I thought I'd buy an "Urbs Picta" attractions card for my day in Padua later this month. I'd really appreciate information from anyone who has used this card. It can be purchased online but I have been told you can't download it , or pick it up at one of the attractions. Apparently you have to go to a tourist office during opening hours and physically pick it up. Is this really correct? I have a tight time schedule and and would prefer not to be schlepping to the tourist office before even starting on the attractions, if that's possible.
Should I maybe just book a slot at the Scrovegni (that is my top priority) and just pay on the door for the other places? Thank you.
Posted by
Washington DC
28900 posts
I don't know what the actual procedures for picking up cards purchased online, because I've never done that. However, the Urbs Picta website says you must pick up the card at the museum located right near the Scrovegni Chapel. Urbs Picta website
Unlike a lot of larger-city sightseeing cards, the Urbs Picta card is a good value (or was in 2022, the most recent time I used it), but if you have just one day in Padua, you may not have time for all the covered attractions. In that case, I doubt that you'll save very much, if anything at all, with the card. If it's awkward for you to get one, I wouldn't worry at all about just buying separate entry tickets.
Posted by
OP
London
5 posts
Thanks, acraven, this is a useful reply.
Posted by
Rhode Island, USA
493 posts
I visited Padua on October 30, 2024. I purchased the Viva Tickets (aka Picta) in August and received an email to print the ticket. The website was: https://www.cappelladegliscrovegni.it/index.php/en/information/biglietti-e-riduzioni.
There is a phone number on the website to call if you have an issue. The person on the phone took care of the purchase of the tickets. The website would not work correctly, which seems to be common.
It was an amazing day and night in Padua, and we visited so many places using the tickets. Here are the sites we visited by showing the QR code on the tickets, along with riding the tram (included with the ticket):
Palazzo Zuckerman
Civici Eremitani
Scrovegni chapel (made timed reservation for entry)
Palazzo della Ragione
Baptistry of the Duomo
Museo Diocesano di Padova
If you need lodging, I recommend Hotel Europa.
Posted by
OP
London
5 posts
Thank you for your helpful reply Carl.
Posted by
San Diego, CA
350 posts
Just wanted to say that Padua is one of my favorite places. We stayed there because Venice did not fit into our budget and it turned out. We enjoyed staying there more than our day trip to Venice.
The Scrovegni is unforgettable and its small size allows you to be so close to the murals. Saint Anthony’s Basilica was also very moving. People place prayer requests, cards of thanks, photos in the church with special requests and intentions, it is a wall of hope , very moving.
If you are a lover of knowledge and historic architecture, I recommend the 45 minute Mon-Fri tour of the university of Padua’s “Palazzo Bo” (Galileo/historic anatomical suite and other scientific notables) in a gorgeous historic building.
I also loved the small town atmosphere, its walkable, compact size, the restaurants and caffès around the piazza delle Erbe, and a quick easy train ride to Venice.
Enjoy!