Learn Cheese Making in Arzana: Shepherd's Day with Lunch

Milk sheep, make cheese, eat it for lunch on a Sardinian farm

Learn traditional dairy farming in Arzana, a mountain village in Sardinia's Gennargentu region, by spending a morning on a working sheep farm. You milk the animals by hand, then transform fresh milk into cheese and ricotta using methods passed down through generations. Lunch follows, built from the farm's own products and what you've just made.

The experience

The day starts on a family farm in Arzana, a village known for the longevity of its inhabitants and set in the slow-moving landscape of the Gennargentu mountains. A local shepherd guides you through the work: first, milking sheep or goats, learning the skill and patience the task demands. Then you move into the dairy space to process that fresh milk into cheese and ricotta, using the same techniques the farmer's family has relied on for generations. The guide shares the reasoning behind each step: why temperature matters, how time changes the texture, what the land itself contributes to the flavor.

By midday, you sit down to lunch at the farm with the shepherd and others in the group. The meal centers on what you've made that morning: fresh cheese and ricotta, alongside cold cuts, olives, grilled vegetables and meat from the farm, wine, desserts, coffee and water. This is not a restaurant meal plated for tourists. It's the way the farmer eats, and the food tastes different when you know where it came from and what went into it.

The experience runs about six hours and requires at least two people to confirm. Comfortable, seasonally appropriate clothing works best. If you have dietary needs (vegetarian, vegan, allergies), let the farm know when you book. They can prepare pasta as an alternative. Pets are welcome on the grounds, though not in the processing areas.

What’s included

• Milk processing workshop where you make cheese and ricotta by hand.
• Lunch at the farm featuring local products and what you've made.
• A live guide in English or Italian.
• Access to the working farm and its dairy spaces.

Before you book

Days and timesMonday, Wednesday, Friday and SaturdayDeparts at 10:30

Book up to2d before

AgesAdult (13 to 96 years) · Child (6 to 12 years) · Infant (under 6): free

GroupUp to 10

Live guideEnglish and Italian

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 4 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleStroller-friendlyPets welcomeInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Escursì

Is this one for you?You'll need your own transport to reach Arzana in the mountains, so this works best if you're renting a car or comfortable arranging a taxi from a nearby town. The farm confirms the experience with at least two participants, so book with a travel companion or check if others are joining that day.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Italian.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (6 to 12 years); Infant (under 6): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What exactly do I learn to make on the farm?

You make cheese and ricotta from fresh sheep or goat milk using traditional hand methods. The shepherd walks you through each stage: heating, curdling, draining and shaping, explaining how the process has worked on this farm for generations.

Is the lunch included, or do I pay separately?

Lunch is included in the booking. It's served at the farm and built from the farm's own products. The cheese and ricotta you made that morning, cold cuts, olives, grilled meat and vegetables, wine, desserts and coffee.

Do I need experience with farming or dairy work?

No experience is necessary. The shepherd teaches you how to milk by hand and guides you through each step of cheese making. The work is hands-on but suitable for all fitness levels.

How do I get to the farm if I don't have a car?

The farm is in Arzana, a mountain village in the Gennargentu. You'll need to arrange your own transport to reach it. The farm does not provide pickup. If you're staying in a larger town, a rental car or taxi to Arzana is the most practical option.

What's the village of Arzana known for?

Arzana is famous for the longevity of its inhabitants and sits in the heart of Sardinia's mountain region. The slow pace of life there and the traditional farming practices reflect a way of living that has sustained the community for centuries.