Guide to Padua
A virtual tour of Padua
Lovers of European historical heritage often choose to stay in Padua to save on accommodation. The city offers relatively affordable hotels, and it is easy to travel to major cities in Italy from there. However, true admirers of antiquity always make time to explore Padua. Despite being a small city, it has much to be proud of and can rival well-known metropolises in the country. One remarkable attraction is the University of Padua, where Galileo Galilei once lectured. The university still preserves the lectern from which he spoke, as well as the 16th-century Anatomy Theatre and much more.
Visiting the famous "Caffè Pedrocchi," located near the university, is a must in Padua. This café was once stormed by Austrian troops due to revolutionary sentiments among the local youth.
No tourist can pass by the ruins of the ancient Roman Arena, where gladiator battles took place. The city's museums are also worth special attention, including the Archaeological Museum, Picture Gallery (Pinacoteca), Museum of Applied Arts in the Zuckermann Palace, Museum Bottacin, and others.
Pedestrian routes through the historical part of the city often start from Prato della Valle Square, the largest square in Padua, surrounded by other attractions. Most of these are religious buildings, such as the Basilica of Saint Anthony, Saint Justina, the Cathedral of Mary of the Assumption, and more.
Photos of Padua
Interesting places in Padua
The attractions of the city are mainly religious structures: basilicas, churches, cathedrals. However, tours in Padua are also organized to the local museums, which cannot be overlooked in a day. Walking routes in the city inevitably pass through the University of Padua and the oval-shaped square, around which the main attractions of the city are gathered. Vacationing with children in the city is not very eventful, but there are several amusement parks for young tourists, as well as one of the oldest botanical gardens in Europe. The restaurants in Padua mainly offer Italian or Mediterranean cuisine, but you can also find options for American, Japanese, and Indian dishes.
Flight ticket prices
The nearest airport to Padua is Venice Marco Polo Airport, located about 40 km from the city. Regular flights to Venice operate from Poland, France, Spain, London, and other European cities. Airlines such as Ryanair, Wizz Air, ITA Airways, Vueling, and Lufthansa offer both low-cost and standard flights. Ticket prices vary depending on the season and departure city: from Warsaw — starting at €50, from Paris — €65, from Madrid — €70, and from London — €60 with early booking.
From Venice Airport, Padua can be reached by train or bus in about an hour. Padua is not only a convenient hub for traveling around the Veneto region but also a popular cultural tourism destination, attracting many European visitors.
The best hotels in Padua
Padua offers hotels to suit all tastes and budgets, from budget hotels to luxury 4-star hotels. A night in a budget hotel or guest house costs around 40-60 euros, while a 3-star hotel room costs around 70-100 euros. For a comfortable vacation you can choose 4-star hotels with breakfast and spa area at a price from 120 euros per night. Many hotels are located in the city center, close to St. Anthony's Basilica and Piazza del Signori. Most hotels offer free Wi-Fi, and breakfast is often included.
Travel budget
The cost of a holiday in Padua consists of the cost of tickets, accommodation, food, excursions and public transport. If you stay in four-star hotels and eat in inexpensive restaurants, the trip will cost about 830 EUR for three days.
| The budget for a trip to Padua | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Flight | 270 EUR | Accomodation | 80 EUR per day |
| Average bill in a restaurant | 20 EUR | Transport fare | 1 EUR |
| Excursion | 100 EUR | ||
| Total: 830 EUR for 3 days | |||
Airport
Padua does not have its own airport. The closest airport to the city is in Venice and is named after Venetian traveler Marco Polo. This air gateway has two runways that serve many international flights.
Transfer from the airport to Padua
From Marco Polo airport, you can get to Padua by train, bus or taxi. It is cheaper and more convenient to use a shuttle that will take you to Padua train station in 40 minutes.
Car rental
You can rent a car upon arrival at the city airport or in the city itself. But its central part is pedestrian, which must be taken into account when choosing travel routes.
Transport
Transport in the city is represented by buses and a single-track tram. Only the tram runs in the city center. The fare in transport for one trip is 1 EUR.
Safety
The city has a fairly high level of security, despite the high level of crime in the country's major cities. The most that can happen to a tourist in Padua is pickpocketing, which teenagers usually sin with.