Padua in 2 Days: Frescoes, Squares and Gardens

Destination: Padova, ItalyCreated by: Moo_The_TrotterLast updated: 9th October 2026
For an art-filled weekend, Padua pairs Giotto’s Scrovegni Chapel with market squares and university history. This two-day route also makes room for the botanical garden and the city’s great basilica.
3
Day 1 — Historic centre
Image of Scrovegni Chapel

Scrovegni Chapel

Museum, Museum Gallery
Make Giotto’s fresco cycle the anchor of the first day. Reserve a timed ticket in advance and organise the nearby museums around that slot; the chapel visit itself is brief, but the paintings deserve your full attention.
Image of Musei Civici agli Eremitani

Musei Civici agli Eremitani

Museum, Museum Gallery
The Eremitani civic museums sit beside the chapel, so visit them together rather than crossing town twice. Focus on the painting collection or archaeology according to your interests before heading into the central squares.
Image of Palazzo del Bo

Palazzo del Bo

Attraction, Core Attraction
The university’s historic seat gives the day a different focus after the religious art. Choose a guided visit that includes the anatomical theatre if the history of medicine interests you.
Image of Ragione Palace

Ragione Palace

Museum, Museum Gallery
Go upstairs into the huge frescoed hall, then explore the food shops beneath it. The surrounding Piazza delle Erbe and Piazza della Frutta make this a natural part of the lunchtime walk.
Image of Piazza dei Signori

Piazza dei Signori

Monument
Finish the central-square circuit beneath the astronomical clock tower. This is a place to sit and watch the city for a while after the bigger visits, with the other market squares only a short walk away.
Day 2 — Basilica and gardens
Image of Basilica di sant'Antonio Di Padova

Basilica di sant'Antonio Di Padova

Place of Worship, History Landmark
Start the second day at the Basilica of Saint Anthony, whose domes dominate this part of Padua. Explore the chapels and cloisters, then look for Donatello’s equestrian statue in the square outside.

University of Padua Botanical Garden

Garden, Botanical Garden
The university’s botanical garden brings a welcome outdoor stretch after the basilica. Visit the historic planted enclosures and the newer greenhouse areas; this is worth a proper visit, not just a shortcut to the next square.
Image of Prato della Valle

Prato della Valle

Public Plaza
Walk around the canal and ring of statues in this vast open square. It connects the botanical garden with Santa Giustina and makes a good place to pause during the southern half of the route.
Image of Abbey of Santa Giustina

Abbey of Santa Giustina

Place of Worship, History Landmark
The large basilica beside Prato della Valle is a quieter counterpart to Saint Anthony’s. Step inside for the scale of the nave and its chapels before finishing the day in the surrounding streets.
Optional extras
Image of Caffé Pedrocchi

Caffé Pedrocchi

Cafe, Cafe Coffee
Choose this historic café if you want a break near Palazzo del Bo. Its architectural and university connections make it more interesting than a generic coffee stop; it can replace part of the museum-heavy first afternoon.
Image of Palazzo Zuckermann

Palazzo Zuckermann

Museum
A useful alternative beside the Eremitani complex for decorative arts and everyday objects from earlier centuries. Pair it with the Scrovegni area rather than adding another journey across the city.
Image of Loggia e Odeo Cornaro

Loggia e Odeo Cornaro

Historic Site
This small Renaissance complex near Saint Anthony’s suits anyone interested in architecture and theatre. Add it to the second day in place of another interior visit, keeping the gardens and square as breathing space.