Padua Tours &
Things to Do
Discover the best Padua tours and things to do in this elegant Veneto city: stand before Giotto’s dazzling frescoes in the Scrovegni Chapel, join pilgrims at the Basilica of Saint Anthony, wander the vast Prato della Valle and the medieval Palazzo della Ragione, explore the world’s oldest botanical garden and university, sip wine in the Euganean Hills, and take easy day trips to Venice and Verona. Compare top-rated experiences and plan the perfect trip.
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Explore Padua by interest
Whatever brings you to Padua — world-class museums, the river, or a long lunch — start with the experiences travellers love most.
Old town
Prato della Valle.
ExploreScrovegni Chapel
Giotto frescoes.
ExploreSt Anthony’s
Pilgrimage basilica.
ExploreUniversity & gardens
Galileo & Orto.
ExploreVenice day trips
La Serenissima.
ExploreEuganean wine
Hills & cellars.
ExploreVerona & Veneto
Romeo & Juliet.
ExploreCity highlights
Art & pilgrimage.
ExploreTop attractions in Padua
The landmarks that define the city — and the tickets and tours that get you in, often skipping the line.
Prato della Valle
Grand square.
Scrovegni Chapel
Giotto frescoes.
St Anthony’s
Pilgrimage basilica.
Palazzo Ragione
Medieval hall.
University
Galileo’s home.
Venice
Half an hour away.
Euganean Hills
Vineyards & spas.
Verona
Romeo & Juliet.
30 min awayVenice
La Serenissima.
1 hr awayVerona
Romeo & Juliet.
30 min awayEuganean Hills
Wine & spas.
City awayScrovegni
Giotto frescoes.
City awaySt Anthony’s
Pilgrimage site.
City awayOrto Botanico
Oldest garden.
Know before you go
Short, straight answers to the questions every Padua visitor asks before booking.
Spring (Apr–Jun)
Mild and pleasant — ideal for sightseeing.
Summer (Jul–Aug)
Warm and busy, with easy Venice trips.
Autumn (Sep–Oct)
Golden light and the grape harvest.
Winter (Nov–Mar)
Cool and quiet, sometimes foggy.
For art
The Scrovegni Chapel is a year-round highlight.
Best overall
April to June and September are ideal.
One day
The old town, Scrovegni and the basilica.
Two days
Add a Venice day trip.
Three days
Add Verona and the Euganean Hills.
For art
Scrovegni Chapel and the basilica.
For day trips
Venice and Verona are close by.
For wine
The Euganean Hills south of the city.
On foot
The arcaded old town is best explored on foot.
By tram & train
A tram crosses the city; trains reach Venice fast.
Tours & transfers
Tours reach Venice, Verona and the hills.
By car
A car reaches the Euganean Hills at your pace.
Where to stay
Stay in the historic old town centre.
Euro
Italy uses the euro; cards widely accepted.
Scrovegni Chapel
Book timed entry well in advance.
St Anthony’s
Dress modestly to enter the basilica.
Old town
Take a walking tour of Prato della Valle.
Venice
Take an easy day trip by fast train.
Orto Botanico
Visit the world’s oldest botanical garden.
Aperitivo
Enjoy a spritz — it was born in the Veneto.
Scrovegni Chapel
Timed tickets sell out — book well ahead.
Venice trips
Day trips fill up — reserve early.
Walking tours
Popular old town tours fill up — book ahead.
Verona trips
Regional tours fill up — reserve early.
Wine tours
Small Euganean tours fill up — book ahead.
Summer season
July and August are busiest — book ahead.
Scrovegni tour
Around €25–50 for a Scrovegni Chapel tour.
Walking tour
About €20–45 for an old town walking tour.
Venice trip
Roughly €45–90 for a Venice day trip.
Verona trip
Around €55–100 for a Verona day trip.
Wine tour
About €50–95 for a Euganean wine tour.
How to save
Join group tours to save over private guides.
Padua through the seasons
What's best, how busy it gets, and one booking tip for each time of year.
- Best for
- Sightseeing.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Ideal.
- Best for
- Venice trips.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Warm.
- Best for
- Harvest & wine.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Lovely.
- Best for
- Quiet art.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Cool.