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13 things to see in Padova: 1 day itinerary

Near Venice, Padova is home to an illustrious university, a famous saint, stunning artistic treasures, and magnificent squares.

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Padova is a delightful university town that combines impressive art, beautiful Medieval architecture, and a buzzing historic center . It will make for a great day trip from Venice .

Having rockstar Venice as a neighbor doesn’t really help. One gets automatically ignored. But  there are plenty of reasons to visit Padova . It’s one of the oldest cities in northern Italy, home to an illustrious university, a famous saint, stunning artistic treasures, and magnificent piazze .

I’ve put together  an itinerary with all the best things to see in Padova that you can cover as an easy day trip from Venice . At the end of the article, you’ll find a map summarizing all the places mentioned in this article.

By the way, if you’re looking for more 1 day itineraries in northern Italy, check out the articles One Day in Milan , One day in Monza , and One day in Brescia .

Now, here’s what you can see in Padova in one day:

1. Scrovegni Chapel

The Scrovegni Chapel is one of the highlights of any visit to Padova. It’s a private chapel belonging to the Paduan Scrovegni family, that contains an art masterpiece realized by Giotto : a huge depiction of the Last Judgement. The walls of the chapel are covered in 39 sequential frescoes illustrating the lives of the Virgin Mary and Jesus, culminating in the magnificent Universal Judgement on the wall opposite the altar. The great realism and the emotional narrative of the scenes will mesmerize you!

• Address: Piazza Eremitani, 8
• Tickets: €13, including entrance to the Eremitani Civic Museum (which I didn’t visit, though).
• Further info: Scrovegni Chapel website

2. Eremitani Church

Just a few steps from the Scrovegni Chapel you’ll find the Eremitani Church. Although fairly simple at first glance, it is truly impressive inside . This huge and peaceful building was one of the most important churches of Padua, but it was badly damaged during WWII (it had the misfortune of being located right next to Padova’s Nazi headquarters).

• Address: Piazza Eremitani, 9
• Tickets: free entrance

3. Caffè Pedrocchi

The historic Caffè Pedrocchi opened in Padua in 1831 . In its heyday, it was the meeting place for illustrious intellectuals, artists, and writers such as D’Annunzio, Balzac, and Stendhal. It later became a major gathering point for patriots during the 1848 riots against the Habsburg monarchy.

Although you can dine here, I suggest visiting only for a drink or coffee. Not to miss is their famous caffè Pedrocch i, a mint-flavored coffee . I’ve also heard that the tiramisù is delicious, but I haven’t tried it.

• Address: Via VIII Febbraio, 15
• Prices: €5 for a Caffè Pedrocchi, €6 for a slice of tiramisù
• Further info: Caffè Pedrocchi website   

4. Palazzo Bo and Anatomic Museum

Palazzo Bo is the seat of the University of Padua, founded in 1222 . It is one of the oldest European universities and the second oldest in Italy. Illustrious figures studied here , including Copernicus, Erasmus from Rotterdam, the poet Torquato Tasso and Eleonora Lucrezia Cornaro Piscopia, the first woman in the world to receive an academic degree .

Palazzo Bo can be visited with guided tours only, which include also a visit to the anatomical theatre.

• Address: Via 8 Febbraio, 2
• Tickets: €7 
• Further info: University of Padua website  

5. Palazzo della Ragione

Just a couple of minutes walk from Palazzo Bo is Palazzo della Ragione, a stunning medieval palace that was once the seat of the local law courts . The interiors are a treasure trove of beautiful frescoes on astrology and interesting items such as a giant wooden horse (commissioned in the XV century for a public carnival), the reproduction of the Foucault’s pendulum (an homage to the connection between Padova and the scientific world) and the stone of shame (used to punish insolvent debtors). 

• Address: Piazza delle Erbe, entrance via the staircase “Scala dei Ferri” 
• Tickets:  € 6

6. Piazza dei Frutti and Piazza delle Erbe

Palazzo della Ragione sits between Piazza della Frutta and Piazza delle Erbe, the beating heart of Padova’s social life . They are home to bustling markets by day and a lively cafe scene after dusk. Pretty coffee shops and restaurants line their perimeter. 

7. Piazza dei Signori and the Clock Tower

Piazza dei Signori is another important piazza in Padova. Perhaps a bit austere compared to the previous two, it is lined with elegant buildings and nice eateries and bars.

8. The Cathedral of Padova

Only a few steps from Piazza dei Signori is the Dome of Padova. It didn’t particularly impress me, as it’s  fairly plain and unadorned .

• Address: Piazza del Duomo
• Tickets: free, but you’ll have to pay €3 to visit the Baptistery 

9. Old Jewish Quarter

Just south of Piazza delle Erbe is the old Jewish Ghetto, founded in 1603 and then abolished in 1797 . Here you can visit the interesting Museum of Jewish Padova and take a guided tour that brings you also to the synagogues.

• Address: Via S.Martino e Solferino
• Tickets: €8 to visit the Jewish museum 
• Further info: Museum of Jewish Padova    

10. Basilica of Saint Anthony

This is Padova’s most important religious sit e and a much-revered pilgrimage location  since it houses the tomb of Saint Anthony, the patron saint of the city and a key religious figure known for his kindness towards children, the poor and the sick.

• Address: Via Orto Botanico, 11 
• Further info: Basilica of Saint Anthony official website 

11. Botanical Garden

The Botanical Garden of Padova is the oldest university botanical garden still in its original location . It was founded in 1545 and is a UNESCO world heritage site since 1997.   The garden serves as a repository for botanical knowledge and hosts about 7,000 precious plant and flower species , including a huge oriental plane that was planted in the garden in 1680.

• Address: via Orto Botanico, 15
• Tickets: €10  
• Further info: visit the  Botanical Garden website  

12. Basilica of Saint Giustina

The Basilica of Saint Giustina is the second most important pilgrimage site in Padova after the Basilica di Saint Anthony. It is huge indeed and contains some interesting paintings and artworks.

The church is dedicated to Giustina, the other patron saint of Padova, and houses the tomb of Luke the Evangelist.

• Address: Prato della Valle

13. Prato della Valle

Prato della Valle is one of Padova’s landmarks. It sits at the very end of via Roma, the town’s main street, and is, therefore, the perfect spot to end your walk around Padova. With its 90,000 square meters, Prato della Valle is the biggest square in Italy and one of the largest in Europe . At the center of the square, there is a grassy park surrounded by a water ring dotted with 78 statues of famous citizens, which makes it truly unique.

How to get to Padova

Traveling to Padova from Venice is easy and cheap . The train trip from Venezia Santa Lucia or Venezia Mestre to Padova takes about 30-45 minutes. Remember that with Trenitalia you can choose between two types of trains: the regional train costs €4,25, while the Frecciarossa high-speed train will cost you €18 and would save you just about 20 minutes. Alternatively, you can catch a train with Italo prices are currently €10 for a 30-minute train ride. Of course, you can reach Padova very easily also from Milan, with trains departing regularly from the Central Station.

Useful tips for Padova

• I suggest buying a PadovaCard .  It costs €16 and allows you to visit all key sites for free or at reduced rates (including the Scrovegni Chapel) and to use the public transports for 48h
• I had a delightful lunch at Caffè della Piazzetta in the old Jewish quarter, while for dinner I tried Nane della Giulia , an old-school trattoria serving delicious traditional food in a cozy ambiance.
• If you are planning to stay overnight (and I highly recommend it), a good place is  Hotel S. Antonio in via S. Fermo , an excellent location within walking distance to the heart of the historic center. Rooms are simple and clean, the staff is great and rates are really good, check it out on Booking.com

Until next time,

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39 thoughts on “13 things to see in padova: 1 day itinerary”.

I have been to Verona and Tuscany a couple of weeks a go, a shame that I missed this beautiful spot! Padova looks truly beautiful and reminds me to some other spots I have seen in this area. From your recommendation it seems really to be the perfect spot to be explored on one day. Especially the Botanical garden looks truly inviting as well as the Scrovegni chapel with its beautiful and colorful paintings. I will put this on my next North Italy road trip list!

Yay, I’m sure you’ll love it!

Gosh, this sounds lovely. I’ve never heard of Padova but it looks amazing. Although, I’d love to visit Venice, all the tourist crowds and cruise ships have put me off but Padova looks charming. Thanks for introducing me to it.

It would be a great side trip when you visit Venice, it’s just a 30 minute train ride away!

This really makes it seem like the Italians really cared and knew how to make a building! Not only is the outside art of which I’ve rarely ever seen But the insides are always so spectacular I could cry.

Ahaha, you are so right, the interiors are usually event more beautiful and full of surprises!

I have realized I have started to enjoy destinations which have great architecture and historic feel. So glad I stumbled upon this post. There are so many things to see in Padova and for 1 day, loved your recommendations. But your pictures share a story that I would love to cover them on our slow travel. Thanks for the useful tips to enable planning including the overnight stay suggestion for hotel.

I agree with you, the more time you have the better but I’ve noticed that Padova is usually visited in 1-2 days max and I wanted to sow that it’s feasible to cover pretty much all the main sights. It makes for a fantastic side trip from Venice!

It looks absolutely magical ✨

And it truly is 😀

This post brings back so much memory. I‘ve been to Padova almost 15 years ago. It is such a lovely city – one of my favourites 🙂

Really! Love reading this 🙂

I totally flaked when I first started reading this. I was like, I have never heard of Padova where the heck in Italy is this? Then I realized that I know it as Padua where the famed St. Anthony of Padua is from. I cant believe I have never been there before! I am definitely adding this to my return trip to Italy! I love all the amazing art everywhere from the churches to the walkways. Also there is something truly amazing about an Astronomical Clock to me! I could just sit in the square staring at it for hours!

It’s a true gem with so many pretty piazze for al fresco drinks and people watching 🙂

I adore Italy. I’ve been there three times (even got married there…in Florence), but I have not been to Padova. I agree with you that the less touristed cities are often so much more enjoyable. I definitely feel this way about Verona (though it gets a fair amount of tourists, too). I can’t imagine going to such a beautiful university as Padua!

Amazing!! So this is one for your fourth trip! 😉

Padova is really amazing, We have passed by and it’s becoming one of the best not a crowded city in northern Italy. We still have a lot of friends coming from there.

Glad to read this! It was my first visit and I loved it 🙂

I love coffee and so used to drinking it in Latin America that I’ve not had time to miss it. Cafe Pedrochi sound AMAZING and would definitely have to try one of those mint flavoured coffees. At 5 euros, though, i’d have to take midget sips to endure the flavour.

Ahaha, well it’s something to try especially if you are a coffee lover and then the location is really interesting 😉

Very beautiful! I love the frescoes. Those are amazing works of art. And Padova’s botanical garden looks really zenlike and solemn.

Thanks, glad you liked this article!

What a charming city! How have I not heard of this stunning city and it’s only a 30 min train ride away from Venice. This is a great day trip to take from Venice to get away from the tourists. Padova is filled with beautiful arts, architecture and many cafes. Looks like I’ll need to visit the Caffe Pedrocchi and sample the famous tiramisu!

I think the question is where in Italy isn’t there a beautiful town!?? I loved the photos and the description of what there is to see and do. I would definitely love to visit the gardens and walk the streets, eating of course! It is too bad not more is done to encourage tourists to Venice to spend time in Padua, especially when the tourists put such a strain on Venice.

Oh yes, that’s the real question Nicole!

Posts like these show us new places. I had never heard of Pedova also before this. The architecture is very close to that of Venice specially the square. Palazzo Bo looks seasons and a great place to stroll around. Keeping in mind easily accessible from Venice makes it a great place to visit if you going to Venice. Thanks for sharing.

Thanks Amar! My purpose is exactly this – to show you guys all the beauty of Italy, which is much more than just Venice-Florence-Rome, and I’m really happy when I receive comments like yours! 🙂

Such beautiful architecture! I’ve never heard of Padova but I feel like visiting it now just to admire these beautiful buildings. Of course, I would visit a bunch of other places in Italy too.

So many beautiful places here in Italy, isn’t it 🙂

A small town with a bunch of lovely places to see! You’re right, I’ve never heard of Padova and that’s probably because all the spotlight is on Venice and its smaller (probably even more charming) neighbours obviously get ignored! I love the Scrovegni Chapel, the depiction of the Last Judgement is truly an artistic masterpiece! Also, Prato Della valle looks like the sort of place I’d love to enjoy a walk! Such a lovely town, thanks for highlighting it.

Thanks a lot Medha! I would definitely recommend taking at least a day trip to Padova when visiting Venice!

I think in Italy, aside from museum hopping you can also so church hopping. Their church structure are magnificent that still stands nowadays, and survived many earthquakes and nature disasters. It would nice to have a bicycle and roam around the city 😀

Oh yes, that would be a fantastic way to explore! 🙂

Padova is a real gem and too often ignored because of its vicinity to Venice. I am grateful for this post that will help more foreigners to get to know this wonderful city and discover its stunning art treasures.

Thanks Federica! I myself am one of those who’s been ignoring Padova for so long and what a mistake! It’s a truly charming town to explore!

Padova isn’t a large well-known city for tourists, but there is just so much to see! Not surprising that Italy collects so many travelers every year.

True! And being so close to Venice, it would be such a shame to miss it!

I followed your itinerary today, and it was so helpful! I would have missed the wonderful Eremitani Church as it wasn’t in my guidebook. And I had the signature coffee and mint torte at Caffè Pedrocchi – they were both to die for!

Thank you so much Ingrid, that’s the whole purpose of this blog ❤️

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22 Best Things to do in Padua, Italy: a Local’s Guide

Here is my bit about the most interesting things to do in Padua, Italy . Padua is one of the most underrated cities in northern Italy . Most foreign travelers approach Padua as a diversion on the way to Venice, or as a stopover when going to more interesting towns in North Italy, like Verona or Milan. After having spent almost a week in Padua, and being a lover of off-the-track, slow-paced cities, I regretted much that I had not seen and promised myself I would visit a second time. If you’d rather watch my vlog about Padua, here you are!

You want to visit Padua from Venice… What about the other way round?

It only takes half an hour by train to reach Venice from Padua. Most foreign travelers visit Padua as a day trip from Venice , a local traveler would rather stay in Padova and tour Venice and the Lagoon Islands than the opposite solution… Venice is overcrowded, and Padua is lovely. Forget the lines, the high water, the tourist scams. Have a stroll in Venice and then retire to cute medieval Padua to have a quiet evening and night. And guess what? Padua’s train station lies 15 minutes by foot from the city’s historical center. So, no need to rush. Choose Padua as your strategic base to explore north Italy. Discovering Padua means more than a visit to the Scrovegni Chapel. There are at least eight other sites in Padua where you can admire the frescoes of Master Giotto and his disciples.

Padua: a lesser-known legendary city

There’s a popular saying that people from Rome and people from Padua (that’s how Italian call it…) are cousins. This originates from the narratives of at least two eminent historical figures: the poet Virgil and the historian Tito Livio. According to their knowledge, the city of Padua was founded by Antenor, one of the Trojans that, together with Aeneas, had to leave his homeland because of the conflict with the Greeks. Aeneas crossed the Mediterranean Sea and laid the foundation of Rome, while Antenor fled to the north of Italy via land and founded Padua. There is more than one landmark to commemorate this event in Padua. During the Middle Ages, a citizen of Padua built a monument in the place which today is Piazza Antenore, after he had found an ancient sarcophagus with a skeleton and identified it as the remains of Antenor.

Grab the city map at the Tourist Info Center and plan your itinerary in Padua

Padua’s historical center is tiny compared to other cities in Italy. I’ll pin the main places of interest on my map here, but in case you like to hold a paper map while you sightsee, you can get a nice one for free at the Tourism Info Point inside the train station, just in front of Caffè Natoo. It has some great coffee and fresh juices too.

Self-guided walk through Padua’s historical center

From the train station, take Corso Giuseppe Garibaldi that passes through the Scrovegni Chapel, the Giotto Public Park, and the free Paleontology Museum. Reach Piazza Garibaldi. Take Via Cavour and visit Piazza Cavour, Caffè Pedrocchi, and Palazzo Bo, then turn right to enter Piazza Delle Erbe. You’ll be at the heart of the historic center. See the Ragione Palace, Piazza Dei Signori, and Loggia dell Guardia, then go back and have a stroll in the ghetto quarter. Walk under all the different porticos until you reach the Sant’Antonio Cathedral and the immense square of Prato della Valle.

Let’s go into more detail about the best things to do in Padua.

Have breakfast at one of these beautiful cafes.

Speaking of coffee… one of the things I appreciated the most during my stroll around Padua was the presence here and there of cute coffee shops which I couldn’t resist entering. Way more relaxed and friendly than most of the cafes in Rome . Try and pay a visit to at least a couple of the ones I liked the most.

– Caffè Pedrocchi – an immersion in the 19th century

Much more than a coffee shop! Actually, I’ve never seen a café in Italy that could be compared to this. Caffè Pedrocchi is one of the icons of Padua. Its founder, the coffee master Antonio Pedrocchi, conceived of a monumental building, an abode of intellectual excitement and international exchange. The café gained the name of “open door café” because it remained open day and night from 1831 to 1916. Take a rest on one of the soft benches of the “green room” while you read a book; that’s what that room was created for! It’s a welcoming place for students and travelers, even if they don’t buy a thing… But don’t miss what’s happening in the other rooms, in particular, the best seller Pedrocchi coffee, a large espresso covered in minty pistachio foam and a sprinkle of cocoa (€3). And of course the cuisine at Pedrocchi is excellent. A must visit in Padua.

– The Coffee Box

This is a two-storey American style cafeteria on, just a quick walk from the Scrovegni Chapel. Their muffins are an out-of-the-world-experience! You’re probably going to need two of them, at least I did… not always easy to find a perfect muffin in Italy. They have all kinds of coffees and teas, and they make you choose your favorite cup. Go sit on the second floor if you want to spend a few hours there. They serve juices, bagels, pizza slices, and soups with a generous handful of Grana during the cold months. It’s a really colorful and cozy place.

Caffè Baessato

A stylish café decorated with black marble, less than 1 km from the train station and a few steps from the Scrovegni Chapel. The customers here are mostly local. The place is great for a savory breakfast. Snack on their delicious tramezzini sandwiches or on the micro-panini. Join the locals for the Italian aperitivo ritual in the evening. Everything is fresh and I’ve heard the service is one of the best in town.

Maison Hand

This tiny café was too beautiful not to stop by and get my daily fix of vitamin C (€2.5 for an orange juice). I really enjoyed the soft white couches and the botanical illustrations on the wall. The elegance of this coffee shop fits perfectly with the architecture of the street where the café is located. If you want to see some more beautiful objects, visit the neighboring furniture design shop that shares the name with the café.

And what about Giotto’s Scrovegni Chapel?

The frescoes by the medieval Tuscan artist Giotto, covering the whole surface of the Scrovegni Chapel, are still considered the top attraction in Padova’s historical center. I don’t agree fully with this view, as there are many more interesting things to see and do in Padua. There are more frescoes from Giotto in other churches, and the urban architecture is so graceful you’ll feel a sense of wellbeing simply by walking in the streets… The rich owner of the Scrovegni Chapel summoned Giotto to Padua in 1302, after having heard of the great work he had performed in the Cathedral of San Francesco in Assisi. The frescoes on the walls of the chapel recount episodes from the life of Christ and Mary, and Judgement Day, while the vault is a starry sky. Giotto’s sojourn in Padua was very productive and influenced the work of many other artists of the time.

How to visit the Scrovegni Chapel

Booking is mandatory and you’re best to do it well in advance or you risk failing to find a spot. An adult ticket costs €14. You can reserve your ticket online or by calling the number +39-049-2010020. The day of your visit, retrieve your ticket at the ticket office of the Eremitani Museum (100 m from the Scrovegni Chapel) and be at the entrance of the chapel 10 minutes prior to the time slot you have booked.

More of Giotto’s frescoes in Padua

This year (2020), for its candidacy to the UNESCO World Heritage Site list, Italy will propose the fresco cycles of eight places within Padua’s historical center, including the Scrovegni Chapel. The project’s name is “ Padova urbs picta .” Here are the sites in Padua where you can admire frescoes from the 14th century, by Giotto and other not less gifted artists, all united by a similar composition style and subject, and all included in the candidacy.

Basilica and Monastery of St. Anthony | Frescoes by Giotto | Free admission

Address: Piazza del Santo, 11.

Church of Santi Filippo e Giacomo agli Eremitani | Free admission

Piazza Eremitani

Palazzo della Ragione

Address: Piazza delle Erbe | Ticket €7

Cathedral’s Baptistery

Frescoes by Giusto dei Menabuoi | Address: Via Dietro Duomo, 5.

Chapel of the Carraresi Palace

Frescoes by Guariento di Arpo | Address: Via Accademia, 7 | Free admission with guided tour (Tue. thru Sat 10 AM-12 PM)

Oratory of St. George

Frescoes by Altichiero da Zevio | Address: Piazza del Santo.

Oratory of St. Michele 

. Frescoes by Jacopo da Verona | Address: Riviera Tiso da Camposampiero, 32 | Ticket €3.

If you love medieval painting, you surely need to add these to your bucket list of things to do in Padova …

Eat something in Padua’s ghetto

Now that you’ve looked at walls painted with religious subjects for hours, you must have gotten very hungry. This is good news, since Padova won’t disappoint a foodie traveler. The cutest district of the historical center where you can look for a place to eat is the ghetto. Take a stroll down the cobbled Via Dei Fabbri, along Via Soncin, and Via Delle Piazze. You will see art and antiques galleries, the Museo Ebraico, and lots of places where locals and travelers meet for aperitivo and lunch. Try the Osteria L’Anfora for a meal, Café Tulipes for a light lunch with a glass of wine (one of the dishes here is the focaccia with porchetta and radicchio, which I had in the vegetarian version), and the Jolly Roger for a beer. This is my favorite neighborhood in Padua. I love taking pictures here, with the soft light reflected on the elegant buildings and the columns of the porticos. If you’re in a hurry and want to save a few coins, have a delicious homemade pasta at the takeaway Bigoi.

Walk under Porticos, peculiar trait of Padova’s architecture

Porticos are everywhere in Padua! It reminds me of the city of Bologna, which is only 120 km from Padua. Both cities have endless strings of porticos at the bottom of the medieval houses. They were both flourishing cultural and commercial centers during the Middle Ages. The architecture of Padua looks like a blend between Bologna and Venice. While you walk under the portico galleries, which are all different, try and spot some peculiar columns, like the one decorated with the bas relief of a mocking devil near Palazzo Zabarella, or the missing column behind the Ragione Palace. One of the coffee shops in the stunning Piazza Delle Erbe has a medieval column nestled within the bar’s counter (Bar Nazionale).

Visit Palazzo Bo – the 13th-century University of Padua

The “Bo Palace” corresponds to the Faculty of Law and the rectorship of the University of Padua, which is the second most ancient university in Italy (1222). Padua University will soon be 800 years old! When you enter the beautiful courtyard from VIII Febbraio Street, you will see an incredible number of emblems (3,000, counting the ones in the other halls as well). Those are memories of the deans and counselors of the university. The Faculty of Medicine was particularly influential and considered the number one in Renaissance Europe. With a guided tour, you can visit the oldest parts: the rooms of the professors, the ancient library, the great hall, the Medicine Hall, and lastly, the spectacular “anatomical theatre.”

Adult ticket: €7 for a 45-minute visit.

Bask in Piazza delle Erbe

Piazza Delle Erbe is the heart of Padua. The most representative buildings of glorious Padua’s past, when Padua started being a powerful center in the Middle Ages, overlook the Piazza Delle Erbe. Every morning it hosts the fruit and vegetable market. At any hour of the day, with a peak at the aperitivo hour (6 pm-9 pm), the cafes at the four sides of the square come alive with people chatting loudly and ordering a spritz (you can have it with or without alcohol) and the tramezzino (the local small sandwich filled with ingredients of your choice). You can have both for €5 at the Bar Nazionale.

Go inside the Palazzo della Ragione

This is a monument that you really can’t miss while in Padua. The entry fee is low (€4 for an adult) and you don’t need to spend a long time inside, but you’ll probably choose to take a seat and admire the impressive salon for a few minutes, once you’re inside. The Ragione Palace consists of a huge hall, Europe’s biggest ancient hall without columns. The walls are entirely covered in amazing frescoes (these frescoes are included in the UNESCO nomination fresco cycles), concerned with justice, astrology, and symbolic animals. Palazzo della Ragione was the Palace of Justice of ancient Padua. The cherry on top is a tall wooden roof in the shape of an upside-down hull. The only object in the hall is a wooden horse realized in the 15th century on the occasion of a great party where common people.

MORE FREE THINGS TO DO AND SEE IN PADUA

The astronomical clock in piazza dei signori .

After visiting Piazza delle Erbe and the Ragione Palace, it feels natural to keep walking through Piazza della Frutta and reach Piazza Dei Signori. All of these three squares have markets in the morning, and become quieter in the afternoon when you can observe their beauty without distraction. Piazza Dei Signori was the place where the “lords” (signori) held festivals, like the carnival, celebrating the identity and union of the city. Today you can admire the astronomical watchtower “Torre dell’Orologio,” and notice, if you pay attention, that it’s got 11 zodiac signs instead of 12. What’s the missing one? And why?

The Paleontology Museum: the best thing to do in Padua with kids

You’ll be eager to visit the relaxing Geology and Paleontology Museum of Padua if you’re traveling with kids. If you’re not on a family trip, don’t skip it either! Entrance is free, and this is already an invitation. Even if you’re not so much into science, you will find the hundreds of fossils extremely fascinating. I’ve found the fossilized trees showcased in the “Hall of the Palms” a great example of interior deco. I asked myself if I wasn’t visiting an art gallery instead of a museum, and, full of admiration, I wondered if I would look that beautiful in 300 million years. In the other rooms are all kinds of fossilized beings which you’ll identify with the help of the museum’s welcome brochure. The building that hosts the permanent exhibition is Palazzo Cavalli, a baroque mansion full of paintings from the Bible and mythology, and would deserve a visit itself.

Loggia della Gran Guardia

Another lovely place with free admission in Padua! The palace became the seat of the city council at the beginning of the 15th century. Enter from the large staircase that lets you access the loggia in Piazza Dei Signori. Visit the hall on the first floor; it hosts exhibitions from local artists and has big frescoes from the 17th century with three historical (and mythical) episodes that happened in Padua, including a representation of the Trojan Antenor founding the city.

Prato Della Valle: the 2nd biggest square in Europe

Coming from the narrow streets of the center, you’ll hold your breath when you arrive at Prato Della Valle. This is the second largest square in Europe, second only to the Red Square in Moscow. The square has had different functions throughout the centuries, and always represented a hub for the common people, even if located slightly outside the city walls. In Roman times, it was a theater and a track for horse races. During the Middle Ages, it used to host popular festivals and trade fairs. The contemporary architecture dates back to the 18th century, when a Venetian lord, with the help of the clergy, undertook the complex reclamation of the swampy lands. Now, at the center of the elliptical square, lies an island with a small park, trees, and a fountain. The island is surrounded by a channel crossed by four bridges and decorated with 88 marble statues of eminent figures (including Antenor).

Relax at Parco Giotto with vin brulé or hot chocolate

To wrap up your day in Padua, take a walk in the enchanting Giotto Park at the back of the Roman amphitheater and the Scrovegni Chapel. There are a few kiosks where you can get hot chocolate or vin brulé in winter, and gelato in summer.

Things to eat in Padua

In Padua, you’ll be able to eat all the traditional Italian dishes plus a few local specialties:

Being a vegetarian, I had radicchio in Padova a few times, cooked in different ways. I’m pretty fond of the red, bitter veggie! Try the risotto al radicchio, crepes al radicchio, focaccia con porchetta and radicchio .

Wines from the Veneto Province are on the pedestal of the most popular Italian wines, together with the ones from Tuscany. On the other hand, people from this region are considered the best drinkers in Italy, and my experience confirmed it! Besides wine, give the spritz a try , that the locals drink at any time of the day, and the Prosecco .

Take a day trip from Padova to the thermal baths in Abano Terme

It’s quite difficult to compare the thermal baths near Rome to any other in Italy, but the ones near Padua are exquisite. Abano Terme is an entire town dedicated to thermal baths and treatments. The name “Abano” derives from the god of thermal water “Apono.” 

You can visit one of the 75 thermal hotels and centers and get access to the restoring water. Have a look at the accommodation in Abano Terme and choose the one that suits you best. 

How to get to Abano Terme from Padova

In the square in front of the train station, get a bus ticket for Abano at the ticket office stand, and look for the bus stop “Linea Dei Colli.” Get on the bus “A.” It takes 35 minutes to arrive in Abano Terme. Ask the bus driver to stop at your hotel.

What’s that you enjoyed the most of these fabulous things to do in Padua ?

I’m Lisa, an Italian from Rome who one day discovered she finds incredible joy in traveling to new places. With this blog, I help you discover Italy (especially Rome and its surroundings) as a local would. Find out more about me here .

20 thoughts on “22 Best Things to do in Padua, Italy: a Local’s Guide”

I love discovering the small towns outside of the major cities when I travel and making that the base of which to travel from. The channel in Prato Dalla Valle Square is beautiful! I love Italian sculpture – always pensive 🙂

Thank you! The square with the channel and the garden was the highlight together with Piazza Delle Erbe.

Oh yes, I have been thinking of taking more daytrips away from the destination I am vising, seems like a cool way to see just a little bit more 🙂

I never realised a beautiful town like Padua was so close to Venice, I would definitely like to visit here. I like the idea of mint pistacio coffee, how unique! Padua is going on my bucket list

We drove to Venice many years ago from Tuscany region and stopped overnight in a tiny village called Mira just outside Venice and did just a day trip. Padua might have been a better option as it is a bigger city with many things to do. That picture of Prato Dalla Valle Square looks amazing! Thanks for sharing! 🙂

What a beautiful place. Will consider this for my Europe bucket list. Thanks for sharing

Thank you for a great guide. I haven’t been to Padua yet, but now I plan on adding to my Europe itinerary. Looks like a lovely city, with so much history!

I just love Italy! I’ve never been to Padua, but you make it look amazing, so much to see and do here. Thanks for all the great information.

What a beautiful looking city! We have recently moved to Malta and there are so many cheap flights to Italy from here, it’s so great to discover new places. Wasn’t familiar with Padua so I’m saving this post and will start looking for flights!

I’ve been to Italy many times but never to Padua. It looks absolutely lovely. Thanks for the highlights, I hope to get there on my next trip.

Padua seems to be offbeat destination and therefore I missed it during my Venice visit. Padua really looks interesting. I loved the grand door of beautiful Medieval building in Padua, Piazza Antenore.

Coming from the relatively young country of Australia, it is hard to get me head around walking through the Padua University that is 800 years old! Thank you for sharing your experiences and photos. Beautiful.

The canal through the city of Padua is lovely. Another place I want to visit in Italy now!

I haven’t been to Padova, yet 🙁 Just the neighbours, Venezia and Verona. Next time I am in Italia, must fix that 🙂 Bookmarking this post for future reference 🙂 Grazie.

Great suggestion to use Padua as a home base for travel instead of crowded Venice! I’m keeping this in mind for when I go back and explore more of Italy. I had no idea that Prato Della Valle is the second-largest square in Europe. It’s so beautiful with the statue-lined canal and the grassy park. Can’t wait to see it for myself 😀

Never heard of Padua before, maybe it’s my ignorance or maybe it’s just so off the tourist radar. I am stunned by the architecture and beauty in the place. Thanks for sharing this amazing destination.

What a beautiful looking city, I love italy, but I’ve only done the main toruist rotutes (pisa, rome, florence, venice) and I didn’t venture out of those cities. I really love the columned fascade of the The Ragione Palace in Piazza delle Erbe, it remidns me a little bit of some of the archtecture inthe colonial cities in South Amaerica.

This is a great guide to an amazing looking city. I didn’t realize it was so close to Venice I would love to venture here for a day and explore.

I hadn’t heard of Padova. It sounds like a wonderful place. That Pistachio-Mint Coffee sounds amazing too! Thanks for sharing all these helpful details.

Italy is on top of my bucketlist although I have never really heard of Padua before. Thank you for sharing about this place.

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"pizza, speakeasies, bars and laughs: a greenwich village food & comedy tour experience on foot".

Meet Jasmin, a seasoned licensed tour guide in New York with over a decade of experience in the tourism industry. Fluent in several Asian languages and bit of Spanish offers captivating free and paid food tours and festival-oriented experiences throughout the city. With a wealth of knowledge and a passion for showcasing New York's diverse culinary and cultural scene, I ensure every tour is an unforgettable adventure.

• No minimum number of attendees No minimum number of attendees is required for the tour
• Free booking and cancellation Free payment tour, no set price, booking and cancellation are free
• Accepts electronic payment This tour allows payment by electronic means or credit card

Tour description

**Greenwich Village Pizza, Speakeasies, Pubs & Comedy Tour: A Tasty Journey Through NYC's Hidden Gems** Join us on a walking tour through the heart of Greenwich Village, where we'll explore the best pizza spots in New York City and dive into the fascinating history of speakeasies and pub crawl. This vibrant neighborhood is known not only for its iconic food but also for its hidden bars, lively cafes, and rich culture.  We’ll kick things off by sampling slices from the most renowned pizza joints, then uncover some of the area’s best-kept secrets—speakeasies and bars that serve up some of the finest drinks in town. Whether you're a cocktail connoisseur or prefer a laid-back pint, there’s something for everyone. At the end of the tour, you'll have the option to keep the fun going with an entertaining 1.5-hour comedy show for just $10 per person (cash required), with a two-drink minimum. Alternatively, you can relax at a bar during happy hour, enjoying $5 beers, $6 margaritas, or even snag 50% off drinks if it’s a Wednesday at last spot. Most places accept cards, but having a little cash on hand for the comedy show is recommended. Come hungry, thirsty, and ready for a good laugh! PS:  Minmum Age to enter Speakeasies & bars in New York is 21. Please carry your Photo Identification with you.  The tour ends around 3 hours (also depends on the group) but the comedy show is optional and it is for 1.5 hours. So please include that as extra time after the tour at the ending point. Comedy show timings are 8 pm, 10 pm & 12 pm.

What will we visit on this tour?

You can find your tour guide Jasmin outside Ben's Pizza right next to the Menu board outside.

• 1 Outside visit Artichoke Basille's Pizza
• 2 Outside visit Bleecker Street Pizza
• 3 Outside visit The Garret Show 3 more stops
• 4 Outside visit Joe's Pizza
• 5 Outside visit Little Branch
• 6 Outside visit The Grisly Pear Greenwich Village

How much does this tour cost?

Free tours do not have a set price , instead, each person gives the guru at the end of the tour the amount that he or she considers appropriate (these usually range from €10 to $50 depending on satisfaction with the tour).

Tour opinions

Tour opinions (1)

Excellent Tour!!! This was my third tour with Jasmin and I loved it. This is a perfect tour for people who love pizza and bars and at the end wanna have some laughs. I will recommend this tour for party lovers also and its a good way to explore Greenwich Village best nightlife and speakeasies around that area. Cheers!

Who is this tour for?

What should you know, others tours from this guru, others cities to visit after new york.

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Padova's Pizza

Cheese Pizza

Your favorite cheese pizza is made with classic topped with mozzarella cheese.

Deluxe Pizza

Pepperoni, mushrooms, banana peppers, onions, green pepper, and sausage.

Meat Lovers Pizza

Pepperoni, ham, bacon, ground beef, and sausage.

Veggie Pizza

Mushrooms, banana peppers, onions, green pepper, black olives, and Roma tomato.

Everyday Specials

Medium One Topping Pizza & Two Italian Subs Special

Two X-Large One Topping Pizzas Special

Large One Topping Pizza & Three Italian Subs Special

X-Large Three Topping Pizza Special

Three Italian Subs Special

Two Large One Topping Pizzas Special

Garlic Bread

Sub buns, loaded with garlic spread made very soft comes with a cup of marinara sauce.

Garlic Bread with Cheese

Garlic bread with cheese comes with a cup of marinara sauce.

Breadsticks

Breadsticks are generally pencil-sized sticks of crisp, dry bread that come with a cup of marinara sauce.

House Salad

Crisp lettuce, cheese, pepperoni, and black olives.

Garden Salad

This is a refreshing salad using all different kinds of vegetables. Enjoy our special garden salad with crisp lettuce, cheese, tomato, black olives, and salad peppers.

Antipasto Salad

Ham, salami, pepperoni, crisp lettuce, cheese, mushrooms, hot peppers, black olives, and salad pepperoni.

Chicken Salad

Chicken, bacon, pepperoni, crisp lettuce, cheese, tomato, onion, black olives, and salad peppers.

Chicken Wings

Chicken wings are generally cooked through the oven then coated and/or dipped in a sauce. We serve bone-in or boneless with your choice of sauce. Hot, plain, BBQ, teriyaki, and garlic parmesan.

Pizza Rolls

These easy pizza rolls are made with pizza dough and stuffed with pepperoni and mozzarella cheese. And pizza sauce on the side.

Italian Sub

Special Italian subs made by Padova pizza include ham, salami, cheese, lettuce, hot peppers, tomatoes.

Ham & Cheese Sub

Ham, cheese, lettuce, tomato, and hot peppers.

Meatball Sub

Cheese, spaghetti sauce, and meatballs.

This is a refreshing sub prepared using all different kinds of vegetables. Enjoy our special veggie sub with mushrooms, onions, black olives, green peppers, tomato, lettuce, hot peppers, and dressing.

BBQ Chicken Sub

Loaded with chicken, fajita, onion, cheese, and BBQ sauce.

Chicken Sub

Loaded with chicken, fajita, cheese, lettuce, tomato, and monies.

Pepperoni, cheese, pizza sauce.

Extra ham, extra salami, extra cheese, tomato, lettuce, hot peppers onion, and dressing. This is our special sub made for you. Try this and you will never forget it.

Super Sub Supreme

Extra ham, extra salami, extra cheese, tomato, lettuce, hot peppers onions, pepperoni and dressing. This is our special sub Supreme made for you. Try this and you will never forget it.

Chicken Buffalo Sub

Grilled chicken, hot sauce, tomato, lettuce, and cheese.

Bacon, lettuce, cheese, tomato, and mayo.

For the ultimate refreshment.

Enjoy the best pizza Columbus has to offer. Taste the best pizza in Columbus. Padova's Pizza is one of Columbus's most popular. Give them a try, and you'll soon understand why. Many pizzerias in Columbus offer more than just pizza, so try some other local top dishes. Pasta, salads, calzones, sandwiches, and more can all give you something different to enjoy. For a unique taste of the region, chow down on Cheese Pizza at this well-regarded restaurant. You'll soon see why it's so popular locally. Add soda to your pizza to make for a more substantial meal. Padova's Pizza has plenty of offerings to make sure you won't go away hungry. A Slice partner for 3 years, this restaurant is a mainstay of the community. Try them for yourself and see why they're such a local favorite. Pick up your pizza at Padova's Pizza with curbside pickup. It makes picking up a meal easier than ever. You can pay by credit card at Padova's Pizza. That makes it easy to get your pizza as quickly as possible. Check out social media for news and deals.

2964 Noe Bixby Rd Columbus, OH 43232

2:00 PM-11:00 PM