Say Cheese! The Best Travel Destinations For Cheese Lovers
Are you crackers about cheese? Visiting the birthplace of some of the world’s most famous cheeses could be a fun travel idea. Below are 6 cheese capitals of the world and why you should visit them.
Camembert, France
It’s hard to pick a single cheese destination for France. The country is known for producing over 400 different distinct types of cheese – many of which are named after the place they come from. The village of Camembert in Normandy is home to one of the more renowned cheeses. Here you can visit a museum, La Maison du Camembert, which is dedicated to the history of camembert cheese. You can also take a guided tour of the only existing camembert farm in the village, where you can try this creamy fromage.
Cheddar, UK
There are also many famous cheese towns across the UK including Stilton and Wensleydale. However, Cheddar in Somerset is home to Britain’s most recognised cheese. This scenic village is located in a gorge, which is home to several touristy caves and the country’s oldest complete human skeleton. When it comes to cheese-related attractions, Cheddar Gorge Cheese Company is well worth a visit – here you can see cheddar cheese being made, try it and buy it.
Modena & Parma, Italy
Italy is home to celebrated cheeses such as mozzarella and gorgonzola. It’s also the birthplace of parmesan cheese, which is still made today across the Emilia-Romagna region. Authentic parmesan from this region is known as Parmigiano-Reggiano. There are factories in the cities of Modena and Parma that you can visit to learn about the manufacture of this cheese (check out these Parmigiano-Reggiano educational tour details for more information). Beyond cheese, these cities contain many other attractions including the Enzo Ferrari museum and Parma Cathedral.
Edam, The Netherlands
While some people prefer gouda, The Netherlands’ most revered cheese is probably edam. It originates from the charming town of Edam in North Holland. This small settlement is built around a canal and made up of traditional Dutch buildings. There’s a fascinating museum here dedicated to Edam cheese as well as a cheese market on Wednesday mornings throughout July and August. These are a great opportunity to try and buy the famous Dutch cheese.
Plymouth, USA
Time to head out of Europe! The US is home to many world famous cheeses including Monterey Jack and Cougar Gold. While you can find cheese communities across the country from California to New York, the state of Wisconsin is the most cheese-crazy state. Here you’ll find many cheese factories and cheese markets. It’s also home to an unusual cheese event – the ‘ Big Cheese Drop’. This event takes place every New Year’s Eve in Plymouth and involves dropping a giant wedge of cheese.
Sapporo, Japan
Cheese is mostly used in desserts in Japan, although there is a growing appreciation for savoury cheeses. Most of the country’s best cheeses such as Sakura cheese are produced in Hokkaido. Sapporo is a great base for visiting some of the cheese farms and markets on the island. Make sure to also try cheese tarts while in Sapporo.


