One Day in Padua Italy – 10 Wonderful Things to do

What can you see and do in one day in Padua?

It is extremely easy to spend one day in Padua, a charming city in the Veneto region in Northern Italy. ‘Padova’ as it’s known in Italian, is a beautiful, historic city with many piazzas, churches, and rich history. It is home to the second oldest university in Italy, established in 1222, which makes the city full of life and a true joy to walk around.

A lot of people skip Padua in favour of Venice or Verona but we believe that you shouldn’t. Aperol (an Italian aperitif) was created in the city in 1919, so we think it’s worth visiting just for that reason alone. Spritz anyone?

Fun Fact: sometimes when students graduate in Paddua, they have an interesting tradition. They dress up in crazy ways, they have alcohol in one hand, and read a poem, written by friends and family about their life. What’s more, this is whilst they are tied up to a tree and friends and family can throw eggs, flour, and other things at them. As you can imagine the council and city police aren’t too impressed, but we think this would make a unique travel experience.

How to get to Padua City

BY AIR: the closest airport to Padua is Aeroporto Marco Polo (Tessera).

Good to know: to reach Padua city from the airport, you can get a taxi, catch a bus or take a train to Venice Mestre and then another train to Padua. We would recommend the train for convenience. 

There is also the option to land in Treviso and the bus costs €4.30 to get to Padua. Alternatively, you can land in Verona, and in this case, the bus costs €8-10. These two airports are serviced by low-cost airlines, such as Ryanair, and are well-connected throughout Europe and the UK.

BY TRAIN: the easiest way to get to Padua is by train. 

Good to know: the regional trains will be cheaper than the Frecciarossa trains, but they will be slower too so keep this in my if you only have one day in Padua.

How to get around for one day in Padua 

Padua is pedestrian and bicycle-friendly and there are pedestrian-only zones in the city. It is also quite a small city, which means that you can walk around the city quite easily. From the train station, it will take about 20 minutes to reach the centre and main attractions to begin your one day in Padua.

Also since 2009, Padua has developed a tram system to get around. There is only one line and it goes from north to south, which passes close to all of the main attractions. You can use the tram if you want to go further afield or if you don’t want to walk. Remember to wear comfortable shoes if you plan on seeing the city’s best sights!

When is the best time to visit Padua?

Many festivals are held annually in Padua and you may want to time your one day in Padua with one of these:

St. Anthony’s Italian Festival – a cultural feast and the biggest event in the Padua calendar (June).

River Film Festival – international filmmakers presenting their work (June).

Sherwood Festival – one of the music shows that happens in Padua. There is a lot to enjoy in the summer.

Remember, in Padua the summer months can be hot and humid and winter can be very cold. Therefore, visiting in spring and early autumn would be very pleasant to walk around and see the main sights.

Useful information for one day in Padua

• Go to Padua Tourist information for current tips and a free map of the city
• Currency: Euro €
• Language: Italian
• If you are planning to visit the churches, make sure your clothes cover your shoulders and knees!

The Top 10 Padua Attractions for one day

  (+ 5 more if you decide to extend your trip)

Of course, there are so many wonderful things you can do in Padua but this list is the best there is. For one day in Padua, you should be able to see the main sights on this list without going too fast. However, you should start early to avoid missing out, and remember that you should definitely choose what interests you from this list and start there! Get ready for a fabulous day of Padua sightseeing!

Prato Della Valle.

Arguably, Prato Della Valle is the most beautiful of Padua’s attractions. It is at the end of Via Roma and it is one of the biggest squares in Italy and Europe. There are two rings composed of 78 statues of renowned Italians to admire, such as philosophers, doctors, and writers. It is a popular place for locals to come and relax by the water canals and there is a market on Saturdays too.

Palazzo Della Ragione

It is worth visiting Palazzo Della Ragione and you should make time to go inside to see the frescoes. It is a stunning medieval town hall that was built in the 13th century. There are three floors, the underground has Roman ruins but is not always accessible to the public. Secondly, the ground floor is a wonderful place to get something to eat because it is full of cafes and then finally the top floor is where you will find the frescoes. 

Piazza Dei Signori and the Clock Tower

Piazza Dei Signori is another wonderful piazza in Padua, Italy. This is because of the magnificent astronomical clock tower that stands proudly in the square. You will soon notice that there are 11 out of the 12 zodiac signs (Libra is missing) and it follows the geocentric model of the solar system. 

Basilica of Saint Anthony (Sant’Antonio Di Padova) 

The Basilica of Sant’Antonio is an important religious site because inside you can find the tomb of Saint Anthony, who is the saint of the city of Padua. Saint Anthony was known for helping children and the poor and today the Basilica is a popular pilgrimage site – with over 5 million pilgrims visiting each year.

Good to know: remember to dress appropriately and cover your shoulders and knees.

Aperitivo at the Giardini dell’Arena

Visit the archaeological site of the arena, and the Scrovegni Chapel. It was originally a private family chapel that contains a masterpiece by Giotto from 1305. You will have to pay to go inside and it is recommended that you book a day in advance because they only allow a certain number of people to visit at a given time.

There are also several museums in the area (archaeological, art gallery, Zuckermann Palace, natural history, zoological and geological museum of the university). However, if you are only in Padua for one day, you may want to skip these museums and save them for when you return.

Walk along Piovego: 

Start at Porta Portello and continue towards the centre. 

Walk along the Giardini dell’Arena, then arrive at Porta Molino (the only medieval gate still intact). Then enter a neighborhood with narrow streets, rich in medieval architecture and there are many taverns and restaurants.

Good to know:  if you have time, it is also worth visiting the interiors of La Specola: first it was a castle, then a prison, now it is a university and a venue for shows. The highest room in the tower has a “starry” ceiling – it is painted blue with many stars.

After you should continue south, past the lock (entrance along the river of the medieval city), then the park of the Swans – along the river and Renaissance walls, with centuries-old evergreen trees – up to the Bachiglione.

Finally have a well-deserved drink at Pier88, overlooking the river (or in winter go inside). 

The Historic University of Padua – Palazzo Bo 

You need to go to Palazzo Bo on your day in Padua. It is an extremely beautiful place to admire because the University of Padua is one of the oldest universities in the world. You can visit the outside courtyards for free but to go inside you will have to go on a guided tour. On this tour, you will be able to see Galileo’s wooden desk, and an anatomical theatre built-in 1594. 

Good to know: book in advance to avoid disappointment, you can do that here.

Aperitif at the Yarda (Spritz o’clock)

Head to Piazza Capitaniato because you can choose between dozens of different places for a spritz. The square is surrounded by historic buildings (it was the square where the municipal army gathered, inside the palace of the Carraresi – the Lords of Padua), and you are under the shade of the trees. 

Church of the Eremitani

The Eremitani Church is extremely impressive and it’s interesting because you can see how it was badly bombed in World War Two. Many of the beautiful frescoes by Mantegna were destroyed. It’s known that this was not done on purpose, but was because the German headquarters were nearby. 

Piazza Duomo 

This is Padua’s Cathedral but we recommend visiting to see the frescoes of the Baptistery next door. The frescoes were painted by Giusto de Menabuoi and the detail in them is superb.

If you have more than one day in Padua, you should visit the following attractions:

Church of San Michele – to appreciate medieval frescoes.

Church of Santa Sofia – to admire the beautiful colours inside and the “leaning” main facade.

Padua river ring – for a bike ride (20km) to reach several Venetian villas, including Villa Pisani: small Versailles. 

A boat ride on the Piovego – you can reach Venice and perhaps Chioggia too.

Ponte Corvo – a bridge overlooking the canal and Parco Treves.

Popular Day Trips from Padua

Venice – only a 30-minute train ride away is the romantic and ancient city of Venezia. Don’t miss, St Mark’s Square, Bridge of Sighs, and the Rialto Bridge.

Verona – only 45 minutes away by train is the ‘birthplace’ of Romeo and Juliet. Don’t miss the amphitheatre, the churches, and visiting Juliet’s balcony.

Colli Euganei – only 45 minutes by car. It is rich in nature, vineyards, and history and is the retirement and resting place for Petrarca, one of the most important Italian poets.

Overall, is Padua worth visiting for one day?

It is an extremely picturesque historic city and will not be as busy as its neighbours (Venice and Verona). It is a photographer’s and art lover’s dream because of the delightful large piazzas and out-of-this-world architecture. What are you waiting for? Visit Padua on your next Italian trip – it’s as authentic as it gets and there are so many exciting things to do in one day in Padua.

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Photo Credit: averagelives.com and unslpash.com

A big shout out to G.Puggioni for showing us around this city and for lots of tips to make this guide great including the beautiful pictures. We are thankful.

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