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Key Info for Visitors
- Currency: EUR
- Languages: Italian, English, French, German
- Climate: Mediterranean
- Timezone: Europe/Rome
- Population: Approximately 71,000 residents
- Best Time to Visit: best time to visit Pavia is during spring and early autumn when the weather is mild and pleasant.
- Visa Requirements Visitors from the European Union, United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and many other countries can enter Italy visa-free for short stays up to 90 days. For longer stays or other nationalities, a Schengen visa is required. Visa on arrival is generally not available. E-visa options are limited and mostly for specific categories. Travelers should have a valid passport, proof of accommodation, return tickets, and sufficient funds.
About Pavia
Pavia is a charming city in northern Italy’s Lombardy region, steeped in history and culture. It boasts one of the oldest universities in Europe, founded in 1361, which gives the city a vibrant, youthful atmosphere. The city’s medieval streets, ancient bridges, and stunning churches create a picturesque setting that transports visitors back in time. Pavia is particularly famous for the Certosa di Pavia, a magnificent Renaissance monastery complex located just outside the city. The city’s location along the Ticino River adds natural beauty and opportunities for leisurely strolls. Pavia offers a more relaxed and authentic Italian experience compared to larger cities, making it ideal for travelers interested in history, architecture, and local culture. Its proximity to Milan makes it an accessible yet peaceful retreat with plenty to explore.
Top Attractions
1. Certosa di Pavia – A stunning Renaissance monastery known for its intricate façade and impressive art collection. 2. University of Pavia – One of Europe’s oldest universities with historic buildings and a lively student atmosphere. 3. Ponte Coperto – A picturesque covered bridge over the Ticino River, perfect for scenic walks and photos. 4. Pavia Cathedral (Duomo) – A grand cathedral with beautiful frescoes and an impressive dome. 5. Castello Visconteo – A medieval castle housing museums and surrounded by lovely gardens.
Popular Activities
Visitors to Pavia can enjoy walking tours of the historic center, exploring the university’s museums, and visiting the Certosa di Pavia monastery. The Ticino River offers opportunities for riverside walks, cycling, and picnics. Cultural experiences include attending local festivals, visiting art galleries, and sampling traditional cuisine in family-run trattorias. For those interested in history, guided tours of medieval sites and castles are available. The city also hosts occasional music and theater events, enriching the cultural calendar.
Pavia Tours & Experiences
- Top Attractions: Highlights of Lombardy
- Duration Range: Custom Durations
- Group Size: Private or shared tours
- Difficulty Level: Beginner to Advanced
- Recommended For: The best time to visit Pavia is during spring and early autumn when the weather is mild and pleasant. Pack comfortable walking shoes, light clothing for summer, and a jacket for cooler evenings. Respect local customs by dressing modestly when visiting religious sites. Pavia is generally safe, but usual precautions with belongings apply. Credit cards are widely accepted, but carrying some cash is advisable for small purchases. Learning a few basic Italian phrases enhances the experience.
Average Tour Price: $95
Lowest Price Tour: $55
Highest Price Tour: $200
12 Available Tour Excursions in Pavia
This is an escape game through the heart of Pavia. A dozen clues placed in the streets and shops of the old town, that only the smartest will find. Hunt for clues, crack codes and solve puzzles - just like in a great escape room. You’ll find hidden symbols in a record store or a cryptic message in a pizzeria. Every object is a piece of a bigger puzzle. The challenges become increasingly more difficult. This is no game for kids: we recommend active participation from the age of 13. You’ll need to unleash all your brainpower to unravel the mystery. Only together with your team of brainiacs, you’ll master this game. Sato Code unfolds in the city centre, starting at Dome and going towards the medieval towers of Piazza Leonardo. You'll not only pass by Pavia's iconic landmarks but also uncover some hidden gems that only few visitors come across. Don't settle for a usual tourist outing – try this escape game!
Price: $14.35
Duration: 1 hours
Private transfer by luxury sedan offers a stress-free journey DA Pavia to Milan Malpensa Airport and vice versa. Your Expert driver will be waiting for you on arrival, ensuring a magnificent experience - Private transfer with luxury sedan - Meet and greet service at the airport or at your hotel - Expert and professional driver for safe Guide - Easy Reservation and Guaranteed Service Confirmation
Price: $239.14
Duration: 1 hours
Would you like to discover the most authentic side of Italian gastronomy and share it with other enthusiasts of the “cucina italiana”? Enjoy this shared Market tour and typical Dining experience. Visit the vibrant local market and learn about the seasonal produce and secret ingredients. Then, head to your Cesarina’s house to enjoy a 3-course dining experience, showcasing the authentic regional dishes stored in the cookbooks of your host. You will take part in an experience which is so much more than just a lunch or dinner. You will make new friends, feel like one of the family and live like the Italians do.
Price: $130.33
Duration: 4 hours
Your day in the Pavia is just winding down, the sun's about to set... It's time for an Aperitivo. This glamorous Italian tradition is loved all over the world, and this is your chance to learn how to prepare it for yourself, the perfect souvenir. Preparing the perfect aperitivo is an art; you will learn how to prepare a selection of five elegant nibbles to pair with with a refreshing glass of fizz, ideal for sharing with friends in the early evening. Your aperitivo will be a bite-size representation of its local culture, using typical regional ingredients and local wines, such as a sparkling prosecco or a light red. This experience is held by Cesarine: Italy’s oldest network of 1000+ home cooks all over the country in more than 500 cities. They are passionate and welcoming hosts that open the doors of their own homes to curious travellers for immersive culinary experiences.
Price: $125.55
Duration: 2 hours
Dive into Pavia like a local foodie. Explore your Cesarina's most trusted artisanal food shops, tasting as you go. Visit a selection of small local shops, learn about the typical products of the city while tasting them. A delicious way to discover Pavia and its gastronomy! • Street food tasting tour • Explore your Cesarina's most trusted artisanal food shops • Sample some of Pavia typical street food staples • Do some sightseeing in Pavia as you walk from tasting to tasting • Small-group tour with a maximum of 12 people for an authentic food experience Le Cesarine is Italy’s oldest network of home cooks all over the country in more than 120 cities. They are passionate and welcoming hosts that open the doors of their own homes to curious travellers for immersive culinary experiences.
Price: $106.42
Duration: 3 hours
Taste Pavia like a local and connect with an Italian Mamma. Tour the vibrant market and historical food shops to discover typical ingredients. Then head home for a cooking demonstration followed by a 4-course lunch or dinner with wine included. • Local market and food shops tour with a culinary enthusiast in Pavia • Learn Italy’s cooking secrets during your private cooking demonstration • 4-course lunch or dinner with wines included at a local's home
Price: $166.20
Duration: 4 hours
Immerse yourself in a private pasta-making class at the Cesarina's home, learn the secrets of the region's most famous pasta dishes and taste the fruit of your labour accompanied by a glass of local wine. During the lesson the Cesarina will reveal the tricks of the trade of 3 authentic regional pasta recipes. Have fun putting your cooking skills to the test. Each participant will have a workstation equipped with utensils and all the ingredients to make the dishes. Then, taste everything you have prepared accompanied by a selection of red and white local wines. Le Cesarine is Italy’s oldest network of 600+ home cooks all over the country in more than 120 cities. They are passionate and welcoming hosts that open the doors of their own homes to curious travellers for immersive culinary experiences.
Price: $173.38
Duration: 3 hours
Visit the vibrant local market and the traditional food shops with the Cesarina and immerse yourself in a private cooking class at the Cesarina's home, learn the secrets of the most famous dishes of cuisine from Pavia and taste the fruit of your labour accompanied by a glass of local wine. During the lesson the Cesarina will reveal the tricks of the trade of 3 authentic regional recipes. Have fun putting your cooking skills to the test. Each participant will have a workstation equipped with utensils and all the ingredients to make the dishes. Then, taste everything you have prepared accompanied by a selection of red and white local wines. Le Cesarine is Italy’s oldest network of 1000+ home cooks all over the country in more than 500 cities. They are passionate and welcoming hosts that open the doors of their own homes to curious travellers for immersive culinary experiences.
Price: $225.99
Duration: 4 hours
Don't lose the opportunity to become a "pizzaiolo" (pizza-maker) and a great tiramisu maker! Enter a local home, connect with an expert home cook and discover how Italian mamma and nonnas used to prepare awesome pizza at home. With this private hands-on cooking class, you will learn how to make pizza and tiramisù from scratch from a real Italian family. To complete your feast, enjoy what you have prepared for lunch or dinner with a selection of local wine included. Have fun putting your cooking skills to the test and amaze your friends and family with a pizza party once you come back home! This experience is suitable for families with children of all ages. Le Cesarine is Italy’s oldest network of home cooks all over the country in more than 120 cities. They are passionate and welcoming hosts that open the doors of their own homes to curious travellers for immersive culinary experiences.
Price: $173.38
Duration: 3 hours
Immerse yourself in a private pasta and tiramisu-making class in a welcoming home, learn the secrets of the region's most famous pasta dishes and tiramisu and taste the fruit of your labour for lunch or dinner accompanied by local wines. During this private lesson, you will learn how to prepare 2 pasta recipes and the tiramisu dessert from scratch. Your Cesarina will reveal the tricks of the trade of these iconic recipes. Have fun putting your cooking skills to the test and amaze your friends and family once home with an Italian meal! This experience is suitable for families with children of all ages. Le Cesarine is Italy’s oldest network of home cooks all over the country in more than 120 cities. They are passionate and welcoming hosts that open the doors of their own homes to curious travellers for immersive culinary experiences.
Price: $173.38
Duration: 3 hours
Pavia was historically one of Italy’s most significant cities. On this self-guided audio tour, you’ll discover the remarkable past of this former capital of kingdoms. As you walk through its medieval streets, you’ll find out how this strategic river settlement evolved from a Roman military camp, to a royal capital, to a university town. This tour starts at the imposing Castello Visconteo, built in the 1360s after Milan’s powerful Visconti family ended Pavia’s independence. You’ll weave through Strada Nuova, past the university complex founded by the Visconti, and explore the area where Pavia’s famous medieval towers once dominated the skyline. Along the way, you’ll discover how Lombard kings, Renaissance scholars, and Italian revolutionaries all left their mark on this historic riverside city. By the end of this tour, you’ll understand why this overlooked Italian gem deserves recognition for its pivotal role in European history.
Price: $9.99
Duration: 1-2 hours
Italy has a vast and varied culinary heritage, and our local hosts are proud to share its hidden secrets. Share your passion for Italian gastronomy with other lovely guests, immerse yourself in the vibrant local market and enjoy an authentic hands-on cooking class. You'll visit the local market with your Cesarina host, who will teach you all about how to select the best ingredients with the seasons. Then, you'll return to their home, warm up with an Italian Aperitivo and enjoy the class. You'll learn how to make one iconic Pasta type, typical of the city you are visiting, and the famous Tiramisu. After the class, you will enjoy everything you've prepared with local wines. This experience is the perfect choice if you want to encounter the real Italian regional gastronomy through genuine connections, food, and friendship.
Price: $155.44
Duration: 5 hours
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Important Tour Information
- Bring comfortable walking shoes and appropriate clothing
- Check tour cancellation and refund policies
- Arrive at the meeting point at least 15 minutes early
- Carry valid identification and tour booking confirmation
Frequently Asked Questions
Local Food & Cuisine
Pavia’s cuisine reflects traditional Lombardy flavors with hearty risottos, fresh river fish, and rich meats. Signature dishes include Risotto alla Milanese, stuffed pasta like tortelli, and salami from the region. Local specialties such as "pizzoccheri" (buckwheat pasta) and "panettone" during festive seasons are must-tries. Dining customs emphasize fresh, seasonal ingredients paired with local wines. Noteworthy restaurants include Antica Osteria del Previ and Ristorante Al Vapore, both known for authentic regional dishes and warm hospitality.
Getting Around
Pavia is well connected by train, with frequent services from Milan’s central stations taking about 30 minutes. The city center is compact and best explored on foot or by bicycle. Local buses serve surrounding neighborhoods and nearby towns. Taxi services are available but not always necessary. For travelers arriving by car, parking is available outside the historic center, as many central areas are pedestrian zones. Costs for public transport are moderate, and tickets can be purchased at stations or via mobile apps.
Travel Tips
The best time to visit Pavia is during spring and early autumn when the weather is mild and pleasant. Pack comfortable walking shoes, light clothing for summer, and a jacket for cooler evenings. Respect local customs by dressing modestly when visiting religious sites. Pavia is generally safe, but usual precautions with belongings apply. Credit cards are widely accepted, but carrying some cash is advisable for small purchases. Learning a few basic Italian phrases enhances the experience.
Culture & Customs
Pavia’s culture is deeply rooted in its academic and religious heritage. Social customs emphasize politeness and formal greetings, especially with elders. The city celebrates important festivals such as the Feast of Saint Syrus, its patron saint, and various university events. Traditional music and folk dances are part of local celebrations. Visitors should be mindful of quiet hours in residential areas and show respect when visiting churches and historical sites. Dining etiquette includes waiting for the host to start the meal and enjoying leisurely courses.
