Piacenza Car Hire

Guide of Piacenza

Geography

Piacenza is a city in the Emilia-Romagna region in Northern Italy. It sits on the south bank of the River Po, just below the mouth of the Trebbia, on the border of Lombardy. It is the ninth-largest city in the region by population.

The island is also home to some of the Aegean Sea’s most spectacular golden sand and pebbly beaches. Psili Ammos regularly ranks as one of the top 20 beaches in Europe.

Climate in Piacenza

Piacenza has a humid subtropical climate with no dry season. The warmest month to visit Piacenza is July, which experiences an average maximum temperature of 30°C. Like much of Northern Italy, January is the coldest month of the year, with average maximum temperatures of 4°C, so you’ll need to wrap up warm. The rainiest month of the year in Piacenza is October, with an average of 99mm of rainfall, while July is generally the driest.

While there is no bad time to visit, the best time to visit Piacenza is between May and September, when the temperatures are warmest and it is least likely to rain.

Culture

Piacenza is a city of many nicknames, but one of its most enduring is ‘Primogenita d’Italia’ (‘Italy’s first-born’), so-called because it was the first city to vote in favour of annexation to the Kingdom of Sardinia, which later became the Italian Kingdom.

The city has always held strategic importance, thanks to its proximity to the Lombardy border. In the 12th century, it was one of Italy’s wealthiest communes. Until the Neopolic Wars, the city was intermittently occupied by France too, which explains why the dialect sounds more similar to French than Italian. Sadly, the city was heavily bombed during World War II – including three bridges – but most of the historical centre has now been restored.

Things To Do in Piacenza

Ogle modern artworks at the Ricci Oddi Galleria d'Arte Moderna

Local art aficionado Ricci Oddi built up an impressive collection of works during his lifetime that spans major artistic schools and stylistic movements from the 1830s to the 1930s. It is now housed in a beautiful purpose-built gallery and is open to the public, with free admission on the first Sunday of every month.

Admire the Duomo di Piacenza

Piacenza’s duomo is an impressive sight. Founded in the 12th century, it is one of northern Italy’s best-preserved examples of Romanesque architecture. The 85-metre-long church features a 32-metre-tall bell tower, three circular rose windows and three ornate archways. Inside, the walls are adorned with frescoes by Morazzone and Guercino.

Peruse the palaces

Palazzo Farnese is the largest palace in the area, built in the 14th and extended by Emperor Charles V in the 15th century. Today, the five-storey building hosts the archaeological museum, as well as an art gallery and several specialist museums. Don’t miss the legendary ‘Piacenza liver’ — a life-size bronze model of a sheep’s liver covered in Etruscan inscriptions. Palazzo Gotico, in the central square, is an impressive example of civil Medieval architecture. It now houses the Civil Museum.

Have a night out at the theatre

Teatro Municipale di Piacenza was built by the same architect who designed La Scala in Milan. In fact, the 19th-century writer Stendhal proclaimed that it was “the most beautiful theatre in Italy”. The theatre can seat an audience of 1,000 and is structured in the shape of a horseshoe to maximize visibility.

Take a hike around the Adda Sud

Just north of Piacenza is the Parco Regionale Adda Sud, named after the River Adda. It’s a must-visit for nature lovers and makes an excellent break from historical and cultural sightseeing. Some 30 km of bicycle paths weave around the park, as well as hiking trails and footpaths. You can easily explore the park alone, but for a deeper insight into local birds and other creatures, it’s worth booking a tour with an experienced guide ahead of your trip.

Eating Out in Piacenza

Piacenza is celebrated for its DOP and DOC food production, including Coppa and Pancetta cured meats and Provolone Valpadana and Grana Padano cheeses. The surrounding areas boast 17 DOC wines too. Meat is a staple here, and most main dishes feature beef or lamb. For an introduction to the city’s best traditional dishes, head to Macelleria Callegari. Patrons choose their meat and preferred cuts from the butcher, the chef will cook it to taste and you can enjoy your meal in the lively restaurant.

The Taverna Rabarbaro offers one of the most reasonable and delicious lunch menus in town. The €12 daily verbal menus include water, wine, a main course, coffee and dessert. Or, for a contemporary take on classic dishes, IO Luigi Taglienti is an excellent option. Chef Luigi Taglienti creates flavour-packed dishes that ooze elegance and style.

Transport

Airport

There is no airport in Piacenza. The closest airport is Milan Linate (LIN), which is served by dozens of international airlines. The easiest way to get to Piacenza from the airport is by car: it’s a 40-minute drive along the A1 motorway. If you aren’t planning to rent a car, you can take the train or one of four daily bus services. Bologna (BLQ) is the second-closest airport, situated around 1.5 hours from the city centre.

Getting Around Piacenza

Most of the historic centre of Piacenza is pedestrianised and easy to explore on foot or by bicycle. The city is also well-connected to other major Northern Italian cities by train, including Parma, Bologna, Milan and Turin. However, if you’re hoping to explore the countryside or rural towns and villages, the easiest way to get around is by car.