Padua or better known to Italians as Padova has a population around 214, and is thought to be the oldest city in northern Italy. One of the main attractions is the waterways where most of the city can be viewed, alternately you can hire a car in Padua and visit the medieval old town which is lined with antique shops and restaurants. Padua square is one of the widest in Europe, and is also known as the "Campo Marzio". It is the social centre of the city. The square was built round the Zairo theatre and after the fall of Rome some of the remains still stand.
The nearest major airport to Padua is Venice which is only 45 kilometres away, another major city is Treviso. The population of all three combined is 1,600,000. Ideally if you rent a car in Padua those surrounding cities and sights won't be missed. If you're visiting Padua you will see Prato Dell Valle located in the centre. There you will find a large market on weekends where you can see amazing festivals and concerts which have a great atmosphere if you go at the right time. Alternatively if you're looking for somewhere to explore hire a car in Padua and take a trip to Venice for the day.