University of Padua Botanical Garden — Attraction in Padua

Orto Botanico di Padova – The Oldest Botanical Garden in the World

The Orto Botanico di Padova is not just a beautiful garden—it’s a living piece of history. Founded in 1545, it is the world’s oldest university botanical garden and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997. Originally established for medical students at the University of Padua, it played a key role in the study of medicinal plants and the development of modern botany.

The gardens are open Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM (closed Mondays). Tickets cost 10€ for adults and 5€ for students.

What makes this garden truly special is its original Renaissance design, which remains intact. The circular layout, symbolizing the world, is divided into geometric sections filled with rare and exotic plants. One of its most famous residents is Goethe’s Palm, planted in 1585, which inspired the German writer Johann Wolfgang von Goethe’s studies on plant evolution.

In addition to its historical charm, the modern Biodiversity Garden showcases plants from all climate zones, housed in state-of-the-art glasshouses. The mix of ancient botanical heritage and innovative conservation efforts makes this garden one of the most unique in the world.

A must-visit for plant lovers, history enthusiasts, and anyone looking for a peaceful retreat in Padua. Absolutely...

During my recent trip to Padua, Italy, I had the pleasure of visiting the Botanic Garden, and I must say it was a delightful experience. While the entrance fee was not particularly cheap, the unique collection of plants and the serene atmosphere of the garden made it worth the price.

The Botanic Garden is a quiet spot in the city, away from the hustle and bustle of the tourist areas. The garden itself is well-maintained and beautifully designed, with a wide variety of plants from all over the world. I particularly enjoyed the collection of medicinal plants, which provided a fascinating glimpse into the history of traditional medicine.

The highlight of my visit was the greenhouse, which housed a stunning collection of exotic plants and succulents. The greenhouse was well-designed, with different zones for different types of plants, and the staff were knowledgeable and eager to share information about the specimens on display.

The Botanic Garden in Padua is an excellent spot for anyone looking for a quiet, peaceful retreat in the midst of a bustling city. The beauty and diversity of the plant life on display, as well as the educational value of the garden, make it a must-visit attraction for anyone interested in botany or the natural world. Overall, I highly recommend a visit to the Botanic...

Such a nice place as evidenced by the UNESCO world heritage designation. Helpfully staffed by University of Padova students whose patience is met with broad language skills. I went in what might generously be called the most fallow period possible and it was a tranquil oasis. For 2025 (and perhaps a year beyond) the main draw the modern greenhouses are being rehabilitated. That issues aside, the botanical museum is one of house astoundingly interesting places - typical of the best Italian museum designs which are world class. One of my favourites in the US is Smith College, with its analog delights - but Padova tells the story of each of its directors, and the extraordinary women who worked on the collection. I learned so much there but one item - the Goethe Palm is viewable in the gardens, then in the fantastic lecture hall the visitor is treated to an excellent video from 2023 showing how transformational his (and by extension yours) will be by closely studying plants. Peter Greenaway (not sure if he ever visited) would love this collection, especially the little boxes of taxonomically correct seeds (exactly 100 per box). A fantastic visit that is academic in all...