Parma should be at the top of your places to visit in Italy. It is the perfect day trip destination or weekend break. Parma is a beautiful small city filled with great things to do and eat. Parma took me by surprise and completely won me over. It is also a great base for trying some of the best food Italy is known for, such as Parma Ham. Please put Parma on your must-see attractions in Italy. This guide will build the best weekend in Parma, Italy. So keep scrolling to find the best things to do on a day trip to Parma, Italy.
At Pragmatic Travelers, we only recommend what we have actually experienced and eaten. So our travel recommendations are based on experience not just internet research. Looking for more places to see in Italy?
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How to get to Parma
The closest airport to Parma is Bologna which is a smaller airport that many of the major carriers fly to. Then hop on the Bologna Central train and get off in Parma about an hour later. Easy! You can also fly to Milan and take a train to Parma from there. The train station is an easy walk to the historic center.
Pro Tip: Whilst in Italy, trains are your best friend. Easy, efficient, and everywhere.
Best Place to Stay near Parma
We stayed near Parma in a very small but cozy Airbnb in Bologna. (Not affiliated with Airbnb.) It was clean, quiet, and central. It is very small with only one bed so it won’t fit everyone’s needs. It was around a 20-25 minute walk from the train station. Also, there was a long flight of narrow stairs to the apartment so this won’t work for anyone who has mobility issues. Bologna is about an hour away from Parma by train.
Not feeling this Airbnb? Check out the hotels in Bologna. I haven’t stayed in one so don’t have a specific one to recommend.
Best Things to do in Parma, Italy
Parmigiana Reggiano and Parma Ham Factory Tour
We loved our tour with Parma Look. We learned so much about how Parmigiano Reggiano and Prosciutto di Parma is made. We got to go through nearly every part of the production process. You are able to walk through the aging rooms for both cheese and Parma ham. It was really incredible. We had so many samples and great local wine that we didn’t need a lunch. The guides were fantastic, knowledgeable and friendly. Highly recommend this tour with Parma Look.
Parma Look has designated pick-up spots and your tour price includes your chosen pick-up/drop-off location. We were coming in from Bologna so they picked us up at the train station. Since we were staying in Parma for the afternoon, they dropped us off in the center of the city.
I wasn’t kidding about the amount of food we ate. We didn’t get to eat at any restaurants in Parma since were stuffed with ham and cheese.
Parma Cathedral
The Parma Cathedral completed in the 12th century; took my breath away. I just wandered in since it was free. And my goodness. The entire Cathedral is covered in frescos. Gorgeous. In my opinion, this is the most beautiful Cathedral in Italy. The dome is incredible. It was painted by Correggio! If you skip this, you are missing out on something special. The Piazza Duomo Parma (where the cathedral is located) also has a museum and a baptistery to visit. I didn’t have time to visit those Parma attractions, unfortunately.
Check out the Cathedral’s website for more information.
Wander the Streets of Parma
Parma is a beautiful small city. I loved exploring the many streets and alleyways. Each is more charming than the next. Make sure to check out the shopping on Via Garibaldi and Via Cavour. This is a wonderful city to just enjoy being in Italy. I do believe Parma should be one of the top places to see in Italy. It is just that special.
Piazza Garibaldi
Piazza Garibaldi is the humming center of Parma. It was built during the medieval times and is beautiful. Definitely worth a visit and walk-through.
Have a Spritz
Enjoy a spritz in Piazza Garibaldi at Ristorante O’Bistrot. Wonderful outdoor seating area to enjoy the piazza, have a Spritz, and watch people go by. Inside, the restaurant is attractive and different. I imagine the decorations had Instagram in mind.
Eat some Gelato
While enjoying your time in Parma, make sure to slow down and have some delicious gelato at Gioelia Cremeria. High quality and delicious. They know how to make a great gelato. It is right in the center of the city so easy to find and enjoy. Here is the link to Gioelia Cremeria.
Torrechiara Castle
This is not in the city of Parma but rather to the south of it. You will see it as you visit Parma Ham factories. It is a 15th-century castle that sits on top of a hill. It is a formidable structure with gorgeous views of the surrounding area. I didn’t get the opportunity to go inside but it sounds interesting. If you have visited leave a comment and tell me how it was!
Parma Travel Tools
Bologna is the perfect base for a day trip to Parma. Here are a few more travel guides to exploring the area.
- 11 Best Things to do in Bologna, Italy
- The 16 Best Restaurants in Bologna, Italy
- Little Venice: The Travel Guide to Treviso, Italy
More Travel Inspiration
Parma is a special city not to skip in favor of the big attractions of Italy. I have found that the smaller cities of Italy are where you truly fall in love with this country. Please, put Parma on your must-visit cities even if it is just for a day trip. Use this guide to the best things to do in Parma while on a day trip to fuel your wanderlust or plan your next trip. Happy Travels!
