Where to Stay in Padua: Best Hotels Near the Basilica and Scrovegni Chapel

Padua tends to be underestimated because Venice is thirty minutes away by train, but that very proximity works in the city’s favour: it keeps hotel prices grounded while giving you easy access to the lagoon for day trips. The city itself rewards time - the Scrovegni Chapel (Giotto’s 14th-century fresco cycle is one of the greatest works of Western art), the Basilica di Sant’Antonio, the Prato della Valle, and one of Europe’s oldest universities give Padua a cultural density that surprises many visitors expecting a second-division stop. Staying here instead of Venice can save you significant money without sacrificing much.

Best Neighbourhoods to Stay in Padua

Near the Basilica di Sant’Antonio (the southern quarter) is the most atmospheric part of Padua for visitors - the Prato della Valle, one of Europe’s largest public squares, is just minutes away, the covered market at Piazza delle Erbe is a short walk north, and most of the city’s main sights are within thirty minutes on foot. Hotels in this zone are in high demand and range from characterful boutiques to mainstream chains.

The University Quarter around Via Roma and Piazza Cavour is animated, central, and pedestrian-friendly. It’s slightly more student-oriented in feel, which means better value at bars and trattorias, more evening life, and a slightly younger crowd than the Basilica quarter.

Near the Train Station (Padova Centrale) on the northern edge of the historic centre is the most practical base for arrival logistics and Venice day trips. The station is a twenty-minute walk from the Basilica, or a short tram ride on the SIR tram line.

Prato della Valle surroundings offer a handful of apartments and B&Bs at the city’s southern edge - a calm, residential zone that’s a good fit for longer stays or families.

Luxury Hotels in Padua

Hotel Majestic Toscanelli occupies a prime position in central Padua, near the covered market squares. The 15th-century building has been thoughtfully converted - rooms have wooden-beamed ceilings, antique furnishings, and a quiet courtyard for breakfast. Rates start from approximately €180–240 per night.

Grand Hotel Terme in Abano Terme, just 12km south of Padua, deserves mention for anyone visiting the Euganean Hills - a thermal spa hotel of genuine quality with extensive treatment facilities and rates from approximately €200 per night including half-board. Good for a spa-focused stay with Padua as a day trip base.

Plaza Hotel Padova near the station is a four-star business-oriented property with larger-than-average rooms and a reliable restaurant. Rates from approximately €140–190 per night.

Mid-Range Hotels in Padua

Hotel Grand’Italia is a graceful four-star facing the station with high ceilings, good-sized rooms, and a breakfast room that looks convincingly period. Rates typically run from approximately €110–155 per night. The location makes it a sensible first or last night choice if you’re connecting with the Venice train.

Hotel Europa near Piazza Insurrezione is a reliable three-star with clean rooms and a no-fuss approach. Well-positioned for the tram and walkable to the Basilica in about fifteen minutes. Rates from approximately €90–125 per night.

Hotel al Fagiano is a friendly independent hotel near the Basilica di Sant’Antonio with rooms that are comfortable if modest, and a staff that’s genuinely helpful with recommendations. Rates from around €80–110 per night.

Budget Hotels in Padua

Ostello della Città di Padova is one of the better city hostels in the Veneto - a clean, well-run facility near the station with dorm beds from approximately €25 per night and private rooms from around €65. Good common areas and a straightforward breakfast.

Hotel Donà near the Prato della Valle is a compact two-star offering double rooms from approximately €65 per night - a fraction of what equivalent-quality budget accommodation costs in Venice. The tradeoff is basic decor and no lift, but the location and price make it excellent value.

Hotel Igea near the university quarter has rooms from around €70 per night and is popular with visiting parents and academics - quiet, clean, central.

Getting There and Getting Around

By train: Padova Centrale sits on the Milan–Venice high-speed line. Trains from Venice Santa Lucia take approximately 25–30 minutes and run very frequently (several per hour). Bologna takes around 45 minutes; Milan is about 2 hours on fast services. The station is at the northern edge of the historic centre.

SIR tram: Padua’s single tram line (SIR1) runs from the station through the heart of the city to the Basilica di Sant’Antonio area and onward to the southern suburbs. A single ticket costs approximately €1.30 and is valid for 75 minutes.

From Venice Marco Polo Airport (VCE): The most direct route is the airport bus to Venice Mestre station (approximately 25 minutes) followed by a regional train to Padova (about 10 minutes). Total journey: approximately 45–60 minutes, costing around €10–12 combined.

On foot: Padua’s historic centre is compact. The Basilica to the Scrovegni Chapel is about a 25-minute walk; the central market squares are midway between the two. Most visitors walk everywhere and only need public transport for the station connection.

When to Book

The Feast of Sant’Antonio (13 June) draws large pilgrim crowds, filling hotels near the Basilica weeks in advance. Easter is another busy period. Spring and autumn are the best seasons overall - mild temperatures, manageable crowds, and hotel rates significantly lower than in July and August. December is quiet but Padua’s Christmas market around the Prato della Valle makes it a rewarding winter stop.

Plan your trip:

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See our itineraries for inspiration:

Northern Italy Itinerary - lakes, cities, and the Dolomites
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2 Weeks in Italy - the ultimate two-week Italian itinerary
3 Weeks in Italy - the north-to-south grand tour from Milan to Sicily

Further hotel recommendations

Historic centre

The area between the Scrovegni Chapel and the Palazzo della Ragione is the most convenient base for sightseeing - most of Padua’s attractions are within a 15-minute walk of each other.

Budget (€45–90/night)

Hotel Al Fagiano (Via Locatelli 45) - A small two-star near the Basilica of Sant’Antonio. Doubles from approximately €55/night as of 2026. Simple but well-maintained rooms, some with views of the basilica dome. The best value in the historic centre for the location. Breakfast included.

Ostello Città di Padova (Via Aleardi 30) - The HI hostel, 10 minutes’ walk from the centre. Dorm beds from approximately €20/night, private doubles from approximately €55/night. Basic but clean facilities, laundry available. Reliable for budget travellers. Book ahead during university exam periods.

B&B Al Santo (various locations near the Basilica) - Several small B&Bs operate in the streets around the Basilica of Sant’Antonio. Doubles from approximately €50–75/night. Often family-run with local character.

Mid-range (€90–170/night)

Belludi 37 (Via Luca Belludi 37) - A boutique hotel in an Art Nouveau building near the Prato della Valle. Doubles from approximately €80–120/night. Clean, modern rooms with good design. Excellent value for the Veneto - comparable quality in Venice would cost 2–3× more. Breakfast included. One of the best-value boutique options in northeastern Italy.

Methis Hotel & SPA (Riviera Paleocapa 70) - A four-star design hotel near the Basilica of Sant’Antonio. Doubles from approximately €100–150/night. Modern interiors with a spa and wellness centre. Restaurant on-site. Ten minutes’ walk from the Scrovegni Chapel. The spa is a genuine draw - unusual at this price point.

Hotel Majestic Toscanelli (Via dell’Arco 2) - A historic hotel in the old market area, near Piazza delle Erbe and Piazza della Frutta. Doubles from approximately €95–140/night. Traditional-elegant style with a central location. The building has character - original architectural details throughout.

Top-end (€170–350/night)

NH Padova (Via Tommaseo 61) - A modern four-star between the station and the centro storico. Doubles from approximately €110–180/night. Business-oriented with conference facilities, but the rooms are well-appointed and the location is practical. Pool and fitness centre.

Grand’Italia Residenza d’Epoca (Corso del Popolo 81) - A four-star in a restored palazzo near the station. Doubles from approximately €120–200/night. Elegant rooms with period details. Good for those who want a grander atmosphere. Rooftop terrace with views across the city.