A small city in Italy’s Emilia-Romagna region, Parma is rich in history and known worldwide for the food created there. Parmesan cheese, anyone? Visiting a city drenched in so much history and with so much to see and do, deciding how to spend your days during your visit is not easy. To help you with that, we’ve created a list of the best things to do in Parma, Italy.
Parma offers seemingly endless opportunities to explore historic buildings, relax in incredible parks, and enjoy authentic Italian delicacies. It all depends on what you want to do while visiting.
As you plan your trip, use this list to make it easy. Here are the best things to do in Parma!
Start at Piazza del Duomo
As a general rule of thumb while in these smaller Italian cities, if you’re unsure of where to go or how to start your day, just go to the main public square of the city. This will often be the square that houses the city’s main cathedral. That’s the case with Parma, and you should start your trip at the social hub known as the Piazza del Duomo.
In this open public space, you’ll find many important structures lining the area, such as the Cathedral of Parma, the Baptistry, and more. You’ll also find plenty of hustle and bustle of visitors and locals alike, so there’s always something new to look at in the square. A visit to Parma cannot be considered complete until you’ve taken in the culture all around the main public square. You can explore more of Parma’s attractions on a classic guided tour or join a private guided tour.
Visit the Duomo of Parma
While exploring the Piazza del Duomo mentioned above, it’s impossible to see the impressive Duomo of Parma dominating most of the square. The Parma Cathedral was built over 900 years ago in the popular Romanesque style. The impressive cathedral features an unfathomable 206-foot-high tower soaring into the sky. While the exterior of the cathedral sure is impressive, you’ll love what you see inside as well.
Step in and immediately look at the ceiling above to see the incredible artwork by Corregio. While it’s not quite Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel, it’s not too far away in sheer beauty. Look around and peek at all the artwork adorning the cathedral walls before heading downstairs into the crypt. Explore the underground area to see even more fantastic architecture, construction, and artwork everywhere you look.
Walk Through Parma Vecchia
As is the case with many of the cities you might explore on your trip to Italy, there is an old or historic part of town that’s also worth visiting. This also rings true regarding Parma, the area known as Parma Vecchia.
Leave the tightly packed city center of Parma and cross the Parma River to get to the oldest sections of the city, where you can find all sorts of historically significant structures and buildings worth looking at.
One of the first you’ll come across as you make your way to Parma Vecchia is Ponte di Mezzo, which was likely the bridge you crossed to enter the old part of town. Next, you’ll come up to the 16th-century Church of Santissima Annunziata, among many others. With all the history as well as all the cafes and restaurants you’ll find in Parma Vecchia, you could easily spend half a day or more just exploring the area.
Visit the National Gallery of Parma
An art lovers’ perfect escape from the busy streets of Parma, the National Gallery of Parma allows you to check out some pieces of work by some of the country’s most well-known artists. It’s not a very big museum, so it’s perfect for stopping in unexpectedly or penciling a couple of hours into your schedule to see.
Inside, you’ll find work by some of the area’s most famous artists, including Corregio (who painted the ceiling of the Parma Cathedral) and even some by the famous Leonardo da Vinci. The works in this gallery were collected over hundreds of years and mainly span the 17th and 19th centuries. So stop in and take a look; you won’t be disappointed.
Check Out Piazza Garibaldi
Although Piazza del Duomo gets all the credit due to the accompanying Duomo of Parma, it’s not the liveliest social hub in all of Parma. That title goes to Piazza Garibaldi, so you’ll want to spend some time at this public square while visiting the city.
The square is home to the city’s governmental offices as well as an endless number of cafes and restaurants lining the streets. So, if you want to get into the thick of the culture of Parma and take it all in, grab a coffee from one of the cafes, sit at a table outside, and watch the world go by all around you.
Visit Battistero di Parma
Although the Duomo of Parma dominates much of the Piazza above del Duomo, it’s not the only significant structure in the area. The Battistero di Parma (Baptistery of Parma) is the second large religious structure lining the sides of the popular square. Located close to the Duomo, it would be easy to assume they were part of the same facility due to their impressive stonework and massive size.
The building’s construction began in the same Romanesque style as the towering Duomo in the late 12th century. Still, it was finished nearly 100 years later in the Gothic style that took over Italy then. That’s why you can see such a drastic difference in design between the top and bottom halves of the structure. Its marble construction and octagonal architecture make it one of the most interesting buildings in Parma and one that you do not want to miss.
Spend Your Night Wine-Tasting at Enoteca Fontana
For all you wine lovers, spending your evening enjoying delicious wine at Enoteca Fontana is a dream come true. You’ll have nearly limitless options to choose from. So if you like reds or whites, sweet or dry, it doesn’t matter — Enoteca Fontana will have options you’ll love.
The wine here is delicious, and the prices are some of the cheapest in Italy. So you certainly won’t be the only ones with the same idea. Enoteca Fontana gets extremely crowded in the evenings during the high travel season.
But if you don’t mind crowds, you won’t find higher quality Italian wine at a better price. From wine tastings, you can also enjoy the Parmigiano-Reggiano tour and tasting.
Stroll Through Parco Ducale
One of the best ways to escape from the tourist-filled streets of Parma’s city center is to venture to the popular Parco Ducale and relax. Originally constructed as the grounds of the massive palace of the same name, Palazzo Ducale, the park has become one of the best places in Parma to take a break and relax on the many benches it offers.
After facing significant destruction during the Second World War, the park has been rebuilt and restored to its former glory, and it’s as beautiful and relaxing as ever. Walk along the river, picnic with that special someone, or take a guided tour through the impressive palace. However you choose to enjoy it, Parco Ducale has something for everyone.
Visit the Shrine of Santa Maria Della Steccata
If you want to see one of Italy’s most detailed church interiors, you’ve come to the right place when you decide to visit Parma. One of the most opulent churches in the city, the Shrine of Santa Maria della Steccata, is truly something to marvel at. The entire interior of the church could be considered a masterpiece of ancient art.
Constructed in the mid-16th century, the Shrine of Santa Maria dell Staccato was originally intended to house an image of St. John the Baptist and an incredible statue of the Virgin Mary and Child. Once these artifacts were in place, many artists added to the Shrine, adorning nearly every surface with incredible artwork. You’ll find gilded surfaces, dramatic draperies, and more where there isn’t art.
Catch the Opera at Teatro Regio
If you’ve been to Palermo and seen the grandiose Teatro Massimo, you might be underwhelmed when you walk up to Parma’s signature Opera House. But don’t let the mundane exterior fool you or keep you away. Step inside the theater to be transported into one of Italy’s most ornately decorated and well-kept theaters.
If you’re in the area the night of the Opera, you’ll regret it if you miss your chance to see one person. Teatro Regio is known for having the toughest audience in Italy, so you can rest assured that the show will be incredible or the audience will let the performers know. Seeing a show at this famous theater is a night out that you will never forget.
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