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

Padua (Padova) is often used as a budget base for Venice — a 25–50 minute train journey away at a fraction of the accommodation cost. But the city rewards time of its own: the Scrovegni Chapel (Giotto’s frescoes, one of the great art experiences in Italy), Europe’s oldest botanical garden, the Basilica of Sant’Antonio, and the Prato della Valle (one of the largest squares in Europe) all justify at least an overnight stay.

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.

Near the train station

The Stazione di Padova is 10 minutes’ walk from the Scrovegni Chapel — the area is practical rather than atmospheric.

Hotel Grand’Italia (Corso del Popolo 81) — The most established option near the station. Doubles from approximately €90–150/night. Traditional-elegant interiors. Convenient for early train departures or late arrivals.

Hotel Maritan (Via Gattamelata) — A three-star near the station. Doubles from approximately €60–85/night. Clean, functional rooms. Good for transit stays.

Star Hotel (Via Bronzetti) — Budget option close to the station. Doubles from approximately €50–70/night. Basic but adequate for a night between trains.

Padua as a Venice base

Staying in Padua and day-tripping to Venice saves approximately 40–60% on accommodation costs. The calculation:

Factor	Padua	Venice
Double room (mid-range)	€90–150/night	€180–350/night
Train to Venice	€4.50–10 each way	—
Journey time	25–50 min (regional/Frecciarossa)	—
Train frequency	Every 15–30 min	—

For a 4-night stay, basing in Padua and day-tripping to Venice can save approximately €200–500 on accommodation — money better spent on experiences. The Frecciarossa high-speed train takes approximately 25 minutes (approximately €10 each way), while Regionale trains take approximately 45–50 minutes (approximately €4.50 each way, departing every 15–30 minutes).

The trade-off: You miss the Venice experience of being on the islands at night, when the day-trippers leave and the city is at its quietest and most atmospheric. For a first visit to Venice, we recommend at least one night on the islands.

Where to eat near your hotel

Centro storico: Osteria Dal Capo (Via degli Obizzi — traditional Padovano cooking, mains approximately €12–16), Belle Parti (Via Belle Parti — refined Veneto cuisine, mains approximately €16–24), Caffè Pedrocchi (Via VIII Febbraio — the famous neoclassical cafe, coffee approximately €3–5, worth visiting for the architecture alone).

Near Prato della Valle: Trattoria San Pietro (Via San Pietro — local favourite, mains approximately €10–14), Zairo (Prato della Valle — the classic pizza spot, pizza approximately €8–12).

Markets: Piazza delle Erbe and Piazza della Frutta host daily morning markets (Monday–Saturday) with fresh produce, cheese, and cured meats. The Palazzo della Ragione (which separates the two squares) was the medieval market hall and now houses food shops including excellent cheese and salumi vendors.

Booking tips

• Book 2–4 weeks ahead for spring (April–June) and autumn (September–October). Padua does not have Venice’s booking pressure, but the city is busier than it looks
• The Feast of St Anthony (13 June) brings pilgrims from across Italy and fills accommodation — book well ahead if visiting around this date
• University exam periods (January/February and June/July) increase demand for budget accommodation
• Scrovegni Chapel: Book your timed-entry slot as soon as you confirm accommodation — slots fill up, especially on weekends and in summer. Tickets approximately €14 as of 2026, bookable online through the Padova municipality website. Maximum 25 visitors per 15-minute slot. For guided tours combining the Scrovegni Chapel, the Botanical Garden, and the Basilica of Sant’Antonio, Padua tours are available alongside the standard entry tickets

Getting to Padua

• From Venice: Regionale trains every 15–30 minutes, approximately 45 minutes, approximately €4.50. Frecciarossa approximately 25 minutes, approximately €10
• From Milan: Frecciarossa approximately 2 hours, from approximately €25–45 (book early for best fares)
• From Bologna: Frecciarossa approximately 1 hour, from approximately €15–30
• From Verona: Regionale approximately 1 hour, approximately €8
• The tram connects Padua station to the centre and the Basilica area, running every 8–12 minutes (approximately €1.50)

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For the full Padua travel guide for the Scrovegni Chapel booking, the Basilica of St Anthony, and Padua as a Venice base. For things to see in Padua, see things to do in Padua. For Paduan food — bigoli pasta, baccalà, and Veneto wines — see the Padua food guide. For day trips to Venice, Verona, and Vicenza, see day trips from Padua. Padua is covered as a Venice day trip in our Venice day trips guide. For the northern Italy circuit, our northern Italy itinerary includes Padua.