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City in Veneto, Italy
Photo: Troy Pickard, CC BY-SA 2.5 via Wikimedia Commons
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Basilica di Sant'Antonio
Saint Anthony's Basilica is the best-known tourist site in Padova - millions of pilgrims visit every year. Built immediately after "The Saint's" death in the 1200s, it houses his tomb and notable relics. The statues and crucifix on the main altar are by Donatello, as is the statue of horse and rider in the square in front of the church (called "Gattamelata" - "the honeyed cat").
A beautiful, frescoed, and generally empty hall on the south side of the piazza next to the Basilica di Sant'Antonio. The paintings were done by two of Giotto's students, and though they are not as magnificent as those in the Capella degli Scrovegni, you can sit down and gaze at them undisturbed for as long as you like.
Cappella degli Scrovegni
The Chapel is in the north of the city center, not far from the bus and train stations. The walls and ceilings are covered in frescos by Giotto, completed in 1303-1305. The chapel has been well preserved and the art is very impressive. Some of the techniques used were well ahead of their time. A must-see for art and art history fans.
The church with an unusual wooden ceiling was badly damaged in WWII, and much of its artwork was destroyed, but what remains is beautiful.
La Specola
Although the observatory was built after Galileo's time in Padua, you'll learn a lot about his significance for the research in Padua. You reach the top of the tower after a lecture of about one hour and can enjoy the view. Tickets at the Oratorio S. Michele, Piazzetta S. Michele, 1: 50 meters from the Specola, through the arcade on the right before the little bridge.
The large building located between Piazza della Frutta and Piazza delle Erbe. Its ground floor hosts small market shops. The upper floor is a single large hall housing artwork and occasional exhibitions.
Characterized by narrow streets and many small art galleries and bars where to enjoy a "spritz".
Orto botanico di Padova
The world's oldest still operating botanic garden, operated by the University of Padua, and on the UNESCO World Heritage list since 1997. It isn't a large garden, but subtly laid out to swallow groups of people and give the impression of solitude. Do not miss the carnivorous plants, or the wooded hill at the southeast corner mounted by a double helix pair of paths. Admission ranges from free (for some university students) to €1 (for other university students) to €4-5 for everyone else.
This is a very peculiar museum, a collection of old scientific instruments assembled by Professor Pietro Paolo Gallo, a teacher of physics at a technical high school, which also houses the museum in a couple of its rooms. No one speaks anything but Italian, and they are not prepared for anything more than a few enthusiasts. Tell the secretary at the school's entrance that you would like to see the scientific instruments, and she will attempt to find Professor Gallo for you.
Museo Civico Agli Eremitani
The museum is divided into an archeological section and a picture gallery, which has a very important collection with Tizian, Tintoretto, Giotto and Bellini among other important painters.
Great-tasting pizzas that are enormous even by Italian standards. Quality is high, prices are low (pizza and wine €10-15), and the atmosphere is great. For something different, try one of their "green" pizzas.
They have the usual range of pastas, meat/fish dishes, pizzas, etc. If you've overdosed on Italian food and want something lighter, try one of their salads. Great atmosphere and reasonable prices (salad, drink, and coffee under €15).
They specialize in Calabrian dishes - from the southern tip of Italy - and use only authentic ingredients. Be sure to check out the daily specials, or just stop in for a spritz if you're not quite hungry yet. Affordable prices for a central location (spritz, two courses, and wine about €20). Has tables on the corner of the Piazza when the weather is nice, i.e., most of the time.
A salad, two very big pizzas and half a litre of prosseco for €28 (10 Dec 2009). Spacious and full of locals (and graduating students singing "Dottore, dottore...")
Pizza is baked on wooden kiln. Salata mista, two pizzas and half litre prosseco €28 (Dec 2009).
Probably the best Pub in Padua, with a huge choice of beers and sandwiches. 5 different draft beers and more than 30 bottled beers. Very pleasant atmosphere. 0.5l draft beer costs €4-5, €1 less than in the city centre.
Very good and cheap kebab and pizzas. One of the best felafel in town, and maybe one of the very few where to find home made humus and baba ganoush. Only take away.
Via Dei Tadi 15. 19.30-22.30. The Restaurant is in one most beautiful streets of the centre, a few steps from the Duomo. The menu changes frequently according to the change of season and availability of fresh produce, check out the section "food stuff" to see some of our most famous dishes. Restaurant owners Carlo & Helene have over 20 years experience in the restaurant business: Carlo as chef and Helene as floor manager, in Italy, Europe and USA. €35-60.
Very small take away pizzeria in the city centre, near the University. Cheap and very good. Margherita €3, more elaborate pizzas cost €4 to €6. On work days from October to May is full of students and you may have to wait a bit, especially at lunch time.
Named after its owner Antonio Pedrocchi, is one of the most important historical cafés in Italy and one of the symbols of Padua. Definitely tasting a 'Caffe` Pedrocchi' is highly recommended. It was known in the past century to be opened 24/7. Not any more unfortunately. Drinking 'al banco' instead of being seated is cheaper.
Inspired by ethical values and social solidarity offers a cheap accommodation in Padua for any type of traveler: pilgrims, students, workers and immigrants.
Special free services: entrance to thermal pools, acqua gym class, bikes, attended car park, terrace table and chairs, TV, minibar, beauty kit. The hotel is downtown and close to the centre and has inner thermal pools with treatments centre.
A no-frills hotel, specializing in groups, but immaculate and quiet, and located across the street to the north of the Basilica de Santo Antonio. Some of the rooms have views of the basilica.
A modern wellness center in the heart of Terme Euganee at Montegrotto on the slopes of the Euganei Hills. The hotel combines the traditional therapeutic aspects of curative thermal waters with a modern wellness center. Prices are from €57 (for a single) and €108 (for a double) on, depending on the season.
Famous in Europe for over 55 years for its tradition. Built and always managed by the Maggia family, its philosophy is a warm ”family-style welcome” in an intimate atmosphere, joined with a professional staff that is always available and punctual. Prices are from €67 (for a single) depending on the season and room type.
3 star hotel with 34 rooms, 5 kilometers away from Padova city center. Inside the hotel you may find the prestigious gourmet restaurant "Le Calandre"."
4 star hotel in the centre.
By plane
However, there are three international airports nearby:
By car
Padova is connected through the national highway network
By bicycle
Padua, luckily, is quite a flat city. Apart from the few Roman bridges and some -not very steep- streets, you will not find any hills to hike!
By tram
APS Mobilità (ex-ACAP, call center: +39 049 20111) runs the only tramway line of the city, based on the rubber-tired TransLohr vehicle.
By bus
APS Mobilità (ex-ACAP, call center: +39 049 20111) runs a network of local transport that covers the main areas of the city as well as some suburbs.
By car
Getting around by car in the city center can be very difficult. During peak hours traffic jams are frequent.
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