Prato della Valle
Prato della Valle
4.5
About
Features animals
Learn more about animal welfare in tourismSuggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listingTours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
Full view
What is Travelers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Top ways to experience Prato della Valle
The area
Best nearby
Restaurants
826 within 3 miles
Attractions
545 within 6 miles
Contribute
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
4,635 reviews
Excellent
2,924
Very good
1,356
Average
297
Poor
40
Terrible
18
Denny S
Gothenburg, Sweden184 contributions
Oct 2021
It is difficult to rate this really because it is unique and unlike anything else. The elliptical square is the largest in Italy and one of the largest in Europe. In the middle, there is a park area, l'isola Memmia, surrounded by a small canal bordered by two rings of statues. There are 78 statues, 40 in the outer ring and 38 in the inner. The statues depict important people who have been connected to Padua in some way such as the artist Andrea Mantegna, the poet Francesco Petrarca, Scientist Gallileo Galilei, the sculptor Antonio Canova, various popes and many others. Four beautiful bridges lead across the canal. Around the square are several palaces and residential buildings that were built between the 14th and the 18th centuries. At the southern end of the square is the huge church Basilica di Santa Giustina. It's a very nice place indeed, but in my opinion, it lacks a bit of identity. It can not really decide what it wants to be. A square? A park? A monument? The size also makes it look a bit deserted.
Written October 28, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
rosannt2016
72 contributions
Sep 2019
The first time I visited this park I was 15 years old and vowed to return every time I went to Italy. Now I am almost 60 I kept my word and it remains one of my favourite places in the world.
You can have a picnic, you can play music, you can play soccer, you can read, or just walk around and enjoy the statues.
You can have a picnic, you can play music, you can play soccer, you can read, or just walk around and enjoy the statues.
Written May 28, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Olivia P
Canberra, Australia9 contributions
Oct 2019
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 afternoon sitting in the sun in the park. Relaxing and beautiful. Keep away from the Italian smokers
Written September 13, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Robert O
Rotterdam, The Netherlands3,652 contributions
Oct 2021
Italy's largest square is just south of the old city. It has the form of an oval and is decorated with no less than 78 statues! During the 1630s the swampy area was turned into a theatre ground and a venue for mock battles on horseback. Musicians who cheered up the crowds of spectators are believed to be the precursors of what later evolved as opera.
During my visit there were lots of stalls where local delicacies were sold. Good to have a large space near the center where people can gather and relax or undertake other activities.
During my visit there were lots of stalls where local delicacies were sold. Good to have a large space near the center where people can gather and relax or undertake other activities.
Written September 16, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dgd
Lincolnshire, UK281 contributions
Sep 2020
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 two cafes to watch the world go by. Basilica about half a mile away and a large glass fronted supermarket and large car parking area.
Written October 7, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AMIA778
Seville, Spain1,139 contributions
Sep 2012 • Solo
I come to Padua regularly in the last 15 years and I always make sure that I visit on a Saturday for the market which takes place on Prato della Valle. On other days of the week, Prato della Valle is a great place for people watching and sitting down for a picnic. On Saturdays, it holds the best market in Italy. This is a market for the locals, hence the price is not tourist-price. I bought good quality cashmere and leather goods at a fraction of what I would have paid in US department stores. There are also interesting household products, haberdasheries, basic essential items, and endless choices for fashion items at very low prices. Padua has so much to see and do, it is well worth using this town as home-base for a few days to experience this lively town, shop at the fantastic Saturday market at Prato della Valle 10 minute walk away, and visit beautiful towns nearby (Venice, Vicenza, Verona, Laks Garda)
Written November 12, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Willow
Friday Harbor, WA10 contributions
Jan 2021 • Family
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.
Written January 30, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kristin
El Cerrito, CA367 contributions
Jun 2014 • Family
One of the reasons I chose to add Padua to my itinerary was how beautiful this park looked with all the statues. Well I visited last month (late June 2014), and most of the statues were covered with scaffolding, the park was torn up with construction areas, barriers, equipment, it looks horrible. I expect it will be at LEAST a few months until the work is finished.
Written July 16, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
cosmoPD
Padua, Italy21 contributions
Mar 2012 • Friends
it's one of the biggest square in Europe. There is a market every Saturday morning, and other markets on other days of the week. Bars, stores, churches and you can go there by MetroBus (from the train station) or walk from the very centre of Padua.
Written April 4, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Natascia T
Padua, Italy17 contributions
Dec 2014 • Business
Prato della Valle is without any doubt not only one of the largest squares in Europe, but also one of the most beautiful ones in the world. The night vision is unforgettable.
Written December 6, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Letizia
Vespolate, Italy211 contributions
Come si raggiunge dalla stazione ferroviaria? Si può andare a piedi o è troppo lontano??
Mariangela Giarrizzo
Padua, Italy37 contributions
Mi scuso per il ritardo. Si si può andare a piedi .ci sarà mezzoretta di cammino ma ne vale la pena. Sempre dritto direzione centro. si passa di fianco all'arena dove è situata sia la cappella degli scrovegni che la chiesa degli eremitani .si passa davanti al caffè pedrocchi e al Bo, università anch'essa da visitare, Si procede x via Roma e alla fine si sbuca davanti al prato della valle. Da lì si può andare a Sant'Antonio , basilica stupenda o a Santa Giustina o andando ancora dritti, ma forse meglio prendere il tram si arriva anche da padre Leopoldo che è diventato anche lui un Santo.
Ad ogni modo dalla stazione c'è il tram o i bus.
arbskt
Turin, Italy110 contributions
Piazza veramente stupenda lo dico da torinese ma non la seconda in Europa
come da wikipedia Piazze_urbane_per_superficie
e nemmeno in Italia mi spiace
Piazza Carlo di Borbone Caserta 130000 MQ Piazza Castello Milano 95000 Mq
Scusa se lo scrivo ma sicuramente bella e affascinante ma non così grande
arbskt
Turin, Italy110 contributions
Comprendo, e apprezzo, dalla recensione non avevo evinto il tipo di classifica,
bigamedeo
74 contributions
Parcheggi x bus nelle vicinanze grazie
Maurizio B
Milan, Italy23 contributions
Certo, tram compresi
Piero C
42 contributions
Ci sono sempre zingari e drogati.
Fabrizio M
93 contributions
Non è come una volta.
Linda Convento
Piove di Sacco, Italy18 contributions
Ciao a tutti, qualcuno mi saprebbe dire se è possibile fare picnic all'interno dell'area del Prato? Grazie.
Lidefra
Bologna, Italy388 contributions
si puoi tranquillamente, ovviamente ricorda di gettare i rifiuti una volta consumato il tutto!
Mausi1973
Switzerland6 contributions
Does anybody know, if the market is also open on March 31st (Saturday before Easter)? Thank you!
Savannahdoctor
Savannah19 contributions
I am arriving in Venice on Saturday June 23 2018 and was thinking of driving to Padova for the Saturday market. Is it worth the effort?
🎓🤓 Keep Life Simple 🤓🎓
Pittsburgh, PA77,377 contributions
. First, let me put this into perspective. I am 65. It takes 20 minutes by train for somewhere around 14 euro pp round trip to Padova. Then around $1.50 euro ticket on the tram outside the train station to market or Saint Anthony's Church. Trains run non stop to Padova right from Venice. The train is so fast, It's faster to get to Padova than from the Venice train station to San Marco by Vaporetto. Your trip is easily doable for someone in their 70 or 80s
Karen H
Caerphilly County, UK2 contributions
Hi I am visiting Corfu in October 23-28. Do you still operate tours then?
masse60
Orleans, France538 contributions
Bonsoir,
A noter que la place des Quinconces à Bordeaux est un tiers plus grande 12ha contre 9 pour la jolie place Prato della Valle
Stephane
on what days is there a market in Prato dell Valle in October
Alessandro Brescia
Selvazzano Dentro, Italy126 contributions
Dear Copycats every Saturday from 7:30 a.m. to 7.00 pm prato della valle square is animated by market. also every 3rd sunday of every month you can be attracted by a "portobello market" where a lot of antiquities and old thing are sold.
best regards
Alessandro b
Prato della Valle (Padua) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go
Frequently Asked Questions about Prato della Valle
- We recommend booking Prato della Valle tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 10 Prato della Valle tours on Tripadvisor
- According to Tripadvisor travelers, these are the best ways to experience Prato della Valle:
- Padua City Sightseeing Walking Tour of Must-See-Sites with Local Guide (From $189.86)
- Day Trip by train from Venice to Padua. Private tour (From $179.79)
- Private Padua Highlights Tour including Scrovegni Chapel and St Antonio Basilic (From $290.01)
- Padua, Prato della Valle and Saint Anthony Basilica (From $165.58)
- Padua, Venetian villas along Brenta riviera private full day tour with driver (From $619.26)
- Hotels near Prato della Valle:
- (0.01 mi) PADUA CENTER, IN THE MEADOW OF THE VALLEY APPARTAM. FREE WIFI AND FREE PARKING
- (0.12 mi) Hotel Al Prato
- (0.09 mi) Suites Isola Memmia
- (0.11 mi) B&B Palazzo Salgari
- (0.13 mi) Hotel Mignon
- Restaurants near Prato della Valle:
- (0.11 mi) Fuel Ristorante in Prato
- (0.11 mi) Terrazza Carducci
- (0.08 mi) Il Ristorante Zairo
- (0.11 mi) Passando per Modena
- (0.10 mi) L'Officina al Bersagliere
- Attractions near Prato della Valle:
- (0.01 mi) Padua Faberest
- (0.09 mi) Museo del Precinema
- (0.09 mi) Loggia Amulea
- (0.15 mi) Padua Botanical Garden - World Heritage Site
- (0.08 mi) Ponte dei Quattro Papi