Padua Botanical Garden (Orto Botanico)

The Orto Botanico of Padua opened in 1545 as a medicinal garden for the university, a place where students of medicine could learn to identify the plants used in remedies. What makes it extraordinary is continuity: it is generally described as the world's oldest academic botanical garden still in its original location, and it has been protected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997. The original plan survives in its circular outer wall and the geometric inner layout of the central beds, designed so that plants could be arranged and studied in order. Walking the paths, you pass collections of medicinal herbs, carnivorous plants, aquatic species and specimens that arrived from the Americas, Asia and elsewhere as botanists across Europe traded seeds and cuttings. One of the highlights is a venerable palm, known as Goethe's Palm, which the German writer studied during a visit in the 1780s while forming ideas about the evolution of plant forms. The garden also contains grand old trees, shaded benches and a small pond that attracts butterflies and dragonflies in warm months. Beyond the historic enclosure, modern glasshouses form the Garden of Biodiversity, an ambitious, climate-themed collection that takes visitors from tropical rainforest humidity through arid zones, with interpretive displays that explain plant adaptation and conservation. The mix of centuries-old layout and contemporary science makes the garden a surprisingly rich visit even for people who do not think of themselves as gardeners.

The garden sits close to the Basilica of St Anthony and the Basilica of Santa Giustina, within easy walking distance of Prato della Valle, so it is simple to add to a morning in the southern part of the centre. Entry is ticketed, with different options for the historic garden and the biodiversity glasshouses, and some visitors choose to book a guided tour to understand the history and layout. Opening days and seasons vary, with a longer schedule in the warmer part of the year and reduced hours in winter, so check before you go.

For photography and comfort, spring is lovely when beds are in flower, early autumn is mellow and uncrowded and summer mornings are best before heat settles in. Wear comfortable shoes, carry water and bring a light layer for the cooler glasshouses. The route can be done in a leisurely hour, but plant lovers, photographers and families with curious children can happily spend two.

Look out for the small museum areas and the labelled specimens, which often include the date they were first planted or brought to Padua. If you are travelling with children, the carnivorous plants and the giant water lilies in warm weather tend to be the favourites. For a quieter, contemplative moment, find a bench near the old trees and listen to the city fade into the background.

After your visit, a short stroll takes you to the cafes around the Prato, or you can head back toward the old centre and fold the garden into a self-guided walking tour of Padua's university heritage.

Photographers should bring a wide lens for the circular layout and a macro lens for the small plants, while sketchers will find plenty of benches. The shop near the entrance sells seeds, books and herbal products that make easy, inexpensive souvenirs for gardeners at home.