The city of Padova in northern Italy is often overlooked in favor of nearby Venice or Verona, but when it comes to art, food and history, Padova has so much to offer! Easily reached by train, this historic city makes the perfect day trip from Venice or even further afield, so here’s how to spend a day in Padova.
Starting Your Day In Padova
The easiest way to reach Padova is by train. From Venice, Padova is only about 30 minutes away by rail, with this line connecting to many other places in Veneto. You can also easily reach Padova from Bologna, which is around an hour’s journey.
So, our one day in Padova always starts at the train station. Located on the outskirts of the historic center, you can take a taxi or public transport to the main sights but we prefer to walk. All you have to do is follow the straight road of Corso del Popolo for around 10 minutes, cross over the river and then you will be at the Giardini dell’Arena. This garden will guide you to our first stop; the Scrovegni chapel.
The Scrovegni Chapel
From the outside this small chapel does not look like anything particularly impressive. However inside is one of the most incredible series of frescoes anywhere in Italy – for us an unmissable sight!
The chapel was built in the early 1300’s by a local banker, Enrico Scrovegni. He had purchased a large piece of land that included the ruins of an ancient Roman arena, and wanted to build himself a large palace on this spot. This palace complex included a chapel, to be used as the family chapel and also the eventual family mausoleum.
The chapel itself is not unique or unusual architecturally. The reason that the Scrovegni chapel is so special is because of the wonderful paintings inside, designed and completed by Giotto. Giotto was a renowned painter from Florence, whose work had become popular towards the end of the 1200’s.
At the Scrovegni chapel, Giotto was given free reign. He created one of the masterpieces of the early Renaissance with his frescoes here, depicting the Last Judgement and the lives of the Virgin Mary and Jesus all over the walls of the chapel. The way he painted the different figures was different to the conventions of the day, with the people being portrayed as more human and realistic.
The outstanding quality of the work meant that it was made a UNESCO World Heritage site in recent years, and today you can go inside to see the beauty and artistry for yourself.
Visiting the Scrovegni Chapel
Once at risk of ruin, the chapel and frescoes were fully restored over a long, painstaking period before visitors were allowed inside in 2002.
As part of these works, a brand new access building was added. This is where you will start your visit, where you will sit and watch a short video about the history of the Scrovegni chapel and Giotto’s work. While you watch, special filters will be at work to lower the humidity levels and remove any dust or other particles, so that when you walk into the chapel, there is minimal impact on the frescoes.
One note about visiting the chapel; you have to book tickets in advance. Group numbers are carefully controlled and you must enter at your allocated time. Tickets get released 3-4 months in advance so if your dates aren’t available yet on the official site, check back a little closer to the time.
A Day In Padova’s Historic Center
Once you have finished your visit to the Scrovegni chapel, it’s time to get to know Padova better.
From the chapel, take a stroll through the streets. This is the oldest part of Padova, home to one of the world’s oldest universities and where the original settlement was founded hundreds of years before the ancient Romans came along.
There are a few key sights to see in the city center, which together tell the story of this fascinating city:
Padova University
Founded in 1222, the University of Padua has a very long history. It has been at the heart of scientific advancement and knowledge for centuries, as well as a center for law and theological study.
Still a university today, it is possible to visit some of the oldest parts and see the original buildings. Palazzo del Bo is a magnificent palace where you can see some of the old lecture halls and the oldest permanent anatomical theater in the world.
While not the most obvious sightseeing location, learning more about the historic university and how its students and teachers have helped shape our world was a revelation for us when we first visited!
Pedrocchi Caffé
By this time, if you’re anything like us, you’ll be ready for a coffee break!
There is only one place to go when you visit Padua for coffee, and that is the historic cafe Pedrocchi.
Founded in the 18th century during the European craze for coffeehouses, the founders from the start wanted it to be something special. The building is neoclassical in style, with eclectic Greek, Egyptian, Roman and Renaissance decorative features. You’d think that all these elements would clash horribly but they have a particular charm that we love!
Serving everything from coffee and cakes to spritzes and full meals, Pedrocchi coffee is a Padova institution. The founders welcomed everyone, even if you just wanted to sit and read without ordering anything, and it was a popular place for people to come and discuss politics, literature and more.
Remarkably, the cafe has seen very few changes. Even with some modernization and renovations, the building remains largely unchanged. The coffee is excellent as are the cakes and cocktails, so relax and enjoy your break in the knowledge you are continuing a historic tradition!
Padova Piazzas
You don’t have to go indoors to get to know Padova better. Always a city of commerce and trade, the narrow streets regularly give way to large open piazzas when people would gather. From buying and selling goods to political speeches and elections, life in Padova was (and still is to some extent) lived mostly outside.
The first piazza to find is Piazza dei Signori. Traditionally the focal point for tournaments and saint day celebrations, the buildings are a real mix. You’ll see the medieval church of San Clemente, 18th century paving, a 15th century clock tower with astronomical signs and more.
More importantly, there are numerous bars with seats out in the piazza where you can sit and enjoy Padova’s traditional spritz – Aperol was invented here in 1919.
From Piazza dei Signori it is only a short walk to two more piazzas, Piazza delle Erbe and Piazza della Frutta. These two squares, linked by the medieval town hall of Palazzo della Ragione, have been at the heart of commercial life since the very earliest years of Padova.
Already marketplaces when the ancient Romans took control of the city, in the 10th century the current piazzas took shape. There were different areas for people selling different goods, but between the two you could find anything you wanted.
Today market stalls are still set up each morning, with locals coming out to purchase fruit and vegetables, household goods and more. Try to get there before lunchtime to experience this long-standing tradition!
Pause For Lunch
In this central location surrounded by historic buildings you have no shortage of lunch options.
You can have a full sit down meal, with local classics like Bigoli (a type of thick pasta served with ragu) or Gallina Padovana, a type of chicken dish. Our go-to in Padova however is to order a selection of tramezzini, small sandwiches filled with all sorts of different combinations. A few of these paired with a spritz or glass of wine make the perfect lunch during a day in Padova!
Exploring More of Padova
Your day in Padova is not over yet, there is still a lot more to see. Once you’ve finished your lunch, make your way to the Prato della Valle, a wide open space to the south of the city. Only a 10-15 minute walk from the central piazzas, this square feels quite different to the rest of the city.
Prato della Valle
Originally created in the late 1700’s, it would take over 100 years for the piazza to be fully completed. The elliptical piazza is the second largest in Italy, and unusually has a canal that loops around a central island. The banks of the canal are lined with statues of various influential people in Padova’s history such as Galileo, ancient Roman historian Livy, various popes and more.
This green space is surrounded by more of the city’s history, and from the Prato della Valle it is not far to our next stop; the Botanical Garden of the University of Padova.
Botanical Garden
Italy is home to many botanical gardens, but the original is right here in Padova. Established in 1545 by the university, the idea behind it was to grow medicinal plants that students could learn about during their studies.
Over time the purpose of the Botanical garden evolved to be about the study of all plants, and today there are around 3500 different species in the garden. The gardens themselves are beautiful, with different paths, fountains and tree-lined areas to explore.
When you walk inside the gates you will forget you are anywhere near a city. This is an ideal place to stroll around even if you aren’t a plant aficionado!
Basilica of Saint Anthony
Once you have had your fill of the gardens, it’s time for the final stop on our day trip to Padova; the magnificent Basilica of Saint Anthony.
Saint Anthony was born in Lisbon, Portugal in 1195 but came to Italy after joining the new Franciscan order. He was renowned for being a fantastic preacher, and after traveling all over Europe, settled in Padova in 1226. Saint Anthony lived in the city until his death in 1231 and was canonized as a saint the following year.
The people of Padova were very connected to Anthony and his teachings, and after he was made a saint, they started building a special church dedicated to him straight away. Over the centuries the Basilica of Saint Anthony was added to and renovated a lot, so the original design no longer exists, but what we can see today is still a wonderful testament to his ongoing popularity.
When you go inside you will find beautifully decorated chapels, tall domes, a high altar designed by Donatello and a large cloister filled with plants. The relics of Saint Anthony are also here, in a few different areas around the church.
Take some time to explore the various parts of the Saint Anthony basilica and take in the history of this place. People have been standing where you are for over 700 years, so you are in very good company.
Ending Your Day in Padova
From the Basilica of Saint Anthony it is easy to make your way back to the train station via taxi or public transport – stopping for a final spritz on the way if you wish!
If you’d like to discover more of Padova or the wider Veneto region, you can contact us here. We love spending time in this part of Italy, and have lots of ideas and inspiration for how to make the most of any visit, whether a quick day trip or longer stay, so get in touch today.
