Padova
Theres no place quite like Italy- a country that boasts good eating, dressing in style, and a bit of vino in between. Padova has all of that to offer and more! It’s close to major cities like Venice and Verona yet is worlds away with a historic grandeur.
Padova is known as the city of arches- the entire city center is lined with arched walls dating back to the ancient Roman era. But that’s not all! You’ll also find churches and piazzas with historical significance dotted across the city. This city is the perfect blend of charm and history.
In this guide you’ll find a list of spots not to miss, budgeting tips, and highlights of the city from personal experience.
Top sights to see in Padova
Palazzo di Capodilista
Basilica di Sant'Antonio
Prato della Valle
Capella degli Scrovegni
University of Padova
Cafe Pedrocchi
Palazzo della Ragione
Piazza della Frutta/delle Erbe
Piazza dei Signori
Typical Costs When Travelling
Accommodation – 40€ per person per night for a double room in an apartment/Airbnb booked in advance. Try to look for accomodation in the historical city center.
Food – budget around 30-50€ per day per person. You can easily find delicious and cheap dining options. For example, opt for the menu del giorno (menu of the day) for around 10-12€ for lunchs and 15-18€ for dinner. Do as the Roman’s do and go out for Aperitivo (like Happy Hour, but better!). When ordering the quitessential Italian Aperol Spritz it will come with a light snack or buffet options.
Transportation – budget around 1,70€ for the tram (one-way). The city center is definitely walk-able, so you don’t really even need to budget for transportation unless you plan on taking the tram or the taxi. There is only one tram line that goes through the city cente with stops at the best monuments. You can easily cover 75-80% of the top places to see in Padova with the tram.
You should also consider taking a day trip to Venice- the “City of Canals”! It’s just a 25-minute ride away and costs only 4,35€. Train stop: Venezia S. Lucia.
Suggested daily budget – 90-150€ (Note: This is a suggested budget assuming you’re staying in an apartment, eating out a little, and using local transportation. This is inclusive of accomodation, food, transportation and enterntainment costs.
Highlights
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Day trip to Venice What I enjoy most about Padova is its close proximity to Venice. Accommodation can cost you a pretty penny in Venice and Padova is only 25 minutes away by train. When staying in Padova you get more of a local experience (whereas Venice is overcrowded with tourists) and hotels are more cost-effective. Between the rich culture and art in seemingly everything around you will surely fall in love, if even just for the day. Don't splurge on a gondola ride. Do take a water taxi to the colorful island of Burano.
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Enoteca Severino Padova It's not a night out in Italy without vino! Check out this local hang out spot that offers a massive selection of wines. The wine bar has a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Even if you aren't a big wine fan the knowledgeable staff will surely pick out something to tickle your fancy.
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Enjoying a Spritz at Piazza dei Signori By day, enjoy a delectable Italian tramezzino (sandwich) decked in an assortment of sliced meats and fresh cheese paired with a foamy cappuccino in the piazza. By night, discover a very thriving night scene. Piazza dei Signori is where the party happens so grab yourself an aperol spritz or vino and dance the night away! You will likely notice the astronomical clock overhead, known as the Torre dell'Orologio. This is one of the oldest clocks in the world (dating back to 1344) still in working order.
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Prato della Valle The quintessential image of Padova- this is a large and lively square and is even considered one of the largest in Europe. Every Saturday the locals host a market where one can find anything between clothing to cheese and salami. It's a beautiful spot for an evening stroll. Don't forget to snap a picture, you'll be sure to get a good one at any angle.
We hope some of these tips could help ease the planing process!
If you’re looking for a more in-depth review of Padvoa, head on over to our post covering an eventful weekend away in the Veneto region.
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January 1, 2020
