Suburban Girl's 10 Things to Do in Padua (Padova), Italy

Padua. 

Or as it is known in Italy, Padova, 

is an easy 25 minute bus ride from Venice. 

Via Umberto, Padua, Italy

It is worth the trip, 

Especially when Venice is overrun with tourists. 

Padua, Italy

Padua is one of those off-the-beaten-path 

yet much to discover kind of towns. 

I love those kind of places.

Padua, Italy

Padua offers  

alleys, 

arcaded streets, 

rivers, 

canals, 

bridges,

gardens, 

piazzas, 

a university, 

a huge market, 

outdoor cafes', 

remains of the old town wall, 

charming architecture, 

lots of history, 

and a wonderful climate

all packaged up with delicious wine and food.

Prato della Valle

So what's not to love about Padua? 

Really, nothing. 

Canal Off Of Via Umberto/Via Roma

We visited Padua in September
and stayed at
B and B San Marco 

and 

Hotel Fagiano

both just a short block from 

St. Anthony's Basilica. 

But of the two, we preferred B and B San Marco.

Both locations are not too far from the 

great people watching spot of 

Prato della Valle.

Prato della Valle

You absolutely must visit the market 

which has an outdoor and indoor section and 

fills two squares.
(Piazza dell’Erbe and Piazza dei Frutti) 
Closed Sundays

Outdoor Market, Piazza dell’Erbe

At the market enjoy a spritz with some Tramezzini (sandwiches). 

Then climb up the steps to view the arches of the Ragione Palace. 

Ragione Palace

There is a small fee 

unless there is an art show inside, 

then the fee is higher.  

From above you can look down 

and take in the market business below. 

Ragione Palace

After our stay in Padua, we headed off to Ravenna,  

but there are lots more picture of Padua here. 

Part of the City Wall Along the Canal

Some of the highlights of Padua are 

(in no particular order)

A walk along a canal or river 

Visit the Padua Duomo

People watch at the Prato

Have a drink at the historic Cafe Pedrocchi 

View the frescoes at the Scrovegni Chapel €

and the Church of the Eremitani

Visit the Anatomy Theater €

at Palazzo Bo 

(but confirm availability first.) 

Visit St. Anthony's Basilica (modest dress required) 

Eat at the outdoor market

photo above

Visit the Ragione Palace € 

photo above

Visit the Botanical Garden € 

Closed when we tried to visit. 

Eating: 

For great pizza and wine, the Pago Pago 

Delicious dinners at 

Trattoria al Prato 

and

Corte dei Leoni

Stay:

Bed and Breakfast San Marco 

Travel Tip

If you take the bus from Venice, 

turn to the left from the bus door, 

walk to the train station. 

Get a tram ticket 

in a booth in front of the station. 

Beyond the ticket booth, 

are the tram stops -

one on each side of the street. 

Validate your ticket on the tram. 

If you go in the wrong direction,  (we did)

your ticket is still good, 

just get off and get the next tram in the correct direction. 

To get to the City Center, The Prato, 

and places mention in this post, 

you need to cross the street for the stop. 

We exited at the Livio stop and walked 

to BB San Marco.