The cities around Venice have endless surprises in store, in the form of thousands of hidden gems awaiting the attentive gaze of a traveller who wants to be more than just a tourist.
Just take a regional train from Venice, costing a few euros, which will take you to Padua station in about twenty minutes.
For people staying in Venice who want to go a little further, getting to Padua couldn’t be easier. There are a large number of trains connecting the two cities (often more than 4 per hour) which run from early morning to late evening.
What to see in Padua in one day: start your tour from the Cappella degli Scrovegni
In order to not waste time and energy during your stay in Padua, it is without a doubt best to first pay a visit to the Cappella degli Scrovegni, frescoed by Giotto between 1303 and 1305.
It is also useful to start here given its proximity to the station, as well as the main, larger car parks close to the centre, such as the one on via Trieste which is just a 2-minute walk from the chapel.
Using this as a starting point for your tour means you can immediately enjoy the best of the city, with a series of frescoes that are the envy of the rest of Italy, whose equal can only be found in Assisi.
You can then either have a short rest in the gardens near the area of the Chapel, or, for the truly keen, do the complete itinerary of all the collections in the Eremitani Museum, which boasts numerous pictorial works from the fourteenth to the twentieth century. It also features a renowned archaeological section, as well as the nineteenth-century collections in the Museo di Palazzo Zuckermann, which is just across the road from the Eremitani complex.
What to see in Padua in one day: Piazza delle Erbe
Piazza delle Erbe is one of the liveliest spots in Padua, and is continuously abuzz with the wonderful stalls that, since the Middle Ages, have filled the market with colours from all over the world, so that Padovans and everyone else who had the great idea to visit this fantastic city can enjoy the very best fruits and vegetables.
If you want to embrace the spirit of Padua, a stop-off in Piazza delle Erbe is an absolute must, preferably after having enjoyed a mint coffee at the historic Caffè Pedrocchi, which can be found on the road leading to the Piazza.
From here, those with more refined tastes mustn’t neglect to visit the ghetto: the most beautiful and wealthiest district of the city in terms of shops, restaurants and bars.
What to see in Padua in one day: Prato della Valle
Strolling along the most bustling shopping street in Padua, via Roma, you will soon reach Prato della Valle, one of the largest squares in Europe. Surrounded by the beauty of the city, it is the heart of life in Padua. Its marble statues and greenery in the large circular area of the square also make it the perfect picnic spot, but don’t forget to visit it at its prime time: sunset.
What to see in Padua in one day: the Basilica di Sant’Antonio
Just a stone’s throw from Prato della Valle, it will soon be time to head to the Basilica di Sant’Antonio, the true symbol of the city that proudly guards the relics of the Franciscan Saint Anthony of Padua.
The whole cathedral is a true artistic masterpiece, with features dating from many different periods. The reliquary, which you can see at the bottom of the plan, is an evocative place that all passing through Padua should visit.
- Padua City 2.5-Hour Walking Tour
- Padua: Walking & Wine Tasting City Tour
- 2-Hour Food Market Discovery Tour
