When you think of Switzerland, images of snowy mountains, scenic train rides, and—of course—world-famous Swiss cheese come to mind. But there’s nothing quite like tasting Swiss cheese right where it’s made. If you’re a cheese lover, exploring the best cheese factories in Switzerland is a must for your travel bucket list!
This Switzerland cheese factory tour guide will show you where to go, what to expect, and how to make the most of your cheesy adventure.
In other words: if you say chocolate, you have to say cheese. At least in Switzerland, you do.
In my chocolate factory article, I wrote about seven places that make every sweets lover’s heart skip a beat. And since cheese and chocolate go hand in hand around here, it’s about time I put together the smelly equivalent to that post.
Cheese Factory Switzerland:
1. Appenzeller Cheese Factory
Saying that Appenzeller cheese is strong and smelly would be an understatement. If you’re after something that’ll leave you with bad breath for a good couple of hours, don’t miss out on this candidate.
It’s called Switzerland’s spiciest secret for a reason.
A total of 52 places across eastern Switzerland produce eleven different types of Appenzeller cheese. Together, they churn out almost 9,000 tonnes of cheese every year — roughly half ends up in Swiss supermarkets, while the other half gets exported.
The opportunity to watch the cheese-making process is limited to one location. A visit to the Appenzeller cheese factory includes:
- An intro to some of the herbs and spices that make Appenzeller cheese so strong
- A peek into the cellar where they store up to 12,500 wheels of cheese
- A live cheese-making demonstration
Head over to their website for more details on what to expect.
How to get there:
The factory is in Stein, just 17 minutes by bus from St. Gallen. Look for the building with three massive slices of cheese out front and a sign saying Schaukäserei.
Price:
Entry costs CHF 12. If you’re also visiting the Maestrani chocolate factory, get a combo ticket for both and save 15%. Combo tickets are only available on-site, so mention your interest at the entrance.
Check Also: Top Swiss Chocolate Factories to Visit – Ultimate Guide
2. La Maison du Gruyère
La Maison du Gruyère pairs perfectly with a trip to a chocolate factory. Not far from Gruyères lies Maison Cailler — the land of milk and honey you might know from my chocolate post. An excellent combination, if you ask me.
At La Maison du Gruyère, the fun starts right after you’ve paid your admission. A friendly staff member equips you with Gruyère samples and an audio guide that takes you through the exhibition.
Throughout your visit, you’ll touch, smell, see, and taste the different aspects of a cheese that’s been around since 1115.
Believe me — after over 900 years of practice, they know their stuff.
How to get there:
Right behind the train station in Gruyères.
Price:
CHF 7. Free with a Swiss Travel Pass.
3. Emmental Cheese Factory
The Emmentaler cheese dairy has long been a cornerstone of Swiss cheese tourism. However, the facility has ceased its cheese-making operations due to economic challenges.
But don’t despair! The Emmentaler Schaukäserei remains a vibrant destination for cheese enthusiasts. You can still enjoy:
- The Emmentaler Königsweg — a self-guided tour immersing you in the history and tradition of Emmental cheese-making via interactive exhibits and multimedia
- An on-site restaurant and specialty cheese shop offering regional delicacies and cheeses from local dairies
How to get there:
Located in the village of Affoltern im Emmental, about an hour by train from Bern. Bonus tip: the Kambly biscuit factory store isn’t far away. Just saying…
Price:
Entry to the grounds is free. The Königsweg tour costs CHF 16.50 for adults, CHF 8.50 for youths (12–17), and is free for kids under 12.
4. La Maison de la Tête de Moine
If you’re looking for cheese with a weird name, you’ve just found it.
Tête de Moine translates to “monk’s head,” which is about as strange as it gets for cheese names. Two reasons explain this:
- It was originally made by monks.
- It’s not sliced like most cheeses but scraped into rosettes using a special tool. The way it scrapes off reminded people of monks’ tonsures (bald on top, hair on the sides).
Like Appenzeller, Tête de Moine is quite salty and strong — it can even cause a bit of a sting on your palate. Totally worth it, though.
La Maison de la Tête de Moine includes a museum, a traditional cheese factory, a café, and a shop.
How to get there:
Located in the village of Bellelay, about 1.5 hours from Bern.
Price:
Museum admission costs CHF 6.
5. Einsiedeln Milchmanufaktur
A hidden gem in central Switzerland, Milchmanufaktur Einsiedeln is a modern cheese dairy focused on sustainability and transparency. Here, tradition meets innovation:
- Watch cheese and dairy products crafted by hand behind glass walls
- Learn via educational displays, even outside production hours
They produce fresh alpine milk cheeses, butter, yoghurt, and other regional specialties.
How to get there:
Einsiedeln is in the canton of Schwyz, less than an hour from Zurich by train. The dairy is just a short walk from the famous Benedictine monastery.
Price:
Access to the viewing gallery is free. Public guided tours cost CHF 19 for adults, CHF 14 for kids aged 6–12.
6. National Dairy Museum
Perhaps you’re interested in cheese history rather than cheese itself. In that case, the National Dairy Museum in Kiesen might be for you.
This small museum displays a cheese dairy from 1815 in its original state and walks you through the history of Emmental cheese-making. The dairy ceased production in the late 19th century and became a museum in 1974.
How to get there:
Kiesen is a village between Bern and Thun, easily reached by a short train ride from either city.
Price:
Free entry.
7. Alpine Cheese Factory Marbach
The picturesque Entlebuch region offers stunning views — and its very own cheese dairy. While the business dates to 1981, it opened its modern production plant with a visitor gallery in 2008.
They use milk from their own cows and buffalos to produce delicious cheeses. The best time to visit is in the morning, when fresh milk arrives and the cheese makers are busiest.
How to get there:
Marbach lies roughly halfway between Bern and Lucerne. From Escholzmatt, take a bus to Marbach. Bonus tip: the train also stops in Trubschachen, home of the Kambly biscuit factory.
Price:
Visitor access is free during shop hours. Guided cheese tasting tours for groups of 10+ cost CHF 5 per person. Call ahead to book.
8. Alpine Cheese Factory Morteratsch
At the Alpine cheese factory in the Engadin region, cheese and breathtaking mountain views go hand in hand. You’ll learn about traditional alpine cheese-making, and you can stay for brunch, lunch, or a snack afterward.
Cheese production happens only during the alpine season (June–October), so check their website before planning your trip.
How to get there:
Located near the Morteratsch Glacier. From Pontresina, take a train or bus to Morteratsch. A perfect side trip if you’re visiting St. Moritz or crossing over from Italy.
Price:
Access is free. Alpine brunch costs CHF 35 per person. Call ahead to reserve.
9. Airolo Cheese Factory
The best time to visit Airolo cheese factory is in the morning (8–12), when fresh milk arrives and cheese-making begins. Visitors can watch every step of the process.
Afterward, grab a bite in their shop or restaurant. Beyond cheese, they produce cream, butter, yoghurt, and ice cream. You can also stroll through their museum to aid digestion.
How to get there:
Airolo is in Ticino, the sunny south of Switzerland. It’s a bit of a journey but a worthwhile detour if you’re exploring the region.
Price:
Entry to the factory, restaurant, shop, museum, and viewing area is free. Guided tours cost around CHF 50 — call ahead to reserve.
Say Cheese:
This list only scratches the surface of Swiss cheese experiences. With over 450 varieties, there’s simply no way to cover them all.
But now you’ve got a great starting point for exploring Swiss cheese factories.
One final tip: many farmers who take their cows and goats up into the mountains in summer produce their own Alpkäse (alpine cheese). In my opinion, it’s the best cheese in the world. To find it, just go hiking and look out for small huts selling fresh alpine cheese.
Let the cheese frenzy begin!
P.S. If you consider yourself a cheesaholic, take your adventures to the next level with the Cheese Passport. Here’s all the info you need to get started.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Are cheese factory tours guided or self-guided?
Both options exist. Some places, like La Maison du Gruyère, have interactive self-guided tours, while others offer guided tours with demonstrations and explanations.
Can I taste cheese during my visit?
Yes! Most factories and show dairies offer free tastings or paid sampling plates. Many have shops where you can buy cheese to take home.
Why visit a cheese factory in Switzerland?
Switzerland is famous for its cheese heritage. Visiting a factory lets you see traditional cheese-making, taste fresh cheeses, and learn about regional varieties like Gruyère, Emmental, Appenzeller, and more.
