One-Day Itinerary For Parma, Italy

I will never forget my first time in Parma, Italy. I had just spent one day in Milan, and admittedly, Milano is not my favorite. But I had a flight out of MXP just a few days later, so I had two options: hang in Milan for another day, or head somewhere new. I chose somewhere new and ended up in Parma.

It was only my second time in Emilia Romagna, with my first being a day spent eating my way through Bologna. Emilia Romagna would eventually grow to become my favorite region in Italy thanks to its world-class cuisine, rolling hills, and rich history, and that is largely thanks to my visit to Parma. Parma allowed me to see a quieter side of the region, which is where I believe its true beauty really lies. Best of all? Parma makes for a great day trip.

Here’s what to do if you have just one day in Parma.

Pro-Tip: Don’t want to navigate to Parma on your own? Book this easy day tour from Bologna.

Pro-Tip 2: The most popular things to do in Parma are take a Parmigiano Reggiano and Prosciutto di Parma tour. This tour covers both.

Start your day with espresso near Piazza del Duomo

The Piazza del Duomo is in the city center of Parma, and just like many other duomos in Italy, it is absolutely stunning. The building is said to have been completed in 1178. The exterior is made with sandstone, and the interior includes a Verona marble staircase, a fresco of Assumption of the Virgin from the Renaissance times (by Antonio da Correggio), and capitals adorned with leaves, mythological figures, scenes of war, and Biblical and Gospel scenes.

For a place to grab an espresso and cornetto (croissant) near the Piazza del Duomo to get your day started off on the right foot, head to Cardinal Bar Srl, right in the same square.

Visit a Parmigiano Reggiano Dairy Farm

Come on; you’re in Parma, after all. Being in the land of Parmigiano Reggiano, in the only place in the world where it can truly be made, this is the sole thing you must do while in Parma. I took a tour when I spent one day in nearby Modena, and it remains to be one of my favorite Italian escapades to date. Learn all about the intense process behind making the world’s most beloved cheese, and of course, get to sample some, too.

• Book a Parmigiano Reggiano dairy farm tour here.

Take a Prosciutto di Parma Tour

It’s not only cheese that makes Parma famous, but their world-renowned Prosciutto di Parma is just as notable. To understand the process behind Prosciutto di Parma, you’ll need to visit a Prosciuttificio, where the ham is produced. Though there are different variations of prosciutto around Italy (for example, Prosciutto di San Daniele in the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region), Prosciutto di Parma is inarguably the most well-known, and for good reason: it’s delicious.

• Book a Prosciutto tour here.
• This tour combines stops for you to learn about Parmigiano Reggiano, Prosciutto di Parma, and a Balsamic Vinegar.

Take a Walking Tour of the City (and learn about the musical history)

Since you’re likely to be full from all of those meat and cheese samplings, take a break once back in the city to embark on a walking tour of Parma. The city is fairly small, but that doesn’t mean it’s not packed full of interesting facts and tidbits. Parma is a music lover’s paradise–it’s home to Giuseppe Verdi, who is famed for the operas Rigoletto (1851), Il trovatore (1853), and La Traviata (1853). If you don’t want to take a proper tour, make sure to at least visit Monumento a Giuseppe Verdi and Teatro Farnese.

• You can book a Parma walking tour with a local guide here.

Aperitivo Time

Now that you’ve gotten all of your cultural, history, and food lessons out of the way, it’s time to drink. Aperitivo is one of the many things I love about Italy, and if you’re unfamiliar with the practice, it’s simply when you order a beverage (usually wine, beer, or a spritz) and are given a plethora of snacks, like pasta, focaccia, meat, cheese, panini, and more, to accompany your drink. Here are some good spots for aperitivo in Parma:

• Caffe Cavour
• Cinquantuno Parma
• Il Segreto Dei Nobili (4.8/5 stars on Google!)
• Panino d’Artista

Enjoy a traditional Emilia Romagnan meal

Emilia Romagna is known for its food; so much so, that the region’s nickname is “The Food Valley” for good reason. I personally fell in love with Emilia Romagna strictly because of its cuisine, and while Parmigiano Reggiano dairy farm and Prosciuttificio tours are great, there’s just nothing like sitting down and getting a proper dinner. Here are some top choices for dinner in Parma:

• Osteria dei Servi
• Trattoria Corrieri
• Trattoria ai due platani (Michelin Bib Gourmand–reservations recommended)

…But what’s a proper meal if you don’t know what to order? Some specialities in Parma are:

• Tortelli D’erbetta — this is a ravioli-style pasta stuffed with Parmigiano Reggiano and ricotta. I had this dish in Parma and I still think about it to this day.
• Torta Fritta (a fried bread, also known as Gnocco Fritto)
• Lambrusco (wine)
• Cavàl Pist (Horse meat)
• Trippa alla Parmigiana (tripe Parma-style)

Where to Stay

If you want to spend the night in Parma, there are a few great options for all different types of budget:

• $: Mentana Guest House
• $$: Hotel NH Parma
• $$$: Grand Hotel de La Ville

Alternatively, if you want to stay in nearby Bologna, you can use your Eurail Pass for the frequent trains that connect the two cities. Here are some spots in Bologna for all budgets:

• $: Boutique Hotel il Guercino
• $$: Hotel Metropolitan
• $$$: Grand Hotel Majestic gia’ Baglioni

DISCLAIMER: I might make a small commission from some of the links throughout this article, but the price is the same for you. This helps keep my business running so I can continue to provide free travel tips!