The Colli Euganei volcanic park south of Padua offers a beautiful landscape of wooded hills, medieval monasteries, and hilltop villages. Abano Terme and Montegrotto Terme at the park's foot are Italy's most important thermal spa towns, where the naturally hot, mineral-rich waters are famous for therapeutic mud baths and wellness treatments.
The Colli Euganei, a cluster of volcanic hills rising from the plain south of Padua in central Veneto, lie about 40km from Venice and make a relaxed day trip blending wellness, wine, and history. By car the spa towns are around 40 minutes from Venice; without one, the train to Padua followed by a local bus reaches Abano Terme in well under an hour. At the foot of the hills, Abano Terme and neighboring Montegrotto Terme form Italy's most important thermal district, where naturally hot, mineral-rich water bubbles up at high temperatures and feeds the famed mud-therapy and pool hotels; many open their thermal pools to day visitors, with passes from roughly EUR 25 to 40 depending on the hotel and treatments. A typical day might pair a morning soak and wellness circuit with an afternoon exploring the regional park, designated to protect the hills' woods, vineyards, and wildlife. The standout village is Arquà Petrarca, a beautifully preserved medieval hamlet of stone houses where the poet Petrarch spent his final years and where his house and tomb can be visited; the surrounding slopes produce Colli Euganei DOC wines and a prized sweet Fior d'Arancio. Nearby, the Abbey of Praglia is a working Benedictine monastery known for its cloisters, book restoration, and herbal products, while hilltop paths and viewpoints look out over the Po plain. Local trattorie and agriturismi serve dishes such as bigoli with duck ragù, gallina padovana, and seasonal produce, paired with the hills' own wines; a relaxed lunch runs EUR 20 to 35. Spring and autumn are the loveliest seasons for walking the hills and tasting wine, while the thermal spas are pleasant year-round and especially welcome in cooler months. Visitors after pure relaxation can spend the whole day at a spa, while those wanting variety can combine a morning treatment with an afternoon among the villages, abbey, and vineyards.
Highlights
- Abano Terme thermal pool hotels (day access from €25)
- Arquà Petrarca medieval village — home of the poet Petrarch
- Abbey of Praglia (working Benedictine monastery)
- Hilltop views over the Po plain
Tips for visiting
- Drive from Venice in about 40 minutes, or take a train to Padua and a local bus to Abano Terme.
- Buy a thermal pool day pass, roughly EUR 25 to 40, at one of the Abano or Montegrotto spa hotels.
- Bring swimwear, a towel, and flip-flops, and check whether the day pass includes mud therapy or only the pools.
- Combine the spa with Arquà Petrarca, a medieval village and home of the poet Petrarch, in the afternoon.
- Visit the Abbey of Praglia on its guided-tour days to see the cloisters and buy monastery herbal products.
- Sample Colli Euganei DOC wines, including the sweet Fior d'Arancio, at a hillside agriturismo or cantina.
When to visit
Spring and autumn are ideal for walking the hills and wine tasting, while the thermal spas are enjoyable year-round and especially soothing in cooler months. Weekdays are quieter at the popular spa hotels.
Frequently asked questions
What are the Euganean Hills known for?
The Colli Euganei are a regional park of volcanic hills south of Padua, prized for thermal spas at Abano and Montegrotto, the medieval village of Arquà Petrarca, the Abbey of Praglia, and Colli Euganei DOC wines.
Can I use the Abano Terme thermal baths for just a day?
Yes, many spa hotels in Abano and Montegrotto Terme sell thermal pool day passes, typically from EUR 25 to 40, sometimes with mud therapy or wellness extras. Bring swimwear and check what each pass includes before arriving.
How do I get to the Euganean Hills from Venice?
By car it is about 40 minutes; by public transport, take a train to Padua and a local bus to Abano Terme. A car is more convenient for reaching Arquà Petrarca, Praglia, and the hill villages.
Who was Petrarch and why visit Arquà?
Francesco Petrarca was a fourteenth-century poet who spent his last years in Arquà, a preserved medieval village in the hills. His house and tomb are open to visitors, and the surrounding slopes produce local wines.