Why Padova?
If you appreciate firsts, Padua has a few juicy ones to offer. How about the first kiss ever represented in art? Try the Scrovegni Chapel and the frescoes by Giotti. How about the first place for a human body to be cut open for students to study? Try the University. How about a seeing into the deepest fears of man? Dante lived in Padova for many years before writing the Divine Comedy.
Padova can be a little overlooked sitting so close to Venice, but take the opportunity to see this city that is so worth it! Don’t overlook this city that is only a short train trip away from Venice.
Getting There
Padua is a short and inexpensive ride away from Venice. If you have a long stay in Venice, I would recommend a day trip to see some of the iconic historical spots of Padua.
Taking the Regional train, you can expect to pay 4.90 each and it will take you 45mins.
If you are travelling as a family with young children, you can save money on your tickets when using the Freccie or Italo trains.
The second option is to travel during the day with a stop off along the way. After arriving in Paris on the Eurostar, you can now take the incredible new Frecciarossa train from Paris to Milan! This has been a long-anticipated re-opening after the line was closed in 2020 due to a landslide.
Or you can take my own tried and tested journey starting from Amsterdam. This trip will give you the opportunity to spend time in Amsterdam or Utrecht before taking the night train into Austria and then taking the connection via Verona before arriving in Padua.
Getting Around
Padova station is slightly outside the historic center, separated by the River Piovego where you will pass over on its bridge.
The large entrance has bars, a tabbaccheria and ticket desk and self-service ticket machine which will have a uniformed assistant present.
Outside the station is the bus terminal and to the right of the station and on the road is the Tram stop.
From the station you can take
Tram SIR1 (Guizza – Trieste) for Prato della Valle get off at Prato and for Piazza delle Erbe get off at Ponte Romani Cost – 1.50
Bus U05, U12 and U16 from Ferrovia corsia 3 to Prato delle Valle, the journey takes 15 mins and costs 1.50(?)
The center of Padova is easy to get around on foot and the design of the city is perfect for all weather thanks to its porticoes that shade you from rain or the hot sun.