sites to see in Padua not touched on village tour

I enjoyed spending time in the Basilica of Saint Anthony. My tour walked by the outside but didn't go in. Inside are 3 relics of Saint Anthony - his tongue, his jaw and his vocal cords. I went in quickly to see them during a little free time but really wanted to spend more time in the Basilica. On this tour there are several opportunities to see relics so I saw everyone I could. I am not really in to relics but it just felt right to me to try and see them all.

The Botanical Gardens which are near the Basilica and are also near the hotel the tour usually stays at. They are big and we did not allow enough time to see them.

You'll see the Scrovegni Chapel during the tour BUT if I were doing this tour again, I'd make an appointment for a 2nd visit. It is small but the amount of frescoes in there was slightly overwhelming to me and you just can't take it in in the very short time they allow you inside. The time is restricted but I can't remember if it's 15 or 30 minutes you get to be in the chapel. You also spend time in a closed room before you go in. So...I'd go first on my free time and then get more of an explanation from the local guide when we were in there.

I could have spent more time walking around the Prato della Valle which is also near the hotel.

This is such a fun tour!

Thank you Pam, for all your suggestions. This info is exactly what I was looking for.
valerie

We also really enjoyed the Botanical Gardens, a peaceful and welcome respite from Venice, where we had spent a few days before taking the train to Padua. The Basilica interior is interesting also and we did enjoy seeing that from the inside but what we enjoyed most was just walking around the town, having a drink with snacks and enjoying the green spaces, relatively abundant in Padua. We thought the parks here lovely. Palazzo Bo was interesting, too. From Lonely Planet:
"This Renaissance palazzo (mansion) is the seat of Padua’s history-making university. Founded by renegade scholars from Bologna seeking greater intellectual freedom....." and more. You can google it. I think you will really enjoy this tour. In my opinion, it's one of the few "experiential" tours offered by the RS company and certainly one of my personal favorites!

Padua has quite a large, and highly walkable, historic district. I spent many hours just wandering around it.

There's a large outdoor food market in or near the Piazza delle Erbe. Not sure what days of the week; check your guidebook.

There are several museums that might be worthwhile, depending on your interests.

For secondary cities like Padua--which may get short shrift in guide books, I like to skim through the TripAdvisor Things To Do lists to be sure I don't overlook something tied to a particular interest of mine. You have to watch out for misinformation; reviewers sometimes get their sights mixed up. I consider TA just a starting point and follow up with some Googling if I find something that sounds interesting.

One of the best things I saw in Padua was the Palazzo della Ragione, the medieval hall between the two big piazzas, and its 15th-century frescoes. It's described in the Italy guidebook. I also enjoyed the Basilica of St. Anthony, though I didn't join the crowd at the tomb. Nice cloisters.

The Scrovegni Chapel is worth two visits if you can organize your own, with an excellent introductory film (which I guess you'd have to see twice so maybe not so great). The adjoining Eremitani contains several good little museums, including a Giotto crucifix and paintings by a lot of great artists.

The above, plus wandering around the center, is how I spent a day trip to Padua from Venice. I would have enjoyed more time there but I was satisfied to see what I saw.

I want to thank all of you Andi, Acraven and Dick for all the great responses and ideas. I am amazed at the willingness and help from people on this site.
valerie

Another vote for the botanical gardens, https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orto_botanico_di_Padova

The new-ish greenhouse is excellent, five separate micro climates.

Aussie, I loved those greenhouse/s! I was traveling with my brother (a retired forester) and my SIL who has a master's in Horticulture and is an awesome gardener. I don't garden but I enjoy plants. Well, we spent SO much time in the greenhouses we did not have much time for the older outdoor areas (I'm thinking it was an Arboretum because I mostly remember trees?) which were extensive.

I enjoyed the Basilica of Saint Anthony. However, I started my trip a few days in advance in Innsbruck to get a taste of the alps - saw a cow parade! The day after I arrived in Padua, I spent in Venice.

Thank you everyone for these ideas.......I am in Padua for 4.5 days next month, and a lot of people can't understand why I'm going to Padua (or Genoa, but that's for another discussion). I knew about the Scrovegni Chapel and the university's tours, but all these other ideas are great.

Don't forget the cathedral, the baptistry, the museum of the Risorgiemento, someone already mentioned the Palazzo della Ragione, there's a church very near the Scrovegni Chapel that has amazing art restorations, there's a museum across from the Scrovegni that is included on your Scrovegni ticket, there are wonderful trattorie, bars, many on the main piazzas with outdoor seating... St Anthony's... So much to see.

We went three days early before our VI tour, and didn't see all the things we wanted to see. We were never bored. Loved Padua. If you're only going to be there one day before the tour it may not be worth getting the Padova Pass, but google it. There will be a list of things it covers, giving you more ideas.

This is a great tour, by the way. Who's your guide? We had Trisha, and she was amazing.

Thank you everyone for all your wonderful suggestions

Jane,
Our tour guide is Nina. We are very much looking forward to exploring Padua. Thank you again.
Valerie

Great suggestions above. Recommend seeing the Pedrocchi Café. Being in the downtown area in the early evening, for the passeggiata, is particularly fun - I recall music, dancing, balloons, giant soap bubbles, etc. Keep an eye out for groups of college students celebrating a graduation - they can happen at any time. There's an RS video that depicts one.

Valerie, we've heard that Nina is super. What a great time is ahead of you!

Be sure to see Donatello's work at the altar in St. Anthony's Basilica: Donatello sculpture in Padua Spend some studying it because photography is not allowed inside.

Outside St Anthony stands Donatello's Equestrian Statue of Condottiere Gattamelata. It's magnificent: Donatello's Equestrian Work

WOW!!! So many wonderful things to see and do while in Padua. Thank again everyone

Of all the cities and towns we just visited or stayed in (in almost 4 weeks in the Veneto), Padua was our favorite. We even fantasized about living there for a few months.

Besides all the daytime things to do, be sure to wander around the streets and piazze at night --- so much lively activity after dark is such a non-American thing! At home, my husband an I are early-to-bed-early-to-rise (like 4:30am) kind of people, so we missed out on Italian evenings and nights on our first few trips.

Padua really has a lot of sights and is worth more than a full day on its own. For others thinking about a visit, it is also a great base for day-trips. Vicenza, Verona and Ferrara are all accessible within less than an hour. So is Venice, of course, if one has already covered that city pretty well and just wants to pop back in to see a specific sight or two.

Since I only have one extra day at Padua, there sounds like lots to see and do. I should come sooner. Oh well, I guess that I’ll have to come back. Thank you everyone