Padova Playbook: Your Unrivalled Experience Watching the Biancoscudati

Home to two UNESCO World Heritage sites – the Botanical Gardens and a collection of 14th-century frescoes housed in buildings across the old town – Padua is no ordinary city.

From the Scrovegni Chapel painted by Giotto at the beginning of 1300 to Piazza delle Erbe and Prato della Valle, Italy’s largest town square, you are never too far from a historic landmark.

Padua is the English version of the Italian name Padova and is what we will use for the city. For the football team, it’s Padova.

From how to get tickets to where to eat and drink, plus everything in between, this guide has got you covered.

Where To Stay

Padua is small compared to the likes of Milan and Rome, and it is easily walkable, with the main train station just a 15-minute stroll from the centro storico.

While tourism has steadily increased in Padua, it remains light years away from the saturated walkways and squares of Venice and Verona, its two more popular Veneto neighbours.

Yet the city oozes culture and retains most of its magnificent Venetian-style buildings and piazzas, while the historical centre is all cobblestone streets and stunning buildings.

Staying centrally, you will be within walking distance of the Scrovegni Chapel, Piazza delle Erbe and Piazza della Frutta.

Padua’s centro storico offers a range of accommodation, from Airbnbs to the biggest hotel chains, ensuring there is something for everyone.

If you prefer things a bit quieter, try Prato della Valle – one of the largest squares in Europe – at the southern end of the centro storico. 

Where To Eat

Osteria L’Anfora provides an authentic, no-frills Paduan experience. Located in the old Jewish Ghetto, it is known for its bustling atmosphere, walls lined with books and wine bottles, and very traditional menu. Make sure you taste the local bigoli in salsa, thick whole-wheat pasta.

Similarly, Osteria Nane della Giulia is a Paduan staple that embodies the spirit of a traditional Venetian tavern. It’s a great place to sample regional home-style cooking in a cozy, rustic setting. Try the pasta e fasoi – the Venetian take on pasta e fagioli, pasta and beans. Or the polenta with donkey – yes, donkey – stew.

If you want to splurge, head to Belle Parti. Housed in the historic Palazzo Prosdocimi, expect a romantic and refined atmosphere, making it a favourite for special occasions. The dishes are just as refined, with a focus on seasonally driven seafood and meat dishes, plus an extensive wine cellar.

At the other end of the scale, La Folperia is a legendary food stall in Piazza della Frutta, which specialises in fresh seafood snacks. Try their amazing shrimps, or better still, the local folpeti (boiled baby octopus), a Paduan delicacy, and wash it all down with a glass of local wine. Don’t expect to sit, however, all the food at La Folperia is consumed standing up as you watch the world go by.

Where To Drink

Caffe Pedrocchi is one of the most famous cafes in the world. Located in a tiny piazza in the Centro Storico, the oldest cafe in Padua first welcomed customers in 1831 and used to be open around the clock until 1916. Hence the nickname ‘the cafe without doors’. It is an architectural masterpiece and a must-visit for any traveller.

A croissant, cappuccino and fruit juice for breakfast will set you back around €12. At the higher end of the scale in terms of pricing, but worth it given the iconic venue, which retains most of its Neoclassical and Venetian Gothic elements. Otherwise, try the famous Caffè Pedrocchi, an espresso with mint cream and a dusting of cocoa, served without sugar.

Bar dei Osei on Piazza della Frutta is a local institution and offers one of the best Aperol spritzes in town. Venetians claim the drink as their own, but Patavini insist it originated in Padua.

Enoteca Treccani on Via Umberto I is a great spot to try local wines, while Corte Sconta in the old town also has an extensive wine list, along with a great range of cicchetti – Veneto’s answer to tapas.

Bar Nazionale is the perfect spot for a drink with a view, as it overlooks the scenic Clock Tower. Meanwhile, Padua has an excellent craft beer scene. Head to Hype Taproom on Via San Biagio in the old town to try their own beers and guest brews, while Atoms Taproom on Via Vincenzo Pinelli is slightly off the beaten track but well worth checking out.

Don’t Forget

Tickets – Padova tickets are available on the club’s website and at authorised Vivaticket selling points in the city.

Tickets start at €25 for adults and €6.50 for under-18s in the Tribuna Ovest and Tribuna Est. Discounts are also available for under-25s, over-70s and women.

Merchandise – All merchandise can be bought on Padova’s official website or at the Macron store on Via della Croce Rossa 120, which is open Monday to Saturday from 9:30am to 12pm and from 3pm to 7pm.

Did You Know?

Alexi Lalas, an icon of the USA team that reached the round of 16 at the 1994 World Cup on home soil, became the first American to play in Serie A when he joined Padova in the summer after the tournament.

Getting There

Padua doesn’t have an airport, which means flying into Venice is your best option. Venice Marco Polo Airport is about a 45-minute car journey from Padua, while Venice’s Mestre train station is just 15 minutes away by fast train, or 30 minutes with a slower service.

Need Another Football Fix?

Veneto is a football hotbed with few equals in Italy. Vicenza and Venezia are 15 and 25 minutes away by train respectively, while Verona is a 40-minute train ride. Treviso and its Serie D club are a 50-minute train ride away.