Uncover the Top Things to Do in Padua: The City of Saints

Tucked between Venice and Verona, Padua (Padova in Italian) is a cultural gem that often slips under the radar yet brims with treasures. From Giotto’s frescoes to Venetian palazzos, UNESCO-listed landmarks, and the world’s oldest botanical garden, the city surprises at every corner. Planning a day trip or a longer stay? This guide highlights the most unforgettable things to do in Padua, blending art, history, and authentic cuisine into a trip you’ll never forget. And since Padua sits right on the doorstep of Veneto’s wine routes, it’s easy to pair your visit with nearby Verona wine tours, making your Italian journey as rich in flavor as it is in culture.

What are the best things to do in Padua?

Marvel at the Frescoes in the Scrovegni Chapel

One of the unmissable things to do in Padua is stepping inside the Scrovegni Chapel, also known as the Arena Chapel. This 14th-century treasure is a masterpiece of Italian Renaissance art, its walls covered in Giotto’s frescoes that bring the stories of Mary and Jesus to life. The “Last Judgment” in particular is breathtaking, with colors and details that still feel strikingly fresh centuries later. Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the chapel is one of Padua’s crown jewels, but spots are limited, so make sure you book tickets in advance to secure your visit.

Visit the Basilica of Saint Anthony of Padua

The Basilica of Saint Anthony is one of Padua’s most awe-inspiring landmarks and a centerpiece of the city’s spiritual life. This Gothic masterpiece honors Anthony of Padua, drawing pilgrims from around the world to its soaring domes, inspired by St. Mark’s Basilica in Venice, and to the saint’s tomb. Inside, you’ll also find extraordinary bronze sculptures by Donatello that add to its artistic splendor.

Stroll through Prato della Valle

Prato della Valle is one of Europe’s largest squares, a vast 90,000-square-meter ellipse that feels like the city’s open-air living room. A canal surrounds the central green island, lined with nearly 80 statues of Padua’s most influential citizens. Come for a picnic on the grass, enjoy a sunset stroll, or simply soak up the atmosphere, this is Padua at its most picturesque.

Explore the historic Palazzo della Ragione

Right between Piazza delle Erbe and Piazza della Frutta, the Palazzo della Ragione stands as one of Padua’s great landmarks. Once a medieval courthouse, today it’s celebrated for its vast upper hall, the largest in Europe without supporting columns. Step inside and you’ll find an immense wooden horse, zodiac-themed frescoes, and a space that feels as grand as its history. In the heart of the city, it’s a cultural and artistic highlight you shouldn’t miss.

Wander the botanical garden

Founded in 1545, the Botanical Garden of Padua is the oldest academic garden in the world still in its original location, a living museum of plants that has earned UNESCO World Heritage status. Inside its historic walls, you’ll find a remarkable collection of species from across the globe, themed gardens, and towering trees that have witnessed centuries of change. Just steps from the busy city center, it’s one of the most peaceful things to do in Padua, blending nature, history, and quiet reflection in one unforgettable stop.

Admire the Astronomical Clock at Piazza dei Signori

Piazza dei Signori is one of the liveliest things to do in Padua, a central square where history and daily life meet. Its star attraction is the 14th-century astronomical clock tower, an engineering marvel that tracks not just the hours but also the moon’s phases and zodiac constellations. Around it, the square buzzes with cafés and terraces, the perfect spot to pause, sip a coffee, and soak in the rhythm of the city during your walk through Padua.

Discover artistic treasures at Palazzo Zuckermann

Art and archaeology lovers will find Palazzo Zuckermann a fascinating stop near the Scrovegni Chapel. Inside, the museum showcases decorative arts, ancient coins, and intricate jewelry that trace Padua’s artistic story through the centuries. It’s one of those lesser-known things to do in Padua that rewards curious travelers with a deeper look into the city’s cultural heritage.

Take a moment at Padua Cathedral

Padua Cathedral, blending Romanesque strength with Renaissance elegance, stands at the heart of the city beside its jewel, the Baptistery. Step inside to see Giusto de’ Menabuoi’s 14th-century fresco cycle, a vivid masterpiece that covers every inch of the dome and walls. Visiting this complex is one of the essential things to do in Padua, especially for travelers who love the intersection of art, history, and faith.

Relax in the Abbey of Santa Giustina

Located right next to Prato della Valle, the Abbey of Santa Giustina is one of Padua’s grandest yet most overlooked treasures. The vast basilica, with its soaring domes and long nave, feels monumental from the outside, but step inside and you’ll find serene chapels and art that reflect centuries of devotion. Wander into the cloisters for a moment of calm, where the quiet arcades frame gardens that have witnessed monastic life for hundreds of years.

Explore the Markets at Piazza delle Erbe and Piazza della Frutta

Piazza delle Erbe and Piazza della Frutta, sitting on either side of the Palazzo della Ragione, are where Padua’s daily life bursts into view. By morning, the stalls overflow with fresh produce, fragrant herbs, and local specialties, while cheesemongers and wine vendors tempt you with regional flavors. Stay a little longer and grab lunch at a trattoria tucked under the arcades, where the hum of conversation and clinking glasses set the tone.

See the highlights of the Church of the Eremitani

Another remarkable stop is the Church of the Eremitani, known for its surviving frescoes by Andrea Mantegna. Though much of the church was damaged during WWII, what remains still speaks powerfully of Padua’s artistic golden age. Stepping inside feels like entering a space that carries both beauty and resilience, making it a meaningful addition to any sightseeing tour of the city.

What are the best things to do in Padua?

Reconnect with nature in the Brenta Riviera Villas

Between Padua and Venice stretches the Brenta Riviera, a waterway lined with aristocratic villas that once belonged to Venetian nobility. About 25 minutes from Padua’s center, this peaceful escape is dotted with treasures like Villa Pisani and Villa Foscari, where Renaissance sculpture, bronze statues, and manicured gardens showcase centuries of wealth and artistry. Walking through these estates feels like stepping into a different era, a glimpse of the lavish lifestyle enjoyed along the Brenta Canal. After a morning exploring Padua’s Prato della Valle or Piazza dei Signori, the Brenta Riviera adds a quieter, lesser-known contrast filled with mosaics, palaces, and timeless architecture.

Step into years of Veneto wine

Imagine wandering through century-old cellars beneath rolling vineyards, where wine is only one chapter of a much larger story, 30 minutes from Padua. This estate, sprawling over some 560–600 hectares in the Padua countryside, combines noble villas, gardens, agricultural fields, and its celebrated Friularo DOCG wine production. In the vineyards and ancient cantinas, you’ll taste wines that carry notes of tradition, local soil, and sustainable farming, all while immersed in the art, architecture, and legacy of Veneto’s rural nobility.

Wander through the Venice Lagoon

A day trip from Padua to Venice is one of the most rewarding experiences in the region. Just 30 minutes by train, this UNESCO World Heritage city dazzles with Romanesque churches, Renaissance palaces, Gothic cathedrals, and world-famous icons like St. Mark’s Basilica. Drift through the canals, explore vibrant districts such as Cannaregio, and pause for a wine tasting Venice experience that pairs perfectly with the city’s flair. The contrast between the calm of Prato della Valle in Padua and the energy of Piazza San Marco shows just how diverse northern Italy can be.

Glide down canals, marvel at St. Mark’s, and toast the city with a glass of local wine. Uncover the top things to do in Venice!

Discover organic Prosecco in the Veneto Hills

Hidden in the rolling Colli Berici hills near Alonte, this estate blends history and sustainability in every bottle. A certified organic winery, La Pria traces its roots back to 1779 while practicing modern biodynamic farming across its 20 hectares. Tour the vineyards, explore cellar tunnels, and then settle in for a tasting of their range of crisp Proseccos, elegant whites, and structured reds, each glass echoing the terroir and traditions of Veneto.

Winemaking in Breganze gets poetic at Col Dovigo. Since 1923, this family-run estate perched among volcanic soils has married tradition with innovation, crafting elegant whites and structured reds that echo the land. Take a walk through their vineyards, peek into the cellar, and taste aged varietals shaped by time and terroir. If you love wine, Col Dovigo is not just another stop, it’s a deep sip of Veneto’s soul.

Visit the romanesque treasures of Verona

Just over an hour west of Padua by train, Verona is a northern Italian gem overflowing with Roman and medieval splendor. Famous as the backdrop to Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, the city enchants with its ancient Roman Arena, lively piazzas, and fresco-covered palaces. Joining a guided tour, or better yet, one of the many Verona wine tours, lets you pair the city’s artistic heritage with the flavors of nearby Valpolicella. Verona also makes a perfect base for exploring northern Italy, with countless unforgettable day trips from Verona into the surrounding hills, vineyards, and historic towns. As with Padua’s Basilica of Saint Anthony or its centuries-old university, Verona’s landmarks offer a rich dive into Italian history and culture.

Good to know before visiting Padua