Parma combines a distinctive gastronomic profile with opera, museums and historic parks. The city is the gastronomic centre of the “Italian Food Valley” and also a destination for visitors who want to combine cultural history, regional specialities and a variety of day-trip experiences. This gives you several clear focal points when planning your trip: culinary discoveries, historic collections, musical themes and green spaces in the immediate area as well as the wider region.
Parma between specialities and events
Parma’s gastronomic identity includes Prosciutto di Parma (DOP), Parmigiano Reggiano (DOP), Culatello di Zibello (DOP), Salame Felino (IGP), Spalla Cotta di San Secondo and Fungo Porcino (IGP). Parma also hosts important food-related events, including the international food fair Cibus. When choosing a hotel in Parma, you can therefore specifically combine your trip with the city’s culinary themes without losing sight of culture and sightseeing.
Opera, music and the history of the city
Teatro Regio di Parma was built from 1821 onwards and opened in 1829 in the Neoclassical style. During a guided tour lasting around 30 minutes, you can visit the foyer, auditorium and Ridotto in Italian or English. This allows you to incorporate a concrete insight into the history and design of the theatre into your stay in Parma.
Casa del Suono is located in the former Church of Santa Elisabetta, dating from the mid-17th century. It traces the history and development of sound reproduction devices—from the phonograph and gramophone to the radio, tape recorder, Compact Disc and iPod. Casa del Suono also includes a collection of sound generators and facilities with innovative sound reproduction systems, as well as programmes for scientific and artistic research, education and outreach.
The Museo Casa Natale Arturo Toscanini is located in the house where Arturo Toscanini was born, in Parma’s Oltretorrente district, on 25 March 1867. The Museo Glauco Lombardi is dedicated to the artistic and documentary heritage of Parma’s Bourbon period (1748–1802 and 1847–1859) and the Ludovician period (1816–1847). Guided tours, meetings and conferences are offered there. “Musica al Museo” is a musical series performed on the ducal fortepiano at the Museo Glauco Lombardi.
Museums, palaces and parks in the surrounding area
In the immediate vicinity of Parma are the Palazzo del Governatore palace, the Museo Diocesano, Parma museum, the Stuard Picture Gallery museum and the Museo A. Bocchi museum.
The Parco Ducale is also located nearby. This historic garden landscape features centuries-old trees; it was laid out from 1560 onwards as an elaborate Italian-style garden and later modified in the French style. In its historic fishpond is an island with the 18th-century Fontana del Trianon fountain. The park also has a children’s play area, sports paths, a dog area, a kiosk and benches.
The Parco della Cittadella is also located in the immediate vicinity of Parma. In the wider region are the Parco naturale regionale dei Boschi di Carrega and the Parco Lido Valtermina. Depending on your preferred pace for the day, when choosing your accommodation you can combine cultural visits in Parma with time spent in historic or nature-oriented parks.
Orientation and travel
The Parma Welcome city app brings together information about Parma’s sights, churches, museums, castles, works of art, cultural events, exhibitions, installations, routes and gastronomy. It therefore provides broad thematic orientation within the city’s range of attractions when preparing individual visits.
Parma railway station is about a ten-minute walk from the historic centre and is served by trains from northern and central Italy as well as from some European cities. Parma can be reached by train, via an airport and by motorway; cars are prohibited from entering the city centre. When choosing your hotel or another type of accommodation, you can therefore pay particular attention to whether your stay is to be shaped primarily by culture, gastronomy, visits to parks or your preferred means of arrival.
Discover more places
You can explore more places through this selection: Terenzo, Ponte Taro, Berceto, Borghetto, Borgo Val Di Taro, Torrile, Corniglio, Salsomaggiore Terme, Zibello, Soragna, Sala Baganza, Parma, Noceto, Medesano, Fontevivo, Fontanellato, Collecchio, Sant Andrea Bagni, Monticelli Terme, Valmozzola, Signatico, Varano De' Melegari, Fidenza, Ravarano, Fornovo Di Taro, Formiano, Calestano, Sissa, San Secondo Parmense, Colorno, Polesine Parmense, Compiano, Pieveottoville, Banca, Pellegrino Parmense, Bedonia, Arola, Busseto, Vigatto, Lagrimone, Albareto, Monchio Delle Corti, Varsi, Varano Marchesi, Botteghino, Vicomero, Case Vecchie, Felegara, Fontanelle, Porcigatone, Cedogno, Orzale, Diolo, Pianelletto, Bore, Felino, Sanguigna, Bagni di Tabiano, Tabiano Castello, San Polo, Ostia Parmense, Valditacca, Vignale, Lesignano de' Bagni, Lemignano, Marore, Montechiarugolo, San Prospero, Traversetolo, Pannocchia, Neviano Degli Arduini, Tizzano Val Parma, Pagazzano, Roncopascolo, Roccabianca, Sasso, Santa Maria Del Piano, Langhirano, Roccaprebalza, Torrechiara, Ozzano Taro, Bardi, Sorbolo, Solignano.
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