Padua (or Padova) is mostly famous for its university, which was founded in 1222 and is one of the oldest worldwide. Famous scholars are Nicolaus Copernicus and Giacomo Casanova and it hosted for many years Galileo Galilei.
Start your visit from Prato della Valle, one of the largest squares in Italy. Nearby you will find the Basilica di Sant’Antonio, dedicated to the famous Portuguese saint. He is especially invoked all over the world as the patron saint for the recovery of lost items.
Not far away you will find the Botanical Garden, which is the oldest university botanical garden worldwide dating back to 1545. It hosts over 3500 species of plants and several historical trees, like the Palma di San Pietro, which has been part of the garden since 1585. If you are into science, you can visit the oldest permanent anatomical theater in the world at Palazzo del Bo’ and the old astronomical tower named la Specola.
Padova has its own Palazzo della Ragione, which resembles the Basilica Palladiana in Vicenza. Underneath it, you can find the Sotto Salone, a covered market where you can purchase local delicacies and street food, like the folpetti, tender, cooked baby squids, known as moscardini.
If you have to choose to do one thing in Padua, then you must visit the Scrovegni chapel. It contains a fresco cycle by Giotto, completed around 1305 and an important masterpiece of Western art. Entry to the church is limited to preserve the frescos, so you should book the visit in advance!
Caffè Pedrocchi is one of the most historically significant cafés in Italy. It is known as the “Café Without Doors” because it was open 24 hours a day - and literally had no doors until 1916. Famous creations are the “Pedrocchi coffee”, an espresso with fresh cream and mint syrup, topped with some powdered cocoa and the “Stendhal’s Zabaione” served with biscuits named “lingue di gatto” (literally cat's tongues).