Whether your favorite variety is mozzarella, cheddar, feta, gouda, or brie, some places around the world have become famous for the cheeses they produce. Not only is cheese delicious, but it’s also incredibly versatile. From grilled cheese sandwiches to cheese paired with high-end wine, there’s a whole lot you can do with cheese in the culinary world.
For foodies who can’t get enough of the stuff, plan to take your next trip to one of these amazing cheese destinations. Cheese looks, smells, and tastes differently wherever you go, so broaden your cheese horizons and find your new favorite!
Amsterdam, Netherlands
People in the Netherlands really do love their cheese, and there’s no better place to start your cheese journey here than in Amsterdam. The Amsterdam Cheese Museum is near the Anne Frank House, and the shops around town have lots of samples so you can choose your favorite one to buy. You can find other great cheese markets in The Netherlands as well, including the Gouda Cheese Market in the west and the Edam Cheese Market in Hoorn. Gouda is one of the most famous Dutch cheeses by far.
Waterbury, Vermont
Hands down, Vermont is one of the very best places in the U.S. to be if you’re a big fan of cheese. The region offers lots of artisanal cheese varieties, including gorgonzola, Greek feta, and the famous white cheddar. You can tour the markets, farms, and factories around the state to learn more about why cheese-making has become so popular here. Take a drive around the small town of Waterbury to the cheese shops that offer delicious free samples. The Ben & Jerry’s ice cream factory is also here, so take a tour to round out your culinary experience!
Gruyères, Switzerland
Gruyère is one of those cheeses that you either love or hate. Either way, a trip to the town of Gruyères in Switzerland is a must for any cheese lover. This hard yellow cheese has been made here for many centuries, and it’s usually cured between three and 10 months. At the Maison du Gruyère, visitors can check out the cheese factor and dine at the restaurant. Obviously, Swiss cheese is very commonly found in this part of the world as well. And make sure to try some Raclette while you’re in Switzerland too.
Madison, Wisconsin
Commercial cheese production is a big deal in Madison, but you’ll also find local producers and family-owned shops just out of town. Ordering a batch of Wisconsin cheese curds at a restaurant or bar is a must while you’re in Madison. Breweries are also a big deal here, so stop by a couple of local ones. Some of the best cheese shops to buy cheese to take home with you are Fromagination, Brennan’s Market, Babcock Hall Dairy Store, and the Mousehouse Cheesehaus. The family-owned and operated Ehlenbach’s Cheese Chalet is about 30 minutes north of Madison and has over 50 different kinds of Wisconsin cheese for sale.
Normandy, France
Normandy has historical towns, D-Day history, and a beautiful coastline to explore, but it’s also one of the most famous cheese destinations in the world. The landscape is well-suited for cows to graze, and farmers have embraced the cheese-making lifestyle. Some local specialties include the creamy Camembert and the crumbly Neufchâtel. Also, make sure to try Livarot and Pont-l’Eveque cheese while you’re in this area. The village of Camembert in Lower Normandy is worth a visit to check out the Cheese Museum and learn about the history of cheese-making in the region. Livarot is a town in the area that has a cheese factory that you can visit as well.
Gloucestershire, England
If you want to do a little more with cheese than just eat it, head to Gloucestershire, which is home to the famous cheese rolling event! People here have been gathering for decades at this event to roll down the steep Coopers Hill after a huge round of Double Gloucester cheese is rolled down before them. You can enter the contest to win the entire wheel of cheese, but remember that rolling down a hill is dangerous no matter how good of a reason you have to do it. You’ll see paramedics lined up to tend to injured cheese rollers at the bottom, so be careful! Somerset in Southwest England also a great place if you love cheese. The village of Cheddar here made this cheese famous.
La Mancha, Spain
Manchego is the famous Spanish cheese that has made the La Mancha region famous among foodies. This type of cheese is buttery and has a sharp flavor. This is also a big wine-producing area, which makes it perfect for pairing your favorite cheese and wines together. To learn more about making cheese here, visit Artequeso in Tembleque. La Mancha was also the setting for Don Quixote and has historic churches and mountainous regions to explore.
Emilia Romagna, Italy
Parmigiano Reggiano is the cheese-of-choice in Emilia Romagna, so visit this northern region of Italy to sample fresh cheese and do some sightseeing. You’ll find plenty of things to see and cheese factories to check out in the towns of Parma, Modena, and Bologna nearby too. Just don’t miss the Museum of Parmigiano Reggiano in Soragna to learn more about how this cheese is made. Grana Padano is a cheese that’s similar to Parmigiano Reggiano and a semi-fat hard cheese that is often aged for two years or more. Other cheese to try include Squacquerone di Romagna and Provolone Valpadana. This region is also famous for its pork, so it’s an ideal destination for foodies who also enjoy a good cut of meat.
Paris, France
What could be more French than pairing wine with cheese and a banquette in front of the Eiffel Tower for a picnic? Paris is packed with cheese shops, so you’ll have your pick of amazing cheese when you tour the city. While in France, make sure to try some Roquefort, which is a stinky blue cheese that’s hard to find in other places in the world. One great thing first-time visitors should know is that wine, cheese, and bread are all much more affordable in Paris than you might think. So while museum tickets and fancy dinners might test your budget, you can eat well here without breaking the bank if you’re a cheese lover.
Green Bay, Wisconsin
Fans of the Green Bay Packers football team are affectionately called “cheese heads,” and for good reason! The Green Bay area produces great cheese, and this is where the World Championship of Cheese is held. The competition typically draws in thousands of submissions from a dozen or two countries, so it’s a great place to see what’s new and trending in the cheese world. Nala’s Fromagerie is a European-style cheese shop with domestic and imported specialty cheese from around 15 countries in Green Bay.
Asturias, Spain
This beautiful region of Northern Spain is a wonderful place for cheese lovers. Cabrales is the famous cheese to try in Asturias, but be mindful that its strong flavor isn’t for everyone. It’s a blue cow cheese that was first made here, and it’s strong, fatty, and aged in natural mountain caves. Lots of small-scale farmers specialize in this ultra-unique cheese. Asturias is located along the Bay of Biscay and actually referred to as “The Land of Cheese.” The town of Asturias is between the hills and the sea and is marked by colorful houses and isolated beaches.
Toronto, Canada
The best place to start in Toronto if you enjoy cheese is at St. Lawrence Market. There are lots of cheese vendors here, so you’ll be hard-pressed to find a variety to fall in love with. Also in Ontario is the Great Canadian Cheese Festival, which typically takes place in Picton in June. This is a place to mix and mingle with the best cheesemakers and artisan food producers in Canada and learn more about cheese in seminars and demos. One of the best kinds of cheese dishes in Canada is poutine, which combines fresh cheese curds with chips and gravy. This dish originated in Quebec, so head over to Montreal to try this Canadian specialty.
