Mercato di Piazza delle Erbe & Piazza della Frutta
Every weekday morning, the two medieval piazzas flanking Padua's Palazzo della Ragione erupt into one of Italy's most photogenic produce markets. Farmers from the Euganean Hills and the Po Delta plain pile their stalls with radicchio di Chioggia, white asparagus from Bassano, and strawberries the colour of garnets.
Navigating the two squares
Piazza delle Erbe (the herb square) leans toward vegetables, herbs and flowers, while Piazza della Frutta next door spills over with fruit, cheese, cured meats and bread — though the distinction has blurred cheerfully over the centuries.
The ground floor arcades of the Palazzo della Ragione between the two squares shelter a permanent indoor market of salumi, formaggi and wine shops where you can assemble a picnic without getting rained on.
What to buy and eat
Look for Vialone Nano rice from the Veronese lowlands, aged Asiago DOP in wedges the size of a doorstop, and soppressa veneta, the soft, lightly spiced salami that is Veneto's answer to mortadella.
Grab a ombra — a small glass of local white wine — at one of the bacari (wine bars) tucked under the arcades; it costs less than €2 and is the most Paduan thing you can do before noon.
The market runs Monday to Saturday from roughly 07:30 to 13:00; Saturday is the busiest and most spectacular day.
More of Padua
Discover where to stay, what to do and the best deals for your trip.
Explore Padua →
