City tour of Padua
The most beautiful places in Padua during a city walk
Padua is a beautiful city with many interesting attractions and artistic treasures. Even a small walking tour to Padua's main attractions leads almost through the entire inner old city. From Giotto's famous frescoes in the Cappella degli Scrovegni, the old university, the Caffè Pedrocchi and the Palazzo della Ragione to the Basilica di Sant'Antonio and the Basilica di Santa Giustina, Padua offers visitors many sights that are a must-see when visiting the city. Reason enough to do a walk through the city and get inspired.
A small city walk through Padua
Depending on how fast you are walking and how many side trips and breaks you intend to do, you should at least plan 3 to 5 hours for a walking tour to Padua's main attractions. We recommend that you purchase the Padova Card, which not only entitles you to free admission to many attractions, but also includes free use of public transport lines in the centre and a complimentary parking space in advance.
- The best starting point is the Scrovegni Chapel, where you can admire a first highlight with Giotto's famous frescoes cycle. The Musei Civici Eremitani is also well worth a visit, but should be scheduled only when you have enough time.
- Now go down the Corso Garibaldi and the Via Cavour to the Caffè Pedrocchi, where intellectuals and students gathered in the 19th century and sounded out revolutionary ideas of an independent Italy. A quick coffee in this historic setting is recommended.
- Shortly after the Caffè Pedrocchi further down the Via Cavour you will reach the Palazzo Bò, the ancient University of Padua, where Galileo Galilei taught. At Piazzale Antenore is the sarcophagus of Antenor, the legendary founder of the city.
- From the university, now turn right into the Via Daniele Manin and pass immediately to the Palazzo della Ragione, the secret landmark of Padua.
- Depending on your mood, a quick trip to the Via Daniele Manin and to the Piazza dei Signori with the cathedral of Padua is worth undertaking.
- From the Palazzo della Ragione you can stroll comfortably in a southerly direction along the Via Roma and Via Umberto I to the Prato della Valle, one of the largest city squares in Europe.
- At the south end of the square stands the huge Basilica of Santa Giustina, which contains the tombs of St. Giustina and Luke the evangelist.
- On the way to the Basilica di Sant'Antonio, biology and botany buffs should make a short detour through the Via Donatello to the Orto Botanico – one of the oldest botanical gardens in Europe, which was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- The last point of the tour is the Basilica di Sant'Antonio, which can be reached from the Prato della Valle via the Via Melchiorre Cesarotti (or the the Via Orto Botanico from the botanical garden). Here beautiful frescoes by Altichiero can be found alongside the relics of St. Anthony.
If you still have time and inclination after this intense walking tour of Padua, you can stroll through the inner city or relax on the Prato della Valle and enjoy the tranquility and charm of the city.
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