Before you go

Your trip to Parma.

Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.

Parma – Emília-Romanha Destination Bolonha e Emília-Romanha about 100 km from Bolonha

How to get there

Aeroporto di Bologna Guglielmo Marconi (BLQ) Bolonha · 100 km
Parma 1 km

Approximate road distances. Check flights and bus schedules before you travel.

Check before buying. From Bolonha, the train takes about 1 hour to Parma station; from Milão, from 1 hour to 1h30, depending on the type of train. The most commonly used international airport is Bolonha; Milão is also an option.

How many days

One day covers the Piazza Duomo, the Battistero, the Pilotta with the Teatro Farnese, the Steccata and a walk through the Parco Ducale. Those who want to visit a parmigiano dairy or a ham producer in the surroundings need an extra day.

When to go

April, May, September and October are usually the most pleasant months. In September and October the Festival Verdi often takes place, with operas at the Teatro Regio. Summer is hot and humid, and winter, from December to February, is cold and foggy.

The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.

Do you need a car?

Not needed for the city: the center is flat, compact and has a ZTL, a limited-traffic zone closed to outside cars. Many people get around by bicycle. A car only matters to reach ham and cheese producers in the surrounding hills and plain.

Suggested itinerary

An order that works

Built with the places on this page. No rush: it's paced so you have time to see them.

One day in Parma

Morning
Piazza Duomo
From the station, walk to the Piazza Duomo. Enter the Battistero by Antelami and then the cathedral to see Correggio's Assumption on the dome and the Deposition sculpted by Antelami.
Afternoon
Pilotta and Teatro Farnese
Have lunch in the center and head to the Complesso della Pilotta. Enter through the Teatro Farnese, entirely made of wood, and continue through the Galleria Nazionale, with works by Correggio, Parmigianino and Leonardo's Scapigliata.
Late afternoon
Steccata and Parco Ducale
Enter the Basilica di Santa Maria della Steccata to see Parmigianino's frescoes. Then cross the bridge over the Parma river and walk along the avenues of the Parco Ducale.
Evening
Teatro Regio and dinner
Pass in front of the Teatro Regio on the Strada Garibaldi; if there's a performance, it's worth attending. Dine on a platter of prosciutto di Parma and parmigiano and, as a first course, anolini in broth or tortelli d'erbetta.

Check before you go. Opening hours and days change, and places may close for renovations, holidays or events. This itinerary is a suggestion from Cidade Turismo, not a commitment: plan yours by checking directly with each place you intend to visit.

Before you go

Frequently asked questions

Can you do a day trip from Bolonha to Parma?

Yes. The train takes about 1 hour and departs frequently from Bologna Centrale. Parma station is about a 10-minute walk from the Piazza della Pilotta.

Can you visit parmigiano and prosciutto producers?

There are dairies and producers in the surroundings that receive visitors, almost always by reservation and in the morning hours, when the cheese is made. A car or an organized tour is required. Check before going.

What is parmigiano reggiano?

It is a hard cow's-milk cheese, matured for at least 12 months, made in a delimited area that includes the provinces of Parma, Reggio Emilia, Modena, part of Bolonha and part of Mântua. The rind bears the mark of origin.

Which dishes to try in Parma?

Prosciutto di Parma, culatello, parmigiano reggiano, anolini (a stuffed pasta served in broth), and tortelli d'erbetta, filled with greens and ricotta. Lunch runs roughly from 12:30 to 14:30 and dinner starts from 19:30.

What is Parma's connection to Verdi?

Giuseppe Verdi was born in the province of Parma, in Roncole di Busseto. The city's Teatro Regio is one of the stages linked to his work and usually hosts the Festival Verdi between September and October.

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