Where to Stay in Padua?
Padua, the third-largest city by population in the Veneto region, offers accommodation options for different tastes and budgets - from historical hotels to B&Bs and apartments. Ideally, you should stay right in the central area, from where you can walk to see most of the tourist attractions in the city.
Accommodation in the Historic Center
The first area where we recommend staying in Padua is the historic center itself - near Piazza delle Erbe, Piazza della Frutta, and Piazza dei Signori. You will be next to the historical squares where locals stop for the famous spritz (Aperol Spritz was invented here - see also the article What to Eat and Drink in Padua), you will have many shops, bars, and restaurants at hand, and you will be very close to some of the most important sights in Padua: Palazzo della Ragione, the Cathedral with the Baptistery of St. John, the University, or the Reggia Carrarese.
Canton del Gallo has an excellent location, right next to the University and Piazza delle Erbe. Keep in mind (if these things might bother you) that the hotel does not have a reception desk and is located on the third floor of a building without an elevator. Be careful when choosing your room as well - some rooms have an en-suite bathroom, while others, which are cheaper, have a private bathroom but located outside the room.
For those with a larger budget, we recommend the beautiful four-star boutique hotel Majestic Toscanelli, located on a quiet street right in the city center.
Near Piazza dei Signori is Hotel Verdi - a more modest and cheaper three-star hotel.
For apartments, take a look at enJoy Home, Il Sambuco, or Erïk Langer Pedrocchi Suites.
Important Note! Staying in the historic center is an option only if you are not traveling by car - most areas are pedestrian-only or have limited traffic (ZTL).
Accommodation near St. Anthony's Basilica
Located at the edge of the historic center, towards the southeast, the Basilica of St. Anthony of Padua is about a 10-minute walk from Piazza delle Erbe. Several important sights are concentrated in this area: the Oratory of San Giorgio and Scuola del Santo, the Botanical Garden, Prato della Valle square, and the Basilica of Santa Giustina.
It is a quieter area, but one that still allows you to easily move around on foot to see the city.
We stayed right in Piazza del Santo at Hotel Donatello, which we highly recommend. It is a historic hotel, built around the beginning of the 19th century. While it isn't luxurious, it is comfortable, and some rooms offer views of the Basilica of Saint Anthony.
Very close by, also near the basilica, is another three-star hotel: Casa del Pellegrino. It has around 130 rooms and offers good value for the money. The standard rooms are older and quite simple; if you want more comfort, choose a Superior room.
In the same general area, you can also find the three-star hotels Giotto and Igea, as well as the two-star Art Hotel Al Fagiano.
Near the Botanical Garden is Hotel Canton dell'Orto, and near Prato della Valle square is Hotel Al Prato - both good hotels (two and three stars, respectively).
For apartments in this area, check out Ciao Amore, Padua Suite, Loft Loggia al Santo, or Spiral Loft.
Accommodation near the Scrovegni Chapel
Although it is not exactly in the "heart of the action", the area near the Scrovegni Chapel and the Eremitani Church is close to both the center and the train station (about 15 minutes in each direction).
Near the Scrovegni Chapel, towards the center, is the 4-star Hotel Europa. If you prefer B&Bs, Scrovegni Room & Breakfast, located just a few minutes away, is a great choice. A beautiful apartment option nearby is Giotto Eremitani.
For historical residences (with a price tag to match), check out Palazzo Mantua Benavides.
If you are traveling by car, there are several private parking lots available in this vicinity.
What to Avoid
We advise you not to stay in the area immediately surrounding the train station. While you can safely walk through it during the day, it is preferable to avoid this area in the evening.
