9 Swiss cheese factories you should not miss

The attentive viewer of a menu featuring Swiss cuisine quickly realizes that a particular ingredient runs like a red thread through our culinary landscape.

Of course, we’re talking about Swiss cheese.

There’s some disagreement about how many varieties of cheese exist in Switzerland. Some sources say there are 450 types, while others claim it’s over 700. Let’s just agree that there’s a significant abundance of Swiss cheese. Theoretically, you could make a New Year’s resolution on January 1st to try a different cheese every day, and by New Year’s Eve, you still wouldn’t have tasted the whole range.

All this cheese has to be made somewhere. Luckily, there are some farm dairies that can guide you through the process and give you a glimpse into their production facilities.

In this article, we’ll present you nine Swiss farm dairies located across the country that open their doors to visitors.

Emmental show dairy

Ask a child to draw you a piece of cheese and the result will most likely be a piece of Emmentaler. This cheese with holes is the reason why most people think that Swiss cheese always comes with holes.

Emmental cheese comes in various degrees of strength. Starting with the mild AOP Classic and ending with the recent AOP Cave-Aged.

What is the Emmental Cheese Factory?

The Emmental Cheese Factory has something for everyone. You have the chance to watch the cheese-making process up close, make fresh cheese yourself, join a guided tour, or learn all about this traditional cheese brand on the King's Path. The factory's restaurant offers a wide selection of classic and unique dishes, ensuring that cheese takes center stage.

How much does it cost to enter the Emmental Cheese Factory?

Visiting the Emmental Cheese Factory is free. However, there are individual prices for special offerings, like public tours or your own cheese-making session.

For instance, you can craft one or two wheels of Stöcklikäse from 200 liters of fresh raw milk with a group of up to 20 people. The recipe dates back to 1741. Each wheel weighs 8-10 kg. For two hours of hands-on work with a cheesemaker, the group pays 250 CHF. The first wheel costs 240 CHF, and a second one costs 200 CHF. The cheese will be delivered to your home after 4 months.

A public tour costs 150 CHF for a group of up to 25 people as a base price. Additionally, each person aged 12 and older pays an individual fee. It’s 5 CHF for youths up to 17 years and 8 CHF per adult.

Where is the Emmental Cheese Factory located?

The name gives it away. This cheese originates from the Emmental region in the canton of Bern, where you'll also find the cheese factory. Affoltern im Emmental is easily accessible by car and public transport.

The House of Gruyère

Gruyère is a classic among Swiss hard cheeses and is often included in fondue mixes. It has been produced for over 900 years and is a must-have on any traditional cheese platter.

What is The House of Gruyère?

In the cheese-making exhibition of the Gruyère empire, you will explore all your senses to uncover the secrets behind this tasty cheese and how it is made. The tour begins with an interactive museum that explains all aspects of Gruyère.

You will hear cowbells ringing and cows mooing, smell the fragrance of alpine flowers and hay, feel a cowhide or cheese brush, and taste various types of Gruyère cheese. Additionally, you’ll get a direct insight into cheese production and the massive storage facility where thousands of cheese wheels are in the aging process.

At the entrance, you will receive an audio guide that explains everything in detail. Afterwards, you can stock up on various treats in the shop – whether it’s a souvenir stuffed cow, a pack of fondue, a cheese knife, or other regional dairy products.

The House of Gruyère also features a restaurant that leaves little to be desired in terms of culinary offerings.

How much does it cost to enter The House of Gruyère?

Entrance to the museum costs 7 CHF for adults. If you plan to visit the nearby castle in the old town of Gruyères afterwards, you can get a combo ticket for 16 CHF.

Where is The House of Gruyère located?

As the name suggests, this cheese originates from the French-speaking part of Switzerland – the Gruyères region in the canton of Fribourg. The cheese-making exhibition is located right behind the train station. You can easily reach Gruyères by train from Fribourg via Bulle.

If you’re driving, The House of Gruyère is very accessible as it is not far from the A12 motorway between Bern and Lake Geneva.

Appenzeller Show Cheese Dairy

The recipe for this cheese is a closely guarded secret. This is made clear on every advertisement board and in countless video clips. Most often in a very creative way, as you can see in these funny videos.

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What’s not a secret, however, is that Appenzeller cheese is quite strong and not for the faint of heart. Although the range includes all degrees from mild to extra strong, there isn’t really a truly “mild” Appenzeller. So be prepared for a bold and spicy cheese that quickly announces its strong smell when you lift the cheese bell.

What is the Appenzeller Show Cheese Dairy?

At this Appenzeller Show Cheese Dairy, everything revolves around “the spiciest secret of Switzerland”. In the viewing area, you’ll learn about everything that isn’t a secret.

You’ll get plenty of interesting facts about the traditions of the Appenzell region, gain insight into the cheese cellar where up to 12,500 wheels of cheese are stored. You can watch the pros at work, and even have the chance to mix your own herb blend.

If you’re looking for inspiration for your next hike in the area, the virtual 360-degree view of the Appenzeller Alps through binoculars is just the thing. In the traditionally styled Appenzeller restaurant, there's a wide selection of typical cheese dishes, and in the shop, you can take home a fondue mix or a piece of your favorite Appenzeller.

How much does entry to the Appenzeller Show Cheese Dairy cost?

Adults pay 12 CHF for entry to the cheese dairy, with various discounts available for students or families. If you combine your visit with a culinary trip to the Chocolarium in Flawil, you’ll receive a combo ticket for 20 CHF on-site.

Where is the Appenzeller Show Cheese Dairy located?

The cheese dairy is located in Stein in the canton of Appenzell Ausserrhoden. The easiest way to get there by public transport is via St. Gallen, followed by a post-bus ride to Stein. If you're driving, you can also approach it either via St. Gallen or directly from the motorway via Gossau and Herisau to Stein.

Cheese dairy les Martel

This small show dairy is located in the heart of the Neuchâtel Jura in western Switzerland. Besides Gruyère cheese, they also produce other cheeses such as the blue cheese "Bleuchâtel". Here you have the perfect opportunity to observe step by step the production of one of the most famous cheeses in Switzerland. Of course, you can also taste the finished cheese at the end.

What is the cheese dairy les Martel?

In this small cheese dairy cheese is made every day from 8:00 to 10:00. During a visit you will learn everything about the production of the famous Gruyère AOP and other cheeses. In the exhibition with explanations you will be introduced to the craft of cheese making.

For children there is a playground. There is also a restaurant and a store on site.

The dairy is open Monday to Saturday from 7:00 to 12:00 and from 17:00 to 19:00. On Sunday it is open from 8:00 to 11:00 and from 17:00 to 19:00.

How much is the entrance fee to the cheese dairy les Martel?

The entrance to the cheese dairy les martel is free. If you book a tasting, you pay 6 CHF. With breakfast, the entrance fee is 15 CHF.

Where is the cheese dairy les Martel located?

The cheese dairy is located in Les Ponts-de-Martel. From Neuchâtel you can reach the cheese dairy in about 45 minutes by public transport.

The House of the Tête de Moine

The vast majority of cheese types can be enjoyed quite simply without any thought given to preparation. Just cut off a piece and pop it in your mouth. However, there’s a category that requires a bit of infrastructure. This includes the classic fondue and raclette, as well as the Tête de Moine.

This peculiar cheese, which translates to "Monk's Head", is shaved in a circular motion with a knife from a wooden plate, resulting in the savory cheese rosettes that must not be missing from any cheese platter.

What is the House of the Tête de Moine?

The House of the Tête de Moine is a mix of museum, cheese factory, grocery store, and café. In this large stone building, you are transported back several centuries and can easily imagine how this traditional cheese was made here in the past. The museum is located opposite the abbey, where the famous cheese was first produced over 800 years ago.

How much does it cost to enter the House of the Tête de Moine?

Admission to the museum costs 6 CHF for adults. Group tours can also be organized, which include a drink for each participant and two Tête de Moine wheels that are sent four months after the visit.

Where is the House of the Tête de Moine located?

The House of the Tête de Moine isn't the easiest place to reach. It is located in Bellelay, a small village in the Bernese Jura, which has only a few postal bus connections. A visit to the museum is ideally combined with a hike, for example, starting from Saignelégier, Moutier, or Tavannes. By car, the fastest way to get there is via the A16 through Biel to Tavannes or Moutier.

Gotthard Cheese Show Dairy

The cheese produced at the Casaeificio del Gottardo in Airolo isn’t as famous as Appenzeller, Emmentaler, or Gruyère. But that doesn’t mean it’s any less special. Various types of cheese are made in the Ticino Alps, ranging from soft to semi-hard and hard, including Raclette and fondue mixes.

What is the Gotthard Cheese Show Dairy?

Visitors to the Gotthard Cheese Show Dairy can watch all the steps of cheese production live, thanks to the spacious windows—everything from milk delivery to the final product. The best time to see this in action is between 8:00 and 12:00, when the freshly delivered milk is processed.

This cheese dairy is one of the first of its kind in the region. It features a restaurant and a shop that offers much more than just cheese. You’ll also find plenty of cream, milk, butter, yogurt, and ice cream here.

How much is the entrance fee for the Gotthard Cheese Show Dairy?

Entrance to the Gotthard Cheese Show Dairy is free. Guided tours in various languages can be organized upon request, for which you should budget around 50.- CHF.

Where is the Gotthard Cheese Show Dairy located?

The Gotthard Cheese Show Dairy, referred to in Italian as “Casaeificio del Gottardo”, is located in the Ticino village of Airolo. You can get to Airolo by public transport from the Ticino cities of Bellinzona, Lugano, and Locarno—or by coming from the north through Central Switzerland by regional train.

By the way, the Gotthard Panorama Express passes through here before heading into the old Gotthard tunnel towards Göschenen. You can find a detailed description of this scenic journey and an option to incorporate a stop along the way in our article about the panoramic trains of Switzerland.

For those driving, you can also reach the dairy via the Gotthard tunnel from the north or from the south via the A2 motorway through Bellinzona.

Marbach cheese dairy experience

The Entlebuch has not only a UNESCO certified biosphere to present, but also its own cheese dairy. In Marbach all kinds of cow's milk cheese, but also cheese from buffalo milk are produced.

What is the Marbach cheese dairy?

In the very attractively decorated visitors' gallery at the Marbach Adventure Dairy, you can find out how milk is turned into cheese, where Switzerland's first buffalo mozzarella came from, and much more. You will also get an insight into cheese production and can taste one or the other delicacy in between.

In addition to the visitors' gallery, there is a store in the cheese dairy with various dairy products from cows and buffaloes. Guided tours including an aperitif can also be booked if you want to learn more about the operation. If you would like to combine your visit to the cheese dairy with the two-hour adventure trail, you have the opportunity to do so during the summer months. This trail leads through the beautiful landscape of the Entlebuch and is particularly suitable for families.

How much does admission to the Marbach Adventure Dairy cost?

Admission to the visitors' gallery of the adventure cheese dairy is free of charge. For a guided tour, a flat rate of CHF 50 is charged for up to ten people.

Where is the Marbach Adventure Dairy located?

The adventure cheese dairy is located in Marbarch, a village in the middle of the Entlebuch. By public transport you can reach it by train from Lucerne or from Bern in less than an hour. By car, too, many roads lead to Marbach via Thun, Bern or Lucerne.

Morteratsch Alpine Cheese Dairy

What would an article about cheese production in Switzerland be without mentioning this important branch? In summer, cheese is made in the Alps using the milk from grazing cows, and it's either sold on-site or in the valley.

The Morteratsch Cheese Dairy offers a variety of products, including Heutaler mountain cheese, Gletscher-Mutschli, and fresh whey cheese.

What is the Morteratsch Alpine Cheese Dairy?

The traditional cheese-making demonstrations in Morteratsch take place only during the summer season from June to October. During this time, you can watch the cheesemaker at work every day from 9:30 to 11:00 and from 13:30 to 15:00, crafting cheese without the assistance of machines.

At the restaurant, you can grab a bite to eat throughout the day, whether it's the sought-after reservation-only Alpine brunch, the Alpine lunch, or a quick snack in between. If you want to treat your skin to something special, the cheese dairy also offers whey baths, complete with Prosecco and snacks.

How much does it cost to enter the Morteratsch Alpine Cheese Dairy?

Watching the cheese-making is free at the Morteratsch Alpine Cheese Dairy, so you can save your entry fee to enjoy one of the many dining options available. The whey bath costs CHF 60 per bath—whether alone or for two—and you get three hours of soaking time. Towels are included in the price.

Where is the Morteratsch Alpine Cheese Dairy located?

Here's where it gets a bit tricky. The Morteratsch Alpine Cheese Dairy isn't exactly around the corner, and the journey may take a bit longer depending on your starting point—though all this is relative to Swiss standards.

By train, you can reach the dairy in about 30 minutes from St. Moritz via Pontresina. It's located along the route of the Bernina Express, another popular scenic train in Switzerland. So, you can nicely combine a visit to the dairy with a trip to the Bernina Pass or even all the way to Tirano in Italy.

The cheese dairy is right next to the Bernina Pass road and is easily accessible by car, bike, or motorcycle.

National Dairy Museum

If you're more interested in the history of cheese and don't necessarily want to get directly involved, the National Dairy Museum might be a great alternative for you. This small museum offers plenty of fascinating information about the history of cheese making.

On one hand, there's an old cheese kitchen showcasing the production conditions from 200 years ago, a video about the creation and production of Emmental cheese, and various objects and images highlighting the beginnings of commercial cheese making. Did you know, for example, that cheese was only made in the summer on the alpine pastures back in the day?

How much does it cost to enter the National Dairy Museum?

Admission to the National Dairy Museum is free.

Where is the National Dairy Museum located?

The museum is located in Kiesen in the canton of Bern, not far from Thun. You can get there by train or car via Bern or Thun.

Cheese in the Swiss Alps

As already mentioned, cheese is diligently produced in the Alps during the summer and almost all of them sell their products directly from production. If this is the case, there is usually a sign on the side of the trail advertising the products. Normally, the operators of the alp sell fresh milk, goat or cow cheese and sometimes wood oven bread.

There is hardly a better opportunity to get a glimpse of mountain life and exchange ideas with the locals. And if you get lost or have questions about the hiking area, you will usually be gladly helped here.

If you don't have time to visit the alpine pastures, or if the weather throws a wrench in your hiking plans, you still don't have to miss out on the delicious alpine cheese. Swiss alpine cheese is sold in almost all grocery stores - from small village stores to large supermarkets

While the experience isn't the same as buying cheese straight from the cheese cellar and walking past the milk-giving cows, it's still a worthy alternative.

More information about Swiss cheese

Before the cheese journey comes to an end, we have some last helpful tips and information about the spicy Swiss trademark for you.

The Swiss Cheese Passport

With the Swiss Cheese Passport, you'll enjoy various benefits and discounts at the first five show dairies in this article. These include, for example, price reductions of 10% on cheese purchases at all locations, discounts on admission prices of up to 30%, and many other discounts

In addition, there is a contest for those who submit a stamp on the entry card from each participating show dairy. The passport including the competition card is available at all participating show dairies or can be downloaded online from the Swiss Cheese website

The Cheese Finder

Aside from the cheese passport, there's tons of additional material on the Swiss Cheese website. Starting with information on production and stopping at a variety of recipe suggestions. My favorite on the site is the Cheese Finder, which gives you a remarkable overview of the extensive range of Swiss cheeses.

Whether you're looking for inspiration for your cheese board, want to discover new cheeses, or can't remember the name of your favorite cheese, the Cheese Finder with its handy filter will help. A more comprehensive cheese encyclopedia will be hard to find.

The Swiss Cheese Subscription

This offer currently only exists for people living in Switzerland or Liechtenstein. But it is too ingenious not to mention it here.

On Cheezy's website, you have the option of having a carefully crafted cheese box delivered to you every month. You have a choice of eight different boxes in different strength and price ranges, so you can keep trying new varieties that you might not otherwise buy.

The subscription has no minimum term and can be interrupted or cancelled at any time. If you just want to give it a try, there is also a single box that doesn't tie you to a monthly recurrence