Padua Travel Guide

Padua sits inland in the Veneto on the Bacchiglione, a university city where Giotto's Scrovegni Chapel, the Basilica of Saint Anthony and the frescoed halls of Palazzo della Ragione all sit within a walkable core. Piazza delle Erbe hosts the daily market, the Orto Botanico has grown here since 1545, and the statue-ringed oval of Prato della Valle opens out to the south.

First Visit Sights Tours Day Trips Where To Stay

One Day In Padua: Giotto To Prato Della Valle

The centre is compact, so a single day goes far on foot. Start with a timed slot at the Scrovegni Chapel, work through the market squares and Palazzo della Ragione, pause at the basilica, and finish among the statues of Prato della Valle.

Padua in one day
1Morning
Plain brick chapel set in a green garden beside the remains of a Roman arena, morning light

Scrovegni Chapel

Giotto's frescoes here anchored Padua's UNESCO inscription in 2021, one of eight painted sites across the old centre. Visits run on timed slots, so reserve ahead through the live booking page. A timed-entry option from $44 per guest, rated 4.7 across 371 reviews, covers about an hour inside.

Timed Entry
2Late Morning
Huge medieval hall with a long arcaded loggia and a ship-hull roof above a market square

Palazzo Della Ragione

The vast medieval hall hangs between Piazza delle Erbe and Piazza della Frutta, with the daily market spilling across both squares outside.

3Afternoon
Pale domed basilica with slender towers seen from a quiet square

Basilica Of Saint Anthony

Entry is free at this 1232 foundation, where pilgrims still gather at the tomb and the Chapel of the Relics.

4Evening
Wide elliptical square ringed by a canal and rows of stone statues at dusk

Prato della Valle

An oval canal rings the grass, edged by a double row of numbered statues of famous figures. The Venetian Senate declared the ground communal space in 1767, and Andrea Memmo led the works that reclaimed it.

Small group listening to a guide in a Padua piazza
Highlights Walk with Local Guide 4.9 from 41 reviews · from $67
Check availability

Things To Do In Padua: The Short List

Piazza delle Erbe, Palazzo della Ragione, the Scrovegni Chapel and the Basilica of Saint Anthony anchor a first visit, all within walking range.

All Padua attractions
Brick chapel in a green garden with a low arched doorway Chapel And Museums 15 Euros Scrovegni ChapelGiotto's fresco cycle, visited on a timed ticket. Domed basilica with slender towers against a pale sky Free Entry Basilica Of Saint AnthonyThe pilgrimage basilica with the tomb of the saint, free to enter. Long arcaded loggia of pale stone above a market square Full 8 Euros Palazzo Della RagioneThe medieval hall with the ship-hull roof above the market squares. Oval green with a canal and rows of stone statues Prato della ValleThe oval square ringed by a canal and statues. Walled botanical garden with gravel paths and clipped beds 15 Euros From September 2026 Orto BotanicoThe botanical garden founded in 1545, a UNESCO site since 1997. Courtyard of a historic university building with stone arcades Guided Route 10 Euros Palazzo Del BoThe university seat, visited on a guided route with Galileo's chair. Neoclassical cafe facade with columns and a broad stair Caffe PedrocchiThe neoclassical coffee house beside the university. Open market square under the long wall of a medieval hall Piazza Delle ErbeThe market square at the heart of the old centre.

Padua Neighbourhoods At A Glance

The historic centre holds the market squares under Palazzo della Ragione, the university and the lanes between them. The former Jewish Ghetto sits a short way north of Piazza delle Erbe. Portello, the old canal-gate quarter, reaches toward the river north of the centre, while the Santo quarter spreads around the Basilica of Saint Anthony down to Prato della Valle. The station district and Arcella lie north of the Scrovegni Chapel, handy for early trains.

Centro Storico · Ghetto Ebraico · Portello · Santo And Prato · Stazione And Arcella

2,693 traveller reviewsacross 44 checked tours
From $3cheapest paid tour today
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Padua Tours Worth Booking

Forty-four tours and tickets cover Padua, the Euganean Hills and the Brenta Riviera. Three questions narrow them to a shortlist.

1. What kind of experience are you after?
2. What do you want to spend per person?
3. How much time do you have?

Showing the top-rated picks to start. Answer any question below and the shortlist rebuilds.

  1. Brenta Boat Cruise to Venice 1 day from $164 ★ 4.5 (529 reviews) Check availability
  2. Guided Giotto Chapel Tour 1 - 1.5 hours from $44 ★ 4.7 (371 reviews) Check availability
  3. Chapel Ticket, Audio Guide 30 minutes from $35 ★ 3.8 (211 reviews) Check availability
  4. Private City Walk, Chapel Visit 2 hours from $186 ★ 4.6 (195 reviews) Check availability
  5. Baptistery and Diocese Museum 1 hour from $22 ★ 4.6 (170 reviews) Check availability
  6. Hop-On Hop-Off, 24 Hours 1 day from $17 ★ 3.4 (142 reviews) Check availability
  7. Private Walk, Scrovegni Chapel 2 hours from $165 ★ 4.7 (102 reviews) Check availability
  8. Audio and Written Guide Walk 3 to 4 hours from $7 ★ 4.7 (87 reviews) Check availability
  9. Private Walk, 1 to 6 Hours 1 - 6 hours from $48 ★ 4.2 (81 reviews) Check availability
  10. Small Group Walk, Chapel Included 1 - 2 hours from $67 ★ 4.5 (64 reviews) Check availability
  11. Evening Tour, Chapel Admission 2 hours from $66 ★ 4.5 (62 reviews) Check availability
  12. Golf Cart City Tour 1.5 hours from $59 ★ 4.7 (54 reviews) Check availability
  13. Local-Led Walk, 3 to 4 Hours 3 to 4 hours from $80 ★ 4.8 (47 reviews) Check availability
  14. Highlights Walk with Local Guide 2.5 hours from $67 ★ 4.9 (41 reviews) Check availability
  15. Food and Culture Tastings Walk 2 hours from $279 ★ 5 (34 reviews) Check availability
  16. Private Top Sights, 2-Hour Walk 2 hours from $139 ★ 4.9 (33 reviews) Check availability
  17. Food Tour, 10 Tasters, Wine 3 hours from $79 ★ 5 (32 reviews) Check availability
  18. Hands-On Cooking Class, 4 Hours 4 hours from $137 ★ 5 (29 reviews) Check availability
  19. One-Hour Private Local Walk 1 hour from $47 ★ 4.6 (27 reviews) Check availability
  20. Villa dei Vescovi Entry Ticket 1 hour from $15 ★ 4.8 (25 reviews) Check availability
  21. Private Home Cooking Demo 3 hours from $117 ★ 4.6 (24 reviews) Check availability
  22. Spritz Tour, 5 Drinks 2 hours from $223 ★ 5 (23 reviews) Check availability
  23. Hills Winery, 75-Minute Visit 75 minutes from $61 ★ 4.8 (23 reviews) Check availability
  24. Olive Oil and Wine Hills Trip 4 hours from $148 ★ 4.7 (20 reviews) Check availability
  25. Budget Historic Center Walk 2 hours from $39 ★ 4.7 (20 reviews) Check availability
  26. Prosecco Hills, 6 Hours 6 hours from $252 ★ 4.9 (19 reviews) Check availability
  27. Vescovi and Valsanzibio Trip 5 hours from $142 ★ 4.9 (18 reviews) Check availability
  28. City Walk, 2.5 Hours 2.5 hours from $206 ★ 4.8 (18 reviews) Check availability
  29. Hills Wine Trip, 5 Hours 5 hours from $182 ★ 5 (17 reviews) Check availability
  30. Premium Private Tour, Scrovegni 4 hours from $362 ★ 5 (17 reviews) Check availability
  31. Small Group Market and Cooking Class 5 hours from $170 ★ 4.3 (17 reviews) Check availability
  32. Olive Mill Tasting, 75 Minutes 75 minutes from $45 ★ 4.9 (16 reviews) Check availability
  33. Venetian Villas, Brenta Riviera 5 to 6 hours from $142 ★ 4.9 (15 reviews) Check availability
  34. St Anthony's Life, Camposampiero Option 2 hours from $145 ★ 4.7 (13 reviews) Check availability
  35. Verona and Garda, 9 Hours 9 hours from $206 ★ 4.9 (11 reviews) Check availability
  36. Guided Spritz Walk 1.5 hours from $119 ★ 4.9 (11 reviews) Check availability
  37. Spritz Walk, Italian Aperitif 1 hour 30 minutes from $108 ★ 4.8 (11 reviews) Check availability
  38. Home Cooking Demo, Meal Included 2 hours 30 minutes from $97 ★ 4.6 (11 reviews) Check availability
  39. Budget Scavenger Hunt, Landmarks 2 hours from $3 ★ 4.2 (10 reviews) Check availability
  40. Self-Guided Walk, Sights Hunt 2 hours from $6 ★ 4.1 (10 reviews) Check availability
  41. Private Personalized Sights Walk 2 hours 30 minutes from $142 ★ 4.6 (9 reviews) Check availability
  42. Wine Tasting City Walk 2 hours from $165 ★ 5 (8 reviews) Check availability
  43. Sato Code Escape Game 1 hour from $14 ★ 5 (8 reviews) Check availability
  44. Small Group Street Food Walk 3 hours from $101 ★ 3.9 (8 reviews) Check availability

Padua With Kids

The Scrovegni Chapel and Palazzo della Ragione hold attention on a short visit, while Prato della Valle gives children room to run around the statue-lined canal.

Wide green oval with a canal and statues, open space to walkPadua With KidsA family day plan for the old centre. Gravel paths and clipped beds in a walled botanical gardenOrto BotanicoThe garden founded in 1545. Statues and a canal around a wide grass ovalPrato Della ValleAn oval to walk around, with a canal and statues.
Open golf cart on a cobbled lane in an old townGolf Cart TourGolf Cart City Tour4.7 from 54 reviews · from $59Check availability

Padua In The Rain

Rain falls in every season here, and autumn weeks can turn damp for days at a time. The Scrovegni Chapel, the civic museums and the university halls absorb a wet afternoon.

Covered arcade of a pale stone building in soft grey lightPadua In The RainIndoor stops that work. Arched courtyard of a historic university buildingPalazzo Del BoThe guided university route, about 45 minutes. Brick chapel exterior under an overcast skyPadua MuseumsCivic museums and the chapel ticket.
Fresh pasta being rolled on a wooden table in a kitchenCooking ClassHands-On Cooking Class, 4 Hours5 from 29 reviews · from $137Check availability

Padua At Night

The market squares and the bars around Piazza delle Erbe keep the old centre lively after dark.

Outdoor cafe tables on an old arcaded street in the eveningPadua NightlifeBars, aperitivo and the late squares. Orange spritz glasses on a stone table, no labelsSpritz In PaduaThe aperitivo the city claims. Brick chapel lit softly at dusk in a gardenScrovegni Chapel After DarkThe evening ticket, chapel only.
Two glasses of orange spritz on a cafe table in an old squareSpritz WalkGuided Spritz Walk4.9 from 11 reviews · from $119Check availability

Padua In Winter

Showers can arrive any month here, so pack a layer and check the forecast. Rainy days suit the basilica, the Scrovegni Chapel's timed slots and the covered Sotto il Salone market.

Quiet arcaded street in cool winter lightPadua In WinterFog, lights and quiet streets. Wooden market stalls lit in the evening on a stone squarePadua Christmas MarketWhat to expect around the squares. Walled botanical garden in low winter lightOrto BotanicoThe winter ticket and the glasshouses.
Wine glasses and small plates on a stone tableFood TourFood Tour, 10 Tasters, Wine5 from 32 reviews · from $79Check availability
Oval green ringed by a canal and statues, no people in focus Open market square with a medieval hall wall behind

Free Things To Do In Padua

Prato della Valle costs nothing to wander, and neither do the Piazza delle Erbe stalls nor the Basilica of Saint Anthony. The covered Sotto il Salone market is free to browse as well. Timed tickets only really matter at the Scrovegni Chapel.

Prato della Valle Piazza Delle Erbe Basilica Of Saint Anthony All Free Things

What To Eat In Padua

Padua rewards a slow lunch: a spritz at a market-square bar, local specialities at a trattoria, and the daily stalls around Palazzo della Ragione.

What to eat in Padua
Plate of regional pasta on a plain table, no labels Eating And Drinking Here The dishes and the market foods of the city. Orange spritz in a glass on a stone table, no labels Spritz In Padua The aperitivo and where it was presented in 1919. Rows of vines on gentle hills with a village in the haze Colli Euganei Wine The wines of the hills south of the city.

Padua On The Map

Loading the map. Every place is also listed below.

Click the map to zoom with the scroll wheel. Numbers match the list.

  1. Palazzo della RagionePalazzo della Ragione and Piazza delle Erbe, where most first days start
  2. Piazza delle ErbeLandmark · 40 m from Palazzo della Ragione
  3. Piazza della FruttaLandmark · 50 m from Palazzo della Ragione
  4. Piazza dei SignoriLandmark · 150 m from Palazzo della Ragione
  5. Torre dell'OrologioLandmark · 200 m from Palazzo della Ragione
  6. Scrovegni ChapelLandmark · 610 m from Palazzo della Ragione
  7. Musei Civici EremitaniMuseum · 560 m from Palazzo della Ragione
  8. Chiesa degli EremitaniLandmark · 510 m from Palazzo della Ragione
  9. Basilica of Saint AnthonyLandmark · 780 m from Palazzo della Ragione
  10. Oratorio di San GiorgioLandmark · 800 m from Palazzo della Ragione
  11. Orto BotanicoPark or garden · 1.1 km from Palazzo della Ragione
  12. Prato della ValleLandmark · 990 m from Palazzo della Ragione
  13. Basilica di Santa GiustinaLandmark · 1.3 km from Palazzo della Ragione
  14. Palazzo del BoLandmark · 180 m from Palazzo della Ragione
  15. Caffè PedrocchiLandmark · 150 m from Palazzo della Ragione
  16. Padua CathedralLandmark · 320 m from Palazzo della Ragione
  17. Baptistery of PaduaLandmark · 270 m from Palazzo della Ragione
  18. Palazzo ZuckermannMuseum · 530 m from Palazzo della Ragione
  19. La SpecolaMuseum · 790 m from Palazzo della Ragione
  20. Castello CarrareseLandmark · 610 m from Palazzo della Ragione
  21. Loggia and Odeo CornaroLandmark · 750 m from Palazzo della Ragione
  22. Palazzo MoroniLandmark · 120 m from Palazzo della Ragione
  23. Palazzo ZabarellaMuseum · 350 m from Palazzo della Ragione
  24. MUSME Museum of MedicineMuseum · 460 m from Palazzo della Ragione
  25. Giardini dell'ArenaPark or garden · 650 m from Palazzo della Ragione
  26. Porta PortelloLandmark · 1.4 km from Palazzo della Ragione
  27. Porta SavonarolaLandmark · 990 m from Palazzo della Ragione
  28. Tomb of AntenorLandmark · 280 m from Palazzo della Ragione
  29. Centro StoricoNeighbourhood · 220 m from Palazzo della Ragione
  30. Jewish GhettoNeighbourhood · 180 m from Palazzo della Ragione
  31. PortelloNeighbourhood · 1.4 km from Palazzo della Ragione
  32. Santo QuarterNeighbourhood · 740 m from Palazzo della Ragione
  33. ArcellaNeighbourhood · 1.8 km from Palazzo della Ragione
  34. Santa CroceNeighbourhood · 1.3 km from Palazzo della Ragione
  35. Padova Railway StationTransport · 1.2 km from Palazzo della Ragione

Day Trips From Padua: Venice, The Euganean Hills, The Brenta Riviera

Day trips fan out in every direction: Venice across the lagoon, the Euganean Hills to the south, Bassano and Verona farther afield. Five guided day trips in the roster start from $142 per guest.

Canal lined with old brick buildings and a small bridgeBy Train

Venice

Venice lies about 40 km east across the lagoon. A full-day guided trip from Padua runs from $164 per guest.

4.5 from 529 reviews · from $164Check availability
Quiet canal with a pale villa facade among treesVillas

Brenta Riviera

The Brenta Riviera follows the canal toward Venice, past Venetian villas such as Villa Pisani at Stra.

4.9 from 15 reviews · from $142Check availability
Rolling green hills with vines and a hilltop villageHills And Wine

Euganean Hills

The Euganean Hills rise south of the city, near Abano Terme and Arqua Petrarca, wine country within easy reach.

4-hour tour · 4.7 from 20 reviews · from $148Check availability
Stone bridge over a green river with brick towers behindFull Day

Verona

Verona sits to the west, an easy train ride for a day away from Padua.

9-hour tour · 4.9 from 11 reviews · from $206Check availability
Pale stone palace with a classical arcade on a city squarePalladio

Vicenza

Vicenza lies west of Padua, close enough for a half-day of Palladio.

16 to 25 minutes by trainRead the day trip

All day trips

Padua Right Now: Weather And Golden Hour

At the last check, on 13 October, the forecast for Padua was 13°C and clear. Sunset was at 18:30, so golden hour on Piazza delle Erbe began at about 17:30.

Forecast, Padua centre
13°C
clear, cloud 12%
Sunrise and sunset
07:25 / 18:30
13 October, local time
Golden hour
from 17:30
about an hour before sunset

Weather data from MET Norway (Locationforecast 2.0 and Sunrise 3.0, Norwegian Meteorological Institute), under NLOD 2.0 / CC BY 4.0. A forecast-model value for the grid point at Palazzo della Ragione, not a thermometer reading.

When To Visit Padua, Month By Month

Pick a month below. The temperature and rainfall figures are climate-model averages for the Padua grid point, so treat them as a rough guide rather than a forecast for your dates.

Padua has no dry month: January, the driest, still averages 53.6 mm. November is the wettest at 114 mm, with September (105.5 mm) and October (105.4 mm) close behind, so the wettest month gets about 2.1 times the driest. These are modelled grid-cell averages for 1991-2020, not a station record.

Jan: 3.1℃Feb: 4.6℃Mar: 8.6℃Apr: 12.8℃May: 17.4℃Jun: 21.6℃Jul: 24.1℃Aug: 24.1℃Sep: 19.2℃Oct: 14.2℃Nov: 8.8℃Dec: 3.9℃ 065130 -5°13°30° JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec Rain mm Temp ℃
  • Monthly rainfall (mm)
  • Mean temperature (°C)
Copernicus ERA5 reanalysis for the Padua grid cell, 1991-2020 averages (a model reconstruction, not a station record): July is warmest at 24.1°C average, January coldest at 3.1°C, November wettest at 114.04 mm and January driest at 53.59 mm, 979.4 mm across the year.
MonthMean tempMean highMean lowRainfall
January3.1°C7.3°C-0.2°C53.59 mm
February4.6°C9.4°C0.6°C57.89 mm
March8.6°C13.7°C3.9°C67.17 mm
April12.8°C17.6°C7.9°C84.38 mm
May17.4°C22.1°C12.4°C99.74 mm
June21.6°C26.2°C16.6°C81 mm
July24.1°C28.8°C18.9°C62.11 mm
August24.1°C28.8°C19.2°C78.67 mm
September19.2°C23.7°C14.9°C105.52 mm
October14.2°C18.4°C10.6°C105.41 mm
November8.8°C12.6°C5.5°C114.04 mm
December3.9°C7.8°C0.7°C69.89 mm

Data: Copernicus ERA5 reanalysis, 1991-2020 (retrieved through Open-Meteo.com (CC BY 4.0); contains modified Copernicus Climate Change Service information).

Where To Stay In Padua

Pick your base before anything else: the market-square core near Palazzo della Ragione, the Saint Anthony quarter by the basilica, or the practical streets around the station.

Full where-to-stay guide
Narrow arcaded lane in the old centre with pale stone and shuttered windows

Historic Centre

Best For Walking Everywhere

The centre around Piazza delle Erbe puts Palazzo della Ragione and the university within easy walking distance.

Centro Storico Area Guide
Wide oval square with a canal and statues in front of a pale basilica

Prato Della Valle And Saint Anthony

Best For The Basilica

South of the core, beside the oval of Prato della Valle and the basilica.

Santo And Prato Area Guide
Wide city avenue with trees and low buildings near a railway station

Station District

Best For Trains

The station district suits arrivals by rail, with Venice about 30 to 40 minutes away by train.

Stazione And Arcella Area Guide

Getting To Padua From Venice Airport And The Station

Padua sits on the main Milan to Venice rail line, so most visits begin at the station. Regional trains from Vicenza, Verona and Bologna run often, and high-speed services stop here too. From Venice Marco Polo airport, the usual route is a bus or taxi to Mestre, then a direct train. In the centre, the historic core is compact: Piazza delle Erbe, Palazzo della Ragione and the Scrovegni Chapel are all walkable, with buses and a tram for Prato della Valle and the basilica. Chapel tickets are timed, so book ahead in busy months.

Venice airport to Padua · Padua train station · How to get to Padua · Venice to Padua

What Is Padua Famous For?

1

Giotto's Frescoes

Giotto's Scrovegni Chapel cycle dates to the early 1300s, and entry runs on timed slots booked in advance.

2

Padua's UNESCO Sites

Two UNESCO inscriptions sit inside the city walls: the 1997 Orto Botanico and, from 2021, the fresco cycles spread across eight old-centre complexes.

3

Saint Anthony

Saint Anthony died in 1231, and pilgrims still gather at his tomb in the basilica that carries his name, one of the eight fresco-cycle sites.

4

The Basilica

The university dates from 1222, making it one of the oldest in the world, and Galileo spent years teaching here.

5

The Oldest Garden

Founded in 1545, the Orto Botanico grew for the university's medicine students and is recognised as the world's first university botanical garden.

6

Prato della Valle

A canal rings this vast oval, lined with a double row of numbered statues. The Venetian Senate set it aside as a communal space in 1767.

Where Is Padua In Italy?

Padua, Italian Padova, is an inland city in the Veneto region of northern Italy, about 36 km in a straight line west of Venice, on the Venice to Milan railway line.

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Are Padua And Padova The Same Place?

Padua and Padova are two names for one inland city in the Veneto, about 36 km in a straight line from Venice. Padua is English, Padova is Italian, and both point to the same streets, the same Scrovegni Chapel and the same train station.

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Which City Is Better To Visit, Verona Or Padua?

Verona and Padua sit about 69 km apart in the Veneto and the honest answer depends on what you came for: Giotto's timed-entry frescoes and a university city, or Verona's own sights reached by a 43 to 60 minute train ride.

Read the full answer

How Far Is Padua From Venice?

Padua (Padova) is an inland city in the Veneto, northern Italy, about 36 km in a straight line from Venice. Trains between the two take about 26 to 40 minutes, which makes Venice one of the easiest day trips in the region.

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How Many Days Do You Need In Padua?

Two days cover Padua's core sights at a realistic pace; three or four let you add the university buildings and the Euganean Hills. Here is a day-by-day breakdown.

Read the full answer

Is Padova A Safe City To Visit?

Padua, the inland Veneto city about 36 km in a straight line from Venice, is generally described as a safe destination, with petty theft rather than violent crime the issue a travel source flags. Here is what the sources actually say, without invented statistics.

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Is Padua Walkable?

Padua is an inland city in the Veneto whose main sights cluster around a compact medieval centre, and the map data says every city landmark sits within 3 km of that centre. Here is what that means for a visitor on foot.

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Is Padua Worth Visiting?

Padua, an inland city in the Veneto about 36 km from Venice, packs two UNESCO listings, Giotto frescoes and one of Europe's great university towns into a walkable centre.

Read the full answer

Padua Trip Planning Guides

All guides and answers
How To Get To Padua Saint Anthony Of Padua Best Time To Visit Padua Sleeping Well In Padua Getting Around Padua Scrovegni Chapel Tickets
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