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Botanical Garden of Padua

Plizio editorial teamUpdated: Jun 2026Data Sources

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The Botanical Garden of Padua, founded in 1545, is the world's oldest academic botanical garden that is still in its original location. It was initially established for the cultivation of medicinal plants, known as 'simplicia,' to provide medical students at the University of Padua with practical knowledge. The garden's layout has preserved its original symbolic design: a circular wall enclosing a square divided into four quadrants, representing the world. In 1997, it was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its pivotal role in the history of science and medicine. One of its most famous features is the 'Goethe Palm,' a dwarf fan palm planted in 1585 that inspired the German writer's theories on the metamorphosis of plants. In 2014, the garden was expanded with the 'Biodiversity Garden,' a high-tech greenhouse complex that simulates different climatic conditions from across the globe. Today, the garden serves as both an active research center and a living museum of natural history, attracting scholars and tourists alike.

Location: Italy
Top sights: Loggia e Odeo Cornaro · Porta Liviana · Basilica di sant'Antonio Di Padova
Nearby: Abano Terme (8 km)

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is May, Jun, Sep.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Avg °C	3	5	9	13	18	23	26	25	20	15	9	4
Rain mm	44	63	66	72	93	74	71	77	82	81	96	62

📋 Practical info

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Getting there

The garden is located in the historical center of Padua and is easily accessible on foot, by bicycle, or by tram from within the city.

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Best season

A visit is worthwhile throughout the year, but especially in spring and early summer when most plants are in their full bloom.

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Terrain & paths

The grounds are level and feature well-paved paths, providing barrier-free access to the various plant collections and greenhouses.

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What to bring

Comfortable street shoes are perfectly sufficient for the tour; a camera is recommended to capture the rare and beautiful plant life.

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Parking

It is recommended to use the public parking lots at the edge of the city center and walk the remaining distance to the garden entrance.

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Safety

Please stay on the designated paths to protect the historical collection and do not touch any of the scientific plant specimens, as some are toxic.

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Time needed

To visit the oldest academic botanical garden in the world, you should plan for about 1.5 to 3 hours to see everything at a relaxed pace.

Geography

Coordinates

45.40200, 11.88400

Facts

The garden was established on June 29, 1545, by the Senate of the Venetian Republic.
The circular boundary wall was built in 1552 to prevent the theft of expensive medicinal plants.
The 'Goethe Palm' (Chamaerops humilis var. arborescens) was planted in 1585.
The collection currently includes over 6,000 different plant species.
It was the first place in Italy to grow non-native plants like potatoes, sunflowers, and jasmine.
The 2014 expansion features a greenhouse that is 100 meters long and 18 meters high.

Explore nearby

Notable places around

Padua<1 km · NWExplore →

Padua Industrial Zone2 km · NEExplore →

Abano Terme8 km · SWExplore →

Mestre29 km · EExplore →

Palazzo Chiericati31 km · NWExplore →

Venice34 km · EExplore →

Teatro La Fenice35 km · EExplore →

Tessera36 km · EExplore →

Route planner — Car & Motorhome

Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.

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Overnight stops

Vehicle

Only stops with (optional): 💧 Water ♻️ Disposal 🔌 Power 🚻 Toilets 🚿 Shower

Sights in the town Botanical Garden of Padua (10)

Loggia e Odeo Cornaro

16th-century Renaissance complex with a loggia and odeon in Padua.

🌐 padovacultura.padovanet.it💶

Porta Liviana

City gate of Padua, Italy, part of the former fortifications.

Basilica di sant'Antonio Di Padova

Church in Padua, Italy, a major pilgrimage site.

Chiesa di Santa Caterina

Small church in Padua, burial place of composer Giuseppe Tartini.

Cappella di San Giacomo (Altichiero)

Chapel in the Basilica of Saint Anthony of Padua.

Museo al Santo🏛 museum

Museum within the Basilica of Saint Anthony complex in Padua.

Museo Antoniano🏛 museum

Museum displaying religious art and artifacts in Padua.

Museo Botanico🏛 museum

Botanical museum located in the Botanical Garden of Padua.

Chiesa di San Francesco⛪ church

Church in Padua, Italy.

Chiesa di Santa Margherita⛪ church

Church building in Padua, Italy.

Sights nearby

Frequently asked questions

Is this the oldest botanical garden in the world?

Yes, founded in 1545, it is the world's oldest university botanical garden still in its original location.

Is the garden a UNESCO World Heritage site?

Yes, it was added to the list in 1997 due to its cultural and scientific significance.

What is 'Goethe's Palm'?

It is a dwarf palm planted in 1585 that inspired Goethe's botanical writings.

What does the new 'Biodiversity Garden' greenhouse offer?

It showcases various climate zones of the Earth and the plant communities found within them.

What are the opening hours?

Open daily except Mondays (unless it's a holiday). Hours vary depending on the season.

Botanical Garden of Padua: where is it located?

Botanical Garden of Padua is located in Italy.

Botanical Garden of Padua: what is there to see?

Highlights include Loggia e Odeo Cornaro, Porta Liviana, Basilica di sant'Antonio Di Padova.

Botanical Garden of Padua: when is the best time to visit?