Things to do

For food lovers

Local food recommendations

In Fontanellato and around:

Io, Parmigianino in Fontanellato - make very good tortelli and traditional parmesan food

Salumificio Rossi (10 min drive) - a great place to try and eat the local cured meats

Podere San Faustino (18 min drive) - agriturismo close to Fidenza, beautiful outdoor veranda

Osteria di Fornio (20 min drive) - they have an amazing wine cellar and are famous for mezze maniche in brodo

Trattoria Squeri (23 min)- this is an institution for traditional parmesan cuisine

In Parma:

Da Pepèn - Riccardo's favourite sandwich place in Parma, sandiches to try: spacca and/or carciofa.

Trattoria Corrieri Parma - go there for torta fritta and cappelletti

Ristorante Parma Rotta - modern take on local classics, a bit expensive but worth it

The family business:

La Buca dei Diavoli (Noceto) and La Buca dei Diavoli (Fidenza) - the best pizza in the world! (in our humble opinion)

The Parma Food Museums Trail, 15–25 minute drive

The area surrounding Fontanellato is the heartland of Italy’s most famous delicacies. Within 30 minutes, you can visit several dedicated single-ingredient museums housed in historic buildings:

Museo del Parmigiano Reggiano (Soragna), 10 min drive: Located in an 18th-century circular cheese factory, showing centuries of Parmigiano crafting.

Museo del Culatello e del Masalén (Polesine Parmense), 20–25 min drive: Situated at Antica Corte Pallavicina right on the Po River. Learn about Culatello di Zibello (the prized cured ham of the region) and walk through medieval aging cellars hung with hundreds of hams.

Museo della Pasta & Museo del Pomodoro (Collecchio), 20 min drive: Located at Corte di Giarola, dedicated to the history of pasta-making and Emilia's famous tomato industry.

For history lovers

Reggia di Colorno, 20-minute drive

A magnificent 18th-century ducal palace that was once the residence of the Farnese family and Maria Luigia of Austria. Explore the opulent state apartments, grand courtyard, and expansive French-style formal gardens.

Historic Parma & Palazzo della Pilotta, 25–30 minute drive

Parma’s historic center is packed with history. Focus on the Palazzo della Pilotta complex, which houses the breathtaking Teatro Farnese, a massive 17th-century theater built almost entirely of wood and plaster and the Biblioteca Palatina, founded in 1761 by Filippo Borbone, Duke of Parma. Finish with a visit to the Romanesque Parma Cathedral and its octagonal pink-marble Baptistery.

Castelli del Ducato

A network of more than 30 castles, fortresses and historic residences across the provinces of Parma and Piacenza, offering a chance to explore the region’s medieval and Renaissance heritage. Our favourite: Castello di Bardi

For spa lovers

Terme di Salsomaggiore, 20–25 minute drive

Salsomaggiore Terme is famous for its Liberty/Art Nouveau spa architecture and salt-bromine-iodine thermal waters.

Book a session at QC Therme, or just pass by the palace to see the grand architecture - the main hall is open to the public.

Antico Borgo di Tabiano Castello

If you prefer a hill-view setting, head just 5 minutes further to Antico Borgo di Tabiano Castello, where you can get spa treatments tucked away in a medieval village setting.

For nature lovers

Boschi di Carrega

A protected natural park near Parma, known for its mature woodland, lakes and network of walking trails, making it a good stop for visitors interested in local flora and fauna.

Lagdei - Lago Santo

A mountain area in the Parma Apennines at around 1,250 metres above sea level, with marked hiking trails through beech and fir forests and access to the nearby Lago Santo Parmense.

For the little ones

Labirinto della Masone, 5-minute drive

It’s the world’s largest bamboo labyrinth: a massive 7-hectare maze made entirely of over 200,000 bamboo plants. Kids love the adventure of getting lost in the green pathways and climbing the central pyramid, while parents can enjoy the sleek modern architecture and art collection.

Rocca Sanvitale & The Ghost Legend (In Fontanellato)

A medieval fortress right in the town center, complete with a water-filled moat. Inside is a 19th-century optical chamber that uses dark-room lenses to project a live, upside-down view of the village square onto a white table. Local folklore also holds that the ghost of little Princess Maria Costanza roams the halls.

Further away

Cinque Terre

The coastline, the five villages, and the surrounding hillsides are all part of the Cinque Terre National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

We'll add more things in the coming months!