Parma
Go to Parma for Parmigiano Reggiano and prosciutto, a Romanesque cathedral with a Correggio dome fresco, and the Teatro Regio opera house.
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Parma is a city in Emilia-Romagna in northern Italy, and the region's second-largest after Bologna. It is known for Parmigiano Reggiano and Prosciutto di Parma, both with Protected Designation of Origin status. The cathedral has a Correggio dome fresco and stands beside its Baptistery, clad in pink Verona marble. The Teatro Regio, one of Italy's most important opera houses, is the city's other major draw.
Parma suits food lovers, opera fans and travelers who want churches, palaces and parks in one city. The Palazzo della Pilotta holds the National Gallery and the all-wooden Farnese Theatre. Parma station is on the Milan to Bologna line, so a day trip works, but one or two nights give you time to see the main churches and palaces at a slower pace and catch a Teatro Regio performance if your dates allow. Summer is hot and humid and winter is cold, so spring suits walking best. Allow a full day for the cathedral and the Pilotta.
Parma in five
- Book a cheese or ham producer visitDairies and curing houses around Parma often run tours, usually in the morning. Reserve ahead, since small producers limit visitors and some days are closed.
- See the Baptistery and Duomo togetherThe pink-marble Baptistery and the Romanesque cathedral face each other in the same square. Check opening hours and tickets for the Baptistery, which differ from the church.
- Use the Pilotta complex for rainy hoursThe Palazzo della Pilotta holds the National Gallery, a museum and the wooden Farnese Theatre. Check current opening and ticket details on the official site before you plan around it.
- Come by fast train from Milan or BolognaParma sits on the Milan–Bologna line, so day trips from either city work. Fast trains take about an hour, and regional trains take longer.Italy by train off-peak
Things to do in Parma
See all attractions in Parma
Need to know
- Airport
- Parma (PMF) is small; Bologna (BLQ), about 1 hour by train and shuttle
- Getting there
- Train from Milan or Bologna in about 1–1.5 hours
- Getting around
- On foot; the center is flat and compact
- Best base
- Near the Duomo or Piazza Garibaldi
- Time needed
- 1–2 days
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Snowy days
- Days with storms
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryPartly cloudy7 rainy daysHigh7°Low1°Cold, foggyJanuaryPartly cloudy
Poor
- High
- 7°
- Low
- 1°
- Precipitation
- 50 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, foggy
- FebruaryPartly cloudy8 rainy daysHigh11°Low3°ColdFebruaryPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 11°
- Low
- 3°
- Precipitation
- 70 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold
- MarchPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh15°Low5°MildMarchPartly cloudy
Good
- High
- 15°
- Low
- 5°
- Precipitation
- 61 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild
- AprilPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh18°Low8°Spring walksAprilPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 18°
- Low
- 8°
- Precipitation
- 75 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Spring walks
- MayRain14 rainy daysHigh22°Low12°Warm, idealMayRain
Best
- High
- 22°
- Low
- 12°
- Precipitation
- 136 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, ideal
- JuneClear9 rainy daysHigh29°Low17°Hot, long daysJuneClear
Best
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 17°
- Precipitation
- 68 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, long days
- JulyClear9 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh31°Low19°Hot, quietJulyClear
Good
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 19°
- Precipitation
- 66 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Hot, quiet
- AugustClear9 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh32°Low19°Hot, quietAugustClear
Mixed
- High
- 32°
- Low
- 19°
- Precipitation
- 81 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Hot, quiet
- SeptemberPartly cloudy8 rainy daysHigh26°Low15°Harvest foodSeptemberPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 26°
- Low
- 15°
- Precipitation
- 78 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Harvest food
- OctoberPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh20°Low11°Autumn foodOctoberPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 20°
- Low
- 11°
- Precipitation
- 93 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Autumn food
- NovemberPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh12°Low6°Foggy, dampNovemberPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 12°
- Low
- 6°
- Precipitation
- 91 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Foggy, damp
- DecemberPartly cloudy8 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh8°Low2°Christmas lightsDecemberPartly cloudy
Poor
- High
- 8°
- Low
- 2°
- Precipitation
- 79 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Christmas lights
Average daily high and low in Parma, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Parma
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
5
- Feels like
- 3°
- Humidity
- 80%
- Wind
- 5 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 0%
Parma
01:04 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today15°5°0%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 15°, Low 5°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Wed14°6°15%Wednesday: Rain. High 14°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 15%.
- Thu13°8°14%Thursday: Cloudy. High 13°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 14%.
- Fri10°7°60%Friday: Rain. High 10°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 60%.
- Sat11°6°59%Saturday: Rain. High 11°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 59%.
- Sun13°6°30%Sunday: Rain. High 13°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 30%.
Updated 11:20 PM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Every year
- Jun–SepArena di Verona FestivalVerona, a day trip
- SepFestivaletteraturaMantua, a day trip
Day trips by train
Before you go to Parma
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Rules for Parma, checked
- Italy is in the Schengen Area, and many nationalities can enter visa-free for short stays. Check entry rules on the Italian Foreign Ministry site (esteri.it) before you book.
- Dial 112 for police, fire or an ambulance anywhere in Italy.
- Parma's historic centre has a restricted traffic zone (ZTL). Driving in without a permit can bring a fine, so check the rules with the Comune di Parma before you drive in.
- Restaurant bills often include a cover charge (coperto), so check the bill before you add a tip.
- Customs at home may limit meat and dairy products bought in Italy. Check your home country's rules before you pack Parma ham or cheese.
Plan around Parma
Regions, cities and how to link them
Read the guideEmilia-RomagnaThe region's cities and food routes
Read the guideModenaBalsamic vinegar and Ferrari country
Read the guidePiacenzaThe next stop west on the Via Emilia
Read the guidePaduaAnother north Italian university city
Read the guideItaly by train off-peakRail routes outside the summer crush
Read the guideParma FAQ
Is Parma worth visiting?
Yes if you care about food and want a calmer city. The Baptistery, the Pilotta complex and the food are the draw. It is less dramatic than Bologna or Florence, so it suits one or two relaxed days.
How many days do you need in Parma?
One day covers the Duomo, Baptistery and a long lunch. Two days let you add the Pilotta, a producer visit and an evening aperitivo. A third is only needed for day trips to Modena or Bologna.
Is Parma a good day trip from Milan or Bologna?
Yes. Fast trains take about an hour from either city, and the center is walkable. Book any producer visit in advance, and plan to arrive before lunch.
What should you eat in Parma?
Parmigiano Reggiano, Prosciutto di Parma, tortelli d'erbetta and torta fritta with cold cuts. Ask for a mixed platter, then add one pasta dish. The region is known for these, so skip generic menus.
When is the best time to visit Parma?
April to June and September to October for mild weather and walking. Winter is foggy and quiet, and July and August are hot with some places closed.