The closest big airport is Milan Malpensa (MXP), 156km away, which handles most of the airport’s international flights, and is well connected to the center of Parma by bus and train. And local vineyards beckon with tours where you can sip Lambrusco or Fortana wines with the Lambrusco and Fortana dishes. Borgo Giacomo Tommasini is a quirky shopping street and even if you’re not interested in shopping, you’ll want to visit to see what’s hanging above the street. You can also visit a salumificio (cured pork meat factory) and learn about the curing process. Salumificio Conti and Salumificio La Perla are located near Parma in Langhirano and offer visits. Don’t worry, you can sample the cheese at shops in town or at a restaurant meal.
Ducal Park
Covering over 200 square metres, this park is one of the central places of recreation in Parma and is simply known as “The Garden”. Located across the river adjacent to the Palazzo della Pilotta, the park is easily accessible. Parts of the structure remained unfinished and thus create a strange combination of plain stone architecture together with decorated facades and beautiful arched walkways. Inside, the building has a great deal of religious artwork and beautiful decoration and features more work from the renowned artist Correggio. Located within the Palazzo della Pilotta complex, the Teatro Farnese is one of the most renowned example of a wooden theatre that stands today. This square is surrounded by important structures including the monumental Palazzo del Governatore, the Comune Di parma and the Church of Saint Paul the Apostle.
It’s the queen bee here – Carrara marble on the floor, bespoke furniture, and the mod cons to match, all in an early 20th-century building. Then there’s Montanara to the east of the center, which is parma token price very quiet and family-friendly, especially because it has a lot of parks. San Leonardo is the other side of town, with a lot more shops and a more commercial feel, including the main train station, so it’s always busy.
- Parma has a thriving economy, and the food sector is very developed.
- If you’re in the mood for shopping, the streets to head for are Strada della Repubblica and Strada Farini, which are full of high-end boutiques and big brand stores, as well as artisan food shops.
- It is rarely open to tourists, and a visit is possible only during fairs.
- To learn more, I reached out to local expert Micol Brianti, who was born and raised in Parma and manages a portfolio of holiday homes called Michilab.
- To taste Parmigiano Reggiano and Prosciutto di Parma where it’s made.
- Stroll along tree-lined avenues, admire scenic fountains, discover neoclassical temples and be enchanted by the beauty of the Italian gardens.
Is Parma Worth Visiting in Italy?
Parma isn’t only about cheese – it’s also home to the mouthwatering prosciutto di Parma. You’ll see prosciutto legs hanging up in town, and you should try some. If you can, taste prosciutti that have aged for different amounts of time.
Twin towns – sister cities
If you are looking for luxury, you can try Link124 Hotel, it is a 4-star hotel and very modernly designed. Some facilities you can find here are fitness centre, free WiFi, and breakfast. Finally, Via D’Azeglio is the hub for most of the museums and cultural institutions of Parma. Then there is Parco Ducale, a beautiful, sprawling park just next to the Palazzo Ducale in the historic center, the place to go to for a drink or a picnic on a sunny day.
Notable people
- The front façade features a series of large ornate arches, and an immense campanile stands next to the church.
- I think three days is the ideal duration for visiting Parma, not too long, but long enough to appreciate the charms of this city of food and to satisfy your appetite for culture.
- Renaissance painters like Correggio and Parmigianino left their mark, decorating palaces and churches that are still must-visit spots today.
This is the home of the famous parmigiano Reggiano cheese, one of Italy’s most famous cheeses along with mozzarella (and burrata, and pecorino…). Also near Fontanellato is the Masone Labyrinth, the largest labyrinth in the world. Many more are the events during the year, for every taste, from music to gastronomy, theatre and art. Parma has a small airport with flights to and from cities in Italy and Europe, but if you’re flying from the U.S., the closest major airport is Guglielmo Marconi Airport in Bologna, which is about an hour away.
The green spaces of the park are crisscrossed by gravel paths and towering chestnut trees. Keep walking and you’ll eventually see the Trianon Fountain (Fontana del Trianon). Emilia-Romagna is known (nationally and globally) for its red sparkling wine – Lambrusco. It’s excellent with dinner, but also makes a wonderful aperitivo beverage. Sit outside at one of Parma’s cafes – scattered throughout the city on pedestrian streets and lively piazzas. You can get a good feel for Parma on a day trip, but the evenings in Parma are beautiful – if you can, spend a night.
Dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary, Parma Cathedral is considered one of the finest examples of a Romanesque Cathedral in Italy, and is particularly known for its fantastic interior frescos. From the beautiful Parma Cathedral and the magnificent Teatro Regio, to the interesting Museo Glauco Lombardi and the National Gallery – There is something to suit everyone’s tastes and interests! Aside from the fantastic array of attractions, Parma also has a host of amazing restaurants and cafes that serve its world renowned foods.
Created in the 1600’s, at the time it was also the largest theatre in the world and could hold a crowd of 4,500 people. Whilst the exterior is fantastic in its own right, the interior is simply stunning and is covered with detailed frescos and marble statues. Depicting the assumption of the Virgin, and painted by Correggio, this fresco is bursting with colour even today and is considered a fine example of Renaissance art. Inside, the cathedral has a plethora of beautiful decoration but the centre piece is the stunning fresco on the main dome. Aeroporto Internazionale di Parma, Parma’s airport, offers commercial flights to cities in a number of European countries.
Culture
Archaeology enthusiasts cannot miss the National Archaeological Museum, which collects important testimonies of the history of Parma and its territory, from prehistoric times to the Roman era. Discover archaeological finds of great value and immerse yourself in the glorious past of this land. Walking through Piazza Duomo means immersing yourself in the history of Parma, admiring the grandeur of its artistic heritage and letting yourself be enveloped by its evocative atmosphere. One of the most important Italian collections of puppet theater is in the Castello dei Burattini, a delightful museum that will make young and old fall in love with it. Among the places to visit, not to be missed is the marvelous Camera di San Paolo with frescoes by Correggio. Painted in bright colours with an abundance of blue, the main fresco features a scene of the assention and was partly painted by the notable Parma artist, Bernardino Gatti.
Winter in Parma lasts from December through February, and the mercury generally sinks to an average daily low of about 31°F in the coldest spells and sometimes swells to a brisk 50°F on the warmer days. January tends to hover in the low 37°F range with February a notch up to 40°F. Snow is a rarity but fog is a seasonal fixture and often the sky is overcast. Finally, there is the Hotel Brenta right in the middle of the city center with friendly staff, a good breakfast, basic but comfortable rooms with free Wifi and online reservations. Ibis Styles Parma Toscanini is located on the River Parma and has stylish rooms with views of the city.
Final thoughts about visiting Parma, Italy
Parma’s city layout is kind of cool because you have the historic center and then all the little districts around, each with its own feel. And every time I write or talk about Parma, or give advice to the traveler, I stress that it is a place where the eye delights, and the ear, and the nose, and the palate, and every sense. Parma’s compactness, its small town-like scale, embellished by pedestrian avenues, makes it a delight for slow, sauntering walks, from the tranquil Parco Ducale to the animated piazzas.
