Private Half Day Parma Food Walking Tour
Recommended by 99% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Parma, Italy
- 3 hours (approx.)
- Group discounts
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Explore Parma’s rich culture and fascinating history the best way possible through its cuisine! Avoid the touristy spots and eat where the locals eat guided by your private local guide. Make 5 stops at the top specialty shops, delis, eateries, pastry and gelato shops, selected for their historical significance or critical acclaim. Discover prized produce from Parma and nearby such as Parmigiano Reggiano, Modena Traditional Balsamic Vinegar and Lambrusco. Learn how to appreciate them under the guidance of an expert Parmigiano Reggiano Taster and Sommelier. Unveil the secrets of Parma Ham, Culatello, and other traditional cured meats, tasting them paired with the finest local wines. Experience a real Italian Sunday Lunch, feasting on homemade pastas, savory pies, freshly made desserts, coffee and gelato. You will leave with a stomach full of traditional food, plus local knowledge and sightseeing tips to enhance the pleasure of your trip, and a mind filled with memories.
- Learn about the culinary traditions of Emilia-Romagna from a local guide
- Upgrade to include all tastings for a hassle-free experience
- Receive tips on even more places to eat, drink, and explore
- Enjoy personal attention with a private guide in Parma for your group only
What's Included
- Professional local guide
- 5 Food and Wine Stops
- Chopping board of cold cuts: Prosciutto di Parma, Culatello di Zibello, Coppa, Salame, Spalla
- Vertical Tasting of Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese and Traditional Balsamic Vinegar
- Traditional Fresh Homemade Pasta (2 types)
- Traditional Sandwich or Focaccia or Savory Pie
- Traditional Cakes/Pastries
- Artisanal Gelato
- Coffee and/or Tea
- Bottled water
- 2 Glasses of DOC Parma Hills Wine
- Option 2 doesn’t include tasting costs
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- O BISTROTPiazza Giuseppe Garibaldi, 19/G, 43121 Parma PR, Italy
We will meet in front of "Ristorante O' BISTROT" in Garibaldi Square, next to Giuseppe Garibaldi statue. The historic center of Parma is closed to traffic. The most convenient parking is the Toschi Parking. The meeting place can be easily reached on foot in 10 minutes.
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.Itinerary
Parma (Pass By)
Parma (Pass By)
1
Parma
45 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
2
Parma
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
3
Parma
45 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
4
Parma
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
5
Parma
30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Teatro Regio (Pass By)
Basilica di Santa Maria della Steccata (Madonna della Steccata) (Pass By)
Palazzo della Pilotta (Pass By)
6
Parma
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Battistero di Parma (Pass By)
Cattedrale di Parma (Pass By)
Ara del monumento a Giuseppe Verdi (Pass By)
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Wheelchair accessible
- Stroller accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Near public transportation
- Infants must sit on laps
- Transportation is wheelchair accessible
- Surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Most travelers can participate
- Minimum drinking age is 18 years.
- Please advise of any specific dietary requirements at time of booking.
- Vegetarian and gluten free options available with prior notice. Please advise when booking.
- Not available for vegans.
- A moderate amount of walking is involved (3 km).
- This is a private tour, run exclusively for you and your family or friends.
- This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate
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Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews
5.0
based on 576 reviews
MaryAnn_M, Apr 2026
Lisa was very knowledgeable and friendly! We loved the places she took us and enjoyed the things we learned about the different foods. Really made us appreciate the work and tradition that goes into foods we take for granted. Lisa is an excellent guide!
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Dear MaryAnn,
thank you for your review. We are glad that you had a great time with Lisa on your Parma food walking tour. This region is world-famous for its culinary delights and we believe the best way to fully appreciate them is to discover their origins, their connection to the land, and the traditions associated with them. We're so happy you enjoyed learning about these products while tasting them and wandering through the streets of Parma. Thanks for choosing us, we hope you’ll join us again soon for another delicious adventure!
Best regards,
Michelle Valeria Costa
Yvonne_R, Apr 2026
If you want to see local culture and history through food, this is the tour for you. We had an exceptional experience with Lisa as she took us around Parma trying a nice range of delicacies. In addition to being a warm and friendly host, Lisa is impressively knowledgeable. An A+ outing all around!
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Dear Yvonne,
Thank you for your review! We are glad that you had a great time discovering the rich culture of Parma through its food. It’s wonderful to know that Lisa’s cultural insights enhanced your experience so much. We hope to welcome you back to Emilia soon for another culinary adventure!
Kind regards,
Michelle Valeria Costa
Wende_D, Apr 2026
This was a great way to sample the foods unique to Parma while learning about them as well. Would high
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Dear Wende,
thank you for your review! We are happy to hear that you enjoyed sampling Parma’s specialties while learning about their stories. We hope to see you again.
Kind regards
Michelle Valeria Costa
Ellen_D, Mar 2026
Roberta was an amazing tour guide! We had the most delicious cheese, meat, pasta, pastries, and gelato. She gave us lots of history on the city of Parma and conversation flowed easily. The time passed so quickly I couldn't believe it when the 3hrs was up! I would highly recommend this tour.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Thank you, Ellen, for taking the time to share these words! We're happy to hear that you enjoyed discovering the local cuisine and that the historical anecdotes about Parma and its gastronomy made the three hours fly by so quickly. Thanks again for choosing us, we hope to welcome you again soon.
Best regards,
Michelle Valeria Costa
Rich_W, Mar 2026
Roberta was a fabulous guide, knew everything about all the foods we tasted and the processes around making and delivering them. We really enjoyed the experience and there was plenty of delicious food!
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Dear Richard,
thank you for your review. We are happy you enjoyed the delicious local foods and learning about the production processes behind them! We only provide private tours because this allows us to answer any questions or satisfy any curiosities our guests may have, so we’re glad to hear that you appreciated the personal attention of your guide.
We hope to see you in Emilia again.
Best regards,
Michelle Valeria Costa
Robert_W, Mar 2026
Cecilia could not have been nicer, more experienced and helpful guide to give us a (literal) taste of Parma! Be sure to wear your best walking shoes because we covered a lot of ground over 3.5 hours. And if you get full, the restaurants and shops will be happy to pack your leftovers in takeaway boxes, great for a late-night snack!
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Dear Robert,
Thank you for your review! We are happy to hear that you enjoyed your food tour of Parma with Cecilia. As you noted, our tour is designed to be immersive, covering the heart of the city and its best culinary spots, so comfortable walking shoes are a must! We hope to welcome you back for another flavorful journey soon.
Kind regards,
Michelle Valeria Costa
Gregory_S, Mar 2026
Lisa was our tour guide. She is a local and has deep knowledge of the local food and wine. She took us to several locations within the historical city center to try different charcuterie, cheese, pasta, wine, gelato, etc. Our group was two 19 year olds, my wife and I and her father. The walking part is quite easy and you will get to see a bit of the city. My family meanders a bit so our tour ran about 45 minutes longer than usual but Lisa seemed to be enjoying herself with us. I think this is a wonderful tour and Lisa is an amazing ambassador for Parma. I would absolutely recommend this tour.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Dear Gregory,
Thank you for your wonderful review! We are glad that your family enjoyed the variety of local flavors, from charcuterie to gelato. Our choice to offer exclusively private tours allows us to avoid rushing guests. We believe the rhythm should always adapt to your needs, ensuring a relaxed pace where everyone can truly savor the city and its culinary treasures. We hope to welcome you back soon.
Kind regards,
Michelle Valeria Costa
Ryan_O, Feb 2026
I first did this tour in 2024 and it was so good we had to come back and do it again with our family the next time we visited. This is a must-do for anyone visiting Parma, a great way to learn about the city’s rich food culture and history. The guides are super knowledgeable and bring you to delis/restaurants/gelato shops and more around the city. Make sure you come hungry because you will eat very well on this tour. I would recommend it to anyone visiting Parma!
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Dear Ryan,
It was such a pleasure to have you and your family with us in Parma for the second time! We definitely agree with your advice to come hungry as we take great pride in offering our guests a tasting experience that reflects a festive family-style Sunday lunch. I’m glad you enjoyed the variety of our local delis, we love selecting spots that truly represent the soul of Parma. Thank you again for trusting us, it was a joy to see your family enjoying our history and flavors together!
Warmest regards,
Michelle Valeria Costa
Michelle_L, Feb 2026
We absolutely loved this culinary exploration of Parma. It was fantastic to learn about the city and its foodie delights. We not only tasted dishes that Parma and the area is well known for, but also some of its other specialities, so we discovered many new and delicious dishes.
Our guide Cecilia was absolutely delightful - very knowledgeable about both the food and history of Parma, and was really kind, going above and beyond to make sure we had a fantastic time. Thank you!
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Dear Michelle,
Thank you so much for this wonderful feedback! We are happy you enjoyed discovering the city, its culinary delights, and the region's lesser-known specialties. We strive to offer our guests a deeper and more authentic taste of our tradition, sharing hidden culinary gems that only a local would know. We hope to welcome you back soon to explore more.
Kind regards,
Michelle Valeria Costa
Annette_C, Jan 2026
Our tour guide Michelle was outstanding. We learned a lot about Parma, we ate very delicious food, and we had an incredible time!
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Dear Annette,
Thank you for your amazing review! The time spent together is invaluable and a Food Walking Tour is an enriching activity that is always fun for families! Thank you for choosing us, we look forward to welcoming you for new gastronomic adventures and to discovering the art and history of our beautiful region.
Best regards,
Michelle Costa
Sandra_C, Jan 2026
Great food tour. The menu was perfect and the information interesting. She went above and beyond to make sure we had a great experience!
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Dear Sandra,
Thank you for your kind words. The tastings were specially chosen to give you an idea of the “must-haves” that all the locals know and love, and we are so happy that you enjoyed them, along with the stories shared by your guide. We look forward to welcoming you back as our guests the next time you are in the area.
Best regards,
Michelle Costa
CAZ, Dec 2025
By far the best food tour I've taken across the world. Our guide was Lisa, and we booked the private tour, and it was November - noting this because they're all factors that may have lent to our incredible experience. Our party of three was welcomed by every shop we visited. It was clear Lisa had built personal relationships with each shop AND each shop we visited had historical significance and/or critical acclaim. We weren't just visiting a salumeria, we were visiting THE salumeria of Parma. Same with the gelato shop, the pasticceria, etc. Every stop was better than the last. Lisa included quick stops at points of interest along the walk and gave us recommendations along the way. I didn't think there was a pasta preparation I hadn't heard of, and then we were introduced to agnolotti en brodo - incredible comfort food. This food tour was a top five highlight of our ten days across Lombardy, Piedmont and Emilia-Romagna.
Response from Host, Dec 2025
Thank you for your wonderful review! We're truly delighted to learn that this food tour was one of the highlights of your ten-day visit to Lombardy, Piedmont, and Emilia-Romagna. We're thrilled that you appreciated the warmth and quality of our suppliers, and that you sensed that we've carefully selected them to showcase the true soul and essence of the city of Parma to our guests, a blend of tradition and innovation, thanks to the master pastry chefs, gelato makers, and chefs who strive to preserve traditional recipes and methods, and those who, while respectful of tradition, embrace it with a warm and creative approach, continually reinterpreting and renewing it. Thank you so much for choosing us! We hope to welcome you again in the future.
Best regards,
Michelle Costa
Kathleena_M, Dec 2025
Our guide was fun and very knowledgeable. It was a very enjoyable way to learn about the food and culture. The food we ate was very good! A great way to learn about Parma and the surrounding region.
Response from Host, Dec 2025
Hi Kathleena,
Thank you for taking the time to leave this review! We are happy to know you found the experience very enjoyable. We hope to have you as our guest again.
Best regards,
Michelle Costa
Cindy_R, Nov 2025
Michelle was a wonderful tour guide!!! She is knowledgeable, friendly, and a Parma local - which is highly valuable when booking a food walking tour. We specifically enjoyed all the food and history that surrounds the delicious cuisine in this region. My family had a great time and can’t wait to return to Parma. Highly recommend!
Response from Host, Dec 2025
Thank you for your wonderful review, Cindy! It was a pleasure guiding you and your family through Parma. We agree with you: a local guide can share their personal experience of places, such as their childhood memories or special places for their family, and convey their significance for the city's residents, offering a deeper and more authentic perspective than a simple historical tour. Thank you for choosing us, we hope to welcome you again soon.
Best regards,
Michelle Costa
mary_r, Oct 2025
Cecelia is warm, knowledgable and informative. We went to awesome restaurants and loved all of the courses. This has been my favorite city and food experience so far in Italy.
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Dear Mary, we are glad that you enjoyed discovering Parma and its cuisine with Cecilia. It is such an honor to know that this experience was the best you have had in Italy! We hope to see you again in the future.
Best regards,
Michelle Costa
Barbara_R, Oct 2025
It is totally worth the money. Lisa was our guide and she was absolutely fabulous. She was so personable and knowledgeable. She taught us so much about the beautiful city of Parma. I would highly recommend this tour and ask for Lisa. She was amazing.
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Thank you, Barbara! We’re so glad you enjoyed your time with Lisa. It means a lot to know the experience felt worthwhile. The reason we decided to offer only private tours is precisely so that each guide can devote their full attention to the couple/family they are guiding and share as much as possible about Parma and its traditions, even if only in three hours. We hope you’ll come back someday to discover more of Parma’s charm!
Best regards,
Michelle Costa
Kevin_K, Oct 2025
Great tour. Make sure you come hungry, so much food. We really enjoyed all the food and learning so much about the city. It was awesome. I would definitely do it again and recommend to anyone! 10/10!
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Hi Kevin,
We're happy to hear you enjoyed the experience and would recommend it! Thank you for choosing us, and we hope to have you as our guests again in the future!
Best regards,
Michelle Costa
Jean_S, Oct 2025
Very thorough food tour through Parma. Tasted three different types of Parmesan cheese, had a fantastic lunch, tasted a variety of balsamic vinegar's. Excellent tour through the town. Highly recommend this experience.
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Hi Jean,
We're so happy to hear you enjoyed the experience and found the food tour very thorough! A Parma food walking tour is an immersive culinary experience that gives you a unique insight into the local lifestyle. We hope to have you as our guests again in the future.
Best regards
Michelle Costa
Debra_G, Oct 2025
This was an excellent tour that was made even better by our amazing tour guide Cecelia. She was so knowledgeable and made the city of Parma come alive for us with her personal insights on the culture of the incredible traditions of what makes Parma unique. The food was delicious at every stop!
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Thank you so much, Debra. We’re really happy to hear that Cecilia’s personal insights helped you connect with the authentic spirit of Parma. We truly believe that having the right guide makes all the difference when visiting a new place! We hope to welcome you again someday.
Best regards,
Michelle Costa
Clea_J, Oct 2025
Roberta was right on time, friendly, extremely knowledgeable, and full of passion for the food, history, culture, language, architecture and beauty of Parma - as well as other parts of Italy. I have been on many food tours in many fabulous places, but this was definitely the best one ever! Because of Roberta’s expertise and flawless English, and because the cheese, prosciutto, balsamic vinegar, pastries, and gelato of Parma are truly unique and superb. This tour was worth every penny and more - cannot more highly recommend!!
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Thank you, Clea, for such a wonderful review! We’re so pleased to hear how much you enjoyed your time with Roberta and that the experience stood out among your many food tours. Parma has such a rich culinary and cultural heritage, and it’s a joy to share its flavors and stories with curious travelers like you. We truly appreciate your recommendation and hope to welcome you again on your next visit to Italy.
Best regards,
Michelle Costa
Susan_D, Oct 2025
Cecelia was pleasant and knowledgeable. She was very comprehensive in her explanations about the food and the places we were visiting. We enjoyed her company and all of our tastings. When in Parma this is a must tour.
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Thank you so much, Susan! We’re happy to hear you enjoyed your time with Cecilia and all the tastings. It’s always rewarding to know that our guests leave with a deeper appreciation for the city and its food traditions. We hope to welcome you again in Parma!
Best regards,
Michelle Costa
Don_M, Oct 2025
Lisa was quite knowledgeable, spoke great English, and was very personable. The food options were excellent and we felt we got an interesting sampling of all the foods that Parma is known for (and then some). Come hungry as there is plenty of food! Additionally, Lisa provided excellent commentary on the history of Parma and the neighborhoods and buildings that we passed. Highly recommended!
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Hi Don,
thank you so much for your words. We’re happy to hear you enjoyed your time in Parma with Lisa. We agree with your suggestion to come hungry, as there are so many things to taste and it’s impossible to leave any out! Thank you again for choosing us.
Best regards,
Michelle Costa
Susan_D, Oct 2025
Lisa was an amazing guide. She was filled with knowledge of the area and of the amazing foods we tried. We learned so much and were quite full!! Parma has a great history of food and Lisa showed us that. So glad we went on this tour.
Response from Host, Oct 2025
We're happy to hear you enjoyed your time with Lisa in Parma. Italian regional cuisine reveals infinite nuances of provincial and even municipal variations, historical influences, and artisanal techniques just waiting to be discovered.
We hope to have you as our guests again!
Best regards,
Michelle Costa
Courtney_G, Oct 2025
We had the most wonderful time with Lisa on our tour!! She is so knowledgeable about the history and the city of Parma as she has lived here for 18 years. We wish our tour could have been even longer as we learned so much and had such a great time.
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Thank you, Courtney! We’re so happy to hear you enjoyed your tour with Lisa. It’s lovely to know you would have stayed even longer, that’s the best compliment we could receive! We hope to welcome you again on your next visit to Italy.
Best regards,
Michelle Costa
REBEKAH_L, Oct 2025
To start, this is our first time in Italy and we came to Parma for the history and the food. Roberta was an excellent guide. She was lovely to hang out with for the afternoon, we felt welcome and at ease walking around the city with her. She is passionate and incredibly knowledgeable. Everything we tried was delicious and layered with stories, history and insights that elevated the experience. I would eat a light breakfast because we ate very well on the tour. Sample portions are generous and so delicious. Leave room to savor it all.
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Thank you so much, Rebekah!
We’re so glad you decided to include Parma in your first trip to Italy. We believe that savoring food is an experience that can only be considered complete when you know its history and connection to the land where it is produced, and it’s wonderful to hear how much you appreciated it all. We agree with your advice about coming hungry, there’s always plenty to taste! We hope to welcome you again one day!
Best regards,
Michelle Costa
Michael_A, Oct 2025
It was a wonderful gastronomical experience tasting some of the specialty meats, cheeses, and desserts of this area of Italy. In addition, we saw a few of the main sites of town and learned some of its history. Our tour guide was excellent.
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Dear Michael,
thank you for your review. We’re happy you enjoyed exploring Parma’s rich flavors and traditions with us.
We hope to welcome you again one day!
Best regards,
Michelle Costa
Jody_O, Sep 2025
Unforgettable experience! Our group of 4 couples laughed, ate incredible tastings at “locals only” spots we would never have known. Learned the history of Parma and the history behind the foods we ate. Highlight of our trip. Definitely recommend.
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Thank you so much, Jody! We’re glad your group enjoyed discovering Parma’s history, food traditions and hidden places loved by locals. One of the best aspects of our tours being private is that you can relax with your friends, and truly connect with the city. We’re honored it became one of the highlights of your trip and would be happy to welcome you back to Parma in the future.
Best regards,
Michelle Costa
Michelle_P, Sep 2025
Lisa was so knowledgeable and welcoming. And brought us to many different parts of Parma. The food tastings were perfect! COME HUNGRY!!
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Thank you, Michelle, for your kind words! We’re so glad you enjoyed exploring Parma with Lisa. For sure coming hungry is the best strategy, as there’s always so much to taste and discover. Thanks again for choosing us! We hope to have you as our guests again.
Best regards,
Michelle Costa
Michael_S, Sep 2025
The tour was excellent. Cecelia did a great job. It was just the three of us. The best part was that it was all in our neighborhood. Incredible.
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Hi Michael,
thank you for your feedback. Parma is really the perfect city to explore on foot and we’re happy you enjoyed discovering the stories hidden in your “local” neighborhood with Cecilia. We hope to welcome you back for another adventure soon!
Best regards,
Michelle Costa
Amy_F, Sep 2025
Wonderful tour of Parma with an exceptional guide. We learned so much about the foods we ate as well as foods of different regions. We had tasting flights of cheese and meats so we could understand how aging impacts the products. The true balsamic vinegar was incomparable. We also ate a number of traditional foods - some of which were only for the most adventurous of us! Highly recommend this tour.
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Thank you so much, Amy, for your wonderful review! It was a pleasure to guide you and your family. I’m happy to hear you enjoyed exploring the local specialties and glad some of the group members wanted to push themselves beyond their comfort zone and try different and never-before-tried foods. Sharing local traditions always fills us with joy. We hope to welcome you back for more delicious discoveries in the future.
Best regards,
Michelle Costa
From $133.10
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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