You can sample the cheese in town or get an insider’s look at the process by visiting a caseificio (creamery). You can’t just walk in, so plan ahead and book a visit and tasting. They’re outside of town, so it’s best to drive your rental car or to book a tour that includes transport to the caseificio. Il best time to visit Parma is spring or autumn, when temperatures are mild and pleasant.
Orto Botanico di Parma
Attending a show at the Teatro Regio is an unforgettable experience, a total immersion in the magic of opera. Even if you are not planning to attend a show, the guided tour of the theater is a unique opportunity to discover its history, admire its sumptuous interiors and breathe the unique atmosphere of this legendary place. The exterior of the Baptistery, in pink Verona marble, is a sublime example of medieval architecture. Re-arranged many times, the present version dates back to the beginning of the 20th century. This four-star hotel by NH is conveniently located just steps from the train station and a quick walk away from the historic center. Its bright, clean rooms are outfitted in contemporary furniture, and an ample buffet breakfast is provided.
- Under its French name, Parme, it was also created a duché grand-fief de l’Empire for Charles-François Lebrun, duc de Plaisance, the Emperor’s Arch-Treasurer, on 24 April 1808 (extinguished in 1926).
- Located a 15-minute walk from the historic center in the industrial Barilla Center renovated by Renzo Piano, this modern hotel is one of Parma’s few five-star properties.
- Parma is easy to walk around – it’s flat, the sidewalks are large and smooth, and the city isn’t huge.
- This little salumeria is packed with charcuterie, cheeses, tortellini, and other culinary specialties, many of which are packaged in vacuum-sealed containers.
Via Emilia Roadtrip
Floor-to-ceiling windows, neutral tones, and sleek furnishings by Mies Van Der Rohe set the tone for a sophisticated stay. Furthermore there are several different green houses that contain a beautiful selection of tropical plants and tropical fruits. Located next to the Palazzo della Pilotta, the Teatro Regio is another stunning theatre and is still in use today.
The Parma train station (Stazione di Parma) is on the northern edge of the city center and you can walk to Piazza del Duomo in minutes. The Glauco Lombardi Museum is a fascinating museum dedicated to the figure of Maria Luigia of Austria, Duchess of Parma, Piacenza and Guastalla from 1816 to 1847. Housed inside the Palazzo di Riserva, the museum offers a journey through time to discover the life, personality and taste of this important historical figure for Parma. Piazza Duomo is the heart of Parma, a scenic stage where art and history blend in perfect harmony. Surrounded by some of the city’s most important monuments, this square is a true open-air museum, a place to breathe the authentic atmosphere of Parma and admire architectural masterpieces of inestimable value.
Palazzo della Pilotta is one of the most important monumental complexes in Parma, a true treasure chest of art and culture that houses internationally renowned museums. Originally conceived as an imposing service palace for the Farnese court, the Pilotta is today a cultural center of primary importance, a place to immerse yourself in history, art and entertainment. Parma’s center is full of art masterpieces, wide green spaces, little and big treasures from different ages, welcoming visitors and citizens all in the refined atmosphere of a petite capital. The presence of music in the history of the city is varied and recognized worldwide; the spirit of initiative and everyone’s passion give the city a deserved relevant position among the capitals of music. The gastronomic tradition is also very remarkable, offering, besides cold cuts and cheese which are famous all over the world, first courses of homemade pasta cooked in different ways. In 2015, Parma was designated as a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy.
The National Gallery of Parma
When I was in Parma in Italy last month, I was struck by just how safe it felt. At night you walk the streets feeling a sense of security that is tangible. The atmosphere of the place, the open friendly nature of the people and the sense that everyone is willing to help you, is one that grounds you. The streets with their lights and the stillness created by the old stones of the historic buildings just adds layers of safety. Leave the historic center and walk across the Parma River to the city’s green oasis, the Parco Ducale.
HOW TO SUPPORT SAVORING ITALY
There are several options you can take to get there depending on your starting point if it’s within the city or if you are traveling from afar. After your visit(s), hang out in the piazza and do a little people-watching or head to a café just down the street (Strada Duomo). Cardinal Bar and Magnolia Café both have outdoor seating and gorgeous views of the pink marble Baptistery.
- At this historic pastry shop — which opened in 1856 — you can get an individual portion to eat here or buy a whole cake to go.
- There is also the Governor’s palace, with its Baroque tower, which houses the bell of the high civic tower that collapsed in 1606, the crowned Virgin in the niche of the bell tower and the two sun-dials dating back to 1829.
- Even if your belly is full of prosciutto and parmigiano, make room for some of this sweet cool treat.
- March temperatures hover in the mid-40s, comfortable up the peninsula but not for a fortress city on a plain.
- Notable artists included in the exhibits include Leonardi da Vinci, Anthony Van Dyck, Correggio and Canaletto.
- Designed by Antelami and decorated in pink Verona marble, the Baptistery of Parma is the architectural symbol of the passage from the Roman style to the Gothic style.
This charming village can be reached via car in approximately 35 minutes and is located to the south of Parma – during the journey you will travel through the beautiful Italian countryside. Today, the extensive collection includes a colossal head of the Greek god Zeus, artefacts from excavations at Palatine Hill, various ancient Egyptian finds and also a collection of Greek Vases and pottery. You can find this immense building on the Piazza Garibaldi and it spans the whole width of the square – the central bell tower has a large clockface and towers above the surrounding structures. Although hugely damaged during WWII, the theatre has since been restored and today you can admire the amazing detail of the wooden seating and walls.
Sure, it’s a place to look at in wonder, the Duomo, the Baptistery, the Romanesque cathedral of San Giovanni Evangelista. In autumn, temperatures decrease gently from September through to November, beginning at a mild 66°F in September, and dropping to 54°F by November. Clear days and rainy days are a mixed bag, with rain picking up as the days grow shorter. For anyone interested in history, culture and sightseeing, Parma, Italy, is one of the richest destinations possible. NH Parma is a solid moderate, just a short walk from the Parma Train Station, with a well-appointed restaurant and bar in-house, so very convenient for travelers. Families or a gang of friends in search of a view and some extra elbow room should check out Le Tre Torri, which offers a penthouse and terrace with a bird’s-eye view of the city.
Parma’s centro storico (historic center) is full of narrow streets lined with boutiques, restaurants, and bars. Start at Piazza Garibaldi, the city’s main square, and wander north toward the Duomo (the main cathedral). “Taking a walk in Strada Cavour means shopping, artistic encounters, and gives you the feeling of being in a film,” Brianti says. Located on the Piazza della Pace in the centre of Parma, this museum is a fantastic place to visit during a walking tour of the city and provides a different look at history.
It may not ooze personality, but it’s a great, affordable option for a brief stay. Parmigiano-Reggiano is one of the world’s most famous and beloved cheeses, yet its birthplace is rarely one of the first places that people think of when planning a trip to Italy. Despite living in Rome for five years parma token price and visiting Italy dozens of times before that, it took me years to get to Parma, but when I finally did, I realized what an incredible place I’d been missing. Located in Emilia-Romagna, about an hour from Bologna, Parma is at the heart of Italy’s Food Valley.
On a recent visit to Parma, I was enchanted by the city’s elegant piazzas and streets lined with boutiques, restaurants, and bars. It regularly ranks among Italy’s most livable cities, according to an annual survey by Italian newspaper Il Sole 24 Ore. Compared to crowded cities like Rome, Florence, and Venice, Parma feels like a breath of fresh air. It’s still relatively under-the-radar, so you can really live like a local and experience a place full of art and culture that’s not overrun by tourists.
When to Visit Parma, Italy
This complex is a nice place to see from the outside, with its green space and walls that are full of character and history. In historic center of Parma the ZTL (Limited Traffic Zone) is active. We recommend that you park in one of the paid parking lots located just outside the historic center and continue on foot. Admire portraits of Maria Luigia, period furnishings, jewels, clothes, documents and other objects that reconstruct the atmosphere of the ducal court of Parma in the nineteenth century.