Destinations – City Guide

Padua

Prato della Valle and the Santo, arcaded streets and market squares, canals, the Euganean Hills and the Veneto aperitivo, in photos.

99 photos and clips

Statues and domes mirrored in the canal of Prato della Valle

Obelisks and statues around the Isola Memmia under a stormy sky

Clouds reflected in the canal beside the stone balustrade of Prato della Valle

Prato della Valle in the evening, statues lining the curving canal

Statues along the elliptical canal of Prato della Valle

Dusk light over the houses and statues of Prato della Valle

The Venetian Gothic Loggia Amulea on Prato della Valle

The Basilica of Santa Giustina lit up at twilight

Domes and bell tower of the Basilica of Santa Giustina

Late sun on the street leading to the Basilica of Saint Anthony

The brick facade of the Basilica of Saint Anthony

Byzantine-style domes and spires of the Basilica of Saint Anthony

The Basilica of Saint Anthony framed by leaves in warm light

Flowers lining the approach to the Basilica of Saint Anthony

Piazza del Santo with Donatello's Gattamelata and the basilica

The Scrovegni Chapel among the trees of the Arena gardens

The medieval Church of the Eremitani

The medieval Torre degli Anziani above the old city-hall buildings

The astronomical clock of the Torre dell'Orologio

Piazza dei Signori and its clock tower on a bright morning

Rooftops, the Palazzo della Ragione and the Euganean Hills beyond

Golden hour on the Gothic Revival Pedrocchino of Caffe Pedrocchi

A palm-lined path in the Orto Botanico, the world's oldest university botanical garden

La Specola tower reflected in the river

A rowing boat on the river below La Specola

Old houses lining a canal in the historic centre

Warm evening light on a canal between old palazzi

The canal at Ponte delle Torricelle

Old city walls and a quiet stretch of river

Blue hour at Pianoro del Mottolone in the Euganean Hills

A winter hiking trail in the Euganean Hills at sunset

Sun above the fog and vineyards of the Euganean Hills

The last sun over the Po Valley seen from the Euganean Hills

Sunset over a vineyard at Cinto Euganeo

The water gate of Villa Barbarigo's garden at Valsanzibio

Castello del Catajo and its gardens against the Euganean Hills

The hills seen through a window of Castello di Speronella

A cobbled street under the porticoes of the old town

The long vaulted porticoes that shelter Padua's pavements

Afternoon sun under a portico of the old town

A quiet street of arcades and cobbles in the centre

Cycling down a cobbled street in the old town

Cafe tables in Piazza dei Signori under an evening sky

Market stalls lit up beside the Palazzo della Ragione at night

Dusk market in Piazza dei Signori below the clock tower

An evening stroll on a bridge of Prato della Valle at blue hour

Lights coming on in a narrow street of the old town

The daily market below the Palazzo della Ragione

Fruit and vegetable stalls glowing under the arcades at dusk

Fresh produce stalls in the market square

A spritz with seafood crostini, the classic Veneto aperitivo (illustrative photo)

An Aperol spritz: the bitter-orange aperitif was created in Padua in 1919 (illustrative photo)

Plated seafood starter in a wide white bowl at Ai Navigli, Padua

Fresh pasta with sauce and herbs served at Ai Navigli, Padua

Dining room with exposed brick wall and wine shelves at Ai Porteghi Bistrot, Padua

Dining tables beside a glass wine wall at Ai Porteghi Bistrot, Padua

Plated dish on a white tablecloth at Ai Porteghi Bistrot, Padua

Dining room with wooden ceiling beams at Enotavola Pino, Padua

Pasta with seafood in a white bowl at Enotavola Pino, Padua

Tartare with frisee and crumble on a ceramic plate at Enotavola Pino, Padua

Former stables on Prato della Valle that house Exforo, lit at night, Padua

Raw bone-in beef steak held up in the dining room at Gino's, Padua

Bright dining room with arched window and plants at Il Desco, Padua

Grilled whole fish with grains, citrus and pomegranate at Il Desco, Padua

Minimalist dining room with round tables at Le Calandre, Rubano

Risotto in a gold-glazed ceramic bowl at Le Calandre, Rubano

Bean soup with tuna and bottarga in a ribbed bowl at Le Calandre, Rubano

Scallops in saffron cream with squid ink and herb oil at Osteria Le Cave, Padua

Charcoal-grilled dish with herb oil on a wide white plate at Stefano Mocellin al Padovanino, Padua

Prawns with pea shoots on a white plate at Osteria Sucabaruca, Padua

Dining room with sculptural pendant lights at Tola Rasa, Padua

Veranda dining room with string lights at Villa Tevere, Padua

Dining room with fireplace and gilt mirror at Villa Tevere, Padua

Table set with wine glasses under a small lamp at Villa Tevere, Padua

Double room at Hotel Majestic Toscanelli with period furniture and parquet floor

Room at Hotel Majestic Toscanelli with a tufted sofa and a window over Padua rooftops

Breakfast lounge at Hotel Majestic Toscanelli with marble floor and bistro tables

Suite at Le Camp Suite & SPA with freestanding bathtub, art prints and brown bedspread

Orange reception area and entrance hall of Albergo Verdi

Entrance of Hilton Garden Inn Padova City Centre framed by potted trees

King room at Hilton Garden Inn Padova City Centre with sofa and round table

Hotel Donatello facade with green awnings on Via del Santo, Padua

Panoramic room at Hotel Donatello with a view of the Basilica of Saint Anthony at sunset

Classic double room at Hotel Donatello with white bedding and a street-facing window

Double room at Hotel Serafino with white panelled walls and a tall window

Arcaded street outside Hotel Serafino with the Basilica of Saint Anthony in the distance

Yellow facade of Hotel Giotto on Piazzale Pontecorvo, Padua

Double room at Hotel Giotto with a blue patterned bedspread and framed print

Hotel Igea vertical sign on a brick building at dusk, Padua

Double room at Hotel Igea with a lit headboard niche and white bedding

Single room at Hotel Igea with desk, wardrobe and wall-mounted TV

Lounge at Hotel Europa with leather Chesterfield armchairs and sofa

Double room at Hotel Europa with a green feature wall and padded headboard

Superior double room at BYPILLOW Grand Central with geometric artwork

Twin room at BYPILLOW Grand Central with green curtains and a wall TV

Exterior of Crowne Plaza Padova with its colour-block facade

Guest room at Crowne Plaza Padova with a king bed, armchair and round table

Bar at Crowne Plaza Padova with a curved counter and orange stools

Where to eat, stay and walk, with practical tips for your visit.

Read the Destinations – City Guide

Photographers and venues are credited on each image.