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    Padua

    Italy

    Padua

    CityCulture

    Padua is located about 40 kilometers west of Venice and is a lively university city.

    by Felix Gillen

    1. Home
    3. Destinations
    5. Italy
    7. Veneto
    9. Padua
    Padua is located about 40 kilometers west of Venice and is a lively university city. Its 14th-century fresco cycles, including the Scrovegni Chapel, have been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2021; the Botanical Garden has held this status since 1997.Art and Pilgrimage DestinationGiotto's frescoes in the Scrovegni Chapel are the main draw for many visitors; entry is only possible with a pre-booked ticket. The Basilica di Sant'Antonio, popularly known as “Il Santo,” welcomes millions of pilgrims annually and houses works by Donatello.Squares and MarketsBetween Piazza delle Erbe and Piazza della Frutta stands the Palazzo della Ragione, on whose ground floor there is a covered food market. Prato della Valle, covering approximately 90,000 square meters, is one of Europe's largest squares.UniversityFounded in 1222, the university continues to shape the city to this day. Galileo Galilei taught here from 1592 to 1610, and in 1678, Elena Cornaro Piscopia earned the first university degree by a woman in Padua.

    Sights in Padua

    Discover the most important sights and attractions

    Basilica di Sant'Antonio
    Church

    1Basilica di Sant'Antonio

    Pilgrimage church with eight domes and the tomb of Saint Anthony, receiving over six million pilgrims annually. The high altar is by Donatello; his Gattamelata equestrian statue stands before the church.
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    Cappella degli Scrovegni
    Church

    2Cappella degli Scrovegni

    Chapel with Giotto's fresco cycle from the early 14th century, primarily depicting the lives of Mary and Christ, plus the Last Judgment. Tickets must be booked in advance; they are also valid for the adjacent Musei Eremitani and Palazzo Zuckermann.
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    Palazzo del Bo
    Historic Landmark

    3Palazzo del Bo

    Since 1493, the historic seat of the University founded in 1222. It houses the world's oldest anatomical theatre and the Aula Magna with the lectern where Galileo Galilei taught.
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    Basilica di Santa Giustina
    Church

    4Basilica di Santa Giustina

    Large church of the former Benedictine abbey at Prato della Valle, begun 1501, dedicated 1606. Above the main altar hangs Veronese's Martyrdom of St. Justina.
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    Prato della Valle
    Historic Landmark

    5Prato della Valle

    An elliptical square of around 90,000 sq m, one of Europe's largest. It is lined by 78 statues of famous figures.
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    Palazzo della Ragione
    Museum

    6Palazzo della Ragione

    Medieval courthouse between Piazza delle Erbe and Piazza della Frutta, built from 1172 to 1219. The upper-floor hall is adorned with frescoes depicting months and zodiac signs and houses a large wooden horse dating from 1466. The ground floor features a covered food market.
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    City walks in Padua

    Curated walking tours through the city's highlights, handpicked by experienced travel journalists.

    Padua on Foot: A Ramble Through History and Charm

    Discover the beauty of Padua on this walk of about two and a half hours. From Giotto's magnificent frescoes to the vibrant market squares and the impressive Basilica of Saint Anthony, immerse yourself in the rich history and lively flair of this northern Italian city.

    ~2 Std. 30 Min.
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    Stops (6)

    Food and Drink

    1

    Enoteca Ristorante dei Tadi

    Restaurant with a wine cellar in an alley west of Piazza dei Signori. The menu features Italian cuisine, along with an extensive wine selection.
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    2

    Ristorante Ai Navigli

    Restaurant on the Riviera Tiso da Camposampiero, a canal bank in the south of the old town, focusing on fish and seafood.
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    3

    Pizzeria Al Duomo

    Pizzeria just a few steps from the Cathedral, ideal for a casual meal in the Old Town.
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    4

    Osteria L'Anfora

    Osteria in the former Ghetto with simple pasta and meat dishes, a terrace, and bookshelves in the dining room.
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    Food & Drinks

    Padua's cuisine is Venetian in character, with poultry, rice and vegetables from the plain. Typical is the aperitif under the arcades of the market squares.

    Spritz

    The aperitif is often mixed with Aperol, which brothers Luigi and Silvio Barbieri launched in Padua in 1919; Prosecco and soda are added.

    Bigoli

    Thick, extruded pasta from Veneto, traditionally served with duck ragu.

    Padovana chicken

    Chicken breed from Padua with a striking feather crest.

    Torta Pazientina

    Layered cake of almond shortcrust, sponge, and polenta with Zabaione cream and chocolate shavings, traditionally invented by Franciscans in the 17th century.

    Culture

    Padua dates back to the Roman Patavium; the historian Livy hailed from nearby Abano. From 1318 to 1405, the Carrara family ruled; in the 14th century, painters such as Giotto, Giusto de' Menabuoi, and Altichiero worked for the Carraresi, for wealthy families, the clergy, and the city. From 1405 to 1797, Padua belonged to the Republic of Venice.In the 15th century, Donatello created the high altar of the Santo and the equestrian statue of Gattamelata. Andrea Mantegna painted frescoes in the Eremitani Church, which were destroyed during a bombing raid in World War II.On June 13th, the city celebrates Saint Anthony. The Botanical Garden, established in 1545, is considered the world's oldest surviving university garden and retains its original layout to this day.

    Nightlife

    1

    Bar da Berto

    Bar under the arcades of the Palazzo della Ragione ("Sotto il Salone"). Here you can enjoy an aperitif, Spritz or a glass of wine amidst the market stalls.
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    2

    Il Gottino - Wine Bar

    Wine bar on Via delle Piazze, right between the old town's market squares. Wines by the glass and small bites for aperitif.
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    3

    Lax Cocktail Club

    Cocktail bar on Via Volturno, west of the Old Town beyond the Canal Ring.
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    On the go

    Padova Station is one of Italy's largest, with over 450 trains per day.The city's tram system (Translohr) runs from Pontevigodarzere in the north to Albignasego in the south, supplemented by buses. You can best explore the old town on foot.

    Accommodations in Padua

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    Nearby

    Veneto

    Veneto

    The Veneto stretches from the Adriatic coast with the Venice Lagoon and the Po Delta, across the Po Plain, to the eastern shore of Lake Garda and into the Dolomites. Around 4.9 million people live here; Venice is the capital, and Verona the largest city. In addition, there are Padua, Vicenza, and Treviso, Palladio's villas, the Prosecco Hills, and winter sports resorts like Cortina d'Ampezzo.
    Venezia

    Venezia

    Venice is built on 118 small islands in a lagoon on the Adriatic Sea and was the centre of a maritime republic for centuries. Instead of streets, there are canals and alleys; instead of cars, boats and walkways; the city and its lagoon have been UNESCO World Heritage since 1987. St Mark's Square features St Mark's Basilica and the Doge's Palace, while the Rialto Bridge crosses the Grand Canal. Quieter than the San Marco area are districts like Cannaregio, Castello, and Dorsoduro, with their bacari, the traditional wine bars. You can reach the islands of Murano, Burano, and the Lido by vaporetto. On selected days, day visitors pay an entry fee for the old town, in 2026 for 60 days between April and July; check current dates before travel. Early in the morning, St Mark's Square is also quiet.
    Ferrara

    Ferrara

    Ferrara is located in the Po Valley, approximately 44 kilometres northeast of Bologna. From 1264 to 1598, the d'Este family ruled here, under whom the city became an important Renaissance court.The old town is enclosed by an almost completely preserved city wall, approximately nine kilometres long. To the north lies the Addizione Erculea, a city extension systematically planned from 1492. Since 1995, Ferrara has been a UNESCO World Heritage site; in 1999, the listing was expanded to include the Po Delta.
    Verona

    Verona

    Verona is situated on the Adige River and, with approximately 255,000 inhabitants, is the largest city in Veneto. Its Old Town, featuring Roman and medieval buildings, has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2000.Romans and ScaligersFrom Roman times date the Arena and Ponte Pietra, while Piazza delle Erbe lies above the former forum. In the 13th and 14th centuries, the Della Scala family ruled; Castelvecchio, Ponte Scaligero, and the Scaliger Tombs bear witness to their reign. From 1405, Verona belonged to Venice, predominantly to Austria in the 19th century, and joined Italy in 1866.Opera and LiteratureIn summer, the Opera Festival transforms the Arena into an open-air stage. Three of Shakespeare's plays are set in Verona, including “Romeo and Juliet”. The Casa di Giulietta is a popular destination; however, its historical connection is a later attribution, and the balcony was only added in the 1930s.SurroundingsIn the hills north of the city lies the Valpolicella wine region, home to Amarone.
    Mantua (Mantova)

    Mantua (Mantova)

    Mantua, set on three lakes formed by the Mincio, was the seat of the Gonzaga for almost four centuries. Their palaces, with frescoes by Mantegna and Giulio Romano, make the small city a Renaissance hub; since 2008, it has been a UNESCO World Heritage site along with Sabbioneta.

    Sources & method

    • Photos: Unsplash, Google Maps. Each photo carries its credit.
    • Place data such as addresses and ratings comes from Google Maps.
    • The content is based on web research from public, traceable sources. How the content is made · The role of AI