The best thing you can do in Parma is live the privileged life that its residents do - if only for a day, a week or a fortnight. This is the city where you can cycle to work in streets that are refreshingly missing the menace of too many cars. Hire a bike and join them - the city is small but there’s plenty to stop and enjoy on the way. This is also the city that gave us many iconic cultural touchstones, such as Lamborghinis and Verdi. Take in the city’s impeccable sense of class and style on your visit. Most of all, though, you will not find better prosciutto, aged parmigiano reggiano, richer tasting Sangiovese wines or finer Art Nouveau cafes to sample them in than here. Enjoy Parma: things don’t get much better than this.
Areas & Neighbourhoods around Parma
Parma - Generally believed to have one of the highest standards of living in Italy, Parma offers you august venues to enjoy classical music from, a measured pace of life, fine dining options serving the best regional delicacies and the freshest local produce, markets to browse, historic buildings to admire, art museums to inspire and some rather classy shopping boutiques too.
Torrechiara - In the foothills of the countryside around Parma there are tucked away more than 20 medieval castles to discover. One of the best is at Torrechiara, just a few miles away from Parma, which contains fantastic frescoes and offers panoramic views from its walls.
Langhirano - Prosciutto di Langhirano is one of the most famous Parma hams and several food tours will take you to visit where it is made and see how the clear mountain air and fresh sea breezes, combined with centuries of know-how, go into its production.
Corniglio - A centre for hiking and skiing that will attract outdoor sports enthusiasts. The lower slopes of Monte Malpasso, with its glistening likes, is a fine spot for the less energetic to relax in the countryside and discuss the merits of a range of hams, cheeses and wines.
Things to See in Parma
At the Museo Glauco Lombardi you can discover all about the life of Maria Luigia, Duchess of Parma and the second wife of Napoleon Bonaparte, in a particularly interesting museum. The Piazza Duomo is where the city's 12th century cathedral and baptistry can be found, whilst over at the Palazzo della Pilotta there is a 16th century complex of buildings built for the famous Renaissance Farnese family. For views of the countryside the romantic castles outside the city provide plenty of opportunities to appreciate these.
Things to Do in Parma
The main thing to do in Parma is to enjoy the good life. You can learn more about the region’s stunning produce and cuisine on a gastronomic tour. Failing that avail yourself of the vibrant food markets, elegant cafes and great restaurants that are everywhere all over the city. The theatre and opera are very popular in Parma and there are some wonderful historic buildings to enjoy arias from Parma’s own Verdi in.
