Emilia-Romagna, Italy

Parma

Parma is an elegant food city, home of Parma ham and Parmigiano Reggiano, with a Romanesque cathedral and a pink marble baptistery.

Parma: Private Parma Food Walking Tour with 10 Local Food Tastings (opens the tour on Viator in a new tab)
Featured walk: Private Parma Food Walking Tour with 10 Local Food Tastings · Photo supplied by Viator

The city on foot

Parma was the capital of a duchy ruled by the Farnese and later by Napoleon's widow, Marie Louise.

Its centre is flat and compact, with delicatessens on every street. Parma is a UNESCO City of Gastronomy.

What makes Parma distinctive

  • Parma ham and Parmigiano Reggiano
  • The baptistery
  • Correggio's frescoes
  • Opera at the Teatro Regio

Walking tours in Parma

Hand-picked guided walks in Parma, each rated highly by travellers. Ratings and photos are from Viator; select a tour to see dates, prices and full details, and to book.

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By theme: Food tours in Parma

Compare with other cities: Food tours

More walking tours on GetYourGuide

GetYourGuide sells many of the same walks and some that Viator doesn't. Their list for Parma is chosen and ranked by GetYourGuide, not by us.

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Main sights

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Neighbourhoods worth wandering

  • Centro storico

    The old town.

  • Oltretorrente

    Across the river.

  • Piazza Garibaldi

    The main square.

Free self-guided walk

Duomo to the Pilotta

A free self-guided walk in Parma, from the cathedral and baptistery through Piazza Garibaldi to the Teatro Regio and the Pilotta.

1.3 km · 5 stops · map and directions

See the walk

Best areas to explore on foot

  1. Strada della Repubblica

    Through the centre.

  2. Parco Ducale

    Gardens.

  3. Torrente Parma

    Along the river.

Practical walking notes

  • Terrain

    Flat.

  • Lunch

    Many shops close in the early afternoon.

  • Bikes

    Watch for cyclists.

When to visit

  • Spring and autumn

    Best.

  • October

    The Verdi Festival.

Getting there and getting around

Arriving

  • By rail

    Trains reach Bologna in about an hour and Milan in about 1.5 hours.

Local transport

  • On foot

    The centre is walkable.

  • Buses

    Cover the city.

Questions travellers ask about Parma

How many days do I need?

One or two days.

Can I visit a cheese maker?

Yes, on tours out of town.

What should I eat?

Prosciutto, Parmigiano and tortelli d'erbetta.

Sources and review date

This guide was last updated on 2026-10-28. Opening hours, fares and services change; please confirm details with official sources before travelling.