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City guide

Parma

Parma is a city in the region of Emilia-Romagna in Northern Italy, known for its architecture, music, art, prosciutto (ham), cheese and surrounding countryside. With a population of 202,111 inhabitants as of 2025, Parma is the second most populous city in Emilia-Romagna after Bologna, the region's capital.

Type CityPopulation 202,111

Why go

  • City in Emilia-Romagna, Italy.
  • Served by Parma Airport (PMF).

History

Parma is a city in the region of Emilia-Romagna in Northern Italy, known for its architecture, music, art, prosciutto (ham), cheese and surrounding countryside. With a population of 202,111 inhabitants as of 2025, Parma is the second most populous city in Emilia-Romagna after Bologna, the region's capital. The city is home to the University of Parma, one of the oldest universities in the world. Parma is divided into two parts by the stream of the same name. The district on the west side of the river is Oltretorrente, meaning The other side of the stream. Parma's Etruscan name was adapted by Romans to describe the round shield called Parma.

Restaurants & places to go

Breakfast, Cafe · Opening hours: Mo-Sa 07:30-19:30; Su 08:00-12:30, 15:30-19:00 · 19/a Strada Luigi Carlo Farini, Parma, 43121 · bombeparma.com
Indoor
Seafood, Italian Pizza, Italian, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 12:00-14:30, 18:30-00:30 · 1 Via Emilia Est · ristorantedonalfonso.com
Indoor
Fish, Fast Food · Opening hours: Tu-Sa 12:15-14:30, 19:30-22:30 Features: takeaway · 15/a Via Ferdinando Maestri, Parma, 43121 · loveitalianfish.it
Indoor
Italian, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 12:00-00:00 · 3/a Borgo della Salina, Parma, 43121 · gallodororistorante.it
Indoor
Italian, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 11:45-00:00 Features: outdoor seating · 1 Piazza Giuseppe Garibaldi, Parma, 43121 · laduchessadiparma.it
Indoor
Italian, Restaurant · Opening hours: We-Mo 12:00-14:30, 19:00-24:00 · 6/e Borgo San Biagio, Parma, 43121 · laforchettaparma.it
Indoor
Japanese, Grill, Seafood, Sushi, Chinese, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 12:00-15:00, 19:00-00:00 · 30 Viale Antonio Fratti · mishimishi.it
Indoor
Italian, Local, Mediterranean, Pizza, Regional, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo, Sa 19:00-23:30; Tu-Fr 12:00-23:30 · 52 Strada Nino Bixio, 43125 · oven-restaurant.com
Indoor

292 more places in the Ultimate edition. See the Ultimate edition →

Airports

Parma Airport (PMF) 4 km to the centre
Parma (PR), 45, IT — Indoor waiting areas, but some gates board by bus or on foot across the apron — plan for the weather on the day. ✈ 1 airline (Ryanair) · direct flights to 4 destinations incl. Alghero, Cagliari, London, Trapani (OpenFlights route data).
✈ Airlines & flight paths — 1 airline, 4 direct destinations

Routes and aircraft from OpenFlights (open data; a point-in-time snapshot). * = codeshare. Linked destinations open their own guidebook. Flight numbers are not in the open data — they come from the airline or a paid schedule feed.

Indoor | Outdoor
Aviosuperficie Aviodelta 12 km to the centre
Felino (PR), 45, IT
Outdoor
San Sisto di Poviglio Airfield 15 km to the centre
Poviglio (RE), 45, IT
Outdoor

Where things are

Full geo-intelligence in Better Mapping →
Local search powered by Geoverts and geo-intelligence by Better Mapping base map © OSM

Photographs

When to go

Tourist season
May – September

The warmer, longer-day half of the year is the safest bet for a first visit.

Shoulder season
April, October

Cooler and quieter, with fewer visitors and better value.

Worth avoiding
Deep winter

Short days and the coldest weather — check local conditions before travelling.

Getting there & around

Getting there. The nearest airport on record is Parma Airport (PMF); 16 other airports serve the wider area. Check rail and road links from the tourism sources below. By air: PMF has direct flights to 4 destinations on 1 airline (incl. Alghero, Cagliari, London, Trapani).

Getting around. Use the map above to orient yourself; nearby hotels, attractions and places to eat are listed from the live Ultimate data for Parma. Local transit details will be added as the guide is expanded.

Local transit

Bus · Milan, Lombardia · Schedules & GTFS data (official feed)

Trains & rail

National rail
National rail