I'll be staying in Padua as a "home base" for seven nights. I want to be close to transportation since i intend to "field trip" by train. Please recommend an area of Padua where I should look for accommodations. Typical Rick Steves recommended areas will be helpful. If you've stayed in a reasonably priced guest house or hotel with character, I would be interested in what you have to share.
Thanks,
Frank
The area right at the train station wasn't my favorite part of Padua. I wouldn't stay there, especially not for a week, but you might have a different reaction. You might try walking the streets nearby on Google.
The city has a tram line that passes the train station. A hotel near one of the other tram stops would be convenient since you'll be doing day-trips. Take a look at the Google map. Zoom in as necessary. The core of the old town is sort of peach colored and partially enclosed by the river. You'll see Palazzo Bo in the middle of it. A bit north are the Eremitani Church and Scrovegni Chapel. Just a bit beyond them is the main station, labeled simple "Padua" [oops--Google uses the Italian form, "Padova"].
I enjoyed wandering all over the historic district. I think I even crossed the little branch of the river you see to the south. I wasn't paying attention to hotels, though.
There are markets on one or both of Piazza delle Herbe and Piazza della Frutta. They might be noisy in the morning and not good places to stay, but Google isn't showing any hotels there, anyway.
Sorry not to be more help. The hotel I used--where the air conditioning was either broken or turned off for my entire stay--has since closed. Not shedding any tears about that.
I would stay around Piazza della Frutta and Piazza delle Erbe. You can hop the tram on the nearby Riviera dei Ponti Romani or a bus to get to the train station. Do you have the RS book that includes Padova?
fep,
I found that the area of Piazza del Santo (close to the Basilica of Saint Anthony) was a very convenient location. It's a nice neighborhood and very easy to get to the rail station using the local Trams. I stayed at Hotel al Santo and would certainly recommend it. The rooms are clean and comfortable, it has a nice restaurant and the owners are wonderful.
My wife and I also stayed at the Hotel al Santo last May for five nights and would highly recommend it and the location.
My husband and I stayed right on the Piazza dei Signori and absolutely loved the location. It was right next to the Piazza della Erbe and while there were daily markets in both piazzas, I didn't think they were too noisy. In the afternoons, it was a great location to sit at a cafe. And in the evening, the Piazza dei Signori was beautiful. It was filled with tables for outdoor dining. The ambiance (not to mention the food) was magical. We walked easily to the Basilica of St. Anthony, the Scrovegni chapel, the University of Padova, etc. We stayed at the Diamantino Town House Hotel which I would have a really hard time recommending, for a number of reasons. But if you can find other hotels in this area, I would recommend this location.
Stayed at Casa del Pellegrino, run by church fathers for pilgrims to the Basilica across the street -- inexpensive, very clean and excellent breakfasts. Quick tram ride to the station / Scrovegni Chapel / University.
OUCH! I just checked and it seems that the room rates have more than doubled since I stayed there in 2016. I paid $81 per night, now it’s quoted at $195 including taxes and fees. What’s below was based on my previous visit. But I still love Vicenza.
Another consideration might be to stay in Vicenza. It’s smaller and less touristed than Padova and hotels there are less expensive. I stayed at the Hotel Campo Marzio which is on the edge of the huge park of the same name and abuts the compact centro storico. No need to take a tram to the RR station which is less than a five minute walk from the hotel.
We loved the hotel al Santo. Great staff, good breakfast,. Good pizza in the restaurant. We preferred the Al Santo to the tour hotel, the Faigiano. And it was a little cheaper. It's a long walk from the train or bus station, but there's a tram stop very close to the hotel.
In 2015 we stayed at the funky Hotel Verdi very close to Piazza del Signori. The place was very clean, the staff was first rate, and it's in an older part of town. The area is very quaint and there are many restaurants nearby. The elevator has only two sides and the other two sides are the elevator shaft and has room for two people. The elevator, IMHO, qualifies it to be funky.
During the summer months the Piazza del Signori is set with tables from the many restaurants and is packed in the evenings. There was music there while we were there and the atmosphere was very festive.
Buon viaggio,
Padova is a small town so if you stay anywhere within a block or two from the tram stops you'll be in good shape. You should stay 1 or 2 stops in either direction away from the train station. That area is not unsafe just not too attractive. There are a number of nice Padova apartments on VRBO, much cheaper than a hotel and 100 times better. They're in neighborhoods so you get a feel for the untouristy town, little cafes, bars on the corner, etc.
Michael wrote: I would stay around Piazza della Frutta and Piazza delle Erbe.
I agree with Michael, but not merely because I am also from Seattle. It is a very convenient area for most of the things readers of Rick Steves' books like to do.
