Padova
Historic yet modern, this city thrives culturally and economically, known for its ancient university, vibrant marketplaces, and excellent transport links. Ideal for expats valuing education and history.
Padova- Key information
Padua, or Padova as the locals call it, is a city and comune in Veneto, northern Italy, rich in academic and artistic heritage. It is home to Italy’s second-oldest university, founded in 1222, and a cultural hotspot with ancient architecture and important artworks. These include the famous Giotto’s frescoes in the Scrovegni Chapel.
Padua’s importance is not limited to culture and history only. The city maintains an important role in the industrial and agricultural sectors of the Veneto region. Its well-preserved marketplaces and piazzas offer the best of both worlds: a glimpse into history without compromising that modern touch expats love.
Conveniently located in Northern Italy, Padua has excellent transport connections to major cities like Venice. For this and many other reasons, this city is favoured by expats who want to enjoy a calm atmosphere, top-notch educational institutions, history, and contemporary amenities.
- Quality of Life
4.8
4.8
- Quality of Infrastructure
5.1
5.1
- Quality of Economy
4.3
4.3
- Region
Veneto
Veneto
- Elevation
[?]
Elevation of a city refers to the height above sea level at which the city is located, measured in meters.
17
17
- Population
[?]
This is a town's official population, measured each year by the national statistics authority.
206700
206700
- Real Population (5km band)
[?]
Our "Real Population" metric reflects more accurately a town's real size by including inhabitants in the immediate vicinity of the town's official borders.
409200
409200
- Climate Description
Mild conditions prevail, with frequent sunshine and light snowfall, balanced by temperate annual warmth.
- Air Quality Rating
4.1
4.1
- Avg Download Speed (Mbps) / Avg Upload Speed (Mbps)
220 /
133
- Walkability
Walker’s Paradise
- Housing availability
[?]
Based on total number of properties (sale and rent) classifies housing availability into five categories: low, relativel ylow, medium, relatively high and high.
High
Padova Demographics
Population
[?]
This is a town's official population, measured each year by the national statistics authority.
0
Real Population (5km band)
[?]
Our "Real Population" metric reflects more accurately a town's real size by including inhabitants in the immediate vicinity of the town's official borders.
0
Birth to Death Ratio Percentile
[?]
Calculation of the percentile in which the city falls based on the number of births and deaths for year 2023 for the town. In practice, this metric explains how many more deaths than births occur (or vice versa)
Example: Low percentile (near 0): The location has a relatively low birth to death ratio compared to others in Italy. Mid-range percentile (around 0.5): The location has an average birth to death ratio. High percentile (near 1): The location has a relatively high birth to death ratio compared to others.
Example: Low percentile (near 0): The location has a relatively low birth to death ratio compared to others in Italy. Mid-range percentile (around 0.5): The location has an average birth to death ratio. High percentile (near 1): The location has a relatively high birth to death ratio compared to others.
0
Population Data Source
ISTAT,2023
Total Tourists (2023)
[?]
Total number of tourists (foreign and domestic) for years 2005 and 2023 for the city.
0
Touristy Index (2023)
[?]
Calculation of tourist density index for the city, comparing its total tourist number to the overall average tourist number of the region
relative to its own population.The index indicates how a location’s tourist density compares to the average, with values above
100 representing higher-than-average density and values below 100 representing lower-than-average density. In practice, numbers very much higher than 100
0
Income per capita (2023)
[?]
This is an estimation of average income per resident for this town, based on 2023 data from the Italian Ministry of Finance.
0
Income rank in Italy (2023)
[?]
This is a ranking of the town's average income per resident, against the full list of townships in Italy.
182 out of 7901
Infrastructure and Connectivity
Closest Airport
[?]
Name of the closest airport in the NUTS2 region from the city..
Venice Marco Polo Airport
Drive time to Airport
[?]
Calculation of the drive time in (mins) to the closest airport the from city.
0
minutes
Distance to Closest Beach Resort
[?]
Calculation of the minimum distance ("as the crow flies") between each city and the closest POI, in this case beach or mountain..
0
km
Distance to Closest Mountain Resort
0
km
Distances to Major Airports
Verona
0
km
Venice
0
km
Treviso
0
km
Bergamo
0
km
Bologna
0
km
Infrastructure & Amenities
POIs 10km 30km
Within 10km
Hospitals
0
Auto Repair Shops
0
Bars
0
Cafes
0
Cinemas
0
Dentists
0
Golf Courses
0
Gyms
0
Health Clinics
0
Hiking Trails
0
Historical Sites
0
Libraries
0
Museums
0
Parks
0
Pharmacies
0
Restaurants
0
Shopping Centres
0
Supermarkets
0
Beauty Centres (Spas)
0
Healthcare & Safety
Nearest Hospital Name
Az. Osp. di Padova-Pronto Socc
Drive Time to Nearest Hospital
0
minutes
Number of hospitals within 30-min drive
0
Seismic Zone (risk of earthquakes)
[?]
Official seismic zones classify areas based on earthquake risk.
Moderate to Low Earthquake Risk
Road Accidents Rate per 10k Inhabitants
[?]
Calculation of road accidents per 10,000 people based on the number of deaths and injuries registered in roads for year 2022 for the city.
0
Car Insurance Price Index
[?]
The car insurance price index is a measure of how a city's average car insurance premium compares to the national average,
expressed as a percentage. A value of 100 indicates that the city's premium is equal to the national average.
Values above 100 show higher premiums, while values below 100 show lower premiums.
0
Average Annual Car Insurance Cost
0
Housing & Property Market
Housing availability
[?]
Based on total number of properties (sale and rent) classifies housing availability into five categories: low, relativel ylow, medium, relatively high and high.
High
Property Prices per m²
Low (lowest 25%)
0
Median
0
High (highest 25%)
0
Connectivity & Digital Access
Walkability Description
Walker's Paradise
Education
Avg Schools Ranking (All Criteria)
[?]
This ranking shows in which decile the town's public schools fall while looking at all the indicators provided by the Italian Ministry of Education for the most recent available year. Note that figures are only provided by the ministry at the school catchment area level, and therefore several schools may be grouped together.
Top 50%
Avg Schools Ranking (Standardised Tests)
[?]
This ranking shows in which decile the town's public schools fall while looking the students' results in national standardised tests. The data is provided by the Italian Ministry of Education for the most recent available year.
Top 50%
Counts of School
Climate & Weather
Precipitation
[?]
Based on daily climate data for precipitation from OPEN-METEO this parameter indicates how a city's annual precipitation compares to others
in terms of percentage, with values ranging from 0 (lowest) to 1 (highest). For example, a percentile rank of 0.75 means the city's
total precipitation is higher than 75% of other cities.
Average (41st-50th percentile)
Sunshine
Above Average (51st-60th percentile)
Snowfall
Somewhat Low (21st-30th percentile)
Climate Description
Padova has a mild climate with warm summers that are comfortable, without the extreme heat of southern Italy. Winters are generally mild, with occasional light snow that rarely causes disruptions. Rainfall is spread evenly throughout the year, keeping the area green without long periods of rain. The pleasant weather makes it easy to enjoy outdoor activities and explore local culture all year round.
Annual Temperature Chart (Min)
Climate data provided by Open Meteo, based on 2010–2022 averages.
Annual Temperature Chart (Max)
Climate data provided by Open Meteo, based on 2010–2022 averages.
Sunny Days By Month
Climate data provided by Open Meteo, based on 2010–2022 averages.
Environmental & Air Quality
Classifications
PM10
[?]
PM10 levels indicate Good air quality at 0–20 µg/m³, Fair at 20–40 µg/m³, Moderate at 40–50 µg/m³, Poor at 50–100 µg/m³, Very Poor at 100–150 µg/m³, and Extremely Poor at 150–1200 µg/m³.
Fair
PM2.5
[?]
PM2.5 is Good if PM2.5 levels are between 0–10 µg/m³, Fair between 10–20 µg/m³, Moderate between 20–25 µg/m³, Poor between 25–50 µg/m³, Very Poor between 50–75 µg/m³, and Extremely Poor between 75–800 µg/m³.
Moderate
NO2
[?]
NO₂ levels are considered Good at 0–40 µg/m³, Fair at 40–90 µg/m³, Moderate at 90–120 µg/m³, Poor at 120–230 µg/m³, Very Poor at 230–340 µg/m³, and Extremely Poor at 340–1000 µg/m³.
Good
SO2
[?]
SO₂ levels indicate Good air quality at 0–100 µg/m³, Fair at 100–200 µg/m³, Moderate at 200–350 µg/m³, Poor at 350–500 µg/m³, Very Poor at 500–750 µg/m³, and Extremely Poor at 750–1250 µg/m³.
Good
O₃
[?]
For O₃, the air is Good at 0–50 µg/m³, Fair at 50–100 µg/m³, Moderate at 100–130 µg/m³, Poor at 130–240 µg/m³, Very Poor at 240–380 µg/m³, and Extremely Poor at 380–800 µg/m³.
Fair
Air Quality Rating
Air Quality Description
In Padova, Italy, the air quality reflects a mix of both modern exigencies and natural conditions. Particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10) levels are moderate to fair, likely impacted by both vehicular emissions and regional industrial activities. While slight concerns might arise regarding particulate concentrations, nitrogen dioxide and sulphur dioxide levels are commendatively maintained at good standards, indicative of effective local environmental regulations and the successful application of green technologies. Ozone levels are moderately maintained, signaling typical urban exposure but remaining within a range tolerable for daily activities. Potential residents can expect an atmosphere that supports outdoor lifestyles with minimal respiratory discomfort.
Town Descriptions
Getting There
Padova is well-connected by road, rail, and air. The city is accessible via the A4 motorway, linking it to Venice and Milan. Frequent train services connect to major Italian cities, and the nearest airport is Venice Marco Polo, approximately 40 kilometres away.
Getting Around
Within Padua, trams and buses provide frequent services to various parts of the city, and cycling is a popular option with many bike lanes. The train connections also make day trips to nearby Venice simple and convenient.
Local Cuisine
Exploring Padua’s cuisine is a treat for food lovers. In the city, you’ll find a variety of regional dishes like bigoli con l’anatra, which is thick handmade spaghetti with a rich duck sauce. You can also enjoy risotto with radicchio, pea soup with Rovigo rice, and Paduan chicken. Local pastries are a must-try, especially with Italian coffee or Prosecco from nearby vineyards. The area is also known for cheeses like Grana Padano and Asiago, which pair well with many local dishes.
Green Areas and Parks
Padua is home to many beautiful parks and green spaces. Parco dei Faggi is the largest park, perfect for walks and jogs. Giardino dell’Arena offers playgrounds and open spaces, ideal for families and picnics. The Orto Botanico, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is home to a lovely collection of plants and serves as a centre for scientific research and education.
Other Parks in Padua
- Parco Iris
- Prato della Valle
- Parco Milcovich
- Parco d’Europa
- Parco delle Farfalle
- Parco del Roncajette
- Parco Degli Alpini
- Giardini Della Rotonda
- Giardino Cavalleggeri di Padova
✅ Pros
Padova’s deep historical roots provide a captivating environment for expats, enriched by its ancient university and Renaissance cultural heritage. It enjoys efficient transport links, including proximity to Venice Marco Polo Airport and robust train services to major Italian cities. Expansive parks like Parco dei Faggi and the UNESCO-listed Orto Botanico are natural escapes within the urban setting, complemented by well-structured cycling paths. The city’s historic centre merges timeless architecture with contemporary European life, creating a uniquely appealing ambience for residents.
❌ Cons
Navigating local bureaucracy can be complex for newcomers, particularly in acquiring residence permits or accessing social services. Job opportunities for expats, especially those without proficiency in Italian, are relatively limited. Plus, housing costs in central areas are high compared to other nearby Italian cities.
FAQs
What types of transportation are available in Padua?
Padua has a good public transport network. It includes trams and buses that link major attractions and residential areas. The city is well-connected by road and rail, with the A4 motorway providing access to Milan and Venice and frequent train services to other major cities. Venice Marco Polo Airport, about 40 kilometres away, offers many flight options.
Are there green spaces in Padua?
Yes, Padua has several large parks and green areas. For example, Parco dei Faggi is great for walks or jogs, while Giardino dell’Arena is perfect for family outings with playgrounds and picnic spots. The UNESCO-listed Orto Botanico offers a range of plant species and serves as a centre for research and education.
What is the historical significance of Padua?
Padua has a long history, from the ancient times when it became a prehistoric settlement to turning into a cultural centre during the Renaissance. It has one of the world’s oldest universities, established in 1222, which attracted scholars from across Europe. Landmarks like the Scrovegni Chapel with Giotto’s frescoes are very famous in Padua.
What should expats consider before moving to Padua?
Prospective expats should be aware of the challenges related to local bureaucracy, which can complicate residence permit acquisition and access to social services. Job opportunities may be limited for those not proficient in Italian. Also, housing costs in the historic centre can be high.
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