The best neighbourhoods for students in Padua

Portello

This is the student district par excellence, so it’s the first of the best student neighbourhoods in Padua we’d like to mention. It’s located northeast of the historic city centre, very close to many of the faculties of the University of Padua. In fact, some classes are taught in this neighbourhood, such as those of the Department of Geosciences and the Department of Information Engineering.

This is a lively area, with affordable rents, nightlife, and a youthful atmosphere. It’s full of bars, cafes, and restaurants that are frequented by students.

Being so close to the historic centre, there are several cultural sights worth taking advantage of in Portello. For example, it’s home to the Porta Portello, the gate from which the area takes its name, which was part of the 16th century Venetian walls. At the Cattedrale Ex Macello Museum you can check out different artistic and cultural exhibitions, and at the Museum Giovanni Poleni Museum learn about the history of physics in Padua and the world.

The walks along the Piovego canal provide a respite from the city, offering a space to stroll and relax outdoors. In terms of green areas, it doesn't really offer a large space to enjoy, although it does have easy access to the Parco d’Europa, a park where various events are held and where students take advantage of the good weather to have picnics.

From Portello you can get everywhere in a few minutes on foot. For longer distances you can consider travelling by bus or bike.

Historic Centre

The historic centre of Padua is always a good choice for living as it’s one of the liveliest areas with the most cultural attractions. However, being also one of the most popular neighbourhoods for tourists, it generally has the highest rents.

Living in the historic centre also means being close to many of the faculties and departments of the University of Padua. In fact, its buildings can be reached in just a few minutes on foot or by bike, ideal for students!

This area’s also home to many of the meeting points for young people to spend the afternoon or have a drink in the evening. Some of these are squares, including the Piazza delle Erbe, the Piazza della Frutta and the Piazza dei Signori. All of these, and the surrounding streets, are full of bars, pubs, trattorias, and restaurants frequented by students.

The historic centre is home to the most important monuments and cultural sites in Padua. Among the cultural visits that stand out are:

• The main squares, each with its own distinctive atmosphere, which are: Piazza Garibaldi, Piazza dei Signori, Piazza della Frutta, and Piazza delle Erbe.
• The Padua Ghetto (Ghetto di Padova).
• Historical museums such as the Palazzo della Ragione, the Diocesan Museum and MUSME.
• Some monuments and churches, including the Cappella degli Scrovegni and the Battistero di San Giovanni.

As for green spaces, there isn't a great variety in the historic centre. However, the Garden of the Arena (Giardini dell'Arena), an area with paths, monuments, and spaces to enjoy on the banks of the Piovego canal, stands out.

Being in the most central area, you can usually get everywhere in just a few minutes on foot or by bicycle. It’s also well served by bus, tram, and train stations, so there are easy connections.

Arcella

This neighbourhood is located to the north of the city and Padua's main train station. It’s a very diverse and lively area with a large community of international students and residents. In fact, it's known for its multicultural atmosphere, which is why it's one of the best student neighbourhoods in Padua.

In Arcella, the cost of rent is more affordable than in the central areas, so many students choose to live in this neighbourhood.

The most popular area for restaurants and bars in this neighbourhood is along Viale Arcella and the main street Via T. Aspetti. The latter is where most of the transport stations are located, and it’s also home to a cinema and several shops.

For cultural visits, the neo-Gothic church called Santuario di Sant’Antonio d’Arcella stands out in this neighbourhood.

One of the favourite places for students is Parco Milcovich, a large park with trees and picnic areas. This park also hosts party areas and live music for several months a year, in a program called Arcella Bella.

From Arcella, the central area can be reached by tram, bus, and bicycles. It’s also next to the city's central train station (Stazione di Padova), so it also has good connections to nearby cities.

FAQ about neighbourhoods in Padua