Photo: Fabiobordi · CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
Padua
Giotto's chapel, Saint Anthony and spritz on the squares.
A lively university city half an hour from Venice, with Giotto's breathtaking chapel, the great basilica of Saint Anthony and market squares that turn into one big spritz bar at sunset. Cheaper beds than Venice, too.
Places to see
Scrovegni ChapelMuseum · A small chapel whose every wall is covered in Giotto's frescoes under a starry blue…≈ A$26
Basilica of Saint AnthonyChurch · A huge basilica topped with eight domes, where pilgrims queue to touch the saint's tomb;…Free- Prato della ValleSight · One of Europe's biggest squares: an oval green island ringed by a little canal and 78…Free
When to go
- Jan7° / -1°Some rainQuiet
- Feb10° / 0°Some rainQuiet
- Mar14° / 4°Some rainBusy
- Apr18° / 8°Some rainBusy
- May23° / 12°Some rainBusy
- Jun27° / 16°Some rainBusy
- Jul30° / 18°Mostly dryBusy
- Aug29° / 18°Some rainQuiet
- Sep
Staying and getting around
Good areas to stay
The squares. The market squares around the Palazzo della Ragione: lively day and evening.
Eremitani. The Scrovegni Chapel, a short walk from the station; good-value rooms.
Santo. Around the Basilica of Saint Anthony and the botanical garden.
Flying in
Venice Marco Polo (VCE): Airport bus to Padua station, about 1 h, ≈ A$18.
Flewaway's estimate for the usual budget way into Padua; check times and fares before you fly.
Getting around
You can walk everywhere. A single ticket is ≈ A$3. The centre is compact and flat: walk, or take the tram and buses (about €1.50 a ride, check).
Tourist tax
Padua's city tax: usually about €1.50–2.50 a person a night in hostels and B&Bs, more in hotels, for up to 5 nights; under-14s don't pay. Paid at check-in (check).
