanni in Palermo.
By definition, a palace would be a large residence for either royalty or some other important people of a state. Italians call their palaces “palazzo.”
With 235,000 square meters, it is the largest royal residence in the world. Caserta boats 40 monumental rooms, compared to Versailles’ 22.
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Sylvie Simpson is the founder of European Cities with Kids. For the past 6 years, she has been travelling all over Europe whenever she has the chance, both solo, for work and with her daughter. Sylvie is on a mission to help people make the most of city breaks in Europe with kids and helps over 50,000 readers per month plan and make the most of their trips in Europe with kids.