How to visit a Parmigiano Reggiano dairy from Parma

Can you visit a Parmigiano Reggiano dairy from Parma?

Yes: several dairies near Parma run guided visits, from a two-hour stop at an organic farm to half-day tours that add a ham producer.

Parmigiano Reggiano can only be made in the provinces of Parma, Reggio Emilia, Modena, Bologna west of the Reno and Mantua south of the Po, so you do not need to go far. The dairies are working businesses: you follow a guide through the making room, the salting room and the aging rooms, and finish with a tasting of different ages. Most visits last 1.5 to 2.5 hours at the dairy itself.

What time should you visit a Parmigiano dairy?

As early as you can: the cheese is made in the morning, and afternoon visits mostly show the aging rooms rather than the vats at work.

The operators say so themselves. The From Milk to Wheels dairy notes that its 9 AM tour is the one that shows the birth of Parmigiano, because the cheese is made once a day in the morning; later tours still see the farm and the aging rooms. Another dairy near Parma, sold on GetYourGuide by the same local operator for about $63, opens its production rooms to visitors only at 7:30 and 8:30 AM. Guests on the Parmigiano and Parma ham tour who went in the morning report seeing the entire process. If the only slot left is in the afternoon, book it knowing you will see wheels on shelves, not curd in cloth.

Which Parmigiano dairy tours can you book?

Six options on this site, from the $50 organic dairy you reach yourself to the $220 private tour with a driver option.

From-prices per person in USD; ratings and review counts are each platform's own.

Is the $50 organic dairy tour worth it?

Yes, if you can get there early: 1.5 hours at a working organic farm dairy with its own cows, then 30 minutes tasting three ages, rated 4.9 from 262 reviews.

From Milk to Wheels takes place at Borgo del Gazzano, Strada Gazzano 69, on the edge of Parma. The milk comes from the farm's own herd, and the guide walks you through the senses: seeing, touching, smelling and finally tasting. The catch is transport: it is about 15 minutes by taxi, and buses run only three times a day, so book the 9 AM slot and a taxi both ways. Guests like that it is a real working farm, where you see everything from the cows eating to the tasting.

A working organic dairy farm on the edge of Parma with three ages to taste, for about the price of lunch.

★ 4.9 262 reviews · 2 hours · from $50

Explore the organic farm dairy tour →

What is the $91 cheese factory visit like?

A 2.5-hour visit with a minibus from Viale Paolo Borsellino 31, beside the north exit of Parma station, headsets for the guide and a tasting with local wine.

The cheese factory visit is the simplest way to see a dairy without a car: the van ride is short, and you are back by the station afterwards, which suits a day trip by train. Guests report seeing every stage, from the curd being pulled from the vats to the aging rooms, and some were guided by the farm owner himself; the tasting comes with Lambrusco. The ParmaLook rules apply: no sandals or open shoes, no large bags on the van, and a late arrival is a no-show.

What do you see on a Parmigiano dairy tour?

The copper vats, the curd lifted out in cloth, the moulds, the brine and the aging rooms with thousands of wheels, ending with a tasting.

• The milk: the evening milk is skimmed and mixed with whole morning milk in bell-shaped copper vats.
• The vat: about 1,100 litres of milk make two wheels, roughly 550 litres for each wheel of about 45 kg.
• Rennet and curd: animal (calf) rennet sets the milk; the curd is broken into tiny grains and cooked.
• Lifting: the mass is lifted out in cloth, cut in two and put into moulds.
• Brine and aging: the wheels float in brine, then age on wooden shelves for at least 12 months.
• The test: an expert taps every wheel with a hammer before it is fire-branded.

What are the rules on dairy tours?

Closed shoes, no strollers or large bags on the van tours, and be on time: on the ParmaLook tours a late arrival is a non-refundable no-show.

• Shoes: no sandals, flip-flops, slippers or open-toed shoes on the van tours.
• Bags and strollers: no luggage, large bags, strollers or baby carriages on the Parmigiano and Parma ham tour.
• Late arrival: a late train or traffic still counts as a no-show, with no refund or rebooking.
• Access: the van tours are not suitable for wheelchair users.
• Work in progress: the private Food Valley operator warns that artisan producers do not work every day to the same timetable, so you may not see every step.
• Cancellation: every tour here cancels free up to 24 hours before.

Can you buy Parmigiano at the dairy?

Yes: the dairies on these tours have shops, and tastings usually compare ages such as 12, 24 and 36 months so you know what to buy.

The Parmigiano and Parma ham tour ends its dairy visit at an on-site shop, and guests on the cheese factory visit mention buying plenty afterwards. Younger cheese is softer and milder; older cheese is drier, crumblier and more savoury. Vacuum-packed pieces travel well in a suitcase, but check your home country's rules on bringing in cheese before you fill a bag. For a private visit at your own pace, the Food Valley private tour starts at 8:30 AM with an hour at the dairy.

Frequently asked questions