POSTCARD FROM PARMA

Where Clay, Culture, and Cuisine Collide.
Explore in this article…
PLAY      WHAT TO SEE       SHOP      EAT, DRINK & BE MERRY    READ  SLEEP

PLAY: PARMA LADIES OPEN – MAY 12–17, 2025

The Parma Ladies Open presented by Iren returns this May at the charming Tennis Club Parma — a boutique WTA 125 event with big appeal. With rising stars and seasoned pros battling it out on clay, it’s a perfect excuse to explore one of Italy’s most underrated gems.

All Court Tennis Club members can experience the action with preferred seating, pro meet-ups, and city-led discovery — email concierge@allcourttennisclub.com to find out more.

what to SEE

Parma isn’t just a tennis stop — it’s a canvas of history and high culture.

  • Marvel at the Palazzo della Pilotta and the Ducal Palace, Renaissance treasures that whisper the legacy of the Farnese family.
  • Step inside the Parma Cathedral and the stunning Baptistery, where Romanesque meets Gothic.
  • Feel the spirit of Parma’s artistic sons — composer Giuseppe Verdi, painter Correggio, and sculptor Benedetto Antelami — alive in every theatre, fresco, and square.

Don’t miss the Teatro Regio, one of Italy’s most celebrated opera houses, or the tranquil paths of Parco Ducale, perfect for a post-match stroll.

SHOP

Explore Italian elegance along Via Cavour and Strada della Repubblica, where boutique fashion meets local artisans.

Visit the Galleria Nazionale di Parma’s gift shop for art books and tasteful souvenirs, or hunt down regional delicacies to take home — from aged balsamic to handmade pastas.

Eat, drink and BE merry

Parma is Italy’s secret gastronomic capital — a UNESCO Creative City for Gastronomy and the beating heart of the Food Valley.

Here, every dish tells a story:

  • Start with Prosciutto di Parma, carved wafer-thin by artisans who treat ham like heritage.
  • Pair it with Parmigiano Reggiano, aged to perfection and cracked open like treasure.
  • Wash it down with local Lambrusco or a spritz at golden hour in Piazza Garibaldi.

Dine at:

  • Trattoria del Tribunale for rustic authenticity
  • Ristorante La Forchetta for modern classics
  • Parizzi for a Michelin-starred tasting of the region’s soul

Add in a sweet finale at Pasticceria Torino, where pastries and espresso flirt on every plate.

Despite its size, Parma has the energy of a big city and the intimacy of a village. With vibrant university nightlife and centuries-old taverns, it’s no wonder some call it “Little Paris.”

READ

Before or during your trip, immerse yourself in Parma: A Capital of Culture by Giuseppe Bertini.  Also, explore The Charterhouse of Parma by Stendhal — a literary classic set against the backdrop of Parma’s political intrigue and aristocratic life. Part romance, part satire, it paints a vivid picture of the city’s character in the early 19th century and remains a cornerstone of European literature.

SLEEP

Stay central at:

  • Grand Hotel de la Ville, with its refined comforts and ideal location
  • Or opt for boutique charm at Hotel Button — warm, local, and effortlessly stylish

For All Court Tennis Club members, we offer preferred rates at partner properties. Reach out to our concierge for bookings and perks at email concierge@allcourttennisclub.com

JOIN US IN PARMA

It’s more than a tournament. It’s a celebration of game, taste, and tempo.

Come for the tennis. Stay for the city. Leave full in every way.