Padua surprised me more than almost any city in Italy. I came expecting a quick day trip from Venice. I left wishing I had booked two more nights.
It has one of the oldest universities in the world, frescoes that changed the course of Western art, and one of the best aperitivo scenes in northern Italy. And because most people are busy day-tripping to Venice, you mostly have it to yourself.
If you're building a northern Italy itinerary, Padua pairs perfectly with Verona and Venice - it's between both cities and easy to add on without backtracking.
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How Many Days in Padua?
Two days is the sweet spot. One full day covers the main sights. A second day lets you slow down, explore the university quarter, and actually enjoy the evening aperitivo scene - which you absolutely should not skip.
Things to Do in Padua
Browse all Padua tours and experiences on GetYourGuide.
1. Scrovegni Chapel
The single best reason to come to Padua. Giotto's 14th-century frescoes inside this small chapel are considered some of the most important works in Western art history - they essentially launched figurative painting as we know it.
Timed entry is limited and books out weeks in advance, especially in summer. Book the moment you know your dates. You only get 15 minutes inside, but those 15 minutes are completely worth it.
2. Basilica di Sant'Antonio
One of the most visited pilgrimage sites in Italy and genuinely impressive even if you're not there for religious reasons. The mosaics, the relics, and the sheer scale of the place are hard to forget.
I'd recommend doing it with a guided tour to understand what you're looking at. Book a guided tour here.
3. Aperitivo at Piazza delle Erbe or Piazza dei Frutti
This is not optional. Padua invented the Spritz - and drinking one in the piazza at golden hour, surrounded by locals who have been doing this for centuries, is one of those Italy moments you'll think about for a long time.
Pull up a chair at any of the bars ringing the squares around 6pm and order a Spritz with cicchetti. Bar Nazionale and Caffè Margherita are both solid choices right on the piazza.
4. Sunset at Prato della Valle
One of the largest squares in Europe and genuinely beautiful at sunset. The canal encircles a central island lined with statues, and the light in the late afternoon is outstanding.
Walk here after aperitivo, grab a gelato from one of the stalls nearby, and watch the city slow down. It's one of my favorite free experiences in all of northern Italy.
5. University of Padua - Palazzo Bo
Founded in 1222, making it one of the oldest universities in the world. The anatomy theater inside, built in 1594, is extraordinary - a steep oval of tiered wooden galleries where dissections were once performed in secret.
Book your tickets on TripAdvisor.
6. Palazzo della Ragione
The medieval town hall with one of the largest undivided medieval halls in the world on its upper floor. The painted interior is stunning - astrological cycles, scenes of everyday life, saints - and the ground floor market still runs every morning.
7. Morning Coffee at Caffè Pedrocchi
One of the most famous historic cafes in Italy. The building is gorgeous - neoclassical, green and white - and the coffee is excellent. Order a caffè Pedrocchi, a cold espresso with mint liqueur that they invented here. There is genuinely nowhere else you can get it.
Come first thing in the morning when it's quiet. The whole experience feels like stepping into 19th-century Italy.
8. Padua Botanical Garden
The oldest university botanical garden in the world, founded in 1545. It's a UNESCO World Heritage Site and still actively used by the university today.
It's more interesting than it sounds - the layout is geometric and beautiful, and the collection of rare plants is remarkable. A good hour to 90-minute stop. Book tickets here.
9. Basilica of Santa Giustina
Just steps from Prato della Valle and completely overshadowed by Sant'Antonio, which means you'll often have it almost to yourself. The interior holds Veronese's Martyrdom of Santa Giustina and the shrine of Saint Luke.
10. Jewish Museum of Padua
Padua has one of the oldest Jewish communities in Italy, with records going back to the 14th century. The museum and the historic synagogue in the ghetto district tell that story well.
A thoughtful and often overlooked stop. See on TripAdvisor.
🌍 Map of Padua Italy
👫🏽 Best Guided Tours in Padua
Exploring Padua and Italy with a local guide who knows the ins and outs is a game-changer. You'll dive deep into the best spots, snag some awesome extras, and do things you probably couldn't on your own. Take a peek at our top picks for guided tours in Padua - we're pretty sure you're going to adore them!
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Where to Eat in Padua
- Breakfast: Start your morning at Caffè Pedrocchi for the mint espresso experience, or grab a pastry at any of the small bars near Piazza delle Erbe.
- Lunch: Head to the market at Palazzo della Ragione and eat standing at the stalls - local cheeses, cured meats, and bread. Cheap, delicious, and completely authentic.
- Dinner at Osteria dei Fabbri: This is the spot. Long wooden tables, house wine, bigoli in salsa, and braised meats. It's exactly what you want from an Paduan dinner - loud, warm, no-frills, and completely delicious. Arrive early or be ready to wait.
- Dinner at Trattoria San Pietro: A quieter alternative with excellent seafood and Venetian-influenced dishes. The salt cod and the grilled fish are both outstanding.
- Late drinks: Come back to Piazza delle Erbe after dinner. The bars stay lively until late and the vibe is entirely local, especially during university term.
Where to Stay in Padua
I'd recommend staying in the historic center - you can walk to everything, and the evening atmosphere in the piazzas is most enjoyable when you're a five-minute walk from your bed. Avoid the train station area; it's convenient but characterless.
- Hotel Majestic Toscanelli - A four-star boutique hotel in a 16th-century palazzo, steps from Piazza delle Erbe. The rooms are beautiful, the breakfast is excellent, and the location cannot be beaten. 👉 Book here
- Hotel Methis - A sleek design hotel close to Prato della Valle. Clean lines, excellent beds, and a rooftop terrace. A great mid-range pick if you want something modern.👉 Book here
- Maritan Hotel & Spa - A four-star hotel with a full spa, indoor pool, and sauna. If you want to combine Padua sightseeing with a bit of a wellness break, this is the one.👉 Book here
- B&B Hotel Padova - The best budget option in the city. Clean, central, and better value than anything comparable in Venice. Perfect if you're keeping costs down.👉 Book here
Padua Itinerary
Day 1
Start with the Scrovegni Chapel first thing (pre-booked). Then walk to Palazzo Bo for the anatomy theater tour. Lunch at the market stalls inside Palazzo della Ragione.
Spend the afternoon at the Basilica di Sant'Antonio and Santa Giustina. Head to Piazza delle Erbe for aperitivo at 6pm. Dinner at Osteria dei Fabbri.
Day 2
Morning coffee at Caffè Pedrocchi. Visit the Jewish Museum and explore the ghetto quarter. Walk over to the Botanical Garden for a late morning visit.
Lunch near Prato della Valle, then an afternoon at leisure - wander the university quarter, browse the antique market if it's running, or take a short trip to the Euganean Hills for thermal springs. Sunset back at Prato della Valle with a gelato.
🚙 Day Trip Ideas From Padua
Padua's your spot. Want day trips? You've got options. Nature? Check. Historic towns? Plenty. Here's a list. Get ready for memories.
Venice: Venice is all about charming canals and stunning buildings. Plus, it's got a vibe that's all its own, thanks to its rich history. And getting there? Just a quick train ride. Honestly, the views and cultural vibes are unbeatable.
Verona: So, Verona's the spot with that epic Roman amphitheater. Yep, the same city where Romeo and Juliet's story unfolds. It's a perfect mix of old-world charm and rich history.
Sirmione on Lake Garda: Sirmione's hanging out on this narrow strip of land poking into Lake Garda. It's the go-to spot for some thermal spa action and that Scaligero Castle everyone talks about. Plus, the lake views are something else, and the old town? Super charming.
Este: Este's rocking these ancient walls and has a story that goes way back to Roman days. It's nestled right at the base of the Euganean Hills, making it a pretty cool spot.
Arqua Petrarca: And then there's Arqua Petrarca, tucked into the Euganean Hills. It's where the famous poet Petrarch used to kick back. The place is like stepping back into medieval times, but it's peaceful and perfectly preserved.
Montagnana: Walk through time in Montagnana. Its medieval walls stand untouched. History breathes here.
Cittadella: Cittadella boasts a rare sight: walkable, circular walls. Views spill over the town, sweeping the countryside.
Abano Terme and Montegrotto Terme: Chase relaxation in these towns. Famous for thermal baths and spas, they nestle against the Euganean Hills.
The Euganean Hills: Picture-perfect towns scatter here. Hike, cycle, or sip wine. The hills offer it all.
Hidden Gems in Padua
The Baptistery of the Cathedral - Entirely covered in 14th-century frescoes by Giusto de'Menabuoi, and visited by almost nobody compared to the Scrovegni Chapel. Spectacular and completely peaceful.
Palazzo Zuckermann - A decorative arts museum housed in an elegant early 20th-century palazzo near the Eremitani. Often empty, beautifully curated, and free with certain museum passes. See on TripAdvisor.
The Ghetto at Night - The narrow lanes of the old Jewish quarter are completely quiet after 9pm. The architecture is medieval and almost untouched. Worth a slow walk after dinner.
Practical Tips for Padua
Book Scrovegni Chapel in advance. Not a suggestion - entry is strictly timed and limited. If you show up without a reservation, you will be turned away.
The aperitivo scene starts at 6pm sharp. Show up by 6 to get a table in the piazza. By 6:30, it's standing room only on weekends.
Padua is very walkable. The historic center is compact and the main sights are all within 20 minutes on foot. You don't need a car or taxis for day-to-day exploring.
Day trip to Venice from here instead of staying there. Venice hotel prices can be brutal. Padua is 25 minutes away by train and a fraction of the cost.
❓FAQs
Here are some answers to the questions we get asked a lot about Padua, Italy:
Yes! Padua's worth your time. It's packed with history, art, and culture. Got the Basilica di Sant'Antonio and one of the world's oldest universities. It's your gateway to Veneto, with a straight shot to Venice, Verona, and the Dolomites.
You've got Tagliatelle al Ragù, with those ribbons of pasta drowning in a slow-cooked meat sauce. Got a sweet tooth? Zuppa Inglese will hit the spot - think sponge cake, booze, coffee, and cream in a glorious mess.
Two days is ideal. One day works as a day trip but you'll miss the evening atmosphere, which is one of the best things about the city.
Yes - but I'd actually flip it and stay in Padua and day trip to Venice. You'll save money and have a more authentic northern Italy experience.
The Scrovegni Chapel (Giotto's frescoes), one of the world's oldest universities, the Basilica di Sant'Antonio, and, locally, for inventing the Aperol Spritz.
Direct trains from Venice (25 minutes), Verona (50 minutes), Milan (2 hours), and Bologna (1 hour). The train station is walkable to the center.
🇮🇹 Explore More of Italy!
Padua's just the beginning. Italy's packed with more gems. Dive in, explore. 'Buon Viaggio'!
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