Parma, the charming city in Emilia-Romagna, is a paradise for gourmets and culture lovers. Famous for its Parmigiano Reggiano and Prosciutto di Parma, the city also boasts impressive architecture like the Romanesque cathedral and the magnificent Palazzo della Pilotta. Discover the rich history and enjoy the great culinary delicacies that make Parma such a great day trip destination in Italy.
Top 10 Highlights of Parma
Parma, Emilia-Romagna
Parma Cathedral is a Roman Catholic cathedral in Parma, Emilia-Romagna, dedicated to the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It is the episcopal seat of the Diocese of Parma. It is an important Italian Romanesque cathedral: the dome, in particular, is decorated by a highly influential illusionistic fresco by Renaissance painter Antonio da Correggio.
Parma, Emilia-Romagna
The Palazzo della Pilotta is a complex of edifices located between Piazzale della Pace and the Lungoparma in the historical centre of Parma, region of Emilia Romagna, Italy. Its name derives from the game of pelota played at one time by Spanish soldiers stationed in Parma.
Parma, Emilia-Romagna
The Certosa di Parma is a former Carthusian Monastery located in the outskirts of Parma.
The first Carthusian monastery at the site was constructed from 1285 to 1304, by the initiative of the archbishop of Spoleto, Rolando Taverna. Little, if any, remains of that structure, the minor cloister dates from the 15th century. At the site between 1673 and 1722, a new Baroque monastery, cloister and church were built based on designs by Francesco Pescaroli. In 1769, the monastery was suppressed and the site became used for manufacture of cigars, and became the Fabbrica Ducale dei Tabacchi di Parma. In 1900, it became a reformatory for juvenile offenders. In 1975, it acquired its present function as a school for prison police.
The church, dedicated to St. Jerome, has works and frescoes by Francesco Pescaroli, Alessandro Baratta, Gian Battista Natali, and Ilario Spolverini.
Parma, Emilia-Romagna
The Baptistery of Parma is a religious edifice in Parma, northern Italy. Architecturally, the baptistery of Parma Cathedral marks a transition between the Romanesque and Gothic styles, and it is considered to be among the most important Medieval monuments in Europe.
Parma, Emilia-Romagna
Teatro Farnese is a Renaissance theatre in the Palazzo della Pilotta, Parma, Italy. It was built in 1618 by Giovanni Battista Aleotti. The idea of creating this grand theater came from the Duke of Parma and Piacenza Ranuccio I Farnese. The theatre was almost destroyed by an Allied air raid during World War II. It was rebuilt and reopened in 1962.
It is, along with the Teatro all'antica in Sabbioneta and the Teatro Olimpico in Vicenza, one of only three Renaissance theaters still in existence.
Some claim this as the first permanent proscenium theatre.
Sanctuary of Santa Maria della Steccata
Parma, Emilia-Romagna
The Shrine of Santa Maria della Steccata is a Greek-cross design Renaissance church in central Parma, Italy. The name derives from the fence in the church. A Nursing Madonna is enshrined within, crowned on 27 May 1601 by a Marian devotee, Fray Giacomo di Forli of the Capuchin order. Pope Benedict XVI raised the Marian sanctuary to the status of Basilica minor on 9 February 2008.
Parma, Emilia-Romagna
Teatro Regio di Parma, originally constructed as the Nuovo Teatro Ducale, is an opera house and opera company in Parma, Italy.
Replacing an obsolete house, the new Ducale achieved prominence in the years after 1829, and especially so after the composer Giuseppe Verdi, who was born near Busseto, some thirty kilometres away, had achieved fame. Also well known in Parma was the conductor Arturo Toscanini, born there in 1867.
As has been noted by Lee Marshall, while not as well known as La Scala in Milan or La Fenice in Venice, the city’s Teatro Regio....is considered by opera buffs to be one of the true homes of the great Italian tradition, and the well-informed audience is famous for giving voice to its approval or disapproval – not just from the gallery.
The 1,400-seat auditorium, with four tiers of boxes topped by a gallery, was inaugurated on 16 May 1829 when it presented the premiere of Vincenzo Bellini's Zaira, a production which was staged another seven times, although it did not prove to be popular with the Parma audiences. Initially Rossini had been invited to compose a work for the inauguration of the house, but he was too busy and so the task fell to Bellini. However, that inaugural season saw three Rossini operas staged, including Moïse et Pharaon, Semiramide, and Il barbiere di Siviglia.
Parma, Emilia-Romagna
San Giovanni Evangelista is a church in Parma, northern Italy, part of a complex also including a Benedictine convent and the San Giovanni Old pharmacy.
Travel Information
Best time to visit?
The best time to visit Parma is actually from March to May and again in September. Weather is great for city trips and most importantly you can avoid the summer crowds. If you have the choice, we recommend May. The weather is already quite warm and stable and you can enjoy the bloom of flowers.
If you visit during the first half of September, you can experience the Festival of Prosciutto. On weekends, for three weeks, Prosciutto factories open their doors and you can visit - and sample (!) the world-famous Prosciutto di Parma - free of charge. See more at their official website.
The summer months July and August are humid and the hottest months, with temperatures often exceeding 90°F (32°C). It's also peak season and especially August is best avoided.
From mid-October Parma gets a lot of rain and fog and the tourist season is over.
How to get to Parma?
By Plane
Parma's Giuseppe Verdi Airport is only 3km away, but serves limited flights. Major nearby airports include Bologna, Milan Linate, Milan Malpensa, Milan Bergamo Orio al Serio, all of which offer train and car connections to Parma. Travel time by train ranges from 1.5 to 3 hours depending on the airport.
By Train
Since there are frequent trains from cities like Milan, Bologna, and Florence, you can easily reach Parma by train.
Parma's train station is also conveniently located, only a 10-minute walk from the historical center. You can find the timetables and categories of trains on the Trenitalia website. If you travel long-distance (Intercity or Freccia), it's cheaper to buy your tickets in advance. For regional travel you can buy your ticket at any time at the ticket office or automatic ticket machines.
By Car
Parma is accessible via the A1 and A15 motorways. Free parking with shuttle buses is available on the city's outskirts, while paid underground parking is available in the city center. The ticket for the shuttle bus is valid for the entire day, perfect for tourists making a one-day visit to Parma.
Fancy a roadtrip?
Be inspired by our hand-picked road trips.
Interested?
Start planning your next adventure!
History
Founded by the Etruscans and later developed by the Romans in 183 BC, Parma quickly became an important urban center thanks to its strategic location along the Via Aemilia. This ancient road connected the city to major trade routes, facilitating its growth and prosperity.
During the Middle Ages, Parma experienced significant cultural and political changes. It became a bishopric in the 4th century, and the influence of the Church was profound in shaping the city's development. The construction of the Parma Cathedral and the Baptistery in the 12th century are testaments to the city's medieval architectural splendor.
The Renaissance period was marked by the city's inclusion into the Duchy of Parma and Piacenza in 1545 under Pope Paul III, establishing it as a duchy under the rule of the Farnese family. This era saw Parma flourish artistically and culturally, attracting renowned artists like Correggio and Parmigianino, whose works you can still admire in the city.
The 18th century brought further transformation when the Duchy passed to the House of Bourbon. The French influence during this time left a lasting imprint on Parma’s administrative and cultural landscape. In 1860, Parma became part of the newly unified Kingdom of Italy.
Today, Parma is celebrated not only for its historical significance but also for its contributions to art, music, and gastronomy.
