Scrovegni reservations

I was in Padua in mid-July 2015; I stopped by the tourist office upon arrival and was able to get a Scrovegni Chapel ticket for the next day. I believe I read online very recently that you have to get the ticket at least one day in advance. I have no reason to think you need to rush to do it now, but you just never know; demand for Scrovegni tickets may have changed. Since you're going to be in Padua for several days, you may have a lot of flexibility as to the timing of your Scrovegni visit, in which case I think you have the freedom to wait awhile. Still, if the chapel is really important to you, it might be prudent not to wait till you get to Padua. I'd have been sorry to miss it, but it wouldn't have ruined my trip.

I did buy the Padua card, and it was worthwhile for me. I don't know whether the coverage and price have changed since 2015. In 2015 I believe the card wasn't time-limited, or at least it had a generous time allowance. Since I spent 3 nights in Padua, I had plenty of time to see everything I wanted to without rushing around. I even took a side-trip to Vicenza (which didn't take a full day). I liked Padua a lot.

We got a Padova card. It included city transport. The tram goes from the train station, past the Chapel, through the old center of the city to hotels south of the center near the Basilica of St Anthony and the Prato della Valle.

I booked the reservations from home -- like the Borghese in Rome, it's strictly limited by time slots so I didn't want to chance it. Amazing!!

My two cents: I usually try to do as much of my logistics as I can when I am at home. In this particular case, I suggest you make a reservation when you know your schedule.

In May school groups will still be going through. As well, it takes perhaps a leisurely 10 minutes to walk from the bus to the Entry. Not a ‘pop in and make a reservation quickly’ site.

Finally, if you show up early and there is room you will likely be allowed to change your scheduled time so you can get on with your day. This was my experience. You will be required to check your bag but will be given a small bag for essentials: wallet keys. Etc.

I was attached to a group of high school students. They were out of the chapel in about 10 minutes. I had the place to myself for the rest of the visit.

I would recommend getting the Padova card since it includes entry to the Scrovegni Chapel as well as to other sites in the city and includes transportation. I would also buy the card on line and make reservations for the Chapel at the same time. Don’t risk not seeing the frescos. When I visited (off season) the groups entering the Chapel at 2:30 and 3:00 were full. I chose to visit at 2:45 and there was no one in the Chapel but me! I don’t know the odds of that happening but it was me, the guard and the frescoes. Wow!

They are also offering Giotto Under the Stars tours from 7 to 9:20pm, including a 40 minute DOUBLE TOUR ticket and an Italian language living-history tour.

The chapel is so worth the visit - in fact, it's worth two visits! You are limited to the amount of time you actually have inside. The audio/video introduction is very good (while you get de-contaminated), but once you walk in your jaw will drop. The past several times I was there I booked in advance, which gave me a better selection of times (be on time, they lock the doors). What I do, and even suggest, is book a visit in the morning and another one towards the end of the day (or another day if you're staying in Padova). The Scrovengni Chapel is truly one of the artistic wonders of Italy. Enjoy!

I did a double visit last June. Only one other person in my group did it, and we got at least ten minutes between groups when we (and one guard) were the only ones in the chapel. It was magical.