Experiences in Parma
Destination
Parma
Date
Add dates
Parma: Tours & Experiences
1 experiences and tours
Frequently asked questions
Food is the reason many people come to Parma. The city gave its name to Prosciutto di Parma, and the Parmigiano Reggiano made in its countryside is known worldwide. It also has a quiet, elegant centre, a great opera tradition and thermal spa towns in the nearby hills. Find food, spa and culture experiences in and around Parma below.
About Parma
Parma is a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy. Around it, dairies age wheels of Parmigiano Reggiano, ham makers cure Prosciutto di Parma in the hills, and the low plain near the Po river produces Culatello di Zibello.
In the centre, the Cathedral has Correggio's famous dome fresco, and the pink marble Baptistery stands beside it. The Pilotta palace holds the wooden Teatro Farnese, and the Teatro Regio keeps the memory of Giuseppe Verdi, who was born in the province. South of the city, the spa towns of Salsomaggiore, Tabiano and Monticelli Terme use salty mineral waters.
What to expect on a Parma experience
Experiences around Parma centre on food and well-being:
- Food visits — dairies, ham houses and tastings of local products.
- Thermal spas — day entry to thermal pools and spa areas in the nearby spa towns.
- Art and music — churches, palaces and opera.
Best time to visit
Spring and autumn are the best seasons. In September and October, food festivals in the province celebrate ham, cheese and mushrooms. Summers are hot on the plain, and winters are foggy but good for spa days.
Getting around
Parma is on the main rail line between Milan and Bologna, about an hour from each. The compact centre is easy on foot or by bike. Dairies, ham houses and spa towns are in the countryside, so a car or an organised visit is the simplest way to reach them.
