Parma, in northern Italy, is famous for its art, architecture and culinary specialties, but it is somewhat off the radar of the millions of tourists who come to Italy each year. Parma is an elegant city with a compact historical area and its Romanesque cathedral and 12th century Baptistery are impressive. If you are touring Northern Italy, Parma is certainly worth a day, or two or three days, of your time.
Parma Location and Transport
Parma is located in the Emilia-Romagna region, between the Po River and the Apennine Mountains, south of Milan and north of Florence. Nearby major cities include Modena, Bologna, Reggio Emilia, and Piacenza.
Parma is on the train line from Milan to Ancona. There are also some direct daily trains to and from Rome, otherwise you can change trains in Bologna to get to Parma. By car, Parma is reached from the Autostrada A1. There is also a small airport. Parts of Parma, including the historic center, have traffic restrictions, but there are paid parking lots nearby. There are also free parking lots outside the city, connected to the city by a shuttle bus. Parma has a good public bus network, both in the city and in peripheral areas.
What to see in Parma
The tourist office is in the town hall, or commune, in Piazza Garibaldi 1.
- Parma Cathedral is a great example of Romanesque architecture. The cathedral was completed in the 12th century and has an unusual octagonal dome for that time period. The lions guard the porch and the bell tower is crowned by a gilded copper angel. The interior is highly decorated with beautiful frescoes, including the astonishing dome, painted by the Renaissance master Correggio.
- The Baptistery , dating from the 12th century, is built with pink marble in an octagonal shape. Construction began in 1196 and was completed in 1307. The lower part is decorated with bas-relief sculptures and the doors are very well decorated. Inside there are sculptures representing the months, the seasons and the signs of the zodiac.
- The Diocesan Museum exhibits articles from the Middle Ages.
- The National Gallery (Galleria Nazionale) , located in the huge Palazzo della Pilotta complex, has works of art from the 12th to 18th centuries. The Palazzo is also home to the historic Farnese Theater, an archaeological museum, a printing museum, and a library of rare and ancient books.
- In front of the Palazzo della Pilotta, the huge Piazza della Pace has an open lawn, a monument to World War II supporters and one to Giuseppe Verdi, and the footprint of a church, now defined by trees, of a church that was destroyed during the war bombings.
- The Palazzo del Governatore , the Governor’s Palace, in Piazza Garibaldi , has a beautiful façade dating back to 1760. The bell tower has a fascinating astronomical clock.
- The Ducal Park , dating from the 16th century, is a pleasant place to stroll and visit the Doge’s Palace with its outstanding frescoes.
- Parma has a number of cultural events including theater, music, and opera. Teatro Reggio di Parma is a beautiful neoclassical theater with a concert and opera program.
- Parma is a great shopping city, its main streets are lined with clothing stores, shoe stores and unique designer brand and jewelery stores. There are many shops selling traditional Parma food specialties. Strada della Repubblica and Strada Cavour are elegant shopping streets, with many bars, ice cream parlors and restaurants with outdoor tables for people watching.
Food Specialties in Parma
The wonderful ingredients come from the Parma region, including the Parma ham called Prosciutto di Parma and the famous cheese called Parmigiano Reggiano . Parma has good pasta dishes, food markets, wine bars, and many great restaurants. Many tour providers offer food-focused half-day, one-day, or multi-day tours of Parma and its surrounding farms.
Where to stay in Parma
Parma’s centro storico (historic center) is compact and flat, so wherever you stay in the city, you’ll be within easy reach of the main sights. Hotel Torino is a well-managed three-star hotel with a modern annex, located next to Strada Cavour. Park Hotel Pacchiosi is a five-star hotel just outside the center and is about a 15-minute walk from Piazza Garibaldi. There is also a group of budget hotels near the train station, just a 20-minute walk from the Cathedral of Parma.
Near Parma: castles, villas and mountains
Between the River Po and the Appennino mountain range, south of Parma, lie a series of wonderfully preserved castles from the 14th and 15th centuries, which are worth exploring if traveling by car. There are also some villas open to the public. The nearby Apennine Mountains offer many opportunities for hiking, outdoor activities and beautiful scenery.
This article was updated and expanded by Elizabeth Heath.
