Things to do in Padua

Experience the culturally rich city of Padua on this private walking tour with a certified local guide. Enter the beautiful Scrovegni Chapel, Cathedral of Padua and Palazzo della Ragione. See some of the most famous squares of the city, including Piazza delle Erbe, della Frutta and della Signoria, which all overlook several prominent and majestic buildings. Stroll through the city's streets and hear interesting anecdotes about the area from your knowledgeable guide. Then, visit one of the most masterful examples of art from the 14th century at the Scrovegni Chapel. Later, go to Palazzo della Ragione, a medieval market hall, and the Cathedral of Padua, which was first erected in the 4th century.

Explore the best of Venice on a walking city tour with an expert guide. See impressive monuments, marvel at iconic buildings, and travel through the canals of the floating city on an unforgettable gondola ride. Discover the city's main monuments such as the Clock-Tower, Procuratie Vecchie, and the Bell Tower around St. Mark’s Square. Stroll through the famous Mercerie, one of the city’s main shopping districts. Walk past the famous Santa Maria Formosa square, the house of Marco Polo, The Church of San Giovanni and Paolo, and the Rialto Bridge with its traditional market. Wander through small alleys and discover picturesque squares where Venetians gather to socialize. Find hidden gems and learn interesting facts about the places you visit.

In ancient times, Padua and Venice were connected by typical river boats called Burchiello®. The wooden boats featured elegant cabins and 3 or 4 balconies and were driven by the wind or oars, before being drawn by horses from Fusina to Padua. Recreate this journey on a full-day mini cruise from the heart of Padua to Venice San Marco. Departing from the historical Burchiello® Stairway at Portello, you will cruise along the original course of the 18th-century Venetian Burchielli, passing the gorgeous Villa Giovanelli at Noventa Padovana. Relax on board the luxury boat, with open-air deck to soak up the views. Disembark at Stra for a guided tour of Villa Pisani's gardens, the greatest gardens of the Brenta Riviera. Marvel at its impressive swimming pool, the grandiose stables and the elegant eighteenth-century Coffee House. Continue towards Dolo, enjoying historic illustrations of the different villas seen from the river. Pass through Dolo Lock and on towards Mira. Just past Mira Lock you will stop at Villa Widmann for a guided tour of the 18th-century mansion that belonged to a noble family of Persian origin. Cruise to Oriago, where you will stop for lunch in the historic Il Burchiello Restaurant. Next, navigate to Malcontenta, cruising past villas, villages and swing bridges. Upon arrival in Malcontenta, stop to explore one last villa; the regal Villa Foscari. Located on the edge of the lagoon, it was within easy access of Venice for its powerful Venetian owner. Finally, cruise through the Moranzani Lock to journey across the lagoon, and dock at San Marco Riva degli Schiavoni at the “Pontile della Pietà” landing stage.

Head out on a full-day cruise beginning in Venice. Sail among the ancient and beautiful villas of the region, pass by 9 swing bridges and through 5 locks, and arrive in Padua in the evening. After meeting with your guide, begin a cruise toward the Brenta Riviera. Along the way you will see various villas lining the water. Keep going until you arrive in Fusina, passing through the Moranzani Lock with rising of the water level. Stop at Malcontenta for the internal guided tour of Villa Foscari, La Malcontenta. Then continue on past villages and swing bridges. In the early afternoon, you will arrive in Oriago. Here you will stop at the famous restaurant, Il Burchiello, where you have the option of a discounted lunch. Next, cruise to Villa Widmann in Mira and stop for a guided tour of Villa Widmann, before continuing on to pass through the Mira and Dolo locks. Disembark at Stra for a guided tour of Villa Pisani's gardens, the greatest gardens of the Brenta Riviera. Marvel at its impressive swimming pool, the grandiose stables, and the elegant eighteenth-century coffee house. Pass through the Stra and Noventa Padovana locks. Go by the gorgeous and suggestive Villa Giovanelli of Noventa Padovana before arriving at the historical Burchiello’s Stairway at Portello in Padua.

On this walking tour, explore the picturesque old town of Padua. You will see some of the most famous spots, like Prato della Valle, the Basilica of Saint Anthony, Palazzo della Ragione, Caffè Pedrocchi, the Padua University, Piazza delle Erbe, Piazza della Frutta and Piazza dei Signori. But you'll aslo see and discover some hidden corners of the town, together with its myths and legends. For example, there's a curious legend about Caffè Pedrocchi for, why don't you ask you guide about it? Spot the typical bars, corners and hidden streets of the town where locals like to spend their free hours for a good coffee or delicious aperitif, what they call a Spritz. Don't forget that Padua has a strong university tradition, it's a young and fast-changing town where you can breathe the cultural atmosphere everywhere. One final tip: you might want to bring along your camera.

Discover Padua’s famous locations while playing the role of a supernatural traveler trying to uncover the use of magic in the city. As you solve challenges, the story unfolds and exact directions on your phone will guide you to the next location. After you book a game, you will receive an email with instructions on how to download and play the game on your phone. Head to Prato della Valle, where the game will start. It will take you between 2 and 3 hours to complete, but there’s no time limit, so feel free to explore and finish it at your own pace. Pause the game and resume at any time from the location where you paused it. You will finish the game at the famous Bo Palace. For larger groups, one person can purchase access for the entire group by selecting the number of people in the group. All group members will be able to download and play the city game on their phone. Alternatively, each person can make their own purchase. You can play on your own, in a large group or in several smaller groups that compete against each other and meet at the final stop of the game.

Visit a local host's home and watch an exclusive cooking demo of authentic regional recipes. See how to prepare a four-course Italian meal which includes a starter, pasta dish, main course, and dessert. Dine with your host and taste the finished dishes accompanied by a selection of local wines. Hear fascinating stories about the local culture and cuisine and experience the warmth of Italian hospitality.

Over the course of five days, visit the most enchanting locations of Italy, soaking up art, culture, cuisine and the famous Italian romance. Led by a friendly guide, depart from Rome and visit Assisi, Siena, Florence, Pisa, Bologna, Padova, Venice and Montepulciano. See masterpieces from the likes of Michelangelo, Giotto, and Cimabue. Roam ancient cobbled streets, marvel at magnificent cathedrals, and taste delightful wines. This tour aims to inform and entertain you at the same time. Staying in comfy accommodation and traveling by deluxe bus, touring Italy couldn’t be easier. With 4 meals provided for you, plus an excellent itinerary and knowledgeable guides, sit back, relax and "get Italian". Day 1 Depart from Rome at 7:15 AM heading towards Assisi. Explore this tiny town dating back to the Middle Ages. Visit the Basilica of St. Francis and see works by Giotto and Cimabue. Afterwards drive towards Siena, whose highlight is Piazza del Campo. Continue to Florence where you will check in at your hotel before enjoying dinner (included) and a well-deserved night of rest. Day 2: Florence After breakfast, spend the day exploring Florence, the cradle of the Renaissance. Visit the Duomo, the Campanile Tower, Palazzo Vecchio and the Basilica of Santa Croce. Lunch (for free) in a typical Tuscan restaurant in Piazza Santa Croce. In the afternoon, wander the cobbled streets or take a short, optional trip to Pisa where you could enjoy a tour of the Square of Miracles, the Leaning Tower and the Duomo. Dinner is at your leisure. Back in Florence rest in your hotel and recharge your batteries for the next day. Day 3 Depart for Bologna after breakfast in Florence. Wander through the city’s 38 kilometers' worth of elegant arcades, for which it is famous. From Piazza Malpighi, walk to Piazza del Nettuno and Piazza Maggiore in the heart of the city. In the afternoon, continue towards Padova, with its original Sant’Antonio Basilica. Later, you will arrive in Venice, famous for its quaint gondola boats and intricate architecture. Check in at your hotel and enjoy your first Venetian dinner (included) and overnight stay. Day 4: Venice Hit the water and board a private waterbus to enjoy a cruise through the canals of Venice. Stop off at Murano to learn about the ancient art of glass blowing. Continue on to St. Mark’s Square for an exterior visit of the splendid cathedral. See the Doge Palace and the Bridge of Sighs. Enjoy a spritz or Prosecco with your guide to cap off a day of discovery. Spend the afternoon roaming along Venice’s canals at your leisure and then return to the hotel and overnight. Day 5 After breakfast, departure from Piazzale Roma heading to Tuscany, world-known for its landscapes, its churches, castles and its delicious wines. Proceed to Val di Chiana with a stop in Montepulciano, a medieval town rich in history and art. Known for its “Noble” wine, on purchase in local wine houses, Montepulciano also hosts an annual jazz and wine festival every July. Lunch in a typical restaurant included! Spend the afternoon discovering Montepulciano at your own pace, enjoying free wine tastings in many wine shops and free time for shopping. In the evening, you will arrive in Rome, where the tour ends.

Take a City Sightseeing tour of Padua and hop on and off the bus at your leisure, at stops conveniently located along the route. Don’t miss a chance to see the famous Basilica of St. Anthony with its impressive Romanesque architecture and the Gothic-style aisles and eastern apse that were added in the 13th century. Visit the University of Padua, where you can learn about the history of the city and see some of the most interesting areas of this historic institution. Hop back on the bus and head to Piazza delle Erbe, which is overlooked by the Palazzo della Ragione. The palazzo, dating from 1218, was the ancient seat of the city courts. Note the roof that’s shaped like the hull of an upside-down ship. The piazza hosts a vegetable market by day, and by night it comes alive with locals enjoying refreshments at the cafés. Starting point: Stop 1 Duration: 60 minutes Frequency: Every 60 minutes

There is no better way to get a feel a city like Padua than to visit the market squares in the morning, and on this 2.5-hour walking tour, you will explore the various public areas as well as historical, religious, and cultural monuments. First, make your way to Piazza delle Erbe, full of the freshest fruit and vegetables of the season. Continue on to the Basilica of Saint Anthony, the spiritual center of the city, dating back to the early 1200s. Near the Basilica is the largest square in town, called Prato della Valle. On Saturdays it is home to a bustling market. Finally you can enjoy the Scrovegni Chapel fresco paintings that are Giotto's greatest masterpiece. In the unlikely event that tickets for the Scrovegni Chapel are not available for your date, the visit to the Scrovegni Chapel will be substituted with a similar visit There are two options available: 10:00 until 12:30 14:00 until 16:30