Padua tour

Padua travel suggestions

Padua tour

Our Padua travel expert will take you on a virtual tour of Padova

The Paduan territory, spreads across a flat area through which run the Brenta, Adige and Bacchiglione rivers and is characterised by wide plains to the south and, to the west, the natural oasis of the Euganean Hills and the thermal springs whose curative properties were well-known from Roman times. It is a province which is still not very well known to tourists but rich with surprises and possibilities: a tour of Padua and its environs including the Euganean Hills and the Walled Towns or the Spas is an experience that certainly won’t disappoint.

Padua is one of the most important Italian cities of art and is marked by centuries of history. There are numerous monuments to visit, particularly those built between the 13th and 15th centuries, the most flourishing period from the artistic point of view.  The university is one of the oldest in the world dating back to 1222. The following are some suggestions for a tour of Padua but if you like more informations contact our Padua travel experts.

Cappella degli ScrovegniScrovegni Chapel: a Padova tour can not miss this true masterpiece of pictorial art, this chapel, frescoed by Giotto between 1303 and 1305, was commissioned by the wealthy banker Enrico Scrovegni. On the walls you will find scenes from the Gospels and the life of Jesus, while the counter-façade shows the magnificent Last Judgement.
Visiting hours: visits must be booked in advance. To book, click on www.cappelladegliscrovegni.it or call +39.049.2010020. Piazza Eremitani, Padova.

Basilica di S. Antonio da PadovaSt Anthony of Padua: the Basilica is the symbol of the city and its construction started in 1232 and went on until 1310. You must see the Chapel of St Felix, with frescoes by Altichiero in the second half of the 14th Century, and the Saint’s relics, in particular his chin and tongue, perfectly preserved.
Visiting hours: to book a guided tour call +39.049.8789722 or click on www.basilicadelsanto.org. Piazza del Santo 11, Padova

Orto Botanico PadovaBotanical Garden: founded in 1545 as the university’s botanical garden: originally medicinal plants were grown to assist the training of medical students. In 1997 it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site because “it is the origin of all the botanical gardens in the world and represents the cradle of science, scientific exchange and understanding of the relations between nature and culture.”
Visiting hours: April – October: 9.00-13.00 and 15.00-19.00 (every day), November – March: 9.00-13.00 (closed on public holidays). www.ortobotanicopd.it . Tel. +39.049.8272119. Via Orto Botanico 11, Padova..

Duomo di PadovaCathedral of Santa Maria Assunta and Baptistery: an impressive Romanic style building situated in the heart of Padua, the first edifice was built in 313 and it has been rebuilt many times over the centuries. The frescoes in the Baptistery are worthy of note and among them you can see the work of Giusto de’Menabuoi. There is also the cenotaph of Petrarch, who was canon of the Cathedral, created by Rinaldo Rinaldi.
Visiting hours: The Baptistery is open on week days and public holidays from 10am to 6pm, except for Christmas, New Year and Easter (tel +39.049.656914), while to visit the Cathedral we suggest you call +39.049.8753087. Piazza Duomo, Padova

Caffè PedrocchiCafé Pedrocchi during your Padua tour enjoy a rest  in the world famous “doorless café”, so-called because until 1916 it was open day and night, besides being a famous meeting place for artists and intellectuals, also hosts temporary exhibitions of various kinds and reviews of jazz music. It is also an excellent restaurant and we recommend that you go at least once to try the wonderful coffees inspired by ancient recipes and visit the Risorgimento Museum on the upper floor. Via 8 Febbraio 15, Padova. www.caffepedrocchi.it

Palazzo della RagionePalazzo della Ragione: the Palazzo della Ragione was once the location of the law court. The “salone” upstairs has a beautiful wooden ceiling and the walls are entirely frescoed with astrological themes. It is impossible not to notice the huge wooden horse, created on Count Annibal Capodilista’s will for an extraordinary feast in 1466. The Palazzo separates the two Piazzas, Piazza delle Erbe and Piazza della Frutta, and is daily animated by a lively market which you must include your Padua tour.
Visiting hours: Winter weekday/public holiday visiting hours: 9am – 6pm, last entrance 5.30pm. Summer weekday/public holiday visiting hours 9am – 7pm, last entrance 6.30pm. Closed on Mondays. padovacultura.padovanet.it Piazza delle Erbe, Padova

Prato della VallePrato della Valle: your Padua tour shoud not miss the largest square in Italy and the second largest in Europe, Prato della Valle today is the favourite meeting place of Paduan students, while in the medieval period it was place for military meetings and folk festivals. The layout is elliptical and this singular square is characterised by a canal surrounding a central island, called Memmia. The 78 surrounding statues, realised starting from 1766, represent people (all men except for one) who were important for the history of Padua.

Teatro Anatomico Università di PadovaAnatomical Theatre: a tour of Padua must  include the oldest anatomical theatre in the world is situated in Palazzo del Bo, today the location of the Faculty of Law in Padua. The room was built in 1594 and is perfectly preserved. It is structured in the shape of an amphitheatre; the central area still has the original dissecting table and all around the tiers of galleries.
Visiting hours: Winter weekday (from November)/public holiday visiting hours (only guided tours): Mon, Wed, Fri: 3.15pm; 4.15pm; 5.15pm; Tues, Thu, Sat: 9.15am; 10.15am; 11.15am. Tel. +39.049.8273044 / 8273047. www.unipd.it Via 8 Febbraio 2, Padova.