Pavia is one of Lombardy’s most fascinating and underrated art cities. Once the capital of the Lombard kingdom and home to one of the oldest universities in Europe, it preserves an old town rich in towers, Romanesque churches and university courtyards, overlooking the river Ticino with its famous Covered Bridge (Ponte Coperto). A few kilometres away rises the magnificent Certosa di Pavia, one of the absolute masterpieces of the Italian Renaissance. And being just 30 minutes by train from Milan, it’s also a convenient alternative place to stay for visiting the regional capital.
Once nicknamed the “city of a hundred towers” for the many noble towers that rose above its palaces, Pavia still preserves an intact medieval charm, combined with the liveliness of a historic university city. It’s an ideal destination for those seeking art away from the crowds, a step from Milan but with a soul all its own, made of Lombard history, quiet courtyards and glimpses of the river.
The choice is simple: for a sightseeing stay the old town, compact and pedestrian, is best, where you can do everything on foot. Here are the recommended hotels and what to see.
The old town, among the towers and the Ticino
The old town is the ideal choice: from here you can walk to the Covered Bridge, the Romanesque Basilica of San Michele Maggiore, the Cathedral with its great dome, the Visconti Castle housing the Civic Museums, and the atmospheric courtyards of the University. It’s a lively, young area, enlivened by student life, with cafés, workshops and restaurants where you can sample Pavia’s cuisine and the wines of the Oltrepò.
Not far off are the famous surviving medieval towers, in Piazza Leonardo da Vinci, and the historic colleges such as the Ghislieri and the Borromeo, witnesses to centuries of university history. In the evening the centre lights up with the lively feel of a student city, among taverns, wine bars and spots to taste Oltrepò wines: a young, authentic atmosphere that coexists with the solemnity of the monuments.
Staying in the centre means having everything within reach and experiencing the city in the evening too, when students liven up the squares. Most of the properties are small, charming B&Bs and guest rooms, perfect for a weekend, often in historic buildings. Here are some recommended addresses.
R & A Minerva Suites
A well-kept, very central property on Viale Vittorio Emanuele, a step from the station and the heart of the city. With its long line of satisfied guests, it’s a reliable, very convenient base for visiting Pavia on foot and reaching Milan in half an hour by train.
32 BnB Camerecaffè
A welcoming B&B on Corso Garibaldi, in the pedestrian heart of Pavia, with well-kept spaces and a family atmosphere. An impeccable location for experiencing the centre on foot, among the towers, churches and bars, with shops and restaurants right on the doorstep.
B&B Castellani
A simple, well-kept B&B in the centre, much loved for its welcome and good value. It’s the right address for those seeking a convenient, economical base to discover Pavia at their own pace and use it as a springboard for Milan and the Charterhouse.
Arnaboldi Palace
A B&B in an elegant historic palace in the centre, with the charm of Pavia’s old residences and spacious rooms. Perfect for those who love to breathe the city’s bygone atmosphere, a few steps from the monuments and the shopping streets, in a very central location.
The Charterhouse and what to see
The most famous treasure is the Certosa di Pavia, an extraordinary monastery about eight kilometres north of the city: its marble façade, cloisters and interiors are among the greatest masterpieces of the Lombard Renaissance, an absolute must-see. It’s easily reached by car, by train or by bike along the canal.
In the city, besides the Covered Bridge and Borgo Ticino on the far bank of the river, worth a visit are the Basilica of San Michele Maggiore, where the Lombard kings and Frederick Barbarossa were crowned, the Visconti Castle with the Civic Museums, the Cathedral and the University courtyards. At the table, the zuppa alla pavese, risotto and cured meats accompanied by the wines of the Oltrepò Pavese complete the experience. It’s a city perfect for a slow, authentic art weekend.
Another great pleasure of Pavia is nature: the city is set in the Ticino Park, and Borgo Ticino, on the far bank of the river, offers walks and spots with views over the water, stunning at sunset. A few minutes from the centre you find yourself among banks, reed beds and cycle paths, a surprising contrast with the monumental atmosphere of the squares. It’s this variety — art, river, good food and university life — that makes Pavia a richer destination than its size might suggest.
This guide is part of our tour of the region: discover all the areas in Where to stay in Lombardy. Pavia is half an hour by train from Milan, of which it’s a convenient alternative place to stay.
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers to the questions we are asked most often about where to stay in Pavia.
What is the best area to stay in Pavia?
For a sightseeing stay the best choice is the old town, to walk among the Covered Bridge, San Michele, the Visconti Castle and the university courtyards. It’s the loveliest and liveliest area, enlivened by student life, with bars and restaurants within reach. Most of the properties are small, charming B&Bs and guest rooms, often in historic buildings. The city is compact and very convenient for those arriving by train too.
Is it worth staying in Pavia to visit Milan?
Yes: Pavia is just 30 minutes by train from Milan, with frequent connections, and it’s a good alternative place to stay while spending less than in the regional capital, especially during trade fairs and events. You can visit Milan on a day trip and return in the evening to a quieter, human-scale city, also enjoying the centre of Pavia and its Charterhouse. It’s a smart solution for those combining sightseeing and budget.
How do you reach the Certosa di Pavia?
The Charterhouse is about eight kilometres north of Pavia and is easily reached: by car in a few minutes, by train on the Pavia-Milan line (Certosa di Pavia stop) or by bicycle along the Naviglio Pavese canal, a pleasant ride through the fields. It’s one of the area’s must-see visits, so it’s worth checking the monastery’s opening hours and days in advance, as they can vary.
How many days do you need to visit Pavia?
For the old town — the Covered Bridge, San Michele, the Visconti Castle, the Cathedral and the university courtyards — a day is enough, better two to add the Certosa di Pavia and a walk in Borgo Ticino and along the river. Pavia is also an excellent base for a weekend combining art and nature, or for visiting Milan on a day trip while sleeping in a quieter, cheaper city. With more time, the Oltrepò Pavese offers hills, wine and villages to discover.
What is there to see in Pavia?
Not to be missed: the Covered Bridge over the Ticino and Borgo Ticino, the Romanesque Basilica of San Michele Maggiore, the Visconti Castle with the Civic Museums, the Cathedral, the courtyards of the ancient University and the medieval towers of the centre. A few kilometres away, the splendid Certosa di Pavia. It’s a city that combines art, Lombard history and a university atmosphere, ideal for a human-scale weekend, perhaps with a walk along the river at sunset.
