Trip to Padua: 5 things you should know before you get there

This city is one of the main centers for wine and cultural heritage. It is a romantic labyrinth composed of arcade streets, surrounded by canals. Here, mystery, culture, nature, science, and spirituality have intertwined into a unique tangle. Read on and plan your trip to Padua, north of Italy.

#1 Transport

First of all, Padua is a compact city and it is convenient to reach most of its points on foot. There is also a very developed bicycle rental network: you can find several companies that provide this kind of service. The cost of renting it for a day is € 14. Check the website Bikes Booking or wander around the city and take one of the bikes in the points arranged by the municipality of Padua. All rental points, along with directions on which paths are available for cyclists, can be found on this page.

#2 Trip to Padua: restaurants

Caffè Pedrocchi (Via VIII Febbraio, 15) is a traditional cafè in Padua and one of the symbols of the city. It opened back in the 18th century when coffee consumption was just starting to become fashionable among wealthy city dwellers in Europe. The cafe has gained great popularity and therefore hasn’t closed even once since its opening. Locals also call it a “cafe without doors.” Today, in this place you can either have a healthy meal or have a snack and drink a coffee. The average price for a coffee and cake is € 7.

Zairo (Prato della Valle, 51). Here you can see the frescoes dating back to the year 1673. Furthermore, it is a good spot to have a pizza at a reasonable price. The restaurant is located on the very Prato Della Valle, in the core of the city. The perfect location if you are walking around the center.

#3 Cathedrals

The centuries-old cathedrals are the main attraction in Padua. There are two important churches here, which are among the largest in all of Italy. One of them is the Basilica of Santa Giustina (Via Giuseppe Ferrari, 2A). The other is the Basilica of St. Anthony of Padua (Piazza del Santo, 11), located next to the former, some travelers sometimes confuse them. The construction of the latter began in 1232 after the death of St. Anthony and was finished 78 years later. The basilica is somewhat reminiscent of the Cathedral of San Marco in Venice, and on the other hand – Muslim mosques, since it also has a semblance of minarets. Opening hours: from 6.20 to 18.45 (weekends until 19.45). The entrance is also free. Both basilicas are adjacent to Piazza Prato Della Valle – the largest square in Italy and one of the largest in Europe.

The buildings of the University of Padua, scattered throughout the city, are also worth visiting. The educational institution is one of the oldest universities in the world (after the University of Bologna). Galileo Galilei himself taught here from 1592 to 1618 and you can still find his chair in Palazzo Bo (Via VIII Febbraio, 2).

#4 Trip to Padua: bars

Enoteca Evoè (Via del Vescovado, 85). This place is located away from the touristy areas and seems to be a little hidden. It is here that locals like to come for excellent wine. But of course, it’s better to check everything yourself.

La Yarda (Via Dondi dell Orologio, 1) is a historic bar where almost all students come to drink Aperol spritz. The prices here are not so bad, but be sure to check them out.

Trip to Padua

#5 Trip to Padua: the city

If you plan to visit many museums and churches, travel a lot by bus around the city, then buy the Padova Card in advance. It will cost € 16 for a 48-hour card and € 21 for a 72-hour card. Try to plan your visit ahead for the upcoming holidays. For example, on June 13th, the Day of the City and the Day of St. Anthony (the patron saint of Padua) are celebrated in the city. Also, from mid-June to mid-July, the Sherwood Music Festival is held.

These are the websites to plan rail travel, bus travel and Atlas Obscura.

If you want travel tips for a holiday in France, check this article about Lyon.