- Parma's cathedral dome by Correggio and the pink-marble Baptistery are highlights
- The Pilotta palace holds the wooden Teatro Farnese and the National Gallery
- Visit producers of Parma ham and Parmigiano Reggiano in the countryside
- Bologna and Milan are each around an hour away by fast train
- Airports
- Bologna (BLQ), Milan Bergamo (BGY), Milan Linate (LIN)
- Best time to go
- April-June and September-October
- Type
- Province
Parma is a refined, compact city in western Emilia-Romagna, once the capital of a duchy ruled by the Farnese and later by Marie Louise, Napoleon's second wife. It has wide streets, elegant palaces and a strong musical tradition linked to Giuseppe Verdi, who was born nearby. UNESCO named it a Creative City of Gastronomy.
For UK travellers, Parma offers a rare combination of first-rate art and food. You can admire Correggio's frescoes in the morning, visit a ham producer or cheese dairy in the afternoon and finish the day with an aperitivo on a quiet square. For the rest of the country, see our Italy guide.
Things to do in Parma
- Parma Cathedral – a Romanesque cathedral with Correggio's dramatic Assumption of the Virgin painted in the dome.
- Baptistery – an octagonal tower of pink Verona marble by Benedetto Antelami, with carved reliefs and frescoes inside.
- Palazzo della Pilotta – a vast palace complex holding the National Gallery, the archaeological museum and the Palatine Library.
- Teatro Farnese – a huge 17th-century wooden theatre inside the Pilotta.
- Teatro Regio – Parma's opera house, home of the Verdi Festival, usually held from late September into October.
- Camera di San Paolo – a small room with ceiling frescoes by Correggio in a former convent.
- Food producers – Parma ham around Langhirano, Parmigiano Reggiano dairies and culatello in the low plain near Zibello.
- Castles of the Duchy – Torrechiara, Fontanellato and Soragna, plus Verdi's birthplace and Busseto.
Modena and Reggio Emilia are short train rides away.
Where to stay
| Area | Why stay there |
|---|---|
| Centro storico | Walk to the cathedral, Pilotta and restaurants |
| Oltretorrente | Across the river, more local, near the Ducal Park |
| Near the station | Practical for trains to Bologna and Milan |
| Langhirano hills | Rural stays among ham producers and castles |
| Busseto | Small town for Verdi sites |
Getting there
Parma has a small airport, but most UK visitors fly into Bologna or Milan. From Bologna Centrale, trains take about 50 minutes to an hour. From Milan, trains take around an hour to 1 hour 30 minutes. Bergamo airport is about 1 hour 30 minutes away by road. A car is useful for visiting producers and castles in the countryside.
Best time to visit
Spring and autumn are ideal. September often brings food events, and the Verdi Festival usually runs into October. Summer is hot and humid, and some producers close for holidays in August. Winter can be foggy but is a good time for opera and museums.
Most ham and cheese producers only accept visits by appointment. Dairies work early, so plan a morning visit to see the cheese being made.
Top attractions in Parma
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Parma on the map
Frequently asked questions
Is Parma worth visiting?
Yes. It combines excellent art, opera and food in a calm, compact city.
Can I visit Parma as a day trip from Bologna?
Yes. Trains take around an hour, making it an easy day trip.
Where can I see Parma ham being made?
Around Langhirano, in the hills south of Parma, where many producers offer tours by appointment.
What is the Teatro Farnese?
A large wooden theatre built in the early 17th century inside the Pilotta palace, rebuilt after damage in the Second World War.
Written by
Anna Beach, family & practical travel editor
Anna knows which beach has shade at 3pm and which car hire excess is a rip-off. She covers sun, islands, family trips and practical travel tips.
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