Top 5 of Padua, Italy

Prato della Valle, Padua, Veneto, Italy | Laugh Travel Eat
  1. How not to annoy or get annoyed by others on holiday
  2. Burano, Murano and Torcello – review of Viator tour
  3. A photo diary of Venice
  4. Perfect little lunch spots in Venice
  5. Sight-seeing in Venice – Secret Itinerary, Museum Pass and Chorus Scheme
  6. Searching for Romeo and Juliet
  7. Verona card review and top picks
  8. Best Gelato and Ravioli in Verona (or the World…)
  9. The Ultimate Hiking Guide to Porto Venere
  10. Vulcano – Part 1 of the 3 Boat Trips You Must Take in the Aeolian Islands
  11. Lipari – Salina: Part 2 of the 3 Boat Trips You Must Take in the Aeolian Islands
  12. Panarea – Stromboli – Part 3 of the 3 Boat Trips you Must take in the Aeolian Islands
  13. A Night hike up Stromboli
  14. The Ultimate Guide to the Aeolian Islands
  15. A Short Guide to Taormina
  16. Top 5 things to do in Palermo Sicily
  17. Top 5 things to do in Catania Sicily
  18. Mount Etna tours review – a geo adventure
  19. Club di Giulietta – The secret life of a Secretary of Juliet
  20. A budget foodie’s guide to Verona
  21. The Ultimate guide to Verona Opera Festival – tips and expectations
  22. Top 5 of Padua, Italy
  23. Mantua – a hidden town of palaces
  24. The Ultimate Guide to 48 hours in Milan
  25. Things to do in Sirmione – an escape to Lake Garda
  26. The Ultimate Guide to Cinque Terre
  27. Secret Spots in Verona – off the beaten path
  28. Day trips from Venice: 7+ quick escapes for you
  29. Lago di Soprais – how to do the Lake Soprais hike in the Italian Dolomites
  30. Cortina d’Ampezzo Summer guide for hikers
  31. Lagazuoi hike: seeing WWI tunnel warfare in the Dolomites
  32. 6 day Dolomite itinerary for the photo + hike enthusiast
  33. Tre Cime di Lavaredo: how to hike the classic three peaks in Dolomite Italy
  34. Bologna food guide: best restaurants, gelateria, and what to eat
  35. What to do in Bologna aside from eating
  36. What to see in Treviso Italy
  37. What to do on a San Marino Day Trip
  38. Day Trips from Bologna: amazing cities in Italy you don’t want to miss
  39. Northern Italy Itinerary: 5 different 10-14 days itineraries

Padua, Padova. A university city that’s situated between the more famous Venice and Verona, it is skipped by most tourists as they either head east or west on the train, dismissing it as nothing more than one of the stops along the way. However, Padua, like many other Italian cities and towns is full of charm and histories waiting to be discovered.

A short history of Padua

streets-of-padua-2

Although called Padua in English, the Italian spelling of the city is called Padova. Whether you know it or not, Padua might actually be one of the oldest cities in northern Italy. Like Verona and nearby towns, it was assimilated by the Roman expansion in the 1st century AD. In the Middle Ages, the town began to flourish again and in 1222, the second university in Italy was founded in Padua. It was then under Venetian rule from 1405, then Austrian rule before finally united under Italy in 1866.

You can get a map of Padua here with my entire day’s itinerary

Padua to Verona

The train line from Venice to Milan runs through Padua and Verona, making transport between the city very easy. There is 2-3 trains per hour and tickets can be purchased at the station. Do remember to check whether it is a fast or slow train and validate your ticket before getting on. The journey should take between 45 minutes to an hour.

For the train timetable, check their website.

Top sights in Padua:

Padua Botanical Garden

Padua Botanical Garden, Padua, Veneto, Italy | Laugh Travel Eat
The well laid out garden

The oldest academic botanical garden in the world, the Padua Botanical Garden was founded in 1545 by the Venetian Republic. Hidden behind brick walls, the Botanical Garden can be visited through its modern café. Spanning over 22,000 square meters, the oldest part of the garden is situated within a circular wall, surrounded by small woods. From potted plants to flower beds, each plant is labeled clearly with little signs. Notably, Goethe’s palm tree that was planted in 185, the Carnivorous plants and the poisonous plants.

Cute little potted plants, Padua Botanical Garden, Padua, Veneto, Italy | Laugh Travel Eat
Cute little potted plants

Separated by a small river is the garden of diversity and the modern greenhouse where plants of different climate are kept with a surprisingly informative and well thought through exhibition. I ended up spending a good hour there, browsing through the information on the co-evolution of human and floral. There are three triangular pools outside the greenhouse with lily pads – luring me to take some photos.

the gorgeous lily pads in the ppol outside the greenhouse of Padua Botanical Garden, Padua, Veneto, Italy | Laugh Travel Eat
the gorgeous lily pads in the pool outside the greenhouse

Address: Via Orto Botanico, 15, 35123 Padova PD, Italy
Opening times: Daily 9:00 – 19:00
Admission fee: 10 euros, 65+ 8 euros, students children’s and Padua card 5 euros, under 5 free

Prato della Valle

Prato della Valle, Padua, Veneto, Italy | Laugh Travel Eat
The unusual combination of statues, park and moat

A wonderfully large square surrounded by a moat, Prato della Valle is the largest square in Italy. Truly a sight to behold, it is a mix of green space and gorgeous stone craved structure with 78 statues glazing pensively along the moat. The island in the middle is known as Isola Memmia, it is bisected by four stone paves that each leads to a bridge that spanned across the small moat with a fountain in the middle.

Prato della Valle, Padua, Veneto, Italy | Laugh Travel Eat

The area had been around since the 17th century, but it reached its present form in the late 18th century by Andrea Memmo, who had spearheaded the reconstruction project in 1775. Though his action was probably because he had a statue of himself in the square. However, it was never completed as there were meant to be 88 statues.

Address: Via Prato della Valle, 35121 Padova PD, Italy

Scrovegni Chapel

A UNESCO world heritage site, the Scrovegni Chapel was built in 1305 and the top attraction in Padua. Also called the Arena Chapel, it is most famous for the fresco cycle by Giotto di Bondone, a prominent Renaissance Italian painter from Florence, commissioned by a Paduan banker. The church itself is dedicated to Santa Maria della carita at the Feast of the Annunciation.

システィーナ礼拝堂 Scrovegni Chapel
Since I cannot take photos inside, here’s one I found on Flickr, Creative Commons


The fresco of starry night filled the smaller-than-expected chapel with scenes according to Friar Alberto da Padova, an Augustinian theology as well as various other sources. I was most impressed by the faux marble paint technique that is used as borders around the religion scenes – realistic yet intricate. No photos are allowed during your visit inside and you can only enter during the allocated time slot. There is a 10-minute video presentation prior to the visit as well in Italian, German and English, giving you some background details.

Address: Piazza Eremitani, 8, 35121 Padova PD, Italy
Opening times: daily 9:00 – 19:00
Admission fee: 1 euro with Padua card (not actually free), needs to book in advance. Otherwise 13 euros full price, 8 and 6 for reduced.
 

Palazzo della Ragione

The old and dated exterior of Palazzo della Ragione, Padua, Veneto, Italy | Laugh Travel Eat
The old and dated exterior of Palazzo della Ragione

Though I was less than impressed by the uniform, brick red façade with arched balcony of the Palazzo, I was more than impressed with the gorgeous fresco adorning the balcony ceiling. It used to be the town hall of Padua, it was built in 1219 and had been renovated three times since. The ground floor is now home to restaurants and shops, and you can visit the Great Hall through the staircase by the side of the building.

A cheeky self timer selfie in the deserted balcony of Palazzo della Ragione, Padua, Veneto, Italy | Laugh Travel Eat
A cheeky self timer selfie in the deserted balcony

In shades of faded orange, giving it a warm glow combined with the creamy marble balcony and floor. I got carried away and took a million self-timer photos. The Great Hall, which originally used to be three separate rooms is filled with fresco of a similar colour scheme, as well as a massive horse statue. The palazzo is less well preserved than the other sights, but it has a certain charm about it that I love.

Interior of the Great Hall of Palazzo della Ragione, Padua, Veneto, Italy | Laugh Travel Eat
Interior of the Great Hall

Address: Piazza delle Erbe, 35100 Padova PD, Italy
Opening times: Closed Monday, 9:00 – 18:30
Admission fee: free with Padua card, 4 euros full price, 2 euros reduced
 

San Antonio Basilica

Saint Antonio Bascillica, Padua, Veneto, Italy | Laugh Travel Eat

A church built of red, earthen coloured brick, the San Antonio Basilica is a Roman Catholic Church built in the late 13th and early 14th century. The most interesting thing about it is its mix of styles, having been added to and modified over the 14th and 15th century as well. It resembles a Byzantine Church with its dome, but has a Romanesque central section. The church is much larger than it looks, with a courtyard and garden nestled inside its depth as well. You are not allowed to take any photos inside the interior of the church, but the courtyard is gorgeous as well:

Courtyard of Saint Antonio Bascilica, Padua, Veneto, Italy | Laugh Travel Eat
Courtyard of the Bascilica

P.S. if your attire is above the knee – you will need to go to the adjacent small church to borrow a piece of cloth to wrap around yourself for modesty purposes.

Address: Piazza del Santo, 11, 35123 Padova, Italy
Opening times: 6:20 – 19:45
Free admission

Padua Card

Similar in concept to the Verona Card, Padua card exists to combine a number of discounts and free entry over a designated period of time. I purchased the 48 hours for 16 euros.

However, I belated realized that it doesn’t include some top attractions such as the Scrovegni Chapel and Botanical Garden save for a discount. If you are only going there for the day and is privy to student discount – then it’s not worth getting this.

However, if you are planning on staying longer, then the card would definitely come in useful! You can see the full list of perks here.

Where to stay in Padua

In case you are staying longer, here are some hotel suggestions:

Budget: Hotel S.Antonio is a great budget choice with friendly staff, you can also look at Hotel Igea.

Mid-range: Hotel Grand’Italia is a gorgeous hotel on the edge of the city center and near the train station. For someone in the city center, Albergo Verdi has a cute little courtyard.

Splurge: If you like modern hotels, check out Le Camp Suite & Spa. For fans of boutique hotels, Majestic Toscanelli is a grand place to stay.

You can get my full day’s itinerary here!

"<br

You can get a map of Padua here with my entire day’s itinerary

Top 5 of Padua, Veneto, Italy | Laugh Trave Eat
Pin me!

3 thoughts on “Top 5 of Padua, Italy

  1. Pingback: The Ultimate Guide to 48 hours in Milan, Italy

  2. Courtney says:

    I really enjoyed reading your comments on your top 5 in Padua!! I just booked a spontaneous trip to Venice (flight price I couldn’t pass up), and have already been to all the major cities such as Venice, Florence, Rome, Milan, and Turin. Padua was recommended to me, and seems like it’s a great recommendation. I’ll certainly be checking back here to make sure I include these places in my plan!

    • Nam Cheah says:

      Hi Courtney – I’m glad this is helpful!
      I really enjoyed my day trip to Padua – there’s plenty of beautiful towns near Venice to visit. If you are looking for more recommendations, I’d suggest Verona and Mantua as well.

Leave a Reply to Nam Cheah Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Ad Blocker Detected!

Advertisements fund this website. Please disable your adblocking software or whitelist our website.
Thank You!
Want an off-line guide for Cinque Terre?
Including exclusive photo spots and tips Plus more travel tips in my FREE resource library
Your Information will never be shared with any third party.
Download THE travel planning spreadsheet
Get THE travel planning spreadsheet I use to plan your trip and track your finance!
Your Information will never be shared with any third party.
Get a free travel plan & finance spreadsheet!
And get access to my exclusive resource library with map itineraries, travel checklist and more
Your Information will never be shared with any third party.
Download a one-page price list for reference on your trip to Chiang Mai!
Have it handy so you know what price you should pay when you haggle!
Your Information will never be shared with any third party.
Download your FREE map for Ljubljana
Get a copy of the map for your trip to the Slovenia captial! You can probably do everything in 1 day
Your Information will never be shared with any third party.
Download your FREE map for the Lake Bohinj region
Lake Bohinj region is big - so get a map of my favourite spots to make the most of your trip!
Your Information will never be shared with any third party.
Download your FREE map for Lake Bled
Get a free map of best viewpoints, sights and restaurants in Bled for your trip!
Your Information will never be shared with any third party.
Download your FREE map for Milan
Get your map of what to see in Milan in 48 hours - including tips and tricks
Your Information will never be shared with any third party.
Download your FREE map for Taormina
Know where the best spots in Taormina is with this Google My Map
Your Information will never be shared with any third party.
Download your FREE map for the Lake Bohinj region
Get this comprehensive map with transport stops and routes clearly marked for your trip to Bohinj!
Your Information will never be shared with any third party.
Download your FREE map for your trip to the Peak!
Get this comprehensive map with transport stops and routes clearly marked for your trip to The Peak
Your Information will never be shared with any third party.
Download your FREE map for Prague!
Get this all-in-one map for the best viewpoints, top 5 and restaurants pick in Prague!
Your Information will never be shared with any third party.
Get free destination maps for your travels
Join my exclusive resource library with map itineraries, travel checklist and more. Currently most popular: Milan, Lake Bled and Hong Kong maps
Your Information will never be shared with any third party.
Download the free 1 day Itinerary for Hong Kong!
Make it easy to find all the spots and follow with the infographic
Your Information will never be shared with any third party.
Download your map for Eze and Monaco
the all-in-one day trip map with bus stops, sights and viewpoints labeled for you
Your Information will never be shared with any third party.
Download your 3 day map itinerary for Danang
Enjoy a 3 day trip that you don't need to plan!
Your Information will never be shared with any third party.
Do you want to know all my blogging secret?
Sign up to hear first about my Ultimate blogging beginners course
Your Information will never be shared with any third party.
Download your FREE map for Hoi AN!
Get this all-in-one map for the Hoi An old town and best restaurants
Your Information will never be shared with any third party.
Download your FREE map for Hue!
See Hue in 2-3 days with this guide!
Your Information will never be shared with any third party.
Download your FREE map for Phong Nha!
Where the caves are, what there's to do and where to eat in Phong Nha!
Your Information will never be shared with any third party.
Download your map for Padua!
It include my entire day's itinerary, not just the top 5!
Your Information will never be shared with any third party.
Download your map for Sirmione
This might be a small town, but knowing where to go will still help your day!
Your Information will never be shared with any third party.
Download your map for Sirmione
This might be a small town, but knowing where to go will still help your day!
Your Information will never be shared with any third party.
Download your map for Verona!
My all in one guide to Veona including secret spots, restaurants and top sights!
Your Information will never be shared with any third party.
Download your map for Chiang Mai
Get the exact map hat I prepped for the trip with restaurants, sights and spa locations marked on!
Your Information will never be shared with any third party.
Download your map for Nara!
Get the itinerary for food, temples and deer spotting in Nara!
Your Information will never be shared with any third party.
Download your map for Macau!
Get my 48 hours itinerary for Macau
Your Information will never be shared with any third party.
Download your map for Macau!
From how to get there to what to eat after in Yuen Long
Your Information will never be shared with any third party.
Download your map for Central & Admiralty
get your half day itinerary to the heart of Hong Kong!
Your Information will never be shared with any third party.
Download your Shui Long Wo Hiking Map
It isn't hard - but better safe than sorry ;)
Your Information will never be shared with any third party.
Get all 9 spots with 1 map!
For the hiking views, you'll need to read their respective articles for transport options!
Your Information will never be shared with any third party.
Let's hike West High Hill!
Let's get you from the Peak to some stunning vista!
Your Information will never be shared with any third party.
Get a map of my favourite restaurants in Hong Kong
This map would be updated as I add more!
Your Information will never be shared with any third party.
Get my Angkor + Siem Reap Itinerary
Restaurants, markets and more
Your Information will never be shared with any third party.
Get my 7 days Tokyo Itinerary!
Including all the spots in the post and more!
Your Information will never be shared with any third party.
Get your FREE Nusa Penida Map
Including all the spots in the post and more!
Your Information will never be shared with any third party.
Get my Singapore map!
Including all the spots in the post!
Your Information will never be shared with any third party.