"Padova, Padua, Padoa, Patavium" Padova by suvanki

Padova Travel Guide: 640 reviews and 1,756 photos

3 Days in Padua

Padova is the Italian spelling, Padua - English, Padoa - Venetian and Patavium is the Latin

My initial awareness of Padua came whilst reading my Venice guide book - it's about 20 mins away by train.

Reading further, I realised that this was one place that I had to visit, and a day wouldn't be long enough!!
So, I slotted 3 nights into my 12 day trip- between leaving Venice and moving onto Lake Garda - I intended to spend one of these days travelling to Asolo from Padua, as this is where Dame Freya Stark lived for a while, and is buried here.

Well, 3 days wasn't long enough either!! This is a place I'll have to return to - It was even better than I'd imagined!! I didn't get to Asolo either


The Scroveni chapel, with its colourful 13th Century paintings was top of my list of things to see. I was enthralled by the pictures of these unique paintings in my guide book, but a bit daunted initially by the necessary pre -booking rigmarole - (How would I know what time I'd have until I got there and planned what else I wanted to see!) and the de-contamination process (which I'd mistakenly read that I would have to be de-contaminated before entering the sacred building on my alloted time- doh!)

So what else was I looking forward to seeing? Well, Caffe Pedrochi was on my list, along with the Flower and Vegetable markets, Basillica San Antonio and Prato della Valle. I think this was all I'd read about, but I knew it was a University City, so was expecting a lively atmosphere.

Well I wasn't disappointed - Padua was even better than I'd imagined!

Padua exceeded my expectations - I expected to like the city, I hadn't expected to love it, or to be so surprised by it!
It wasn't until June 2011, that I got the chance to return here. Gillybob and I had spent a few days in Bergamo, along with leics, secretly reccying and launching Eurmeet 2012.
We were both returning to the UK from Venice -me Treviso to East Midlands and Gilly - Venice Marco Polo to Manchester. We realised that we could spend a night in Padova en route.
Although we didn't get to see much of the sights, we enjoyed a drink and a meal with OriettaIT , painterdave and roberto2011.

When I realised that Bruce Springsteen was playing Padova on May 31st 2013, I realised that this was a great excuse to return! A couple of 'bargain flights' (to/from Treviso) made it even more of a reason, plus the chance to meet up with OriettaIT and painterdave again. It would be Phil's first visit to Padova, and he was really looking forward to it (as long as he didn't have to 'endure' The Boss!

Pros and Cons
  • Pros:Plenty to see and do, Grom Ice cream shop!!!
  • Cons:Expensive taxis
  • In a nutshell:I loved this fascinating city- Lovely atmosphere! A Must see!
  • Last visit to Padova: Jun 2013
  • Intro Updated Jun 10, 2013
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Reviews (33)

Comments (7)

  • Gillybob's Profile Photo
    May 6, 2013 at 5:16 AM

    So, sneaky Grom consumption at the end of the month? I spotted it!

  • hunterV's Profile Photo
    Feb 24, 2012 at 11:35 AM

    Hello, Sue! It's always great to read your pages!~ Thanks for your presentation! ><><><

  • Gillybob's Profile Photo
    Mar 13, 2011 at 10:25 AM

    You certainly make it sound a great place - I can understand a return visit! Gillybob greetings

  • Maurizioago's Profile Photo
    Feb 2, 2009 at 1:35 AM

    Very good page. I'm going to re vist Padua soon. Ciao!

  • oriettaIT's Profile Photo
    Sep 2, 2008 at 7:57 AM

    I am glad you like my city, I read in Painterdave page you are thinking to come back to visit. Let me know in case you will be around!! Greetings from Padova,Orietta

  • mapakettle's Profile Photo
    Jun 30, 2008 at 11:51 AM

    So glad you enjoyed your visit to our old stomping ground. Memories are meant to be relived over and over, and your photos make our memories come alive. Ma and Pa

  • angiebabe's Profile Photo
    Dec 17, 2007 at 12:53 PM

    Interesting very informative tips as usual Sue, we had a quick visit to Padua, walked to the Chapel to see Giotto's stuff with no idea of such in advance bookings so we spent ages in the bookshop to see pictures of his amazing paintings and left!

suvanki

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