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Padua

Veneto, Italy

Italy Veneto
Padua

Tucked away in the Venetian shadow, Padua is an authentic, vibrant student city with much to offer. Chances are, you haven’t heard about it before, but don’t let that fool you. Within the quiet streets with its characteristic arcade walkways, you will discover a range of significant landmarks.

Galileo Galilei himself made history in the with its anatomical theater. The highlight of Padua are the impressive frescoes in the from the Renaissance era.

But above all, you can enjoy the Dolce Vita here. Do as the locals do and savor an espresso or the famous Pedrocchi coffee at the historic . Enjoy your Aperol Spritz in one of the city's central squares. In the hometown of Aperol, it's not uncommon to see locals enjoying their aperitivo as early as 11 AM.

Additionally, take a stroll across the expansive , Italy's largest oval square, and wander through the lively squares filled with bustling markets. The fabulous cuisine here is a must-try!

For shopping, Via Roma is an excellent street with a variety of boutiques and international brand stores.

Top 10 Highlights of Padua

Giotto's masterpiece
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Scrovegni Chapel
Padua, Veneto
The Scrovegni Chapel in Padua is a must-see for art and history lovers. Located in the heart of Padua, in Piazza Eremitani, this masterpiece is famous for its Giotto frescoes, painted between 1303 and 1305. These stunning murals, depicting scenes from the Old and New Testaments, are considered a groundbreaking moment in art history. Highlights such as the Last Judgment and the Cielo Stellato make the chapel truly exceptional. Be sure to book tickets in advance, as visits are limited to 15 minutes.
Donatello’s 29 bronze sculptures
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Basilica of Saint Anthony of Padua
Padua, Veneto
The Basilica of Saint Anthony in Padua is one of Northern Italy's most significant spiritual and architectural landmarks. Blending Romanesque, Gothic, and Byzantine elements, this extraordinary church captivates with its impressive facade and minaret-like bell towers.
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Prato della Valle
Padua, Veneto
Prato della Valle is a 90,000-square-meter elliptical square in Padua, Italy. It is the largest square in Italy, and one of the largest in Europe. Today, the square is a large space with a green island at the center, l'Isola Memmia, surrounded by a small canal bordered by two rings of statues.
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Abbey of Santa Giustina
Padua, Veneto
The Abbey of Santa Giustina is a 10th-century Benedictine abbey complex located in front of the Prato della Valle in central Padua, region of Veneto, Italy. Adjacent to the former monastery is the basilica church of Santa Giustina, initially built in the 6th century, but whose present form derives from a 17th-century reconstruction.
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Palazzo della Ragione
Padua, Veneto
The Palazzo della Ragione is a medieval market hall, town hall and palace of justice building in Padua, in the Veneto region of Italy. The upper floor was dedicated to the town and justice administration; while the ground floor still hosts the historical covered market of the city. The palace separates the two market squares of Piazza delle Erbe from Piazza dei Frutti. It is popularly called il Salone. It is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Padua's 14th-century fresco cycles.
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Orto botanico di Padova
Padua, Veneto
The Orto Botanico di Padova is a botanical garden in Padua, in the northeastern part of Italy. Founded in 1545 by the Venetian Republic, it is the world's oldest academic botanical garden that is still in its original location. The garden – operated by the University of Padua and owned by the Italian government – encompasses roughly 22,000 square meters, and is known for its special collections and historical design.
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Padua Cathedral
Padua, Veneto
Padua Cathedral, or Basilica Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Assumption, is a Catholic church and minor basilica located on the east end of Piazza Duomo, adjacent to the bishop's palace in Padua, Veneto, Italy. The cathedral, dedicated to the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, is the seat of the Bishop of Padua. The church building, first erected as a cathedral in the 4th century, has undergone major reconstructions over the centuries.
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Pedrocchi Café
Padua, Veneto
The Pedrocchi Café is a café founded in the 18th century in central Padua, Italy. It has architectural prominence because its rooms were decorated in diverse styles, arranged in an eclectic ensemble by the architect Giuseppe Jappelli. The café has historical prominence because of its role in the 1848 riots against the Habsburg monarchy, as well as for being an attraction for artists over the last century from the French novelist Stendhal to Lord Byron to the Italian writer Dario Fo.
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Bo Palace
Padua, Veneto
The Bo Palace is the historical seat of University of Padua since 1493, It is still home to the Rectorate and the School of Law. It is also home to the oldest anatomical theatre in the world.
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Church of the Eremitani
Padua, Veneto
The Church of the Eremitani, or Church of the Hermits, is a former-Augustinian, 13th-century Gothic-style church in Padua, region of the Veneto, Italy. It is also now notable for being adjacent to the Cappella Scrovegni with Giotto frescoes and the municipal archeology and art gallery: the Musei Civici agli Eremitani, which is housed in the former Augustinian monastery located to the left of the entrance.
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Inspiration

Travel Information

How long should you stay?

2 days are sufficient to explore Padua's key attractions without a rush. If you just plan an overnight stop, this is also doable, but pick your must-do's beforehand. If you want to discover the surrounding Veneto region as well, Padua serves as an excellent base.

Best time to visit

Since Padua is spared from tourist masses, you can visit in summer leisurely. We find that a visit anytime from late spring to early fall is pleasurable.

How to get to Padua?

Padua is well-connected by train and road. Direct trains run from Venice, Verona, and other major cities.
By car, Padua is easily accessible from Venice, Bologna, and Milan.

Fancy a roadtrip?

Be inspired by our hand-picked road trips.

Trip map
3-week Road Trip from Trieste to Tuscany
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1012 km
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Delicious Round Trip from Bologna to Lake Garda
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Interested?
Start planning your next adventure!

Day Trips from Padua

Padua is a wonderful starting point for beautiful day trips:

Is that even a question? If you're nearby, you definitely should make a detour here. Venice is just a short train ride from Padua. You can find more details about Venice in our little city guide.

Vicenza is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site and famous for its 26 architectural masterpieces by Andrea Palladio, whose designs even inspired the White House. Do not miss the impressive Teatro Olimpico, the oldest surviving theatre of its kind. More details here.

Euganean Hills

Explore the idyllic Euganean Hills with their thermal springs, vineyards, and medieval villages. If you're there in the summer, visiting the Jazz & Wine Festival is a must.

Regional Specialties

Padua boasts a rich culinary heritage deeply rooted in home gardens and farms. The city's gastronomy showcases a delightful blend of traditional dishes and Venetian specialties.

What to Drink

Aperol Spritz: When in Padua, you must order an Aperol Spritz. The distant roots of this drink come from a time when Austria-Hungarian soldiers roamed in this area. The soldiers weren't used to the strong local wines and preferred to dilute the wine with sparkling water ("spritzen" in German). In 1919 the famous Aperol was presented at an Italian trade fair right in Padua by the Barbieri brothers. Later, in the 50's, Prosecco and a splash of soda water were added, resulting in Aperol Spritz.

Prosecco, is another must-try, since one of the best prosecco's comes from nearby Treviso

Grappa: A grape-based brandy, perfect for those seeking a strong and aromatic drink.

Must-know Specialties in Padua

  • Tiramisu: Savour this Italian classic. It was invented nearby in Treviso.
  • Risotto alla Padovana: A flavourful, traditional dish made with rice, chicken broth, vegetables, and cheese. If you want an authentic experience, this is a must-try
  • Spunciotti (or spuncetti or cichetti): small dishes similar to Spanish tapas and quite popular in the Veneto Region

Meat & Fish delicacies

  • Baccalà alla Vicentina: cherished Venetian delicacy with roots dating back to the 15th century; the dried & salted cod is soaked for 24 hours, then fried with onions, garlic, and white wine; traditionally served with polenta
  • Fegato alla Veneziana: Slices of delicious liver cooked with onion, salt, and pepper
  • Eat slices of Montagnana ham with melon or figs, best on Padua's markets
  • Soppressa vicentina, a typical salami
  • Padua also has a great variety of fish dishes due to its closeness to Venice. Typical dishes include small crabs, octopus with pesto, sardines and scallops.

Pasta & Risotto

  • Tagliatelle al Ragù: originally from Padua, the tagliatelle are typically served with a delicious, slow-cooked meat-based sauce
  • Bigoli con Oca in Onto (Goose Bigoli): Traditional thick spaghetti-like pasta paired with a goose ragout
  • Gnocchi di Patate: Quite popular simple dish in Padua, consisting of potato dumplings served with tomato or meat sauce
  • Polenta: you will find this landmark of Veneto's cuisine in many dishes in Padua

Vegetables

  • White Asparagus: A springtime delicacy from Bassano, enjoyed with rice, lasagna, or eggs, accompanied by the crisp notes of Breganze Vespaiolo white wine
  • Radicchio trevisano: Dark red radicchio with a delicate and bitter taste, best paired with risotto or grilled with salt and oil

Desserts

  • Sfogliatelle ('leaf'): Delicate pastry originating from Padua, made with thin layers of pasta frolla and filled with ricotta cheese or candied fruit
  • Zuppa Inglese: A traditional Italian dessert from Padua with layers of sponge cake soaked in coffee or espresso, alternated with cream and flavoured with rum or Marsala wine
  • Crostoli: Traditional, fried pastry made from flour, eggs, sugar, butter, and salt, often dusted with powdered sugar or dipped in honey. It is a popular Venetian dessert and especially eaten during Carnival season

Fun Facts about Padua

  • According to legend, Padua was founded by Antenor, a Trojan hero in the 12th century BC. This would make Padua one of the oldest cities in Northern Italy.
  • The University of Padua, established in 1222, is one of the oldest universities in the world.
  • Galileo Galilei, the renowned astronomer, taught at the University of Padua in the 16th century.
  • Padua, is the setting of Shakespeare's "The Taming of the Shrew"

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