The parks that are open to the public in Padua are an important part of the city for many reasons.
They offer a chance to do physical exercise out in the open air, to relax, they help protect the environment in more trafficked areas and they even offer nutritional benefits thanks to the fruits grown in the urban orchards.
Green areas in Padua are made up of many public parks, playgrounds, gardens and urban parks. Often there are also rides suitable for various age groups such as seesaws, slides, swings and small carousels for children. There are also ponds, outdoor gyms and spaces suited for yoga, tai chi, rhythmic gymnastics and other practices.
Here’s a tour through Padua’s green spaces:
Parks in Padua for adults and children
Those that we suggest are not all the parks in our city, just a select few.
Although, at the end of the article you will find a map with nearly all the parks in Padua.
It’s our way of allowing you to stay outside in the greenery, especially in this difficult time characterised by regional restrictions.
The Giardini dell’Arena (Arena Gardens), the historic park of Padua
With three entrances, (corso Garibaldi, piazza Eremitani e via Porciglia), it is considered the historic park of the city.
They are found in an area rich in cultural and touristic interests, including the Scrovegni Chapel, the area of the Roman Arena through to the Bastione dell’Arena with its 16th century border walls.
With its several kiosks and dining spaces that are a fantastic aperitive spots, the Arena Gardens are frequently visited during the warmer seasons but also over the Christmas period, thanks to its festive lights and decorations.
Other than the children’s play areas, there is no shortage of options to spend your free time. For example the Old Market, with vintage offerings on Fridays and Saturdays, the organic market, yoga practice on Sunday moenings and many other options that you can explore here.
Parco Treves (Treves Park), the English-style garden in Padua
The entrance is in via Bartolomeo D’Alviano, beside the Porta di Pontecorvo.
Created along the fortified 16th century walls of the city, it was the first park to be designed in Padua between 1829 and 1845, by Giuseppe Jappelli, who also designed the Caffè Pedrocchi.
Once inside the park you will be able to admire the surprising characteristics of this romantic English-style garden, including the ‘irregularity’: an intertwining of paths, hills, descents and unexpected landscapes that seem accidental, but are in reality on purpose and designed down to the smallest detail.
Parco Iris (Iris Park), the green lung reflected in the water
An oasis just near the centre, much loved by the locals that visit it regularly.
It unfolds around a small lake that houses turtles and panoramic hill.
Other than the sporting activities on offer, Iris Park offers large grassy spaces, which make it a great place to lie down and relax with a good book or a catch-up with friends.
Another of the many parks in Padua: the Parco Città dei Bambini (Children’s City Park)
Near the Santa Sofia church, with its entrance in via Santa Eufemia 13, a shaded area with nearly 10,000m2 awaits you with a large lawn and a fenced area with courtyard animals.
But careful: if you’re not going with children, you won’t be able to enter. Adults can only go in if they are with a child that is under 12, because the park is reserved for them.
In the Roseto di Santa Giustina (Santa Giustina Rose Garden), the queen of flowers reigns supreme
This garden unfolds along the bastion of Santa Giustina, between the Treves Park and the Orto Botanico (Botanical Garden).
The rose garden is divided into various sections:
- space for the senses (sight, touch, smell, taste)
- path that tells the history of the rose with its main evolutionary trajectories from the ancient to modern rose
- path detailing the 10 most important roses according to American rankings
- path with roses dedicated to the most important figures that have lived in the Veneto region, among which the Rosa of Sant’Antonio and Rosa Beatrice d’Este.
A perfect destination to immerse yourself in a multitude of perfumes and colours.
See how many options there are to spend time in the greenery of our city? But those aren’t all of them… As promised, here is a map of the parks in Padua. Enjoy!
Photo via:
facebook.com/giardinidellarenapadova
mattinopadova.gelocal.it
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scattoperscatto.it
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