Italian city dubbed ‘Venice’s little sister’ but with hardly any tourists

This stunning Italian city perfect for long weekends has been referred to as Venice’s little sister and is home to gorgeous historical buildings.

Italy is home to some fantastic city break destinations, but many of them can feel crowded with tourists. Padua in the north of the country, however, is a fantastic getaway location without the crowds.

It boasts Renaissance art, medieval marketplaces, and relaxing gardens, but has remained relatively untouched by overtourism. It’s a heavily underrated city full of arcaded streets and piazza cafe-bars.

Culture lovers can marvel at the Scrovengi Chapel, covered in Biblical scenes painted by Renaissance artist Giotto in 1306. The artwork is so precious that visitors are only allowed to view it for 15 minutes.

There is also Musme, Padua’s Museum of the History of Medicine, which features interactive displays and artefacts showing how the city played a part in modern science

From here, visitors can walk walk across to Palazzo del Bo to see the world’s-first anatomical theatre, built in 1595, in the University of Padua’s historical headquarters.

Meander through the Arena Gardens next to the canal, which features the ruins of a Roman amphitheatre among lawns and coffee kiosks.

The university also boasts the world’s oldest botanical garden, dating back to 1545. At this time, circular plots of medicinal plants would have been tended to.

An often overlooked Padua activity is visiting the Cathedral Baptistery. Rivalling the Scrovengi Chapel’s beauty, the Cathedral Baptistery was painted in the 1370s by Giusto de’ Menabuoi, a follower of Giotto.

The patron saint of Padua lies in a tomb open to visitors in St Anthony’s Basilica since the 13th century, which is also full of bronze statues and an ornate ceiling.

Just next door is St George’s Oratory. Once a Napoleonic prison, this Gothic-style Roman Catholic chapel features a depiction of its namesake in staggering detail. 

Padua is home to many UNESCO-listed frescoes, some of which are free and can be marvelled at for as long as you’d like. 

If you love the sunshine, it’s the perfect time for a city break to Padua as temperatures can reach 29C in July. If you’d prefer a cooler holiday, wait until October when temperatures sit at a milder 19C.