Parma: Parmesan Cheese & Ham Tour with Tastings & Lunch

Parma flavors come alive on this cheese ham & balsamic day

You’ll follow local guides through working Parmigiano Reggiano and Parma ham factories near Parma, tasting each product fresh from its source. Enjoy lunch at a family trattoria (with wine) and sample aged balsamic vinegar in an ancient acetaia. Expect warm hosts, honest flavors, and moments you’ll remember long after you’ve left Italy.

Step-by-step itinerary

Parmesan, Parma Ham, Lunch, and Vinegar

• Meet guide at viale Toschi at 9:15 am
• Start tour at 9:30 am
• Visit Parmigiano Reggiano factory and tasting
• Visit Parma Ham factory and tasting
• Enjoy light lunch at typical trattoria with wine
• Visit ancient acetaia for balsamic vinegar tasting
• Return to viale Toschi at approx. 5:00 pm

The experience

"You can smell the milk as soon as you step inside," our guide Marco grinned, waving us into the Parmigiano Reggiano factory just outside Parma. It was early: maybe too early for cheese, but honestly, I didn’t care. The air was warm and heavy with that nutty scent. We watched workers in white boots stirring these huge copper vats, and Marco explained how each wheel gets its stamp. I tried to imagine waiting two years for something to taste right. When we finally tasted it (crumbly, salty-sweet), I realized I’d never really had real Parmesan before.

The TastyBus rumbled along quiet country roads after that first stop. At the Parma ham place, the walls were lined with rows of hanging hams, all tagged and aging in cool silence. Our host there, Giulia, showed us how they rub the meat with salt by hand. She let us try a thin slice straight from the bone. It melted on my tongue in this gentle way I wasn’t expecting. Someone asked if locals ever get tired of eating this stuff. Giulia just laughed and shook her head.

If you do the full-day tour (which I’d recommend if you’re not in a rush), there’s lunch at a little trattoria tucked off some side road. Nothing fancy, but that’s kind of the point. We had tortelli d’erbetta and a glass of red wine. Everyone got quiet for a minute because it was honestly just that good. Afterward, we visited an old acetaia for traditional balsamic vinegar tasting: the barrels looked ancient, almost like they belonged in someone’s attic instead of a working farm. The vinegar was syrupy and sharp. I still think about that taste sometimes when I’m back home making salad.

I guess what surprised me most was how much patience goes into everything here: cheese that ages for years, ham that needs months to cure, vinegar passed down through families. It made me slow down too, at least for a day.

What’s included

• Your day includes transport by air-conditioned minivan from central Parma with an English-speaking guide leading you through authentic Parmigiano Reggiano and Parma ham factories for guided tastings.
• if you choose the full-day option you’ll also enjoy lunch at a typical trattoria with wine plus a visit, and tasting, at an artisanal balsamic vinegar producer before heading back in the afternoon.

Options for this experience

2 options

Parma ham and Parmesan cheeseGuide in English or Italian · 09:30Tour a Parmigiano Reggiano and Parma ham production factory and explore their flavors with a guide who speaks Italian and English. Length: 4 hours, with the return to Parma at about 2:00 pm. Parmigiano Reggiano and Parma ham tastings are included. Lunch and the balsamic vinegar tasting are not part of this option.

The best Parma products in one dayGuide in English or Italian · 09:30Tour factories producing Parmigiano Reggiano, Parma ham and traditional balsamic vinegar, learn about their unique flavors with a guide who speaks Italian and English, and enjoy a typical Italian lunch. Length: 7 hours, returning to Parma at about 5:00 pm. Tastings at all three factories and a light lunch are included in the price.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Lasts 4h–7h, runs Friday at 09:30, from € 140 per person, with a live guide in English and Italian and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesFridayDeparts at 09:30

Book up to2h before

AgesAdult (10 and older) · Child (5 to 9 years) · Infant (under 5): free

GroupUp to 20

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 if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Maestro Travel Experience

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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 (5 to 9 years); Infant (under 5): free.

How long is the Parmesan cheese & ham tour from Parma?

The full-day option lasts from 9:30 am to around 5:00 pm. Half-day ends about 2:00 pm.

Is lunch included on this Parma food tour?

Lunch is included only with the full-day "Best Parma products" option.

Are tastings included during the tour?

Yes, guided tastings of Parmigiano Reggiano cheese and Parma ham are included for all guests. Balsamic vinegar tasting is only on the full-day tour.

Where does the TastyBus food tour start?

The meeting point is Viale Paolo Toschi 2 in Parma, just outside Parcheggio Toschi.

Is transportation provided between stops?

Yes, transport by air-conditioned minivan (the TastyBus) is included throughout the day trip.

Is this food tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, both transportation and most locations are wheelchair accessible.

Can infants join this Parmesan & ham tour?

Infants are welcome but must sit on an adult’s lap during transportation.