Padova – Simply Irresistible

Padova is sadly neglected by the millions and millions of tourists who visit the Veneto each year. Most of them rush off to Venice, Verona, or Lake Garda with hardly a thought for the wonderful towns and villages that they are missing out on. Places like Asolo, Marostica and, top of that list, Padova.

Enough talking let's head off to explore Padova...

Getting About

Bicycles and the great public transport system consisting of buses and trams are the best ways to explore the town. Walking too is a pleasure here, but watch out for those bicycles; they tend to silently sneak up on you as you cross the roads.

The Scrovegni Chapel - Padova's Number 1 Attraction

Watch the video below to get an idea of the awesome beauty of this chapel painted by Giotto. It will give you an idea, but nothing can prepare you for actually being there—the beauty is overwhelming. It brought me to tears. Visit for yourself, and you will instantly understand why this is one of the most beautiful works of art on earth.

At the Market

Padova has an absolutely wonderful food market, one of the loveliest in all of Italy. Join us on a walk through it...

Botanical Gardens

You simply cannot miss Padova's Botanical Gardens—they're among the oldest in the entire world, dating all the way back to the 16th century. Yes, the 1500s! Now, they've added this incredible modern greenhouse that's absolutely worth your time, with fascinating sections dedicated to plants from every continent on Earth.

But between you and me? I keep drifting back to the old greenhouse. It's practically abandoned now, a little forgotten, a little wild—and that's exactly why I love it. It feels so authentic, so full of soul and character that you just can't fake. That's the real magic of Padova.

Prato delle Valle

You could easily spend a few hours here and feel like you've discovered the very soul of Padova.

So what is it exactly? Well, it's a bit like a huge piazza, the kind where you expect a medieval market to unfold at any moment. But it's also a bit like a park, with grassy islands and gentle pathways that invite you to slow down and just breathe. And it's a little like an open-air art gallery too. Scattered all around the central ellipse, you'll find over seventy stunning statues of famous historical figures, each one dating back hundreds of years. Think scholars, rulers, and visionaries—all watching over the city like silent guardians.

On those long, golden summer evenings, the locals flock here like nowhere else in Padova. And I mean everyone. The grass becomes a patchwork of picnic blankets, with families sharing wine, bread, and laughter. Young couples stroll arm in arm for their evening passeggiata, stealing kisses under the fading sun. And my personal favorite? The elderly folks—the nonni—gathered on benches, leaning close, catching up on all the news and gossip that makes a neighborhood buzz. It's not just a pretty space; it's the beating heart of the city, and once you've sat here at dusk, you'll never forget Padova

St. Anthony

I love the Basilica of St. Anthony. And I don't say that lightly. Actually, let me correct myself: it is one of my absolute favorite churches in all of Italy. All of Italy. And I've seen a lot of them, believe me.

What gets me every single time is the way it looks. You can't quite place it. It's like someone took the soul of Rome—those grand, ancient, powerful lines—and then mixed it with something mysterious and exotic from Constantinople. All those domes, those little Byzantine touches, the way the light hits the stone... it shouldn't work, but it does. Perfectly.

And then you walk inside. Maria, you say, another basilica? No, no. This one is different. This one is moving. There is a hush in there that isn't just about respect—it's about wonder. Pilgrims come from everywhere, not because they have to, but because something pulls them here. You'll see old women touching the tomb, young families lighting candles, travelers like you just standing there with their mouths open.

It is magnificent. Truly, deeply magnificent. One of the most moving places I have ever put my feet in. You go to Padova; you do not miss this. Definitely one of the most beautiful churches/cathedrals in Italy.

Canals

Padova also has its fair share of canals. Okay, it isn't Venice, but there are a lot of them, and they are lovely to wander along on a summer's day.

Palazzo della Ragione

Palazzo della Ragione, and the area around here, is the heart of the city. In the morning there is a market, and there's no better way to pass a morning than browsing the fascinating stalls and then enjoying a cappuccino or an aperitivo while watching the world go by at one of the many cafes here.

This area is popular at night too, with many restaurants nearby. Not too far away are two of the ones I really like: the Trattoria San Pietro in Via S. Pietro, 95, and the Osteria Ai Scarponi in Via Cesare Battisti 138.

Map of Padova

For our more detailed guide to Padua click here.