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Show me at least one person who has never heard of Parmesan cheese or prosciutto. But do you know where these typical Italian products originate from? Parma is home to many food products known across the world – but not everybody knows about this small city in Northern Italy. It has a lot to offer to those travellers who’ve seen it all – so if you’re looking for a lesser-known Italian destination with amazing food and fascinating history, Parma might be exactly what you need.
For me, Parma, Italy, is strongly associated with sunny weather and brightly-coloured buildings; with narrow streets leading you to the huge piazzas and tiny bars with their owners waiting outside for the visitors; with the smell of coffee and freshly-baked pastries. If you come to Parma early in the morning, you’ll get the chance to enjoy the half-empty streets of the city centre, and you might choose to have a traditional Italian breakfast (coffee and a croissant) in one of the little bars overlooking Piazza Del Duomo. Parma is the epitome of Italian slow-living: so take your time to enjoy your coffee and soak in the sun before heading to your next destination.
And when you are done with a slow and tasty breakfast, visit the magnificent Duomo, built in the 11th century, that dominates the piazza. After admiring some splendid artwork by Correggio (one of the most prominent local artists of the Renaissance era), visit the Baptistery of Parma, located just in front of the cathedral. This unique octagonal building is one of the most important medieval monuments in Europe. Be prepared to take some photos as soon as you see the sun reflected from its pink marble walls!
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Travelling a few centuries forward, head to Piazza Della Pilotta. During the Renaissance period, Parma was an important political and cultural centre, acting as a capital for the Duchy of Parma. As the capital of an influential noble state, Parma had to correspond. There, in a single piazza, you’ll find some of the most important monuments of the whole Emilia Romagna region: the National Archaeological Museum, the National Gallery of Parma and Teatro Farnese – one of only three Renaissance theatres left now. If you’re a theatre nerd (just as I am!) you can’t avoid visiting this place. And don’t miss the Palatina Library: one of the most famous libraries in Italy, which contains almost a million printed works.
As soon as you cross the river behind the Pilotta complex, you’ll be greeted with another fascinating symbol of Parma’s noble past: the Garden Palace and its adjacent park. For centuries it was the residence of the Dukes of Parma and their high-profile guests. You’ll never guess what hides inside it now: it is actually the headquarters of the local Carabinieri (Italian police). Good news though, is that the palace can still be visited on the first Saturday of each month, with the booking available via email. And if you don’t make it to the “open day”, don’t worry – the park surrounding the palace is just as breathtaking as the palace itself.
As you get hungry after a long morning of sightseeing, it’s time for lunch – and Parma is a perfect place for foodies! A fun fact: most trattorias and osterias in the city centre are ranked with at least 4 stars, confirming Parma’s fame as a culinary paradise. You can choose literally anywhere to go, but if you feel like trying some local delicacies, try Osteria dello Zingaro – and if you feel adventurous enough, don’t hesitate to order their house speciality: horse meat.
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Don’t get too full too soon, though – after lunch, it’s time to get out of the city for more fun! Being home to some of the most famous Italian products, Parma even has dedicated food museums. The Museum of Parmigiano Reggiano, Wine Museum, Museum of Prosciutto di Parma and Pasta Museum are just a half of them – but they encompass the very essence of Italian cuisine, don’t they? The good news is that all of them are easily accessible by car or bus ride in less than 1 hour. Getting a chance to discover how your favourite products are made, attending a tasting session, and buying the best (edible) souvenirs is the compensation you get for making a little trip.
If you don’t feel like leaving the city, you can take a food tour around Parma, Italy, or visit Enoteca Fontana – one of the most famous wine tasting locations in the city. You can have a glass of wine for less than 2 euros there, but beware: it might get crowded. Italians love spending their evenings in good company and with good wine, so places like that are among their favourites. And if you want to feel like a local, immersing yourself in the typical atmosphere and tasting good local wine is a safe bet. Wine culture in Italy is a complex science, and we can’t blame Italians for it: after all, it has been produced here for over four thousand years!
As your day in Parma, Italy, is coming to an end, take a relaxing stroll down the river to enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of the evening city: with couples walking slowly holding hands, groups of young people taking out their guitars, and children chasing pigeons. Stop on your way to take a seat on a bench overlooking the river. Take a moment to observe the people and to feel deeply Parma’s gentle character through its unhurried lifestyle. Soak in golden hour, which is fascinating. And when you feel like you have nowhere to rush to, like you’re exactly where you need to be, present in that sun-kissed moment, you will realise that Parma has left a mark on your heart. Only then you can say your visit is complete.
