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Prato della Valle, Padua

4.6
#3 of 235 in Things to do in Padua
Landmark · Tourist Spot
Take a breather from your tour of the city and watch the world go by at Prato della Valle, a 90 sq m (969 sq ft) elliptical square, the largest such public space in the country and one of the biggest in Europe. The square was built in 1775 on the site of what used to be a theater and fairground. The present layout includes a large central grassy area, which is surrounded by a statue-lined canal and a broad expanse of flagstones. On the weekends the square is the site of a popular market, but on all other days this space attracts joggers, cyclers, rollerbladers, and passing tourists stopping by for a quick rest and a few snapshots. The square is said to be at its most photogenic in the evening. Prato della Valle is just one of the many highlights you can arrange to see using our , online itinerary creator Edition.
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Tours to Prato della Valle

FROM $325 BOOK WITH VIATOR Private Padua Highlights Tour including Scrovegni Chapel and St Antonio Basilic
5.0
Duration: 4 hours
Tours from $325 »
FROM $212 BOOK WITH VIATOR Padua City Sightseeing Walking Tour of Must-See-Sites with Local Guide
5.0
Duration: 2 hours
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FROM $31 BOOK WITH VIATOR Touring bike
Duration: 1 day
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Prato della Valle reviews

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TripAdvisor traveler rating 4.5
4,531 reviews
Google
4.6
TripAdvisor
  • By Euzeree
    This place is in good reach by public transportation. Huge open.space in the middle of old town. That is it. We thought it looked ugly.  more »
  • By a d
    Large and interesting area, that had a few fruit and veg and clothing stalls at the town end. A few people around but was not busy to plenty of space to wander around, interesting buildings . One or.....  more »
  • By oliviapZ1414LL
    If you want to experience an authentic Italian city that hasn’t been taken over by Tourism, go to Padua. 37 minute travel time to Venice. Trains between. Spend a day here. Great way to spend an...  more »
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Google
  • By matt campbell
    The Church is free to visit but I would recommend the skip the line pass especially during heavy tourist season. I also recommend for 5 euro the upstairs balcony and museum which offers less crowded great views of both inside the Basilica as well as St Mark's Square. The mosaics are truly stunning and the historic nature of this 900 years old structure is amazing!
  • By Carlo M. Bajetta
    Well worth a visit. You will not find many squares of this kind around the North of Italy. Try to avoid market day, as the big stalls and their covers will not allow you to have a decent view...
  • By A P
    Big circular park with highly crafted statues around the park. Nice place to rest, especially during the hot day with nice breeze of the wind. Kids can play around while you sit down and rest.
  • By Lee Marxen
    It would have been better if the canals were still functional. But it is pretty and very large. The statues were being cleaned while we were there so they were covered in boxes.
  • By NICCOLO NICOLETTI
    I love Prato della Valle, it is a huge square/garden in the heart of Padova where you can do pretty much everything: walking, running, skating, attend concert and events or just grab a drink or ice cream and chill. Every Saturday you can shop in the street market through hundreds of little small shops.
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