Padua Things to Do

As befitting of a major university city, Padova (also called Padua in English) has plenty of things to do related to both academic pursuits and the younger population. Much of the city’s major attractions lend themselves to a study of history, archaeology, or some field of science, while much of the nightlife and events that go on in Padova are vibrant and active in nature.

One does not have to be an academic or an intellectual to enjoy a visit to Padova, but it certainly helps to be scientifically or culturally minded. Those who are interested in the sciences can enjoy a visit to places like the Museo dell’Osservatorio Astronomico (the Museum of the Astronomical Observatory), or MUSME, the Museum of the History of Medicine. Those that are more interested in cultural or religious history will not want to miss the Scrovegni Chapel and the rest of Padova’s civic museums.

However, Padova has plenty to offer travelers who do not want to spend their time in chapels and museums as well. The wide-open hills surrounding the town, along with large parks and piazze allow for more physically minded people to get some activity in, and places like Prato della Valle allow travelers who just want a place to stop and relax a great venue to do so.

FESTIVALS & EVENTS   

While the University hosts a large number of special events for students and other academics to attend, Padova is also home to a few festivals and annual events that visitors can attend depending on when they travel to the city.

In late April, Padova hosts the Sant’Antonio Marathon. This marathon begins in the Euganeo Stadium before winding out of the city proper and through the beautiful countryside of the Euganean Hills. Eventually, the track winds back into the city and through the piazze before ending in the Prato della Valle. Along with the standard marathon, there is also a half-marathon, and a paralympic marathon. Athletes and lovers of open-air spectacle should not miss this event.

However, the month where Padova really comes alive is June. The month of June is dominated by three specific cultural events: The River Film Festival, the Feast of Sant’Antonio, and the Sherwood Festival.

The River Film Festival is a four-week event where filmmakers from all around Italy and the world submit their short films for the public to see. Most films are shorter than 30 minutes in length, but the festival is already making a name for itself alongside more famous film festivals like the Cannes and Toronto film festivals. All sorts of films are featured, including animations, dramas, and documentaries, with categories for both Italian and international films. Lovers of film should consider making an effort to visit Padova in June.

On June 13, Padova celebrates its beloved patron saint, Sant’Antonio, or St. Anthony of Padua. Each year, a solemn mass is held by the bishop in the Basilica of Sant’Antonio. In the afternoon, a second mass is held followed by a procession through the city center with a relic and statue of the saint. At the end of the procession, the mayor of the city addresses the crowd and the relic of St. Anthony is blessed.

The Sherwood Festival is a major musical event hosted annually in Padova that usually lasts from the first week in June through the first week in July. The Sherwood festival focuses largely on attracting a youthful audience, as most of the bands that perform in the festival focus on alternative pop and rock, electronica, and post-rock genres. Music is not the only thing featured at the Sherwood Festival however, as several artists that attend the event focus instead on developing other modern forms of art and communication, such as interactive storytelling and podcasts. Those who are interested in music or modern forms of entertainment will definitely find something to enjoy here!

OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES

The city of Padova is surrounded by lush hills and countryside dotted with vineyards and olive groves. Residents of the city find that the surrounding land is a perfect place for bike riding. Lovers of the outdoors will be stunned by the incredible views and vistas as they bike over the hills and through the surrounding valleys. And for those interested in the area’s tradition of winemaking, there are also many winery tours that will allow visitors a closer look at the vineyards, as well as sampling tours where one can taste their delicious products.

For visitors who would rather stay within the city limits, however, Padova still has plenty to offer. A visit to the Orto Botanico is an absolute must. While it may not be the biggest botanical garden in the world, it is the oldest, and has gained UNESCO World Heritage Site status. With a fascinating collection of esoteric plants, the garden is a great place for those interested in botany and biology.

Also important to mention are Padova’s Prato della Valle and the city’s many piazze. Visitors to the piazze can enjoy the open-air markets, where vendors sell all kinds of artisanal, locally raised and grown foods, local cheeses, and more. While visitors to the Prato della Valle can enjoy a walk in the park, music and other attractions put on by street performers, go roller skating, or simply take a moment to relax in the sunlight.

INDOOR ACTIVITIES

First and foremost, Padova is known for its religious structures. Among these, must-sees include the Basilica of Sant’Antonio, the Basilica of Santa Justina and the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta. To admire a wonderful example of local Baroque architecture, be sure to visit the Church of San Tommaso Becket.

Visitors to Padova will surely find their intellects stimulated by the sheer number of museums that dot the city. The Musei Civici Eremitani complex is a great place to visit for those interested in art and history. The museum is made up of multiple buildings surrounding the former Eremitani convent and the legendary Scrovegni Chapel filled with Giotto’s renowned frescoes. Additionally, many archaeological finds are displayed here, dating back to pre-Roman times, as are paintings by the likes of Paolo Veronese, Jacopo Bellini, Tintoretto, and more.

No visit to Padova is complete without a stop at the Museum of Saint Anthony. Dating back to the end of the nineteenth century, the museum displays religious objects from the Basilica of Sant’Antonio, historic artworks, and artifacts tied to the veneration of Saint Anthony over the centuries.

Lovers of history should stop by Palazzo Zuckermann. The building hosts the Bottacin Museum, which houses one of the most important collections of coins and medals in the world.

For those more interested in science, a visit to Padova’s Museo dell’Osservatorio Astronomico would not be remiss. The Museum of The Astronomical Observatory is carved out of an old medieval tower and features numerous astronomical instruments used by the intellectuals of days gone by. It is an excellent look into the past and gives visitors a sense of how scientific discovery was made long ago.

Another interesting science museum is Padova’s Museum of Anthropology. The museum traces the origins of humanity and features early tools as well as important skeletal remains of prehistoric humans.

Perhaps most obviously, though, visitors to Padova should make an effort to make a trip to the eponymous university. The University of Padua is one of the oldest universities in the world that still holds attendance. Not just an institute of higher learning, the university is also home to many interesting curiosities for the public to come and view, such as the oldest anatomical theater in Palazzo del Bo. Many events and speakers also come to visit the university throughout the year, so visitors would be wise to check the schedule to see if anything interesting is coming to the university anytime during their stay. The university also oversees several other local museums including the Museum of Geography, the Museum of Geology, the Museum of Mineralogy, and the Museum of the History of Physics.

SHOPPING ACTIVITIES

There are several malls and boutiques that dot the city of Padova, as well as the aforementioned outdoor markets in the Piazze. But perhaps the most unique shopping event in the city takes place in the Prato della Valle. Every weekend, local vendors converge on the square and sell a litany of products, ranging from local foods to handmade clothes, leather goods, and more. A visit to the weekend marketplace is the perfect time to pick up a trinket or souvenir.

FAMILY & KIDS

One of the greatest places for family to bring their children to in Padova is MUSME. Also known as the Museo di Storia della Medicina, or the Museum of the History of Medicine, this modern museum focuses on human biology and anatomy and is purposefully designed to spark the interest of scientists of all ages. Many of the displays and exhibits in the museum are interactive, allowing the little ones to work out their energy and learn something at the same time!

UNIQUE EXPERIENCES

Any visitor to Padova should make an effort to visit the city’s two premier landmarks. The first landmark to see is the Scrovegni Chapel. Also known as the Arena Chapel, this church is one that artistic historians should not miss, as the interior walls are covered end to end in beautiful frescoes by revered medieval artist Giotto, all displaying various religious snapshots from the Bible.

The other premier destination in Padova is the Basilica of Saint Anthony. The Basilica is one of the most important religious landmarks in Italy, with many Catholics to this day still making pilgrimages to its grounds.

While sightseeing in Padova, visitors should also make a point to stop by legendary Caffè Pedrocchi, which has become a symbol of the city. The coffee shop is said to be “without doors” because after its establishment in 1831 it was continuously open, day and night, without closing once until 1916. Caffè Pedrocchi is a remnant of the vibrant coffee shop culture of the nineteenth century when noblemen, intellectuals, diplomats, and others would meet and converse at Italy’s literary cafés. Among the shop’s many illustrious guests over the centuries were French writer Stendhal and Italian writer and patriot Gabriele D’Annunzio.

The artistic and culturally-rich city of Padova is an excellent place to visit year-round. With a remarkable wealth of churches, museums, and historic monuments, Padova is a must-stop on any itinerary to Northern Italy.

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