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city in the northern Italian region of Emilia-Romagna
Europe > Italy > Northeast Italy > Emilia-Romagna > Parma (province) > Parma

Aerial view of the Duomo and Baptistery of Parma

Parma is a city in the province of Parma, part of the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy.

Understand

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Tourist information

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  • 1 [dead link] IAT di Parma (City Tourist Office), Piazza Garibaldi, 1, ☏ +39 0521218889, . Daily 09:00-19:00. (updated Apr 2016)
  • 2 [dead link] Parma Point (Office of the Province of Parma), Strada Garibaldi 18. Daily 09:30-19:00. Also sells souvenirs, postcards and other Parma related memorabilia as well as a nice collection of books of local interest. (updated Jul 2016)

Get in

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By plane

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The other close airport is in Bologna. There is a shuttle service from the Bologna airport to the Bologna Centrale train station.

By train

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From the train station it is an easy walk into the historic city center.

  • 2 Stazione (Railway station), Piazzale Carlo Alberto dalla Chiesa, 11/B, ☏ +39 892021. A train ride from Bologna to Parma takes about one hour, Milan is in a 45-minute train ride on freccia bianca intercity trains. (updated Apr 2016)

By bus

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The bus station is next to the railway station.

By car

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Milan is less than two hours north of Parma along the A1 autostrada.

Get around

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Walk. Virtually everything in the historic city center is within easy and leisurely walking distance. Sites across the river require a little more walking but still not too much. The terrain is flat and biking is very popular among the locals.

Taxis wait at the train station and across the street from the Governor's Palace (Palazzo del Governatore) in the centre of town.

Mi Muovo[dead link] is an integrated public transport pass for the region. Short-stay visitors might use "Mi Muovo Multibus", a 12-trip bus ticket, see Emilia Romagna#Get around.

There are rental cars at the small airport just outside town. Parking can be a challenge downtown. However there are several parking garages outside the city center, the largest of which is behind Teatro Due. The city has an access control system which limits entrance to the city center to local tagged vehicles only. This system is generally switched off after midnight.

Map
The region around Parma


Palazzo del Governatore
Tympanum of the Baptistery
Facade of San Giovanni Evangelista, which contains frescoes by Coreggio

Parma Vecchia

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A historical centre of the city.

  • Piazza Duomo. (updated May 2016)
  • 1 Cattedrale di Santa Maria Assunta (Duomo), Piazza Duomo. The cathedral and the adjacent baptistery were built in the late 12th century. The frescoes inside the building are very moving, as well as the relief sculptures on the interior stone. The painting inside the dome of the cathedral is one of the most remarkable paintings of the Renaissance. Entitled Assumption of the Virgin by Correggio, it shows the Virgin Mary being taken up to Heaven. For dramatic effect it is superior to the Sistine Chapel and Titian himself is reputed to have acknowledged that he could not have achieved this effect. Unfortunately the prior who commissioned the work was rather conservative and Correggio never worked in Parma again. (updated Apr 2016)
  • 2 Battistero di San Giovanni. The baptistery was designed by Benedetto Antelami and is constructed from a pink marble called rosso di Verona. The marble appears to change color depending on how the sun hits it. It is one of the most recognized medieval structures in the country. (updated Apr 2016)
  • 3 Palazzo Episcopale (Palazzo Vescovile), Piazza Duomo, 1. The Bishop's palace has a Romanesque appearance. Its construction began in the 11th century, then continued in the 15th, with some restorations made during the course of the 20th century. (updated Apr 2016)
  • 4 [dead link] Palazzo della Pilotta. The palace was named after the Basque ball game pelota once practiced in one of the courtyards, is a 16th-century complex of buildings constructed as court to the famed Renaissance Farnese family. It was said to be one of the finest in all of Italy. The Palazzo della Pilotta houses a number of museums: (updated May 2016)
  • 5 [dead link] Camera di San Paolo (Chamber of Saint Paul), Via Melloni, 3/A. Tu-F 08:30-14:00, Sa 08:30-18:00, Su 08:30-14:00. A part of a former apartment of the abbess of the Benedectine Convent of Saint Paul. It's decorated by distinctive Renaissance frescoes. €2. (updated May 2016)
  • 6 Palazzo di Riserva. During the Bourbon times it was a palace for important guests. It now hosts Poste centrale (central Post office), Società parmense di Lettura (Parma Literary society) and the Museo Glauco Lombardi. (updated May 2016)
  • Museo Glauco Lombardi, Strada Garibaldi, 15. Sep-Jun: Tu-Sa 09:30-16:00, Su 09:30-19:00; Jul-Aug: Tu-Sa 09:30-16:00, Su 09:30-14:00. The museum is a particularly interesting and well done. It is documenting the life of Maria Luigia (Marie Louise), the second wife of Napoleon Bonaparte and the Duchess of Parma. The museum is very personal and engaging with many artifacts and belongings of the gifted, talented and well educated Maria. Well worth the visit. €5. (updated May 2016)
  • Piazza Giuseppe Garibaldi (Garibaldi Square). It is there the a forum of the Roman Colony, founded in 183 BC. The square served as a hub over Via Aemilia, the ancient Roman road. Today the modern square contains shops and restaurants. (updated May 2016)
  • 7 Palazzo del Governatore (Governor's Palace). With a façade dating to 1760 and an astronomical clock. (updated May 2016)
  • 8 Palazzo del Municipio (Palazzo Comunale). The 13th-century town hall. (updated May 2016)
  • 9 Monastero di San Giovanni Evangelista (Monastery of San Giovanni Evangelista), Piazzale San Giovanni, 1. M-W F Sa 09:00-11:45, 15:00-17:00. The church has a Baroque facade, while the convent and it's cloisters are in Renaissance style. Free admission. (updated May 2016)
  • Chiesa di San Giovanni. M-Sa 08:30-11:45, 15:00-17:30, Su 15:00-17:30. (updated May 2016)
  • [dead link] Antica Spezieria di San Giovanni (San Giovanni Old pharmacy), Borgo Pipa, 1/A. Tu-Sa 08:30-14:00. An old pharmacy of the monastery. €2. (updated May 2016)

Oltretorrente

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Palazzo Ducale
A beautiful scene in the Parco Ducale

Oltretorrente is historical district at the western side of the Parma stream.

  • 12 Parco Ducale (Giardino Ducale). Nov-Mar: 07:00-20:00; Apr-Oct: 06:00-24:00. The Ducal park was founded in the 16th century. In 18th century it was converted into a French park. On the western end of the park there is Peschiera, a fish-pond with a Baroque fountain Fontana del Trianon. A bit north-east of the pond there is rotunda of Tempietto d'Arcadia (aka Tempietto di Diana) and a bit further east a sculpture Sileno ed Egle (1765) by Baptiste Boudard (like all the other statues in the park). (updated May 2016)
  • 13 Palazzo del Giardino (Palazzo Ducale del Giardino), Parco Ducale, 3 (presumably you need to wait by a security gate to the right of the palace for a palace's guide to collect you). Closed to visitors until further notice (was M-Sa 09:00-12:00). The palace was built in 16th century for Ottavio Farnese. In the 18th century, it was expanded. It's the headquarters of the Command of the Carabinieri Legion of Parma. (updated May 2016)
  • 14 Palazzetto Eucherio San Vitale, Parco Ducale, 87/A. Apr-Oct: Sa Su 10:30-13:00, 15:00-18:30. It is an interesting example of Renaissance architecture. There is a fresco there attributed to Parmigianino and walls painted by Cosimo da Piazza. Free admission. (updated May 2016)
  • 15 Ospedale vecchio, Strada D'Azeglio, 45/A, ☏ +39 0521031031. check the opening times of the Historical archive and the Oratory of St. Ilario. A rare example of hospital architecture. Today the building is home to numerous cultural institutions including the Municipal Archives State Archives, the Public Library , the Library Bizzozero, the Municipal Newspaper Library, the Balestrazzi Library and the Municipal Library. Free. (updated May 2016)
  • Oratorio di Sant'Ilario, Via D'Azeglio, 43. Th 09:00-12:00, 15:00-17:30. Free. (updated May 2016)
  • 16 Chiesa di Santa Croce. A Romanesque church with 17th-century frescoes. (updated May 2016)
  • 17 Chiesa della Santissima Annunziata. A Baroque church of an unusual form. (updated May 2016)

Out of city

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  • 18 Castello di Torrechiara (16m S from Parma). A massive 15th-century castle. (updated May 2016)
Lungoparma: the city is divided by the Parma stream
  • Opera is staged at the gorgeous Teatro Regio, known for its passionate and critical local opera aficionados. Buy tickets early as the opera will sell out. Festival Verdi celebrates Parma resident Giuseppe Verdi during October.
  • Football: Parma Calcio 1913 were promoted in 2024 so they now play soccer in Serie A, the top tier. Their home ground Stadio Ennio Tardini (capacity 21,473 for all-seater events) is on the inner ring road 500 m southeast of city centre.
  • Rugby Union: Zebre - the Zebras - play in the United Rugby Championship (formerly Pro14), the predominantly Celtic professional league. Their home ground is Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi (capacity 5000) which also hosts Crociati Parma Rugby FC and Gran Parma Rugby teams.
Prosciutto di Parma, one of the foods that made Parma famous

If you are in Parma, your trip is not complete until you try a hunk of its eponymous cheese, Parmigiano-Reggiano. Known the world over, Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese owes its quality to its source. The cows that produce the milk graze only on grass and hay in fields around the city. The cheese is made and aged from 18 months to over 30.

Another food you must try in Parma is the local cured ham, Prosciutto di Parma. Parma's Prosciutto is the gold standard for salumi. The hams are cured and aged in temperature and humidity controlled rooms for at least 10 months. The result is a salty, sweet, piece of meat that is sliced razor thin and can be eaten all by its self, or as a part of many regional dishes. It is delicious served simply over a plate of summer melon. As far as salumi goes though, Culatello is king. Unfortunately government regulation on the production of Culatello has driven it nearly to extinction, but there are still rogue producers who cure the meat in cellars. Culatello differs from Prosciutto in that it is made from the fillet cut of the ham as opposed to the whole ham. If you can get your hands on some genuine Culatello, do it, because it is next to impossible to find in the U.S. and can go for around US$60 a pound.

Parma is also known for its delicate stuffed pastas and outdoor markets. Be sure to take advantage of the fresh seasonal vegetables that Parma has to offer.

Budget

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All these are in the city centre:

  • 1 La Pizza Da Piero, Borgo Basinio Basini, 8. (updated Aug 2022)
  • 2 Birra & Schiaccia, Strada Macedonio Melloni, 5/E. (updated Aug 2022)
  • 3 Fast Food Toast Amore, Strada Cavour, 31. (updated Aug 2022)
  • 4 Pizzica La Voglia - Pucceria, Strada Massimo D'Azeglio, 58. (updated Aug 2022)
  • 5 Carpe Diem Ristopizza Da Asporto Di Chabbi Mohamed Said, Strada Massimo D'Azeglio, 69. (updated Aug 2022)
  • 6 La Buza dal Gozen, Strada Massimo D'Azeglio, 106/108. (updated Aug 2022)
  • 7 Noodles&Sushi, Via Ferdinando Maestri, 6/A. (updated Aug 2022)

Mid-range

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  • 8 Trattoria Corrieri, Via Conservatorio 1 (near the law faculty of the university). A typical restaurant to have dinner. Try some torta fritta, and prosciutto di Parma and all the other salami and coppa specialities from that region as a starter, followed by the typical tortelli. If you take Tris di Tortelli, you will enjoy that special type of pasta, one filled zucca (pumpkin), radicchio and ricotta e spinaci (spinach & cheese). (updated Aug 2022)
  • 9 La Forchetta, Borgo San Biagio 6/D, ☏ +39 0521 208812, . Excellent ristorante just off the Piazza del Duomo serving typical regional cuisine. Superb tortelli di zucca and a very interesting and creative appetizer of gelato of Parmesan cheese with a fig preserve and balsamic vinegar. Great food and wine in nice setting both inside and outside. €45 including wine. (updated Aug 2022)
  • 10 Trattoria del Tribunale, Vicolo Politi 5, ☏ +39 0521 285527, fax: +39 0521 238991, . Excellent traditional restaurant in the city center recommended by the Slow Food editors. The guanciale (pork cheek) diavolo was tender, sweet and succulent with just the right amount of spiciness. The local specialty, anolini in brodo was also excellent. (updated Aug 2022)
  • 11 Hotel & Ristorante Leon D'oro, V.le Fraiit 4a, ☏ +39 0521 773182. A family-owned restaurant that has been around since 1917. They serve traditional food near the train station and are more of a local place as opposed to a tourist location. They are known for their salumi and handmade pastas, as well as their extensive wine list. (updated Aug 2022)

Splurge

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  • 12 Parizzi, Str. della Repubblica, 71. (updated Aug 2022)
  • 13 Ristorante Giapponese Koi, V.le Mentana, 8/C. (updated Aug 2022)

Sweet

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  • K2 (behind the cathedral on the right). An ice cream shop. The nuns make a gelato in the shape of a flower in seconds. 

Drink

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An aperitivo in Via Farini is something you should not miss. There are several bars in that little street where you will find a lot of people standing outside with a Martini or a Sprizz con Aperol at around 18:00, enjoying the free buffet that is offered when you buy a drink.

Try a bottle of the local sparkling red wine called Lambrusco, great on its own and perfect with much of the local cuisine. It can be purchased in virtually any bar or corner shop and is very inexpensive.

Sleep

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Budget

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Mid-range

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  • [formerly dead link] Hotel Ponte Parma, Via P.le Asolana, 89 (Colorno), ☏ +39 0521-815761, fax: +39 0521-313250, . Inaugurated at the end of 2011 and boasting its own private parking facilities, this friendly and courteous hotel is run by the Ghezzi family, which truly knows how to welcome its guests, providing information about major events in the area. From €40 per person. 
  • [dead link] Villa Franci, Via Segalara, No. 2 43038 Talignano di Sala Baganza, ☏ +39 335 6830676, . This is a beautifully decorated bed and breakfast about 20 minutes away from downtown Parma in the countryside bordering a national park. The ancient road between Rome and Canterbury, Via Francigena, runs right outside the villa. An excellent place to stay if you have your own transportation. The owner is an outgoing, friendly local with extensive knowledge of the entire region. From €32 per person. 

Splurge

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  • Astoria Executive Hotel, ☏ +39 0521 272717, fax: +39 0521 272724, . Via Trento. This 3-star hotel is in a central position of the city, a few meters from the train station and centre. Each of the hotel's 88 rooms is soundproofed. Also offers events organization, dining in the characteristic San Barnaba restaurant or surfing the web from Internet points in the hotel reception. 
  • [formerly dead link] Dimore d' epoca, ☏ +39 0521 774039, fax: +39 0521 780756, . Via Valenti 5/c. Short walk from the centre, in a large park, the villa belonging to a noble family of Parma has been open to guests since 1987. Hotel, quality restaurant and modern convention halls. 
  • Hotel Torino, ☏ +39 0521 281046, fax: +39 0521 230725, . Borgo A.Mazza 7. In centre, an ancient monastery bombed during the Second World War. In the 1960s it was partially rebuilt and used as a hotel. Today, it continues its tradition of hospitality after a thorough restructuring aimed to revive the feeling of staying in nice home's atmosphere. 
  • Palazzo Dalla Rosa Prati, 7 Strada al Duomo., ☏ +39 0521 386429, fax: +39 0521 502204, . Centrally located, with a number of elegantly appointed suites. The Palazzo is on the quiet and historic Piazza del Duomo. It is located in a pedestrian zone but the owner or his assistant will make parking arrangements for you. The rooms are clean, elegant, spacious and comfortable with all modern amenities. The owner, Vittorio, and his assistant, Mattia, are gracious and helpful hosts. They speak English. In the evenings there is often an accordion player outside on the piazza playing great old classics. 

Connect

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Parma has 5G from all Italian carriers.

Go next

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This city travel guide to Parma is a usable article. It has information on how to get there and on restaurants and hotels. An adventurous person could use this article, but please feel free to improve it by editing the page.
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