Padova Hotels

Just the religious stuff alone will keep you busy for days. Visit the 13th century Oratorio di San Giorgio for Altichiero frescoes, the 16th century Scuola di San Antonio for Tiziano ones and, for a break from frescoes, the 15th century Basilica di Santa Giustina for the tombs of Saint Justine, Saint Maximus, Saint Urius and Saint Julianus. And if you can find your way through Padova’s tangle of arcaded streets, the 16th century Baroque Padua Synagogue is more heavily embellished than even the wealthiest of Shakespearean wives.

Padova's Top 10

Padova History

• Scrovegni Chapel – This ancient Padova church was built in the 14th century and features many ancient frescos.
• Basilica of Saint Anthony – Basilica has long been a place of pilgrimage, and the stopping point is this ancient and beautiful Padova church.
• Baptristy – The interior of this ancient church is covered in some of the most beautiful frescoes in Padova.
• Piazza dei Signori – The beautiful architecture and ancient clock make this one of the most visited historical sites in Padova.
• Monument to Gattamelata – This Padova masterpiece made by Donatello is one of the first examples of a freestanding equestrian statue.

Padova Art & Culture

• Palace of Law – The impressive architecture of this building draws crowds from all over Padova.
• Duomo di Padova – This beautiful Padova church is a great example of ancient Italian architecture.
• Fondazione Bano Palazzo Zabrella – One of Padova’s most famous art museums where one can see amazing ancient art from the area.
• Museo Civico – This Padova museum features many artefacts that were unearthed by archaeological expeditions in the area.
• Museo Diocesano di Padova – The Bishop’s Palace in this Padova museum is the main attraction, as are the ancient paintings of past bishops.

Padova Shopping

• Ai Due Catini D’Oro – Hard-to-find food items are the specialty of this Padova store.
• Da Duillo – This Padova specialty shop has all the spices that might be hard to find at other stores in the area.
• Pastificcio Avtusi – Padova customers line up to get the handmade pastas at this unique store.
• E. Valesio – This cooking store in Padova is known for its many brands and styles of knives.
• Pam – This large Padova market is a great place to stock up on local favourites.

Gay & Lesbian Padova

• Hotel Vittoria – This gay-friendly hotel near Padova features lovely rooms.
• La Dolce Vita – This trendy Padova nightclub caters to a mixed crowd but is a favourite among young and trendy gay men.
• Pick Up – The name of this Padova club says it all: a great place to meet new people and pick them up.
• Tartan’s Pub – This gay bar features a friendly staff and is a great place to have a smart cocktail and a chat.
• Alcazar – One of Padova’s most popular gay bars, it features occasional shows and nightly music.

Padova Outdoor

• Orto Botanico – These lovely botanical gardens in Padova showcase some of the region's unique plant and flower life.
• Butterfly Arc – Not only are beautiful Padova flowers on display here, but visitors can also see unique insect life as well.
• Parco Milcovich – A great way to spend the day walking or having a picnic outside.
• Villa Selvatico – This villa is surrounded by a beautiful park, which makes it a great place to enjoy the outdoors in Padova.
• Parco Padovaland – This Padova amusement park is a favourite among children and adults alike.

Padova Sport

• Take a jog around the track at the Ads Sportime Club in Padova.
• Play handball at the Sci Club in Padova.
• Play all types of games at the Vertigo Sports Center in Padova.
• Hit the links at the Padova Golf Club.
• Play a relaxing round of golf at the Radisson Blu Spa and Golf Resort Padova.

Padova Events

Padova’s maze of streets fills up in March for the Padova Carnival, one of the bigger events in the city’s small social calendar.

Enjoy plays, music and one hell of a party vibe in July/August when the Padova Folk Festival rolls around.

September means Palios and Quintanas medieval festival, complete with drum performances, horse races and ye olde style markets selling ye olde style food.

During Christmas, the cobblestone streets are flooded with lights, nativity scenes and plenty of markets to shop for mum-approved gifts.

When To Go

• Expect super-warm summers and frosty winters in this city. Summers hit an average of about 28°C (82ºF) and winters 5°C (41ºF).
• January, June and November see the majority of Padova’s rain, and that can be quite a lot.
• If you’re over in winter, prepare for the heavy fogs that shroud Padova in the early morning.

Getting Around

• Public transport includes buses and translohrs (light rail). The buses have plenty of routes, so they’re a great way to move around.
• Grab a PadovaCard for cheaper public transport, access to parking facilities and free entry to various tourist spots around town
• Taxis are pretty much everywhere in Padova – just look for the little white hatchbacks. Prices are a little hefty, so they’re best used sparingly unless you’ve got money to burn.

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