Padua question

I think it's worth 1-2 nights on its own, and I stayed 3 nights and took a daytrip to Ferrara. However, if all you have time for is a daytrip, it's still highly worthwhile. As long as you get a Scrovegni Chapel time, you can fit the rest of the city's main sights around that time, all in one day; Rick's book has details of how to plan your Padova day.

Padova is a very good place to spend a night or two. Depending on season, you might need to reserve ahead for the Scrovegni Chapel. It would be a shame to go to see it and not find an open spot. Right next door to it is the Chiesa degli Eremitani, which has some frescoes that survived WWII, and some fragments that did not.

There is also the area of Prato delle Valle, where many buses and trams stop.

Padova also has an extensive Botanical Garden, and the Basilica of Saint Anthony mentioned previously. The main piazza join each other, and there are several architectural sights in the area.

Several years ago I stayed at Hotel M14, which rented bikes to guests. Near Prato delle Valle.

Is Padua worth just a day trip from Venice?
Yes, if that's all you have time for.

Or is it worth a stay on its own?
Even better, most definitely. I stayed at the fantastic Hotel Belludi 37 with a wonderful view of St Anthony's Basilica when I opened my window shutters. http://www.belludi37.it/en/

As others have said, Padua is an excellent day trip from Venice, and certainly has enough sites and activities to merit a stay of one or a few nights. Its indoor and outdoor markets, right next to each other in the middle of town, are among the most beautiful in Italy. Another good way to visit Padua would be as a stop of a few hours on a train trip between Venice and Vicenza, Verona or even Milano, traveling in either direction. There is good bag storage and a tourist office at the train station, and then it is just a few minutes walk, or a quick tram ride, to the Scrovegni Chapel and then on to the center of town.

In the minority here, Padua underwhelmed me. Maybe it was all the tram lines. I think you can see the sights in a single day if you plan well. I don't like taking day trips from Venice because [1] getting to/from the Santa Lucia station takes a long time and [2] it's almost always more expensive to stay in Venice and [3] I love Venice and hate to leave it.

If you're main aim is to see the Scrovegni Chapel, you can take an early train from Venice and store your bag at the Padua train station, visit the Chapel, and maybe a few other sights, then continue by train to wherever your next destination is.

All the tram lines ?

Ah, my friend Chani, you made me laugh ...
The Padua Tramway (opened 2007) is 10.3-kilometre (6.4 mi) long, and comprises one line, linking the north with the south calling at the main station and then passing the historic city centre.

I visited Padua as a day trip (from Vicenza) and it was enough time and I enjoyed the day. I spent several days in Vicenza before going on to Venice. I really liked Vicenza.

I stayed in Padua (larger, or at least it felt that way) and visited Vicenza from there. Both cities are worth visiting. I really enjoyed walking around the historic area of Padua, which is rather extensive, in addition to the specific sights mentioned by others.

At the very least it's worth a day trip just to visit Scrovegni and St. Anthony Basilica - both marvelous. The historic center with different market squares and ancient buildings are interesting and lovely to walk around. The tram is cheap, easy and convenient as there's basically only one line that runs from north to south through the town. It stops at any and all paces you might want to visit, including the train station. I did not think the train between Padua and Venice was at all inconvenient as they run quite often, maybe 20-25 minutes max from departure to arrival. Near the south end of the tram line is a beautiful area, especially at night - Prato delle Valle - fountains, lighted walking paths, bridges and lots of wonderful restaurants ringing the large, oval Prato. I really liked Padova!

thanks for all the useful advice (especially about the need to book a place for the Scrovegni Chapel). I never thought of Vicenza before, but now I see people here raving about it. Padua, Vincenza, Ferrara, not to mention Venice itself - this trip gets longer every time I post a request for advice in this forum! :-) Additional posts are most welcome. grazie!

Scrovegni Chapel
http://www.cappelladegliscrovegni.it/index.php/en/book-now/information-on-ticket-reservation

One other bonus about Padova is that it's flat, making it easier to walk for those with mobility issues.

In July 2012 I made a trip Chianti > Siena > Florence > Ferrara > Padova > Vicenza > Verona > Mantova > Milan. I deliberately avoided Venice, and was sorry I didn't have time for Ravenna, Parma, Modena. All these places are great, especially when away from the main tourist hot spot of Florence.

David - I meant the overhead electric line for the tram ☺

Gotcha. Sorry. Really, the overhead wires bother you?
How do you feel about them in places like Munich, Zurich, Vienna, Amsterdam, Melbourne?
I love trams, and mostly love cities that have them.