Parma, Italy, is an amazing travel destination. If you’re looking for the top attractions and fun things to do in Parma, Italy, then look no further than Parma, Italy. Scroll down, and you’ll find our top travel suggestions for Parma, Italy, for the best places to visit in Parma, Italy. We at Wondrous Drifter, a Web 3.0 travel startup, have big plans to shake things up in the travel business.
Table Of Content
- Baptistery
- Bosco Spaggiari
- Castello dei Burattini
- Castle of Torrechiara
- Fondazione Museo Glauco Lombardi
- Hotel Forlanini 52
- La Galleria
- Labirinto della Masone
- Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Parma
- Oven
- Palazzo del Governatore
- Palazzo della Pilotta
- Parco Ducale
- Park Hotel Pacchiosi
- Parma Cathedral
- Pinacoteca Stuard
- Ristorante Inkiostro
- Salumeria Gardoni
- Sanctuary of Santa Maria della Steccata
- Teatro Farnese
- Explore Europe
Baptistery
Pink marble structure in octagonal shape.
It is recognized as one of Italy’s most harmonious medieval structures.
Covering the entire surface with Verona pink marble. Including it among the city’s symbols.
There are also works of art from the Middle Ages to admire, with audiovisual recordings containing expert explanations.
The structure has eight facades, eight slim lanterns on the roof, and a 16-sided polygon with 16 arches on the interior.
The alignment of the building also sends a spiritual message. In the early Middle Ages, the art and architecture of Christian structures were influenced by astronomical observations.
The ground plan and strategically placed windows were intended to produce spectacular lighting effects on liturgically significant days in response to the rising or setting of the sun, moon, stars, or planets.
A zoophorus with bas-relief sculptures of animals, beasts, Hellish creatures, mermaids, unicorns, sea monsters, centaurs, and zodiac signs surrounds the lower portion of the baptistery.
Discover the meanings carved into the infrastructure.
Address: Piazza Duomo, 43121 Parma PR, Italya
Bosco Spaggiari
A father and son tandem of “Turning a land into a forest” project.
It is the story of man’s restoration of nature, the story of a land that reclaims its original sacredness through the daily labor of men.
Twenty years ago, a father and son decided to save the land in front of their house from overdevelopment and pollution by turning it into a forest. They did this by hand.
The two farmers had a large plot of land at their disposal, which they had been planting since 2000 and had expanded to seven hectares in 2005.
Roberto and his father have planted 12,500 trees in an 11-hectare area, including native species like ash, cherry, and walnut, as well as shrubs like hazel and secondary trees for a total of sixteen essences.
Il Bosco has become an outdoor classroom where you can learn how to live in the world again.
With the awareness of climate change, a simple act can make people change. Save the earth is one of their goals, and it has become one of the best attractions now in Parma.
Address: Str. Quingenti, 20, 43123 Parma PR, Italya
Castello dei Burattini
Welcoming you the collection in the field of animated theater.
The Puppets’ Castle is Italy’s most important collection dedicated to animation.
Between puppets, marionettes, heads, 637 stage objects, scenery, pictures, and posters, 438 scripts, the theater library, and paper archives, there are approximately 2842 pieces.
The exhibition spans about 300 square meters and includes 500 pieces such as puppets, posters, photographs, and chevaliers.
There are parts of the collection that totals over 1500 pieces and includes contributions from other collectors such as Franco Cristofori, Amilcare Adamoli, and more.
Puppets from large Italian companies from the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries are on display. One section is dedicated to the Opera dei Pupi’s three main traditions, while another is dedicated to Group 80.
A massive legacy dedicated to preserving the rich tradition of a theater that is as enchanting as it is valuable.
Bring your kids here. They will surely love this collection of thousands of puppets!
Address: Strada Macedonio Melloni, 3\A, 43121 Parma PR, Italya
Castle of Torrechiara
Forming natural landscapes from the Parma Valley.
This castle took twenty years to build and twenty years to transform into a magnificent stronghold. With its towered and elegant silhouette, this charming structure evokes a medieval past, piquing the interest of many writers and directors.
The military setting gives way to the peaceful atmosphere of the courtesan and everyday life at that point. Everything inside screams manor house, built to commemorate Bianca and Pier Maria’s love.
Its primary purpose was to serve as a defense structure. It was designed as a modern and luxurious home with four towers connected by a double ring of walls surrounding a patio known as the Patio de Honor.
There are decorations that combine natural themes with the fantastic and grotesque.
Despite the few pieces of furniture strewn about, the entire visit route is adorned with an array of vibrant colors and bizarre figures.
Visit one of the mysterious castles in Parma. And here is the legendary story of the ghost.
Address: Str. del Castello, 1, 43013 Torrechiara PR, Italya
Fondazione Museo Glauco Lombardi
Allow the museum to tell you about Napoleon and Marie Louise.
Glauco Lombardi, an Italian author, dedicated his life to exploring and preserving anything related to Parma under the Bourbons and Marie.
Hundreds of fascinating artifacts from the Napoleonic era to more recent times are housed here, including delicate gowns, pianos, jewels, and an impressive corbeille de mariage, among other things.
It is home to an impressive collection that re-enacts the history of the Duchy of Parma and Piacenza from the eighteenth to the nineteenth centuries.
The Museum houses official items from Maria Luigia’s brief but lavish reign as Empress of France at Napoleon’s side and personal items such as jewelry, diaries, and other documents from her official and private court life.
The dedication to acquiring the objects needed to establish this museum is obvious. It’s a quiet spot that makes you listen for an exciting hour browsing the exhibits.
If you want to explore historical artifacts, this is the best spot!
Address: Str. Giuseppe Garibaldi, 15, 43121 Parma PR, Italya
Hotel Forlanini 52
Give yourself a wonderful stay at a modest hotel.
Housed in a former farmhouse 8 kilometers outside of town. Offering you an affordable stay near the airport.
It is the only exhibition center in central-northern of Italy that can be visited in a single day.
This is a 3-star hotel that has a modern architectural style with a strong link to Parmesan traditions.
Each detail is researched and planned with great care and attention, without distorting the roots from which they arose and wished to continue as management.
You can enjoy a delicious meal in the restaurant or go to the fitness room for some exercise.
Their superior rooms are spacious and equipped with cutting-edge Technogym sports equipment. They can freely enjoy comfort and sport in their rooms while participating in activities in complete privacy and autonomy.
The rooms are all spacious and include bathroom amenities, a minibar, and a coffee machine.
Bring your pals and enjoy your vacation at one of the humble hotels in Parma!
Address: Via Enrico Forlanini, 52, 43122 Parma PR, Italya
La Galleria
Let your happiness decide on what product you will buy.
A multifunctional complex located in Parma via Emilia Est. It is a Barilla Center and shopping arcade with 18 retail units covering a parking lot and multiplex brands and cinemas to enjoy.
This was designed by architect Renzo Piano.
The center first opened its doors to people in 2003 as a component of the master plan for the redevelopment of the formerly known Barilia area.
You can shop, dine and have fun with different entertainments in the mall as it is only located in Parma’s historic center.
A shopping area dedicated to those who have interests and enjoy shopping while strolling through Parma’s streets.
You can relax in the comfort of your zone. Your happiness can be increased by working toward the fulfillment of your interests and goals.
Visiting this place may also relieve stress from other areas of your life.
Shop now to make your stay more beautiful!
Address: Via Emilia Est, 7B, 43121 Parma PR, Italya
Labirinto della Masone
Have you ever been in a case where no one was around to ask for directions?
What about getting lost in a bamboo-filled maze?
Will you ever survive and go outside?
Visit the largest labyrinth in the world to add more excitement to your vacation.
Entirely made of bamboo plants of approximately 200 thousand in total ranging in height from 30 centimeters to 15 meters and belonging to various species.
Labirinto della Masone was in the shape of an eight-pointed star, evoking the ancient fortified cities. It consists of four interconnected, right-angled labyrinths representing the Roman version of the classic labyrinth.
The labyrinth serves as a living example of the plant’s enormous potential. The park’s buildings’ parquet floors were also made of the same material.
A Japanese gardener advised Franco Maria Ricci to plant bamboo trees in the garden of his Milan residence. At that point, the designer realized the plant’s full potential and suggested to Ricci that bamboo trees be used to create a labyrinth.
This maze will satisfy your thirst for excitement!
Address: Str. Masone, 121, 43012 Fontanellato PR, Italya
Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Parma
Going back to the Early Middle Age.
The National Archaeological Museum of Parma belongs to one of the oldest museums in the country. Founded in 1760 to house materials that were valuable from the excavations of Roman City.
The collections of Italian, Greek, Etruscan, and Egyptian artifacts have enriched the Museum. They allow you to discover Parma’s Roman theater, amphitheater, and large portions of the city’s ancient urban fabric.
There are two sections that you can visit. The first one is dedicated to Parma and territory in Roman times. There are sculptures from theater and forum, bronzes, architectural marbles, antiques, and more.
The collection includes early Christian funerary inscriptions from Rome and luxury artifacts typical of late Empire taste, such as a glass decorated with engraved gold leaf and a very refined ivory plaque depicting scenes from the life of Christ.
Rich with collections of the past. Explore now!
Address: Piazza della Pilotta, 5, 43121 Parma PR, Italya
The world is your oyster. Adventure awaits, go find it. For the full list of countries to visit around the world, visit our how to travel the world guide. When you travel the world, you have to go to the USA. Do you want to have an experience that is quintessentially American? Click here for the fun states to visit in USA.
Oven
Pizza is an absolute necessity if you are in Parma!
The oven was established in 2018 and served a contemporary pizza with an abundant amount of parmesan.
This establishment is considered one of the most acceptable dining options in Parma. As the cheese melts in your mouth, it will undoubtedly win your adoration and captivate your heart.
Provides you with the highest quality of raw ingredients, semi-wholemeal dough, and more which combines with the selection of drinks, making it a good experience.
This is a hip hotspot in Oltretorrente and was started by young upstarts from Campania.
Aside from pizza, it also offers lunch menus, salads, and other combination toppings in pizza. They also have large cocktail menus and craft beers from Farnese Brewery if you want to stay at night.
A hidden gem that will surely melt your heart! Giving you the perfectly cooked Neapolitan style of pizza.
Address: Str. Nino Bixio, 52/A, 43125 Parma PR, Italya
Palazzo del Governatore
Filled with prestigious contemporary arts in a large space.
The Governor’s Palace hosts an international exhibition making it eye-catching to visitors’ attention.
Situated on the northern side of Piazza Garibaldi and was redesigned in 1760 by Ennemond Petitot, a French Architect.
This palace has become an important venue for modern and contemporary art. It houses notable events such as workshops and meetings.
The original bell of the civic tower, which collapsed in the year 1606, was preserved in the belfry of the 1763 baroque tower.
It was covered entirely in brick and stood on a porch on the ground floor with two orders of mullioned windows on the first floor and a crenellation at the top.
In addition, it is situated on one of Parma’s busiest streets, making it a popular destination for locals and tourists.
Make your vacation more interactive!
Pay a visit right away and examine its built environment.
Address: Piazza Giuseppe Garibaldi, 19, 43100 Parma PR, Italya
Palazzo della Pilotta
What’s inside the Pilotta?
It is a complex of buildings in the historical center of Parma.
The National Gallery, the National Archaeological Museum, and the Bodonian Museum are some of the places to see here.
The Palazzo della Pilotta was built in the sixteenth century and got its name from the pelota game that was popular in the estate’s courtyards.
It is also known as the first “Imperial” staircase in Italy.
You can view the Ducal collection of paintings and a library from the Farnese period. It also hosted the Academy of Fine Arts with its art collections during the Duchy of Don Filippo di Borbone.
During the summer, there is also a theatre where outdoor events are held in the gardens.
The long corridors were arranged at right angles to form an actual “citadel” that was connected to both the now-destroyed Ducal Palace and the Garden Palace across the Parma river.
Let your mind be filled with knowledge as you look at the secular collections and other attractions inside pilotta.
Address: Piazza della Pilotta, 3, 43121 Parma PR, Italy
Parco Ducale
Look for the best time to enjoy the weather.
The Ducal Park was designed and constructed in 1560 and enlarged in the 1700s. Featuring old trees from centuries that show the green architecture of the place.
The Parco Ducale is one of the city’s largest public spaces and is a peaceful contrast to the city’s busy streets.
There are statues of four Geniuses standing along the north avenue, just before the Doge’s Palace.
It is also famous for gathering as there are amenities that can offer for everyone.
If you want to sit down and just enjoy the weather, you can sit on available benches or bring your mat for a picnic setting.
There are also sports trails, a dog area, a bar with tables, and of course, a children’s play area for them to have fun.
It is well-designed and well-maintained, with wide walkways for kids to run or ride their bikes on. There’s also a pond and fountains for you to see.
Allow your children to make new friends. Make them put on their biggest smiles.
Address: nr, Largo Luca Ganzi, 3, Parma, Italya
Park Hotel Pacchiosi
Setting up an elegant aura from afar, being drawn in by the view as the light turns on.
With a 10,000 square meter park in the oldest district of Parma, The Park Hotel Pacchiosi is the ideal and best spot for you to experience the city in private and relax.
It was known as a historic building from the early twentieth century and was designed by the Reale Cinica Chirurgica by Engineer Enrico Bovio.
You can see how the staff are very hospitable as they welcome you bright and shine, just like how bright the entrance is.
They have ceilings with 15 meters high, and it is the most opulent hotel in Parma.
It has 59 Neo-Renaissance-style rooms with Carrara marbles and handcrafted furniture.
The food culture of the hotel is very recommendable by others due to its high quality.
From the Hall, the monumental staircase leads you to the piano bar, providing guests the opportunity to relax in an elegant, intimate, and comfortable setting.
Book now, and you might get a special discount for your first stay!
Address: Str. Quartiere, 4, 43125 Parma PR, Italya
Parma Cathedral
Explore one of Italy’s greatest Romanesque cathedrals!
The Cattedrale di Parma is situated in one of the city’s main squares.
The dome of the cathedral is covered in a stunning fresco that was completed in 1530. The fresco is regarded as a masterwork in terms of technique, with light and shadow used to guide the viewer’s perspective.
In 1059, the Bishop directed the construction of the massive cathedral. And brimming with Romanesque sculptures and other works by the Parma School of Painting.
Two marble lions sculpted in the 13th century guard the cathedral’s entrance. The interior’s main feature is Antonio da Correggio’s The Assumption of the Virgin, which is covered in expressions of faith and surrounded by figures as she ascends to heaven.
Its imposing façade is made up of ornately carved stone, three levels of loggias, and a 63-meter-high Gothic bell tower built between 1284 and 1294.
Visit one of Italy’s magnificent cathedrals!
Address: Piazza Duomo, 43121 Parma PR, Italya
Pinacoteca Stuard
Enjoy the floor with different artworks from the past.
There are works from various artistic and pictorial cultures, frescoes, sculptures, archaeological finds, engravings, paintings, medals, and other items from the 14th century to the 20th century.
The rest of the paintings that you can explore are a series of small to large religious paintings. The drawing depicting a greyhound recognized by Parmigianino has now become the art gallery’s symbol.
Paintings by artists from the nineteenth century who were associated with the Parma Academy of Fine Arts, such as Giovan Battista Borghesi, have been added to the first room on the upper floor.
The exhibition will feature works from a broad range of artistic and pictorial traditions worldwide.
Paintings, relics, tapestries, and various documentary evidence of Parma’s artistic history, as well as the Stuard family’s, are included in the itinerary.
Visit the Pinacoteca Stuard to get your vacation off to a great start!
Address: Borgo del Parmigianino, 2, 43121 Parma PR, Italya
Ristorante Inkiostro
Make way for the genuine and elegant cuisine of Parma.
An elegant haute cuisine with a strong international and personal flavor that blends in with the surroundings. Assisting you in the creation of authentic Italian taste.
The restaurant has a well-stocked wine list of over 900 national and international labels. The cellar is stocked with products sought after for novelty and innovation, particularly in terms of the raw material and final product production methods.
A small restaurant that offers an avant-garde take on Emilia’s traditional produce.
Terry Giacomello’s cuisine is about creativity, drawing on global influences to create visually appealing dishes. He has created a 19-course tasting menu that includes bottarga-stuffed fresh pasta, rabbit canapés, and more.
There are 1,000 labels and 150 spirits and liqueurs housed in the cellar.
Allow great experiences to fill this small restaurant as you investigate their area of expertise! Check it out right now!
Address: Via S. Leonardo, 124, 43123 Parma PR, Italya
Salumeria Gardoni
Get a first-hand experience with the ham expert in Parma!
Since 1907, Salumeria Gardoni has been passed down through generations as one of the top 100 best and oldest in the province of Parma.
The delicatessen has selected and sold high-quality meats, cheeses, and traditional products within the historic Torrechiara shop, where tastings of the best food and wine products from local producers are conducted.
Make a tour reservation to see how ham is made and sample the various types of meat!
The proprietors make their products available for tasting at any time, paired with local and good wines.
If you want to experience Parma’s gastronomy, you should start by visiting Salumeria Gardoni. You can meet the chef and learn everything about Parma ham preparation from beginning to end.
You can enjoy their delicious meal by tasting the best ham this store provides.
Gardoni’s offered fantastic products at reasonable prices, for overall it will give you a fantastic adventure.
High-quality products are guaranteed. Visit right now!
Address: Torrechiara – Langhirano PR IT, Piazza Leoni, 5/A, 43013 Loc, PR, Italya
Sanctuary of Santa Maria della Steccata
Let your eyes shine on one of the best shrines in Parma.
It was built in 1521 to house a miraculous Madonna painting that had previously hung on the wall of a small oratory known as “dello steccato,” or wooden shield.
The name originates from the steccato, which was employed to manage the large number of worshippers who came to give their respects to an image of the venerated Madonna.
You are able to discover its design in the shape of a Greek cross with semicircular apses and square corner chapels.
A marble dome with loggia and lanterns, pilasters, windows, and mullions, was almost certainly built with the assistance of Antonio da Sangallo the Younger.
The fresco cycle that you see on the arch above the presbytery was painted by Parmigianino between 1530 and 1539 with specific detail.
Pay a visit to a magnificent place of worship while you’re in the city!
Address: Str. Giuseppe Garibaldi, 5, 43121 Parma PR, Italya
Teatro Farnese
Putting on a good show!
A modern playhouse prototype, the Teatro Farnese in Parma is Italy’s first surviving theatre to feature a permanent proscenium arch.
Rectangular wooden structures were used to create a staging area with a deep perspective for scenic effects.
There are three sets of side wings and a back shutter provided in the front of the stage, which was divided in half by two half walls, and four sets of wings or shutters were provided in the back.
It is one of Europe’s largest Baroque theaters, built for the opera tournament and a lavish theatrical genre reserved for only the most powerful princely families.
Over 3,000 people can be accommodated in the auditorium’s fourteen steep tiers of seating, each topped by a double-arched loggia.
This area was surrounded by rows of stadium-style benches. Two rows of arches rose above the benches and were topped by a small gallery filled with statues.
Be amazed how things were back in the past and how they still used this kind of Stadium. Making it more fun with a unique ambiance!
Need more reasons to visit Parma, Italy? Check out why visit Parma, Italy, at least once in your lifetime here.
Address: Piazza della Pilotta, 15, 43121 Parma PR, Italya
