Padua

Tourist Attractions in Padua

The most interesting and beautiful tourist sites in Padua. Photos, reviews, descriptions, and links to maps.

18 Attractions
4.6 Average rating
5 Categories

About Padua

Padua is a compact Renaissance marvel that rewards wandering feet with a blend of sacred art, scholarly heritage, and lively street life. The city’s must-sees range from the atmospheric Scrovegni Chapel housing Giotto’s luminous frescoes to the venerable Basilica of Saint Anthony, revered by pilgrims and locals alike. Behind the medieval facades, the University of Padua—one of Europe’s oldest—sparkles with centuries of science and learning, while the Orto Botanico, the world’s oldest university botanic garden, unfolds green serenity. Stroll around Prato della Valle, uncover elegant palazzos at Palazzo della Ragione, and sip coffee in bustling squares, where Padua’s student-friendly rhythm makes every visit feel timeless.

Top-18 Tourist Attractions in Padua

The Basilica of St. Anthony — Religious site, rated 4.8/5 1
Religious site MuseumChurchPlace Of WorshipAssociation Or Organization

The Basilica of St. Anthony

4.8 ★★★★★ 54,854 reviews

The Basilica of Saint Anthony in Padua is a monumental, centuries‑old pilgrimage church that anchors the city’s religious life and architectural skyline. Its sweeping Gothic exterior opens to a richly ornamented interior housing the revered tomb of Saint Anthony and a treasury of chapels, frescoes, and gilded altars. Visitors can expect a serene, candlelit atmosphere, intricate marble work, and optional guided tours that reveal centuries of devotion, miracles, and artistry. It’s a must for spiritual seekers and art lovers alike, offering both contemplative space and a window into northern Italy’s sacred heritage.

Piazza del Santo, 11, 35123 Padova PD, Italy
Opening hours · Today: 6:15 AM – 7:30 PM
  • Monday6:15 AM – 7:30 PM
  • Tuesday6:15 AM – 7:30 PM
  • Wednesday6:15 AM – 7:30 PM
  • Thursday6:15 AM – 7:30 PM
  • Friday6:15 AM – 7:30 PM
  • Saturday6:15 AM – 7:30 PM
  • Sunday6:15 AM – 7:30 PM
Good for kids
Entrance Parking Restroom Seating
Scrovegni Chapel — Religious site, rated 4.8/5 2
Religious site ChurchPlace Of WorshipAssociation Or Organization

Scrovegni Chapel

4.8 ★★★★★ 18,663 reviews

The Scrovegni Chapel, nestled in Padua's historic center, is a compact Renaissance masterpiece famed for Giotto’s intimate, luminous fresco cycle depicting the life of Christ and the Virgin Mary. Built in 1303 by financier Enrico Scrovegni, the chapel offers a revelatory narrative flow, with color and composition guiding the eye through scenes of mercy, judgment, and devotion. Visitors can expect a hushed, contemplative atmosphere, superb fresco preservation, and a precise, almost cinematic storytelling technique. Reserve timed tickets, and allow time to absorb the architectural harmony and spiritual resonance of Giotto’s unparalleled masterpiece.

Piazza Eremitani, 8, 35121 Padova PD, Italy
Opening hours · Today: 9:00 AM – 10:00 PM
  • Monday9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
  • Tuesday9:00 AM – 10:00 PM
  • Wednesday9:00 AM – 10:00 PM
  • Thursday9:00 AM – 10:00 PM
  • Friday9:00 AM – 10:00 PM
  • Saturday9:00 AM – 10:00 PM
  • Sunday9:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Entrance Parking Restroom
Prato della Valle — Park, rated 4.7/5 3
Park Historical LandmarkCity ParkHistorical Place

Prato della Valle

4.7 ★★★★★ 61,410 reviews

Prato della Valle is a vast Renaissance-era oval in the heart of Padua, one of Europe’s largest squares. Encircling a tranquil canal, it is edged with 78 small islets bearing statues and monuments, weaving a dreamlike promenade for strolls and photography. Inside, a broad green lawn invites picnics, concerts and seasonal events, while remnants of the old market square echo in the surrounding arcades and historic palaces. Visitors come for the sense of space, the architectural detail, and the serene, family-friendly atmosphere that makes a quick break or a long wander memorable.

Prato della Valle, 35141 Padova PD, Italy
Opening hours · Today: Open 24 hours
  • MondayOpen 24 hours
  • TuesdayOpen 24 hours
  • WednesdayOpen 24 hours
  • ThursdayOpen 24 hours
  • FridayOpen 24 hours
  • SaturdayOpen 24 hours
  • SundayOpen 24 hours
Good for kids Dogs allowed
Entrance Parking
Piazza dei Signori — Historic site, rated 4.7/5 4
Historic site Historical LandmarkHistorical Place

Piazza dei Signori

4.7 ★★★★★ 16,477 reviews

Piazza dei Signori, Padua’s grand civic stage, is a graceful medieval-to-Renaissance square framed by elegant arcades and the striking Scoletta del Santo. Dominated by the Torre dell’Orologio with its ornate clock, the piazza is flanked by historic palazzi and statues, including the grandloggia and the statue of Doge Antonio Contarini. Visitors linger to soak in timeless atmosphere, sip coffee at outdoor cafes, and glimpse daily life threaded with Valpolicella-warm light. It’s a doorway to Padua’s scholarly legacy, inviting strolls toward the Duomo, Prato della Valle, and the city’s venerable university.

Piazza dei Signori, 35139 Padova PD, Italy
Opening hours · Today: Open 24 hours
  • MondayOpen 24 hours
  • TuesdayOpen 24 hours
  • WednesdayOpen 24 hours
  • ThursdayOpen 24 hours
  • FridayOpen 24 hours
  • SaturdayOpen 24 hours
  • SundayOpen 24 hours
Good for kids
Entrance
University of Padua Botanical Garden — Garden, rated 4.6/5 5
Garden Botanical Garden

University of Padua Botanical Garden

4.6 ★★★★★ 6,711 reviews

The University of Padua Botanical Garden, founded in 1545, is the oldest academic botanical garden in the world and a UNESCO-listed treasure in Padua. It blends centuries of botanical science with serene, palm-lined walkways, mossy walls, and the iconic semicircular hedges. Visitors can inspect medicinal plants, century-old trees, and historic greenhouses, guided by informative signs and seasonal blooms. Expect a calm, educational stroll through living laboratories that inspired generations of scientists and still informs modern research. The garden sits within the university campus, offering a glimpse into Italy's Renaissance scientific culture.

Via Orto Botanico, 15, 35123 Padova PD, Italy
Opening hours · Today: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
  • MondayClosed
  • Tuesday10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
  • Wednesday10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
  • Thursday10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
  • Friday10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
  • Saturday10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
  • Sunday10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Good for kids Restroom
Entrance Parking
Piazza della frutta — Historic site, rated 4.6/5 6
Historic site Historical LandmarkHistorical Place

Piazza della frutta

4.6 ★★★★★ 6,254 reviews

Piazza della Frutta is a historic square in Padua’s medieval core, famously lined with stone façades and arcade galleries that shelter a lively daily market. Once the heart of the city’s fruit and vegetable trade, its name endures in a place steeped in centuries of civic life, adjacent to the historic Palazzo della Ragione and the university quarter. Visitors can expect a photogenic, timeless atmosphere: markets with seasonal produce, local chatter, and easy access to nearby churches and corners of the old town, all offering a quintessential Padua experience.

Piazza della Frutta, 36, 35100 Padova PD, Italy
Opening hours · Today: Open 24 hours
  • MondayOpen 24 hours
  • TuesdayOpen 24 hours
  • WednesdayOpen 24 hours
  • ThursdayOpen 24 hours
  • FridayOpen 24 hours
  • SaturdayOpen 24 hours
  • SundayOpen 24 hours
Good for kids
Entrance Parking
Palazzo Bo — Historic site, rated 4.7/5 7
Historic site Historical LandmarkUniversityHistorical PlaceEducational Institution

Palazzo Bo

4.7 ★★★★★ 4,087 reviews

Palazzo Bo, the historic heart of the University of Padua, stands beside the city’s Prato della Valle with a proud centuries-old aura. Founded in the 16th century, this grand complex houses classrooms, libraries and elegant salons that echo centuries of scholarship. Its most famous highlight is the Anatomical Theatre, a pioneering 16th-century demonstration space whose wooden benches and vaulted ceiling conjure early modern science in action. Visitors can wander ornate halls, view scholar portraits, and learn about Padua’s long tradition of medicine, astronomy and law. Guided tours reveal intimate stories behind this academic powerhouse.

Via VIII Febbraio, 2, 35122 Padova PD, Italy
Opening hours · Today: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
  • Monday10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
  • Tuesday10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
  • Wednesday10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
  • Thursday10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
  • Friday10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
  • Saturday9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
  • Sunday9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Entrance
Giardini dell'Arena — Garden, rated 4.6/5 8
Garden Association Or Organization

Giardini dell'Arena

4.6 ★★★★★ 5,010 reviews

The Giardini dell'Arena are a leafy public garden that surrounds the ancient Roman amphitheatre in Padua, a tranquil green oasis just steps from the city’s heart. Visitors stroll under centuries-old plane trees, enjoy shaded benches, and glimpse the hollowed arena walls peeking through the foliage. It’s a perfect pit stop before or after visiting nearby Romanesque and Renaissance highlights, and often hosts markets and seasonal events that add local charm. Expect a relaxing, photogenic setting where history, nature, and everyday Venetian-era charm combine for a pleasant, genteel pause in your itinerary.

Corso Giuseppe Garibaldi, 35121 Padova PD, Italy
Opening hours · Today: 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM
  • Monday7:00 AM – 6:00 PM
  • Tuesday7:00 AM – 6:00 PM
  • Wednesday7:00 AM – 6:00 PM
  • Thursday7:00 AM – 6:00 PM
  • Friday7:00 AM – 6:00 PM
  • Saturday7:00 AM – 6:00 PM
  • Sunday7:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Dogs allowed Cards accepted
Entrance Parking
Ragione Palace — Museum, rated 4.6/5 9
Museum

Ragione Palace

4.6 ★★★★★ 4,404 reviews

Palazzo della Ragione, Padua’s grand 13th‑century town hall on the bustling Piazza delle Erbe, is a striking symbol of medieval civic power. Its massive white stone façade and vast interior hall once echoed with markets, councils, and legal proceedings, and today it remains a dramatic backdrop for exhibitions and cultural events. Visitors can admire the soaring arches of the ground-floor loggias, the lofty wooden-beamed ceiling, and the ever-present sense of history that pervades the stone galleries. It’s a must for architecture lovers and those seeking a tangible link to Padua’s past.

Piazza delle Erbe, 35100 Padova PD, Italy
Opening hours · Today: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
  • MondayClosed
  • Tuesday9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
  • Wednesday9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
  • Thursday9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
  • Friday9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
  • Saturday9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
  • SundayClosed
Good for kids
Entrance Restroom
Abbazia di Santa Giustina — Religious site, rated 4.7/5 10
Religious site ChurchPlace Of WorshipAssociation Or Organization

Abbazia di Santa Giustina

4.7 ★★★★★ 2,051 reviews

The Abbazia di Santa Giustina in Padua is a historic Benedictine monastery complex that anchors the city’s religious heritage. Founded in the early medieval era, it combines a venerable church, cloisters, and a peaceful garden that invite reflection after busy sightseeing. Inside, visitors discover a blend of Gothic and Baroque artworks, quiet chapels, and remnants connected to Saint Justina, the city’s patron. It’s worth visiting for its architectural continuity, serene atmosphere, and the opportunity to step behind Padua’s famed squares to glimpse monastic life and sacred art away from the crowds.

Via Giuseppe Ferrari, 2/A, 35123 Padova PD, Italy
Opening hours · Today: 7:30 AM – 12:00 PM, 3:00 – 6:00 PM
  • Monday7:30 AM – 12:00 PM, 3:00 – 6:00 PM
  • Tuesday7:30 AM – 12:00 PM, 3:00 – 6:00 PM
  • Wednesday7:30 AM – 12:00 PM, 3:00 – 6:00 PM
  • Thursday7:30 AM – 12:00 PM, 3:00 – 6:00 PM
  • Friday7:30 AM – 12:00 PM, 3:00 – 6:00 PM
  • Saturday7:30 AM – 12:00 PM, 3:00 – 6:00 PM
  • Sunday7:30 AM – 12:00 PM, 3:00 – 6:00 PM
Entrance Parking Restroom
Battistero di San Giovanni Battista — Religious site, rated 4.5/5 11
Religious site Place Of WorshipAssociation Or Organization

Battistero di San Giovanni Battista

4.5 ★★★★★ 3,213 reviews

The Battistero di San Giovanni Battista in Padua is a striking 12th‑century brick octagonal baptistery topped by a gilded dome, uniquely preserved within a city famed for art and science. Step inside to discover remarkable medieval frescoes and exquisite sculptures that depict biblical scenes and saints, offering a rare glimpse into liturgical life of the era. Visitors should expect a tranquil, candlelit atmosphere, learn about baptismal rites, and marvel at the craftsmanship of Paduan artisans. A short detour from Padua’s cathedral district, it harmonizes history with devotional devotion.

Piazza Duomo, 35139 Padova PD, Italy
Opening hours · Today: 10:30 AM – 1:00 PM, 2:00 – 5:30 PM
  • Monday2:00 – 5:30 PM
  • Tuesday10:30 AM – 1:00 PM, 2:00 – 5:30 PM
  • Wednesday10:30 AM – 1:00 PM, 2:00 – 5:30 PM
  • Thursday10:30 AM – 12:00 PM, 2:00 – 5:30 PM
  • Friday10:30 AM – 1:00 PM, 2:00 – 5:30 PM
  • Saturday10:30 AM – 1:00 PM, 2:00 – 5:30 PM
  • Sunday10:30 AM – 1:00 PM, 2:00 – 5:30 PM
Entrance Parking
Eremitani Museums — Museum, rated 4.5/5 12
Museum

Eremitani Museums

4.5 ★★★★★ 2,463 reviews

The Eremitani Museums in Padua are a compact architectural complex housing two standout collections: the Archaeological Museum and the Picture Gallery, connected by the historic Odeo degli Eremitani. Set within the Renaissance-era fortress walls, the galleries showcase a rich panorama of Padovan and Venetian art from the Middle Ages to the 18th century, including frescoes by Mantegna in the famed Sala Degli Eremitani. Visitors can expect richly layered history, impressive fresco cycles, and well-curated artworks, making it a must for art lovers seeking insight into northern Italy’s artistic evolution and a calm, intimate museum experience.

Piazza Eremitani, 8, 35121 Padova PD, Italy
Opening hours · Today: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
  • Monday9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
  • Tuesday9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
  • Wednesday9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
  • Thursday9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
  • Friday9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
  • Saturday9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
  • Sunday9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Good for kids
Entrance Parking Restroom
Piazza Garibaldi, rated 4.3/5 13
Tourist attraction

Piazza Garibaldi

4.3 ★★★★★ 2,893 reviews

Piazza Garibaldi is a historic square in Padua’s lively city center, named for the Italian unification hero. Surrounded by elegant palazzi, shaded arcades and lively cafés, it serves as a calm focal point between university streets and pastoral lanes. Travelers visit to linger over an espresso, watch locals on foot and bicycle, and use it as a gateway to Padua’s artistic treasures, including nearby churches and markets. The square exudes timeless charm, offering easy strolls, photo opportunities, and a sense of everyday Italian life in a compact, walkable package.

P.za Garibaldi, 35137 Padova PD, Italy
Opening hours · Today: Open 24 hours
  • MondayOpen 24 hours
  • TuesdayOpen 24 hours
  • WednesdayOpen 24 hours
  • ThursdayOpen 24 hours
  • FridayOpen 24 hours
  • SaturdayOpen 24 hours
  • SundayOpen 24 hours
Good for kids
Entrance Parking
Castello di San Pelagio — Museum, rated 4.4/5 14
Museum CastleHistorical PlacePark

Castello di San Pelagio

4.4 ★★★★★ 2,242 reviews

Castello di San Pelagio is a Renaissance fortress set in the countryside near Padua, beautifully restored as a museum and cultural venue. Inside, visitors wander grand halls filled with period furniture, tapestries, armory, and art that illuminate centuries of Veneto noble life, while atmospheric courtyards and a tranquil surrounding park invite leisurely strolls. The site also houses exhibitions and educational programs, with guided tours that reveal local history and legends. From the tower and garden paths, travelers enjoy panoramic views of the Euganean Hills, creating a memorable pairing of culture and landscape.

Via S. Pelagio, 50, 35020 Due Carrare PD, Italy
Opening hours · Today: 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM, 2:30 – 6:30 PM
  • MondayClosed
  • Tuesday10:00 AM – 1:00 PM, 2:30 – 6:30 PM
  • WednesdayClosed
  • ThursdayClosed
  • Friday10:00 AM – 1:00 PM, 2:30 – 6:30 PM
  • Saturday10:00 AM – 1:00 PM, 2:30 – 6:30 PM
  • Sunday10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Good for kids
Entrance Parking Restroom
Chiesa degli Eremitani — Religious site, rated 4.6/5 15
Religious site ChurchPlace Of WorshipAssociation Or Organization

Chiesa degli Eremitani

4.6 ★★★★★ 1,283 reviews

The Chiesa degli Eremitani, in the heart of Padua, is a historic church complex famed for its austere exterior and the rich art within. Founded by the Eremitani (hermit monks) in the 13th century, it houses the spectacular Renaissance-era tombs and the Sala dei Giganti, a frescoed hall by Giambattista Tiepolo and his workshop. Inside, sacred chapels and serene spaces invite reflection after admiring the Assunta by Jacopo della Quercia and notable works by Mantegna. Visitors benefit from a compact, emotionally evocative blend of architecture, history, and masterful fresco cycles.

Piazza Eremitani, 9, 35129 Padova PD, Italy
Opening hours · Today: 9:00 AM – 12:30 PM, 4:00 – 7:00 PM
  • Monday7:30 AM – 12:30 PM, 3:30 – 7:00 PM
  • Tuesday7:30 AM – 12:30 PM, 3:30 – 7:00 PM
  • Wednesday7:30 AM – 12:30 PM, 3:30 – 7:00 PM
  • Thursday7:30 AM – 12:30 PM, 3:30 – 7:00 PM
  • Friday7:30 AM – 12:30 PM, 3:30 – 7:00 PM
  • Saturday9:00 AM – 12:30 PM, 4:00 – 7:00 PM
  • Sunday9:00 AM – 12:30 PM, 4:00 – 7:00 PM
Entrance Parking
Piazza Cavour — Historic site, rated 4.4/5 16
Historic site Historical LandmarkHistorical Place

Piazza Cavour

4.4 ★★★★★ 1,724 reviews

Piazza Cavour is a timeless, elegant square in Padua’s historic center, beloved for its refined Palladian-style façades and quiet, leafy ambience. A pleasant anchor for a city stroll, the square offers shaded benches, coffee culture at nearby cafés, and a sense of old-town rhythm away from busier lanes. Visitors can savor architectural details, watch locals go about daily life, and use the square as a launching point to explore nearby highlights such as university streets, medieval churches, and scenic arcades. It’s a relaxed portal into Padua’s layered history.

Piazza Camillo Benso Conte di Cavour, 10, 35122 Padova PD, Italy
Opening hours · Today: Open 24 hours
  • MondayOpen 24 hours
  • TuesdayOpen 24 hours
  • WednesdayOpen 24 hours
  • ThursdayOpen 24 hours
  • FridayOpen 24 hours
  • SaturdayOpen 24 hours
  • SundayOpen 24 hours
Good for kids
Entrance
Torre dell'Orologio — Historic site, rated 4.7/5 17
Historic site Historical LandmarkHistorical Place

Torre dell'Orologio

4.7 ★★★★★ 773 reviews

Torre dell'Orologio is the commanding medieval clock tower that anchors Padua’s Piazza dei Signori, a landmark rising above the city’s historic core. It houses one of the era’s most remarkable timepieces, the great astronomical clock built in the 14th century by Giovanni Dondi dell'Orologio, whose intricate mechanisms mapped celestial movements and calendars long before modern science. Today the tower stands as a symbol of Padua’s scholarly heritage, inviting visitors to admire its ornate façade and the painstaking craftsmanship of its clockwork, with occasional access to the upper viewing platform for city vistas.

Piazza dei Signori, 28, 35139 Padova PD, Italy
Opening hours · Today: Open 24 hours
  • MondayOpen 24 hours
  • TuesdayOpen 24 hours
  • WednesdayOpen 24 hours
  • ThursdayOpen 24 hours
  • FridayOpen 24 hours
  • SaturdayOpen 24 hours
  • SundayClosed
Good for kids
Ghetto di Padova — Historic site, rated 4.6/5 18
Historic site Historical LandmarkHistorical Place

Ghetto di Padova

4.6 ★★★★★ 530 reviews

Ghetto di Padova is the historic Jewish quarter of Padua, a compact district that dates back to the early modern era and remains one of Europe’s oldest ghettos. Strolling its narrow lanes, you glimpse centuries of history in the discreet courtyards, modest synagogues, and commemorative plaques that mark a once-dense community. It’s worth visiting to understand the social fabric of Renaissance Padua and to reflect on resilience amid restriction. Expect quiet, respectful atmosphere, informative signs, and a sense of stepping into a living museum where time slows and stories unfold.

Via S. Martino e Solferino, 19/11, 35122 Padova PD, Italy
Opening hours · Today: Open 24 hours
  • MondayOpen 24 hours
  • TuesdayOpen 24 hours
  • WednesdayOpen 24 hours
  • ThursdayOpen 24 hours
  • FridayOpen 24 hours
  • SaturdayOpen 24 hours
  • SundayOpen 24 hours
Good for kids
Entrance