Things to do in Padua
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Top 10 attractions in Padua
Scrovegni Chapel
The Scrovegni Chapel is located in Padua, Italy. This Gothic-style chapel, also known as the Arena Chapel, was inscribed as part of the 14th-century fresco cycles of Padua on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2021. While its exterior appears simple and unadorned, the interior is entirely covered with a series of frescoes by Giotto, spanning from the vaulted dome to the baseboards. The collection holds immense artistic value. The chapel features 38 narrative frescoes arranged in tiers, presenting a coherent depiction of the Virgin Mary and Jesus' life. Breaking away from the rigid styles of medieval tradition, Giotto employed early perspective techniques to create three-dimensional figures and meticulously captured emotional expressions, revolutionizing Western painting and cementing his status in Italian art history. Commissioned by local banker Enrico Scrovegni, the chapel served both private devotion and public art display. Remarkably preserved for over 700 years, the frescoes stand as a landmark of early Renaissance art in Europe. Combining religious study, art appreciation, and cultural tourism, the chapel attracts art enthusiasts and students worldwide. Visits operate on a timed reservation system with guided tours available, offering deep insights into the biblical stories and artistic innovations behind the frescoes. A must-visit cultural landmark in Padua.Padua · 636m from downtown
Prato della Valle
The Valais Sculpture Square, literally translated as the lawn in the valley, is one of the largest squares in Italy and even Europe. In the middle of the square is a green island surrounded by a canal with 78 sculptures erected in two rows on both sides of the river. The statues include poets, medical scientists, scientists, etc. in ancient times, among which the more famous one is the statue of Andrea Memo. Now, the Plaza del Valle is the main place where the citizens of Padua gather, and from here you can also overlook the Cathedral of St. Anthony not far away.Padua · 870m from downtown
The Basilica of St. Anthony
The Basilica of St. Anthony, located on the Piazza Santo, was built in the 13th century and completed in the early 14th century, with some subsequent modifications, which made the church architecture influenced by many styles. The pointed arches are the transition from the Roman style to the Gothic style, the domes full of Byzantine style and the Turkish style minarets are staggered, and the continuous blind arches under the pediment are reminiscent of the Lombard style. The mixture of various architectural styles inside the church is also very obvious. For example, the symmetrical transepts on both sides are two completely different styles - Romanesque and Gothic. The grandeur of the church and the combination of various architectural styles make it a landmark building in Padua.Padua · 642m from downtown
Piazza dei Signori
Piazza dei Signori is located in the city center of Padua, Italy, and is one of three connected squares, known for its elegant atmosphere and historic buildings. In the center of the square stands the magnificent Clock Tower (Torre dell'Orologio), which is decorated with an exquisite astronomical clock. This clock is one of the oldest of its kind in Europe and can display the time and the signs of the zodiac. During the day, the lively morning market in the square attracts many tourists, and cafes and restaurants are distributed under the surrounding arcades, making it an ideal place to experience urban life and relax. In the evening, it becomes a hub for local social activities and a popular spot to enjoy an aperitivo. Whether it is a coffee break after shopping during the day or a pre-dinner drink in the evening, Piazza dei Signori is a great choice.Padua · 292m from downtown
Saint Mark's Basilica
Saint Mark's Basilica is located in Saint Mark's Square, adjacent to the Doge's Palace. The basilica was first built in 828, and after the old church was destroyed by fire, reconstruction began in the 11th century. It was originally used to house the relics of Saint Mark and later stored various treasures brought back during the Crusades, making it an art repository with a rich collection. The church is primarily Byzantine in style, blending various architectural and decorative elements from Romanesque to Renaissance. Its facade features five Romanesque doors with diamond-shaped arches, topped with Oriental and Gothic spires, along with marble statues, reliefs, and floral motifs. The massive dome and dazzling mosaics are its most striking features. The church consists of five large domed main halls and two cloister-style vestibules, forming a giant Greek cross in its overall layout. The design of the five domes was inspired by the Church of the Holy Apostles in Constantinople, making it a highly representative Byzantine-style structure. In front of the church stand three flagpoles, symbolizing the three regions of Cyprus, Crete, and Morea that Venice controlled during its peak, bearing witness to the city's past glory. At the top center of the church stands a statue of Saint Mark holding the Gospel of Mark, with the winged lion symbolizing Saint Mark beneath it.Venice · 36.3 km from Padua
Doge's Palace
The Doge's Palace, adjacent to St. Mark's Basilica and facing the lagoon, was the political hub of the former Republic of Venice: serving as the residence of successive doges and housing legislative, administrative, and judicial bodies such as the Great Council, the Senate, and the Council of Ten. Originally built in the 9th century as a castle-like defensive structure, its current Gothic main body was constructed from the 14th century onward, suffering multiple fires over time. After two consecutive fires in the 1570s, architect Andrea Palladio proposed a neoclassical redesign, but the republic ultimately restored it to its original Gothic form, creating this masterpiece of delicate Venetian Gothic architecture. Since 1923, it has operated as a museum, with ceiling and wall paintings by Venetian School masters like Tintoretto and Veronese adorning its halls. The two facades facing St. Mark's Square and the lagoon are the signature features of this building: geometric patterns formed by white and rose-colored stone, with a massive solid upper wall adorned with flamboyant spires and traceried windows. Below, the two-tiered arcades and loggias appear light and airy—this unconventional "top-heavy, bottom-light" proportion is precisely what distinguishes Venetian Gothic style. The original medieval capitals and statues replaced during the facade's major restoration now have a dedicated exhibition area. The visit generally follows a fixed route. First, enter the inner courtyard: the north side is adjacent to St. Mark's Basilica, where you can look up and see the church's domes; on both sides of the Giant's Staircase in the courtyard stand the statues of Mars and Neptune sculpted by Sansovino, symbolizing the republic's power on land and at sea; embedded in the walls of the second-floor corridor are several lion-headed anonymous denunciation boxes, where reports were once dropped directly into the lion's mouth, and standing in the corridor, you can also overlook St. Mark's Square and the lagoon. The bronze cistern in the center of the courtyard is exquisitely decorated—fresh water was scarce in Venice, and the whole city relied on rainwater filtered into underground wells for use; it is said that water sellers used to come here specifically to draw water for sale. Then, go upstairs along the Golden Staircase: the staircase is named for its gilded stucco decorations, and at the entrance stand the statues of Hercules, who slew the serpent, and Atlas, who carried the earth on his shoulders; in the past, it was reserved only for nobles and VIPs. Upstairs, the rooms are lined one after another—the Four Doors Room, the Anticollegio, the Sala del Collegio, and finally the Great Council Chamber—with paintings and sculptures covering everything from the ceilings to the walls. In the Great Council Chamber, Tintoretto's massive "Paradise," inspired by Dante's "Divine Comedy: Paradiso," occupies almost the entire side wall; its sheer scale makes it one of the largest oil paintings on canvas, with layers of heavenly figures filling the composition. Another room is lined with world maps, featuring celestial and terrestrial globes on display. The latter part of the itinerary leads first through the armory, which houses medieval weapons and armor, then descends into the dim, underground prison cells, and finally crosses the Bridge of Sighs, built around 1600, to reach the New Prison on the opposite bank—a facility considered one of the earliest buildings in Europe designed specifically as a prison, with its name derived from the sighs of prisoners as they crossed the bridge.Venice · 36.3 km from Padua
Piazza San Marco
St. Mark's Square is unique among European city squares, being located in the city center, but not as noisy as other squares, thanks to Venice's quiet waterway traffic. As a Venice landmark, it is favored by tourists, photographers and even pigeons. Piazza San Marco has historically been the political, religious and festival center of Venice, the seat of all important Venetian government institutions, the seat of the Archbishop since the 19th century, and the venue of choice for many Venetian festivals. More than 200 years have passed since the style layout, this trapezoidal square on the edge of the Grand Canal still has its charm. The square is about 170 meters long, 80 meters wide to the east and 55 meters wide to the west. From New Year's Day to Carnival to Christmas, the Venetians host festivals big and small in Piazza San Marco, and even on normal days, people from all over the world flock to this square. There is a circle of exquisite Renaissance-style buildings on the side of the square. St. Mark's Basilica, the Mint, and the Doge's Palace are located on the east side of the square. On the south side are the bell tower and the new and old parliament buildings. Climbing the bell tower can overlook the whole square panorama. . On the west side is the Corell Museum, and on the back is a row of boutiques selling gold jewelry, glass, clothing, home decoration, etc. The storefront is not large, but the window design is very eye-catching. Between the Doge's Palace and the Venetian Prison on the other side of the river is the Bridge of Sighs, and between the square and the Grand Canal is the small Piazza San Marco, where you can see two tall columns standing on the river bank, one of At the top is the statue of San Marco's lion ready to fly. At the top of the other column stands a statue of the holy San Theodore accompanied by a crocodile, both patrons of Venice. During the day, the square is crowded with tourists, and there are groups of tourists everywhere, and large groups of pigeons are flying around the square. If you want to feed the pigeons, you can buy biscuits to feed them. If you encounter a black person who feeds pigeons and corn, don't take it. A small handful of rice is 10 euros. If you accept it, you can ask for money. However, white people generally only give 2-5 euros. If you see Asians in Italy, they will charge more. You can choose to stroll in the square, of course, you can also choose an outdoor cafe seat to sit and rest when you are tired. Although the restaurants and cafes in the square are very expensive, you won't mind because you can stop here for a while and let your eyeballs enjoy the feast of architectural art. The steeple church, Byzantine dome church, mosaic frescoes, marble carvings, and the elegant and elegant Doge's Palace next door are not to be missed. In addition, there are many street performers and mobile vendors in the square, selling some local souvenirs, the price ranges from 3-10 euros, you can buy some as souvenirs if you like. At the same time, the view of the square at night will not disappoint you. If you visit Piazza San Marco around 7:30 pm, you will be impressed by the sight in front of you. In each arch of the buildings around the square, there are lights emitting golden light, which illuminates the original white stone church with golden color, and the whole square is shrouded in a golden splendor. Some restaurants also have their own open-air LiveShow, and it is also a pleasure to watch a free performance here.Venice · 36.2 km from Padua
Padova Fiere
Padua · 1.2 km from downtown
Gondola Ride
The Gondola Ride is a classic way to experience the charm of Venice's water city: boarding a slender, flat-bottomed traditional wooden boat, gliding slowly along the Grand Canal and narrow alley-like waterways, admiring the stone facades of palaces, old bridges, and water gates from the water's perspective—a view unmatched by walking or larger cruises. Gondolas were first documented in Venice as early as the 11th century; since 1562, local laws have required the boats to be painted black, with the black hull paired with an iron ornament at the bow resembling a comb—its teeth said to represent Venice's six districts—becoming its iconic feature. The boat also hides clever design: the entire vessel is built asymmetrically, slightly tilting left to counterbalance the force of the gondolier rowing with a single oar on the right stern, ensuring straight and steady movement. During the experience, pay attention to the contrast between the two waterways: the grand canal is wide and bustling, with palaces and bridges passing by in succession; after turning into narrow tributaries, the water surface quiets down, with the mottled traces of ancient walls close at hand. The gondoliers, mostly dressed in striped shirts, stand at the stern, maneuvering the boat through bridges and alleys with a single long oar, and some might even sing a few lines of a boat song when in high spirits; if you set sail during dusk, the sunset glow cast on the ancient facades creates an even better atmosphere. Though the entire journey is not long, it encapsulates Venice's daily aquatic life of "streets as rivers and boats as cars."Venice · 35.9 km from Padua
University of Padua Botanical Garden
The Botanical Garden of Padua is located in the University of Padua. It was built in 1545. It still retains the original architectural pattern: a circular land symbolizing the world, surrounded by water, and facilities such as gates and conservatories were added later. built. In 1997, the Botanical Garden was inscribed on the World Heritage List for its long history and contribution to scientific research. So far, the botanical garden is used as a base for scientific research, but some locals also use it as a good place to escape the summer heat.Padua · 946m from downtown
Experiences you can't miss in Padua
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What travelers say about Padua
Marco C.July 24, 2019
5.0
The Scrovegni Chapel, a masterpiece in the history of painting in Italy and Europe in the 14th century, is considered to be the most complete series of frescoes executed by Giotto in his mature age.
Scrovegni Chapel
Alvin-RocJune 14, 2026
5.0
Extremely satisfied! The tour guide was a teacher-level expert! [Thumbs up][Thumbs up][Thumbs up] Their knowledge was comprehensive and professional, their attitude was extremely serious, and they took great care of us, promptly arranging breaks and photo opportunities! Having such a guide made visiting these famous cultural sites truly meaningful! Thank you again!!
Saint Mark's Basilica
Eddieb2bAugust 14, 2026
5.0
Absolutely stunning! ❤️ The Doge’s Palace is one of the most impressive places I visited in Venice. The architecture and interiors are incredibly beautiful, and you can truly feel the history in every room. It was fascinating to walk through such an important part of Venice’s past. Definitely a must-see and a place I highly recommend visiting! 🇮🇹✨
Doge's Palace
MARK MORDOVTSEVMay 22, 2026
5.0
The photo was taken at Piazza San Marco in the heart of Venice, near the famous St. Mark’s Basilica and the Campanile bell tower. This is one of the most iconic and historic places in the city, surrounded by beautiful architecture, cafes, and live music. The square is easy to reach on foot from Rialto Bridge or by Vaporetto water bus to San Marco station. Sunset and evening are especially beautiful here because the lights and reflections create a magical atmosphere perfect for photos and videos.I would recommend visiting Piazza San Marco both early in the morning and in the evening because the atmosphere feels completely different. Morning is quieter and better for photos without crowds, while the evening feels romantic with live music and beautiful lighting. I also suggest exploring the nearby small streets and canals because some of the most authentic Venice experiences are hidden away from the main tourist areas. Be careful with pigeons and always check restaurant prices before sitting down near the square.
Piazza San Marco
Alaine08January 26, 2025
5.0
Our experience in Venice was unforgettable, thanks to the perfect combination of a serene gondola ride and an insightful walking tour. The gondola ride was peaceful and gave us a unique view of the canals, while our guide was fantastic—knowledgeable, friendly, and engaging. We learned so much about the city's history and hidden gems as we walked through its charming streets. A truly memorable way to experience Venice from both the water and the land. Highly recommend this experience for anyone visiting!
Gondola Ride
_We***36February 20, 2023
4.0
The botanical garden is not big, so you can take your time to explore it. It's quite nice. There are many varieties of cacti, especially one kind of cactus whose fruit looks very much like dragon fruit, with white flesh and black seeds. It's quite novel. You can go and see it if you have time.
University of Padua Botanical Garden
