Nightlife

The classical music season usually runs from October to April at different venues around town. The historic Teatro Verdi, at Via dei Livello 32 (tel. 049-877-7011 or 049-8777-0213; www.teatroverdipd.it), is the most impressive location. Programs are available at the tourist office. Look for posters advertising performances by the world-class Solisti Veneti, who are Padovans but spend most of the year traveling abroad.

As a university city, Padua has a large, very visible student population. You can network with the student crowd at any of the popular cafes along Via Cavour, or in the osterie, wine bars, and beer dives in the porticoed medieval side streets encircling the Palazzo della Ragione (the area around the Bo) and its bookend Piazza delle Erbe and Piazza della Frutta. In the summer, the toned-down nightlife is to be found mostly around Prato delle Valle.