Pavia
Medieval churches, a Carthusian monastery nearby and a long history as a royal seat, all within easy reach of Milan.
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Pavia is a town in south-western Lombardy, northern Italy, about 35 km south of Milan, where the Ticino flows close to the Po. It is the capital of its province, set in farmland that grows rice and cereals and produces wine and dairy. The University of Pavia, founded in 1361, is one of Europe's oldest, and the town was the Lombard capital from 572 to 774.
The Certosa di Pavia, a Carthusian monastery founded in 1396, lies about 8 km north of the town. Pavia works as a day trip from Milan, though an overnight stay leaves time for the churches and the old campus. The Ticino Valley Natural Park runs along the river and forms a green belt around the city. Pavia also lies on the Via Francigena, a historic pilgrim route. Winter brings dense fog, summers are hot and humid, and autumn and spring are the rainiest seasons.
Pavia in five
- Visit the Certosa first, then the old townThe Certosa di Pavia is a large monastery complex a few miles north of the city, and it takes up a morning. Check opening days and entry rules on the official site, since monastery visits are often guided or timed.
- Take the train, then a bus or taxiRegional trains run from Milan to Pavia in about 30–40 minutes. The Certosa is outside town, so plan a bus, a taxi or a longer walk, and check transport times before you go.Italy by train off-peak
- Walk the Ponte Coperto at sunsetThe covered bridge, rebuilt after wartime damage, links the old town to the Borgo Ticino quarter across the river. The riverside bars fill up in the evening, so pick a table early.
- Skip a hotel unless you like quiet eveningsPavia is quiet at night, and Milan's nightlife is a short train ride away. Stay overnight only to see the Certosa and the old town without rushing, or to use it as a cheaper base.
Things to do in Pavia
See all attractions in Pavia
Need to know
- Airport
- Milan Linate or Malpensa, about 1–1.5 hours via Milan
- Getting there
- Regional train from Milan in about 30–40 min
- Getting around
- On foot in the center; bus or taxi to the Certosa
- Best base
- Near the station or the old town
- Time needed
- Half a day to a full day
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Snowy days
- Days with storms
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryPartly cloudy7 rainy daysHigh8°Low1°Cold, foggyJanuaryPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 8°
- Low
- 1°
- Precipitation
- 46 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, foggy
- FebruaryPartly cloudy8 rainy daysHigh11°Low3°ColdFebruaryPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 11°
- Low
- 3°
- Precipitation
- 63 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold
- MarchPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh15°Low5°MildMarchPartly cloudy
Good
- High
- 15°
- Low
- 5°
- Precipitation
- 70 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild
- AprilPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh19°Low9°Spring walksAprilPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 19°
- Low
- 9°
- Precipitation
- 82 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Spring walks
- MayRain15 rainy daysHigh22°Low13°Warm, idealMayRain
Best
- High
- 22°
- Low
- 13°
- Precipitation
- 151 mm
- Rainy days
- 15
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, ideal
- JuneClear10 rainy daysHigh28°Low18°Hot eveningsJuneClear
Best
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 18°
- Precipitation
- 91 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot evenings
- JulyClear10 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh31°Low20°Hot, quietJulyClear
Good
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 20°
- Precipitation
- 77 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Hot, quiet
- AugustClear9 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh31°Low20°Hot, quietAugustClear
Good
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 20°
- Precipitation
- 86 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Hot, quiet
- SeptemberClear10 rainy daysHigh25°Low16°Mild, clearSeptemberClear
Best
- High
- 25°
- Low
- 16°
- Precipitation
- 92 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, clear
- OctoberPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh20°Low12°Autumn colorOctoberPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 20°
- Low
- 12°
- Precipitation
- 105 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Autumn color
- NovemberPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh12°Low6°Foggy, dampNovemberPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 12°
- Low
- 6°
- Precipitation
- 103 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Foggy, damp
- DecemberPartly cloudy8 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh8°Low2°Cold, festiveDecemberPartly cloudy
Poor
- High
- 8°
- Low
- 2°
- Precipitation
- 70 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, festive
Average daily high and low in Pavia, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Pavia
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
4
- Feels like
- 1°
- Humidity
- 98%
- Wind
- 4 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 8%
Pavia
06:03 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today14°3°8%Tuesday: Fog. High 14°, Low 3°. Chance of rain 8%.
- Wed13°8°22%Wednesday: Rain. High 13°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 22%.
- Thu14°8°23%Thursday: Cloudy. High 14°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 23%.
- Fri12°7°43%Friday: Rain. High 12°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 43%.
- Sat12°7°45%Saturday: Rain. High 12°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 45%.
- Sun12°7°25%Sunday: Rain. High 12°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 25%.
Updated 03:47 AM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Day trips by train
- Milanabout 30–40 min by trainFashion, the Duomo and The Last Supper, with fast links onward.Read the guide
- Cremonaabout 1–1.5 hours by trainViolin-making city with a cathedral square and a lively food scene.Read the guide
- Piacenzaabout 1 hour by trainA quiet town on the Po with a fine central square.Read the guide
Before you go to Pavia
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Rules for Pavia, checked
- Italy is in the Schengen area. Check visa and entry rules for your passport on the Italian Foreign Ministry site before you book.Source
- Dial 112 for police, fire or an ambulance anywhere in Italy.
- Many restaurants add a coperto, a cover charge per person, so check the bill before you add a tip.
- Carry your passport or national ID card when you go out, since police can ask to see it.
Plan around Pavia
Regions, cities and how to link them
Read the guideMilanThe city 30 minutes north
Read the guideCremonaViolins and nougat, a rail ride east
Read the guidePiacenzaAnother Po-valley stop to link
Read the guidePiedmontThe region to the west
Read the guideSchengen 90/180 ruleCounting days across a multi-country trip
Read the guidePavia FAQ
Is Pavia worth visiting?
Yes, as a quiet day away from Milan. The Certosa is a major monastery, and the old town has Romanesque churches, a university and a pleasant river. It is not a place for a long stay, but it rewards a relaxed day.
How do you get from Milan to Pavia?
By regional train from Milano Centrale or Milano Rogoredo in about 30–40 minutes. Tickets are cheap, and trains run through the day. Check the timetable for the return trip if you plan an evening in Pavia.
How do you get to the Certosa di Pavia?
From Pavia, by bus, taxi or a long walk. Some trains from Milan also stop near the Certosa, so check the timetable and walking distance before choosing.
How long do you need in Pavia?
A half day covers the Certosa or the old town. A full day lets you do both, with lunch by the river. Add a night only if you want a quiet evening or a slow base.
Is Pavia a good day trip from Milan?
Yes. It is close, cheap and different in mood from Milan. Go on a weekday to avoid crowds at the Certosa, and avoid Mondays, when many sights close.