Parma for free

If you love to visit the cities of art but you are saving for a Summer trip or if you wish to take a day off to discover some new places but low budget, here are some ideas to see Parma without having to break your piggy bank.

Parma is a city where you can easily walk everywhere, so you may leave your car at home and get here by train. Once in the historical center, go straight to the Tourist office on Piazza Garibaldi where you can have some information and suggestions as well as free brochures and maps (we can also send them to you for free, if you’re the type of person who loves to plan ahead!).

The heart of the city includes Piazza Duomo with the Cathedral, absolutely not to miss and, right behind, the church of San Giovanni Evangelista, both their domes are frescoed by Correggio and the entrance is free.

Another treasure, near Piazza Duomo is Piazzale San Francesco with the Cusani palace and  the House of Music, almost in front there is the House of Sound in the deconsecrated church of Sant’Elisabetta (both free).

Walk back on Borgo del Parmigianino to reach the Monastery of San Paolo, with the Stuard gallery (free entrance). Here and in the near Puppets castle, free activities, free guided tours and workshops for kids take place every weekend.

The itinerary may continue under the arcades of the Pilotta palace to get to the Verdi bridge and Ducal park, very close to which you can find the Birthplace and museum of Arturo Toscanini with free entrance. On via Garibaldi you’ll see the Regio theatre and the Basilica of Santa Maria della Steccata with the frescoes by Parmigianino. Walk on towards Via Mazzini and, before getting back to the river, you may go in the underpass between via Mazzini and the ponte di Mezzo, where is the Roman bridge.

Eating something low budget in Parma? Not only it is possible, you may also taste some of our specialties anywhere, there is no need to go to a fancy restaurant. In the wine bars, small trattorias, also in street food kind of places, you can find not only sandwiches (that with Prosciutto di Parma are not conventional sandwiches…) but also eat in or take away tortelli and cappelletti in broth!

Whenever you decide to come to visit, keep an eye on our website to check if there are events that may suit you, many times our events are free, included some concerts and exhibitions.