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Padua Walking tours

Our most recommended Padua Walking tours

Padua: Private City Walking Tour & Scrovegni's Chapel Visit

1. Padua: Private City Walking Tour & Scrovegni's Chapel Visit

Experience the culturally rich city of Padua on this private walking tour with a certified local guide. Enter the beautiful Scrovegni Chapel, Cathedral of Padua and Palazzo della Ragione. See some of the most famous squares of the city, including Piazza delle Erbe, della Frutta and della Signoria, which all overlook several prominent and majestic buildings. Stroll through the city's streets and hear interesting anecdotes about the area from your knowledgeable guide. Then, visit one of the most masterful examples of art from the 14th century at the Scrovegni Chapel. Later, go to Palazzo della Ragione, a medieval market hall, and the Cathedral of Padua, which was first erected in the 4th century.

Venice: Guided Night Walking Tour & Saint Mark's Basilica

2. Venice: Guided Night Walking Tour & Saint Mark's Basilica

With its awe-inspiring array of domes, arches and turrets, there is no mistaking St. Mark’s basilica. Dominating the piazza of the same name, St. Mark’s stands at the very epicentre of the city. And it looks even more spectacular at night. On our night tour of St. Mark’s, you’ll meet your guide in beautiful St. Mark’s Square, for centuries the spiritual and political centre of Venice - the Doge’s palace also stands silent watch over the piazza. To start our tour, your guide will explain the significance of the square to the history and geography of the city - for good reason Napoleon described the Piazza as the ‘drawing room of Europe,’ and the elegant cafes that line the square, including Caffe Quadri and famous Caffe Florian, have lost none of their old-world charm. During our time in the piazza we’ll learn about some of the other highlights on show here, including the stunning Torre dell’Orologio - a Renaissance clock tower decorated with fabulous sculptures, as well as St. Mark’s Campanile, the soaring 12th-century brick bell tower that is still the tallest building in Venice.

Padua City 2.5-Hour Walking Tour

3. Padua City 2.5-Hour Walking Tour

There is no better way to get a feel a city like Padua than to visit the market squares in the morning, and on this 2.5-hour walking tour, you will explore the various public areas as well as historical, religious, and cultural monuments. First, make your way to Piazza delle Erbe, full of the freshest fruit and vegetables of the season. Continue on to the Basilica of Saint Anthony, the spiritual center of the city, dating back to the early 1200s. Near the Basilica is the largest square in town, called Prato della Valle. On Saturdays it is home to a bustling market. Finally you can enjoy the Scrovegni Chapel fresco paintings that are Giotto's greatest masterpiece. In the unlikely event that tickets for the Scrovegni Chapel are not available for your date, the visit to the Scrovegni Chapel will be substituted with a similar visit There are two options available: 10:00 until 12:30 14:00 until 16:30

Padua: Private Home Cooking Demo with a Four-Course Meal

4. Padua: Private Home Cooking Demo with a Four-Course Meal

Visit a local host's home and watch an exclusive cooking demo of authentic regional recipes. See how to prepare a four-course Italian meal which includes a starter, pasta dish, main course, and dessert. Dine with your host and taste the finished dishes accompanied by a selection of local wines. Hear fascinating stories about the local culture and cuisine and experience the warmth of Italian hospitality.

Padua: Highlights Private Walking Tour & Scrovegni Chapel

5. Padua: Highlights Private Walking Tour & Scrovegni Chapel

Home to one of the world’s oldest universities, the spectacular pilgrimage basilica of Saint Anthony and a landmark of Renaissance art in Giotto’s Scrovegni Chapel, Padua is a treasure trove of art, history and culture that you can’t afford to miss. In the company of an expert local guide you’ll wander through an atmospheric tangle of medieval streets, explore an incredible 800-year old covered market, discover a glittering array of sculptures, frescoes, architecture and much more. Just half an hour from Venice, Padua makes for a perfect day trip from the Serenissima. Historic Padua is one of the most beautiful cities in Italy. Our half-day Padua tour is the perfect way to get to grips with the city. We only work with expert local guides who know everything there is to know about the city and are passionate about sharing their hometown with you. At the heart of everything in Padua is its massive, dizzying cathedral, and the Basilica di San Antonio will be one of the highlights of our itinerary. Begun in 1233 just a year after the eponymous Anthony's death as a fitting burial place for the revered saint, the vast basilica is a fascinating mish-mash of architectural styles and cultural influences. Within, a maze-like array of chapels are home to some of Italy's finest artistic masterpieces. Among the highlights we'll see on our tour are the sculptural reliefs by Donatello on the church's high altar and a series of incredible medieval frescoes by local master Altichieri da Zevo. As the burial place of St. Antony, the basilica is also one of Italy's most important pilgrimage destinations. We'll also have a peek into the Cappella del Santo, where the saint's tomb is covered by requests for intercession from the faithful. The Renaissance sculptures portraying the life of St. Anthony by the Lombardi brothers here is another unmissable highlight. Wandering through the historic center of Padua we'll get the chance to stop by at the city's incredible covered market, which has been in continuous operation in the arches of looming Gothic Palazzo della Ragione for 800 years. The twin piazzas of Piazza delle Erbe and Piazza della Frutta to either side of the palace is the perfect spot to stop for a drink and watch the denizens of Padova go about their business in a ritual that seems little changed over the centuries. There's so much to see in Padua that we're happy to customise your tour to suit you. If you have some extra time in the city and would like to see more of its amazing artistic heritage, we can include a visit to the Ovetari Chapel in the church of the Eremtiani to admire Mantegna's masterful frescoes of St Christoper and St James - blown to smithereens by a World War II bomb but painstakingly restored over the last half a century. Other highlights that we can include on your tour are the city's magnificent Baptistery, where Giusto da Menabuoi's depictions of heaven are amongst the wackiest examples of Medieval cosmology anywhere.

From Padua: Walking & Wine Tasting City Tour

6. From Padua: Walking & Wine Tasting City Tour

Discover the taste of Padua on this wine tasting tour of the city. On foot you’ll visit two different enoteche (wine bars), set in authentic areas of Padua. In each your personal sommelier will select two quality wines for you to taste, each paired with small Venetian appetizers, called cicchetti. During the tour, you’ll learn about the most important aspects of Italian wine production and its role in Italian culture. Your guide will be happy to focus on any particular wine topic that interests you, including history, tasting guidelines, or quality standards. The classic wine tasting includes 4 glasses of wine from the Tri-Veneto area (the area formerly ruled by the Venetian Republic). Examples of the quality wines you’ll taste are Prosecco and Tocai (white wines), and Refosco and Ripasso della Valpolicella (red wines).

Padova: Guided Spritz Walk

7. Padova: Guided Spritz Walk

A spritz walk is an ideal way to experience the Italian apertivio while exploring some of the most characteristic areas of the city. Where better to enter the world of the spritz than Padova, the birthplace of Aperol 100 years ago. You'll meet your expert local guide in Piazza delle Erbe to begin your spritz walk. From there you will discover Padova like a local as you stroll through the charming main squares and narrow cobblestone streets. Throughout your experience you'll enjoy two stops at two unique locations. At each stop you will taste an authentic version of the Italian spritz, served with traditional local finger food such as cheese, prosciutto, olives, and foccaccia. Your tour tour will eventually wrap up with your guide providing some suggestions on recommended restaurants in Padova.

Padua: Jewish Heritage Museum and Synagogue Tour

8. Padua: Jewish Heritage Museum and Synagogue Tour

Embark on a guided tour of the Jewish heritage of Padua, located in the historical center of Padua, namely in the ancient Ghetto area. Check out the museum which sheds light on the events and rituals of the Jewish Community of Padua from its origins to the present. Enter the Padua Jewish Museum to enjoy a multimedia experience video installation by film director Denis Brotto. Dive into the life of 10 illustrious characters in Padua Jewish life. The characters come to life to narrate their stories through the places that represent Padua Judaism. Then the tour continues through narrow and restricted Ghetto streets: hear the story of the Jewish settlement and its commercial, social, cultural, and religious past. End at the Italian Synagogue, still the prayer site for the members of the Community of Padua. Hear about the polychrome marble Aron-ha-Kodesh, the sacred chamber positioned on the Eastern Wall.

Padua: 2-Hour Food Market Discovery Tour

9. Padua: 2-Hour Food Market Discovery Tour

Discover the food markets in Padua, a city home to a rich culinary tradition and some of the best open-air food markets in Italy. On this 2-hour walking tour of the city you will meet in the morning to visit the fruit and vegetable markets in the Piazza delle Erbe and Piazza della Frutta. The expert gastronomic guide will take you through the maze of fresh food stalls and explain to you about the seasonal produce, local traditions and specialties, and the importance of quality fresh ingredients in Italian cuisine. At the end of the tour you will finish off your walk with a refreshing glass of Prosecco.

Padova: Guided Shopping Walk

10. Padova: Guided Shopping Walk

Discover the best of Padova with your dedicated shopping guide. Whether you come with a long wish list or are in the mood to browse, your expert guide will show you charming artisanal boutiques and specialized shops of every sort. Your walk will begin as you meet with your guide in the centrally located Piazza delle Erbe. You will visit the hidden gems of shopping throughout the city, with your tour tailored to meet your interests. Your English-speaking guide will know the city inside and out, and will show you their favorite artisanal shops whilst helping you find something for everyone on your list, including yourself.

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What people are saying about Padua

Overall rating

4.4 / 5

based on 10 reviews

Our guide Isaiah was highly engaging and very knowledgable ! He expertly answered many detailed questions that I had about the history and Jewish sites of Padua. The museum is in the synagogue where many great Jewish scholars (R. Judah Mintz, Maharam Padua, R. Moshe Chaim Luzzatto) studied and prayed. The sense of Jewish History, aided by character videos, is palpable and was extremely inspiring ! The second synagogue on the tour, which is actively used by the community, is stately and beautiful. When in Padua, plan a tour of the University of Padua, which is 800 years old, one of the first Universities open to Jews, and is the birthplace of Anatomy and many other medical discoveries ! You can also tour the Jewish cemeteries on certain days/times. Padua and the Jewish museum are well worth a visit !

Mario brought us to two fantastic places for great food and wine pairings (gluten free as we requested). We learned about the wine and the city and very much enjoyed his company. We look forward to doing more tours with him in the future; he knows so much about wine we would love to find another experience to share!!

Catia is a delightful host, who loves to share her impressive knowledge of Italian cooking. We made pasta with her grandmother’s machine! The food was excellent. She even shared her special recipe for tiramisu!

As someone who loves and appreciates history I loved every single minute of it, Our tour guide was so friendly and informative and we really had a great time! Highly recommend for history lovers!

Well timed tour with great information and explanations of the many sights seen and places visited…