Although the charming city of Parma is primarily regarded as a popular day trip destination, it also offers fantastic opportunities for day trips from the city itself!
Located about an hour northwest by train from its more renowned neighbor, Bologna, Parma is famous for being the birthplace of iconic delicacies like Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese and Prosciutto di Parma. However, many visitors only get to experience a taste of these treats and a brief stroll through the historic center, missing out on the city’s full beauty.
If you have the chance to delve deeper into Parma and its surroundings, you’ll find a wealth of experiences that will delight your taste buds and enrich your travel memories.
During our second visit to Parma, we spent several days exploring the city and fell more in love with its stunning architecture, exquisite food, tranquility, and convenient location.
While Parma might not be as strategically located for day trips as Bologna, you’ll likely discover more places you want to visit than you can fit into your schedule!
If you’re thinking of staying in Parma for a few days, we’ve compiled a list of the best day trips to consider!
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Transportation Tips for Your Parma Day Trips
Most day trips from Parma can be conveniently reached in under 90 minutes by train, with some destinations being even closer.
In certain instances, you might find it beneficial to rent a car, take a bus, or book a guided day trip. However, Parma is quite well-connected by train overall.
We recommend using Omio to check transportation schedules and prices, as it aggregates various companies and routes for you.
For regional trains (marked as regionale), you typically don’t need to book tickets in advance; you can buy them directly at the station.
High-speed trains (such as Frecciarossa) have dynamic pricing, so it’s advisable to book tickets ahead of time for these journeys.
If you’re set on a particular day trip, we recommend checking train schedules and prices early to get a clear picture of your travel options.
Check train schedules and prices for your Parma day trips today!
If you want to venture off the beaten path, we highly recommend road-tripping throughout Emilia-Romagna (in fact, we had a car during our latest visit to Parma).
Shop rental cars for your trip to Parma today!
Exciting Day Trips from Parma, Italy
Day Trip to Parmigiano-Reggiano and Parma Ham
Our interest in visiting Parma sparked years ago due to one primary reason: the chance to visit a Parmigiano-Reggiano factory and marvel at countless aging cheese wheels!
While we’ve since grown fond of the city for numerous reasons, our experience touring Parmigiano-Reggiano and Prosciutto di Parma factories during a day trip absolutely met our expectations, making it one of our most memorable travel experiences in Italy.
Gaining insight into the behind-the-scenes process of crafting one of the world’s most beloved cheeses in a traditional setting, paired with the opportunity to sample plenty of cheese and ham, made the cheese and ham-themed day trip from Parma truly incredible.
Traveling from Parma to the Factories
The Parmigiano-Reggiano and Prosciutto di Parma factories are located in rural regions outside the city, so you’ll need to either book a guided tour or organize a visit with the factory in advance and drive yourself there.
Many tours, including this popular option, feature a visit to both a Prosciutto di Parma factory and a Parmigiano-Reggiano one—definitely an experience worth having!
However, if you prefer to focus solely on cheese, this shorter tour is a great choice.
Discover Modena
Any food-loving traveler will tell you that authentic traditional balsamic vinegar can solely originate from Emilia-Romagna, particularly Modena.
If you appreciate balsamic vinegar, Modena should rank high on your list of day trips from Parma.
If you’re not particularly fond of the vinegar over salads, we still encourage you to give it a try!
Traditional balsamic vinegar is vastly different from the store-bought varieties; it’s more akin to a rich syrup.
After developing a taste for it years ago, we returned to Modena on a day trip from Parma specifically to purchase a bottle to take home!
Additionally, Modena houses a special attraction for car enthusiasts: the Enzo Ferrari Museum, which narrates the story of Ferrari’s inception and showcases some incredible classic models.
While in Modena, don’t forget to take a moment to admire the stunning architecture of its cathedral.
Traveling From Parma to Modena
Modena is easily reached from Parma in about 30-50 minutes by direct train.
Check train schedules and prices here.
Day Trip to Bologna
Sure, many visitors take day trips from Bologna to Parma, but the reverse is equally valid!
Within one day in Bologna, you can capture many highlights of the city while knowing that the peaceful ambiance and lower prices of Parma await you at the end of the day.
During your day trip from Parma to Bologna, consider climbing Asinelli Tower for sweeping views, exploring the city’s hidden canals, visiting the Anatomical Theatre and Library of Archiginnasio, and wandering through Bologna’s vibrant food markets.
As the capital of Emilia-Romagna, any visit to Bologna should revolve around its renowned food culture.
Tagliatelle al ragu, mortadella, and tortellini en brodo are all must-try dishes when in Bologna!
Traveling from Parma to Bologna
The most convenient way to take a day trip from Parma to Bologna is by train, which takes about an hour.
Numerous trains run daily, with regional options taking a few extra minutes.
Check train schedules and prices here.
Visit Castell’Arquato
Listed among the “most beautiful villages in Italy,” the charming little town of Castell’Arquato is a wonderful day trip option for those looking to escape the crowds!
We thoroughly enjoyed our day here and would love to return for more, even though there’s not a lot to “do” in Castell’Arquato.
The food and ambiance contribute significantly to the appeal of visiting, but there are notable attractions to include in your visit!
Make sure to check out the small castle of Rocca Viscontea, which offers stunning views and houses the town’s fortress museum, as well as the Collegiata di Castell’Arquato—don’t miss the frescoes in the Chapel of Santa Caterina.
Traveling from Parma to Castell’Arquato
There isn’t a train station in Castell’Arquato itself, but you can take a bus to reach the town.
We decided to drive to Castell’Arquato, which was quite easy with ample parking surrounding the city center (you can find more details about reaching Castell’Arquato in our guide to the town).
Check rental car prices and options here.
Reggio Emilia
While Parma is recognized as the home of parmigiano-reggiano, and Modena is celebrated for its balsamic vinegar, Reggio Emilia has its own claims to fame!”
Located conveniently between the two cities, Reggio Emilia invites you to explore its beautiful streets and unique culinary offerings.
As a lesser-known gem compared to Modena and Parma, Reggio Emilia presents a perfect opportunity to savor la dolce vita for a day.
Traveling from Parma to Reggio Emilia
Reggio Emilia is easily accessible from Parma by train, with a travel time of about 15-30 minutes.
Both regional and high-speed trains offer similar travel durations, although high-speed tickets tend to be pricier.
Check train schedules and prices here.
Cremona
Nestled in southern Lombardy, the serene city of Cremona is renowned primarily for its connection to violins.
With a rich history tied to string instruments and a UNESCO designation recognizing this heritage, Cremona is a favorite among music enthusiasts.
As such, a visit to the incredible Violin Museum is undoubtedly one of the top things to do in Cremona.
Additionally, don’t miss Cremona’s Duomo, often referred to as the “Sistine Chapel of the North,” which is also well worth a visit.
While you’re there, be sure to try some torrone, a popular and delicious local treat.
Traveling From Parma to Cremona
Cremona is accessible within about an hour from Parma via train or bus.
Check train and bus schedules and prices here.
Day Trip to Milan
If you’re short on time and want to glimpse Italy’s fashion and business capital, Milan is perfectly suited for a one-day adventure.
You can easily cover the main attractions within a single day, with plenty of time to visit the famous Duomo (including its spectacular rooftop), the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, Piazza del Duomo, Sforzesco Castle, and more.
As an added bonus, Milan’s main train station is one of the most beautiful we’ve ever encountered, making the sightseeing start as soon as you arrive!
If you want to see the Last Supper, keep in mind that tickets often sell out in advance, and you may need to book a guided tour like this if you’re planning a last-minute visit.
Traveling from Parma to Milan
The most efficient way to travel from Parma to Milan is by train, taking between 45 minutes to 2 hours depending on the chosen route.
Trains operate frequently, though travel times can vary considerably between regional and high-speed services.
Keep in mind that Milan has several train stations, and you’ll want to use Milano Centrale for your day trip from Parma.
Check train schedules and prices here.
Explore Piacenza
If you’re looking to discover a stunning Italian city that’s relatively off the beaten path yet easily accessible via a day trip from Parma, Piacenza is the place to go.
Situated between three rivers, including the famous Po River, which has significantly influenced northern Italy’s economy, Piacenza is both elegant and unhurried.
Make sure not to miss the picturesque Piazza dei Cavalli, the Palazzo Farnese, and the city’s many beautiful churches, particularly the Duomo and the Basilica of Sant’Antonio.
Traveling from Parma to Piacenza
Traveling to Piacenza from Parma is a breeze via train.
The journey takes about 30-45 minutes, with trains running approximately every 30 minutes throughout the day.
Check train schedules and prices here.
Additional Day Trip Ideas from Parma
This guide highlights some of the best day trips from Parma, showcasing destinations that are just as accessible from Parma, if not more so, than from other major Italian cities.
However, there are certainly more options available for day trips!
Other notable destinations in Emilia-Romagna, such as Ferrara, Ravenna, Comacchio, and Brisighella, can also be great day trip options from Parma, especially if you’re driving—but they’re even simpler to reach from Bologna, which is why we haven’t included them here.
Expanding your search beyond Emilia-Romagna offers even more enticing possibilities: Verona, Sirmione (on the shores of Lake Garda), San Marino, and Cinque Terre are adventurous stretch day trip options from Parma—if you have a car.
Reaching these locations generally requires a connection, often through Bologna, so public transportation might not be the most efficient option.
(For Cinque Terre, you’ll want to drive to La Spezia first and then take a train to visit the villages, much like what we cover in this blog post).
Is Parma the ideal base for visiting these places? Probably not, as each destination deserves more time to explore.
However, if you’re enjoying a leisurely trip through Emilia-Romagna and curiously examining your maps, you’ll find that Parma offers many intriguing day trip options waiting to be discovered.
Shop rental cars for your trip to Parma today!
Explore More About Visiting Emilia-Romagna + Beyond
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Map of the Best Day Trips From Parma, Italy
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