Parma
Discover Parma
Parma is a city in the province of Parma, part of the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy. Parma is famous for its food and rich gastronomical tradition: two of its specialties are Parmigiano Reggiano cheese (also produced in Reggio Emilia) and Prosciutto di Parma ("Parma ham"). Parma is divided into two parts by the stream of the same name. The district on the west side of the river is Oltretorrente, meaning "the other side of the stream".
What to Experience in Parma
Taste of Parma...
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. 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. An aperitivo in Via Farini is something you should not miss.
Essential Information
Getting There
Multiple OptionsThe other close airport is in Bologna. There is a shuttle service from the Bologna airport to the Bologna Centrale train station. From the train station it is an easy walk into the historic city centre. Milan is less than two hours north of Parma along the A1 autostrada. Walk. Virtually everything in the historic city centre 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 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....
Getting Around & Staying
Getting Around
Walk. Virtually everything in the historic city centre 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 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 centre to local tagged vehicles only. This system is generally switched off after midnight. Oltretorrente is historical district at the western side of the Parma stream.
Money & Budget
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.
Safety Information
Nearby Destinations
Glimpses of Parma
A woman in a yellow jacket and wearing a face mask bikes her way across Parma's main square
brown concrete building during daytime
a field of wheat with a building in the background
Duomo di Parma
door house and windows closed at daytime
Street in Italy
a person walking down a street next to tall buildings
brown trees beside pathway
Coffee and pastries are placed on a wooden table.
two white sheep drinking water
A woman in a yellow jacket and wearing a face mask bikes her way across Parma's main square
brown concrete building during daytime
a field of wheat with a building in the background