Parma Life and Visitor Travel Tips

(Parma, Emilia-Romagna, Italy)

Centred around the Via Emilia, a prominent local thoroughfare, the city of Parma has long been a major haunt for tourists, who travel here to enjoy the relaxed life style and the sophistication. Many lovers of the opera enjoy the regular performances at the Teatro Regio, which is often filled to capacity.

Others prefer the beautiful countryside surrounding Parma and the nearby coastline of the Italian Riviera. Parma is also known for its Etruscan history, cultural attractions, numerous stone bridges and more than 50 km / 31 miles of cycle lanes.

Useful Contact Details

The city's main tourist office is located on the Via Melloni, next to the Piazza della Pace and the InformaGiovani outlet. As well as providing a range of leaflets, maps and events information, the office will also be happy to store luggage during its working hours.

Parma Tourist Office
Address: Via Melloni 1a, Parma, Italy, IT
Tel: +39 0521 21 88 89
Website: www.turismo.comune.parma.it/turismo
Open hours: Monday to Saturday - 09:00 to 19:00, Sunday - 09:00 to 13:00

InformaGiovani
Address: Via Melloni, Parma, Italy, IT
Tel: +39 0521 21 88 89
Open hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday - 09:00 to 13:00 and 15:00 to 19:00

Polidro Web (Internet Access)
Address: Galleria Polidoro 6b / Via Mazzini, Parma, Italy, IT
Tel: +39 0521 20 64 78
Another branch of Polidro Web can be found along the Via Maestri.
Open hours: Monday to Saturday - 10:00 to 20:00

Language and Dialect

As with the whole country, Italian is the language spoken in Parma, although a regional dialect known as 'Emiliano-Romagnolo' is also widely spoken in this area. Those wishing to make the extra effort and speak a few Italian phrases will find this particularly rewarding.

• Good night. - Buonanotte.
• What? - Che cosa?
• Why? - Perchè?
• I think so - Io penso di sì
• How much? - Qual è il prezzo?
• I'm sorry. - Mi perdoni.
• I'd like a double room. - Vorrei una camera matrimoniale.
• Is breakfast included? - É inclusa la colazione?
• Where can I find a taxi? - Dove posso prendere un taxi?
• Is it nearby? - E' qui vicino?
• Please can you show me? - Può mostrarmelo, per favore?
• Go straight on. - Avanti.
• What is your phone number? - Qual'e' il tuo (suo) numero di telefono?

Dos and Don'ts

• Internet Access - one of the best places to access the worldwide web in Parma is the Polidoro Web outlet at the Galleria Polidoro, off the Via Mazzini. For something a little more upmarket, pay a visit to the Web 'n' Wine outlet on the Via Massimo d'Azaglio, where you can enjoy a glass of wine whilst checking your email
• Police Station - tourists in need of police assistance in Parma will find the station on the Borgo della Posta
• Postal Services - the main post office is situated on the Via Melloni, next to the Via Garibaldi
• Smoking - since 2005, smoking is no longer permitted in all public places around Italy
• Working - non-EU citizens wishing to work in Parma should first obtain a 'permesso di lavoro' working permit