Parmesan Cheese Museum (Museo del Parmigiano Reggiano) Tours

Parmesan cheese, officially known as Parmigiano-Reggiano, has been handcrafted in a specific area between the northern provinces of Parma and Reggio Emilia for centuries. Learn about the history and production of this famously sharp aged cheese, one of the pillars of Italian cuisine, at this small museum just outside of Parma.
 
The Basics
Gourmands and cheese lovers enjoy diving into the world of traditional Parmigiano Reggiano at this museum housed in a restored 18th-century dairy. The interiors recreate a traditional cheese workshop with antique copper cauldrons, churn, and utensils. Learn how milk becomes cheese, take in exhibits on the aging process, and get background on this iconic Italian product's role in the country’s history. Finish your visit with a cheese tasting.

Purchase tickets in advance to skip the line at the museum entrance. Pair your visit with a tour of the nearby towns of Parma and Bologna, or of the automotive museums in Modena.  
 
Things to Know Before You Go

• An audio guide to the exhibits is available for download from the museum’s website.
• The museum complex includes a cafe and shop selling Parmigiano-Reggiano, tasting kits, and cheese-themed souvenirs.
• The museum, cafe, and shop are accessible to wheelchair users.

How to Get There
The museum is located on the Corte Castellazzi estate in the small town of Soragna about halfway between Parma and Reggio Emilia, just off highway SS9. There is no public transportation to the museum, so plan to visit by car.
 
When to Get There
The Parmigiano Reggiano - Parmesan Cheese Museum is open from March through November on Saturday, Sunday, and holidays. To visit outside these months or days, you must contact the museum to book a private tour.
 
The Parma Food Museums
The Parmesan Museum is part of Parma’s Musei dei Cibi, a group of food museums spread across the province that focus on the area’s gourmet delicacies. Other locations highlight specialties such as prosciutto (parma ham), Felino salami, Zibello culatello, and local wines.