Padua, a City to Discover!
All the Must-See Stops and Unusual Places.
Padua is a city to discover: elegant, historic, refined, university-centered, and it is also the only city in Italy, alongside Rome, to have a Pride Village open during the summer, with concerts, evenings, and numerous guests. Additionally, it is located in a strategic area: just an hour’s drive from the Adriatic coast and Venice, and very close to the Dolomites, which can even be reached in a day.
But that’s not all!
Padua boasts UNESCO World Heritage sites and holds many records: it’s a city to explore outdoors, especially during the beautiful seasons, walking through the alleys of the historic ghetto, along the ancient walls, and visiting its famous palaces, museums, and basilicas.
Here are more ideas to experience Padua at its best. The charm of this Venetian city, rich in artistic, historical, and architectural masterpieces, can be appreciated starting from:
1 - SCROVEGNI CHAPEL
The Scrovegni Chapel is one of the most famous art sites in the world and is part of the UNESCO World Heritage for its 14th-century frescoes by Giotto. Not far from here, another masterpiece, another fresco protected by UNESCO: in the Baptistery, we find works by the painter Giusto Dè Menabuoi.
Of course, a visit to the Basilica of Saint Anthony, or "Il Santo" as the locals call it, the Monument to Gattamelata, and Prato della Valle is also a must.
And after the tour, continue exploring the most unexpected places.
2 - PALAZZO ZABARELLA
This historic palace, located in the heart of Padua, was built by the Zabarella family on the foundations of a Roman structure and reached its current configuration during the Middle Ages when the tower was added. Today, it is home to the Bano Foundation, a private institution that promotes and enhances historical and artistic assets by hosting internationally renowned art exhibitions.
3 - CASTELLO DI SAN PELAGIO
A true villa, or perhaps better described as a castle with gardens that form a maze. In other words, an enchanted place where time has stopped, with a history centered around Gabriele D’Annunzio. Today, it is home to a museum.
4 - LA SPECOLA
For astronomy enthusiasts, a visit to La Specola is a must. The site of the ancient astronomical observatory of the University of Padua, it is known as La Specola and is located in the tallest of the two towers of the old castle: the Torlonga, a medieval defense tower built in the 9th century. La Specola is situated in a charming area of Padua, just a few steps from the Jewish Ghetto. It’s truly worth taking a walk to explore these ancient, history-filled places!
5 - PALAZZO DELLA RAGIONE AND SURROUNDINGS
And after all these little tours... it’s time for an aperitif! Any bar in the city will satisfy your cravings for an aperitivo, but here’s a bonus for you: we reveal a truly special spot to add to your top 5 list of must-see locations in Padua.
An iconic place, a witness to the Italian Risorgimento, is the Caffè Pedrocchi!
It is the most famous historic café in the city, which even fascinated Stendhal. Here, you can sit in one of the three main rooms on the ground floor: the Sala Bianca, Sala Rossa, and Sala Verde, named after the colors of the wallpapers that were created after the Unification of Italy in 1861, each with its own distinct character.
And to end your day, all that's left to do is settle into our elegant 4-star iH Hotels Admiral, where you can enjoy a comfortable overnight stay in Padua.
Safe travels, we look forward to welcoming you!