6 itineraries Updated September 29, 2026

Parma itineraries

Day-by-day plans, each costed for two

One to three days in the city, two in the Food Valley, the castles by car and a day trip from Bologna or Milan. Every plan names its days of the week and totals the cost for two.

A cappuccino and a sugar-dusted cornetto on a café table in morning light

Parma in 1 day

Churches in the morning, the Oltretorrente after lunch, the Pilotta from 5 p.m. for €10, then Strada Farini and a Bib Gourmand dinner. About €181 for two, never on a Monday.

Best Wednesday to Saturday About €181 for two, all in All on foot, about 6 km
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Historic centre loopPalazzo della PilottaParma Cathedral (Duomo)
Fresh curd being lifted in a cloth from a copper cheesemaking vat

Parma in 2 days

Day one is the historic center. Day two starts at a working Parmigiano dairy at 9 a.m. and takes the hourly bus to Torrechiara castle. Works Wednesday to Saturday, no car needed.

Day 2 on Tuesday to Saturday About €425 for two, no hotel No car: city bus and line 12
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Parma in 1 dayParmigiano Reggiano dairy visitTorrechiara Castle
A notebook, a folded map, a train ticket and an espresso on a wooden table

Parma in 3 days

Days one and two as in our 2-day plan; day three goes to the Rocca Sanvitale and the Labirinto della Masone by bus and taxi, or by car. Busseto is the car-free alternative for Verdi fans.

Day 3 any day except Tuesday About €565 for two, no hotel Bus 23, then a 5 km taxi
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Parma in 2 daysLabirinto della MasoneRocca Sanvitale, Fontanellato
Seven Prosciutto di Parma hams with brand labels hanging on a wooden wall

The Food Valley in 2 days

Day one: Torrechiara at 9 a.m., a prosciutto house at 10:30, lunch at Gaione, free balsamic in Modena. Day two: a Parmigiano dairy, the Culatello Museum, lunch on the Po and Verdi's Busseto.

By car, about 290 km in all Wednesday to Friday start About €422 for two, no car
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Food Valley day tourParmigiano Reggiano dairy visitProsciutto house visit in Langhirano
Torrechiara Castle on its wooded hilltop seen from the fields below

Castles of the Duchy in a day

Three castles and a culatello lunch in one weekday, about 134 km of driving. Torrechiara goes first because it shuts at 3 p.m.; Soragna last because its weekday tours start at 3 and 4:30 p.m.

Wednesday, Thursday or Friday About 134 km (83 miles) About €192 for two, no car
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The castles of the Duchy of ParmaTorrechiara CastleRocca Sanvitale, Fontanellato
Courtyard of the Palazzo della Pilotta with two autumn trees between its brick wings

Parma as a day trip from Bologna or Milan

Take the 8:33 a.m. regional from Bologna or the 7:50 a.m. Frecciarossa from Milan, see the Pilotta, the Duomo and the Baptistery, eat tortelli, and ride home after an aperitivo. Not on a Monday.

Bologna 58 min, €8.50 each way Tuesday to Saturday best About €154 for two from Bologna
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BolognaParma in 1 dayPalazzo della Pilotta

Build the rest of the trip

Everything else on the site, with what is in it.

Sights 15 Experiences 12 Events 7 Day trips 12 Walks 6 Areas 6 Hotels 12 Restaurants 16 Local food 12 Bars 6 Plan 8 Worth it? 8 Guides 5 Articles 4