Attractions Nearby Parma, Day Trips and Excursions

(Parma, Emilia-Romagna, Italy)

There are plenty of interesting places and attractions for food-lovers to visit around and about Parma. This is Italy's gastronomic heartland and there's no better way to get to know it than by spending a few days touring what is known as 'food valley' by car.

Nearby Parma is also Verdi country. The famous composer was born and raised in the province of Parma and there are a number of attractions within this area which are devoted to his life and work.

Modena

Further along from Regio Emilia is Modena. The city's main attraction is a particularly fine cathedral. Visitors will also enjoy strolling through the winding maze of streets and alley in Modena's medieval old town. The city's famous connections include sporty cars, such as Ferrari, Lamborghini and Maserati.

Reggio Emilia

Around 25 km / 16 miles from Parma, Reggio Emilia makes a pleasant day trip out of the city. Its main squares are particularly lively on market days. The town offers some good opportunities to pick up regional delicacies. Other attractions include some interesting historic buildings, museums and churches. For devotees of fashion labels, Reggio Emilia has the added interest of being the home to the Max Mara fashion house.

Fontanellato

Situated about 20 km / 12 miles west of Parma are the attractions of Fontanellato, a small village best known as the centre of Parmesan cheese production. The village itself is dominated by the Rocca Sanvitale, a castle that still has its moat and which was lived in right up until World War Two. Fontanellato was also the site of a prison camp in which the travel writer, Eric Newby was imprisoned in 1942. His eventual escape from Fontanellato and subsequent adventures became the subject of his book, 'Love and War in the Apennines'.

Busseto

Undoubtedly, the main attraction of this village is the childhood home of celebrated Italian Romantic composer, Guiseppe Verdi.

As well as the 15th-century Villa Pallavicino, where Verdi lived and worked, visitors can look around Casa Barezzi, the actual spot where he performed his very first concert. Busseto is also home to the Teatro Verdi and many of Verdi's operas are still regularly performed here in front of large audiences.

Corniglio

Situated some 56 km / 35 miles from Parma, Corniglio is an all-year-round visitor destination boasting an array of recreational attractions and seasonal activities, attracting skiers in the winter and hikers during the summer months. The area around Corniglio serves as a useful base for exploring nearby small villages and mountains, including Monte Malpasso.

Langhirano

Just 14 km / 9 miles south of Parma is Langhirano, the home of Parma ham or Prosciutto. The town is packed full of warehouses, all with their distinctive tall windows left open to catch the mountain air. This gives the hanging hams their distinctive taste. As you'd expect, Langhirano has a museum which is dedicated to the history of Parma ham. A short distance away is one of a number of castles in the area, the Castello di Torrechiara. From the castle, visitors are rewarded with superb views of the surrounding countryside.