Car & Van Hire - Parma

Parma is an absolute paradise for foodies. Two of Italy's most famous products come from this city: the famous Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, an essential ingredient of so many pasta dishes, and the mouthwatering Prosciutto di Parma ham. Make sure to loosen your belt because while these are the most famous products from Parma, they're just the start! Stuffed pasta like tortelli and anolini, the remarkable culatello di zibello ham, borgotaro mushrooms and black truffles are all regular sights on the menu here. Parma is also the birthplace of the panini, Italy's most famous sandwich. In a country famous for food, it doesn't get much better than Parma!

After indulging in a gourmet feast, you'll probably want to stretch your legs. Try visiting one of Parma's historical buildings, like the Palazzo della Pilotta, now home to an archaeological museum, an art gallery and a theatre, or the Parco Ducale, a stately home with 200 square metres of manicured gardens. Take a stroll around the central square, the Piazza Garibaldi, where you'll see the impressive Palazzo del Governatore. The Duomo, Parma's cathedral, is another must. It has stood here for almost one thousand years and is a truly remarkable piece of architecture.

Car rental in Parma lets you see beyond the city. As you explore the region of Emilia-Romagna, you'll soon learn why it is often considered one of the most beautiful parts of Italy. There are some spectacular castles nearby, such as the Torrechiara Castle and the Fontanellato Castle. While on the way to Fontanellato, be sure to stop at the Labirinto della Masone. This is the largest hedge maze in the world, so give yourself plenty of time to get to the centre!

In summer, one of the best options for a day trip with car or van rental in Parma is the Parco dei Cento Laghi, or the park of the hundred lakes. High in the mountains, it offers a welcome respite from the heat of the city. There may not be a hundred lakes – in fact, there are nineteen – but you'll find plenty to admire as you wander along tree-lined paths and through green meadows dotted with colourful flowers. If you're lucky, you'll see some wildlife, too. Deer, eagles and owls all call this area home. Be aware if you're visiting the park that there is no mobile phone coverage. It's a good idea to take a paper copy of an area map to ensure you don't get lost.

Like most Italian cities, the centre of Parma is marked by ZTLs, which are limited traffic zones around the historical parts of the city. Unless you have a special permit, you will not be able to drive into a ZTL. If you do, you will receive a fine. Keep an eye out for the ZTL sign, which will soon be familiar if you plan to visit many cities in Italy: a white circle surrounded by a red ring. Sometimes the sign has the letters "ZTL" on it, but often it does not, leading visitors to enter without realising.

In Parma, the ZTL means you will be unable to enter Viale Toscanini, Viale Mariotti or Piazzale Salvo D'Acquisto every day from 07:30-19:30. The Via Ventidue Luglio ZTL has a shorter timetable, from 07:30-11:00 and again from 16:00-19:00.

There are several large car parks where you can leave your car for the day in Parma. The largest, on Viale Paolo Toschi, has 958 spaces and is very close to the historic centre. If you would rather avoid the stress of parking in the city and the possibility of accidentally entering a ZTL, you can look for an "exchange parking". These are located on the outskirts of the city and offer park-and-ride services. You can park for free and buy a ticket for a shuttle bus to the city centre. These services can be found at the north, south, east and west entry points of the city, as well as on Via Traversetolo.

If you want to drive between cities, watch out for toll roads. In particular, there is a toll booth very soon after entering the A15 from Parma to La Spezia. Tolls are common around Italy, and prices can vary significantly. To avoid paying a toll, take roads marked by a blue sign with the letters "SS". These are "strade statali" and offer a slower but free way of getting between cities. Check your route in advance, as sometimes the SS routes can be significantly longer.

One important road rule to remember when driving in Italy is that you must keep your headlights on whenever you are outside a city. This is enforced at all times of the day. When driving in a city by day, headlights are optional.