The Host

Parma is world-famous for Parmesan cheese and prosciutto cured ham, but there's more to it than just delicious food. One of the largest cities in the Emilia-Romagna region of northern Italy, Parma is known for its celebration of music, art and architecture. An easy place to navigate, you’ll be able to wander past churches and palaces, and through piazzas and parks, while soaking up a taste of the Italian dolce vita.

Continue the foodie theme by staying in a Parma hostel that organises food tours or walking tours of the city (so you can get local tips on where to go for dinner). You'll also find hostels in Parma with fully equipped kitchens, as well as ones that serve homemade dinners and can teach you to cook like a local. To unwind after a day's exploring, choose a room with a balcony and air con, or a private room with a TV. 

Piazza Garibaldi is the city’s central hub, with outdoor cafés lining the square and plenty of opportunities for some retail therapy in the surrounding streets. Strada Luigi Carlo Farini runs off the piazza and has lively wine bars and restaurants that stay open until the early hours. Across the river, Oltretorrente is home to the Parco Ducale, with a grand palace and tree-lined avenues but a low-key student feel in its pubs and eateries. 

The Palazzo della Pilotta is an imposing residential complex housing the National Gallery, the Archaeology Museum and the Palatine Library. As the cultural hub of the city, it’s also where you’ll find the striking Teatro Farnese, one of the most famous theatres in Italy, which is built entirely from wood and plaster. The Battistero sits beside the Cathedral at Piazza Duomo and is an octagonal pink-marble monument dating back to 1196. An hour’s bus ride outside of Parma you can see the Labirinto della Masone, the world’s largest labyrinth, made from 200,000 bamboo plants.

Local buses run every 10-15 minutes and take you around the city, but with so many dedicated cycling paths, bikes are also a popular form of transport among the locals. Stazione di Parma, the city’s train station, is a 10-minute walk from the historic centre. There are connections to nearby Modena and Bologna, as well as hubs like Florence, Milan and Rome. Parma International Airport has a limited service, so it’s often easier to fly into nearby airports like Bologna, Milan and Verona. For more inspiration on what to do in this popular city, check out our guide on things to do in Parma for solo travellers.