Private Full Day Parma Food Tour: Parmesan Cheese, Parma Ham, Lunch, Vinegar
Recommended by 97% of travelers
Parma, Italy
- 8 hours (approx.)
- Pickup offered
- Group discounts
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Discover the food of Parma during a day-long private tour of the city's culinary highlights. The experience includes a visit to a Parmigiano-Reggiano factory, a Parma ham production house, and a balsamic vinegar "acetaia" as well as a traditional local restaurant for lunch and wine. When you book, you can opt to have included transport or use your own vehicle to save a few euros.
- Private Parma food tour including an authentic local lunch
- See Parmigiano-Reggiano be made, and learn about its aging process
- Visit a Parma ham production house to see the different curing phases
- Savor local wine and tortelli d'erbetta, a Parma pasta specialty
- Learn about balsamic vinegar from the owners of a family-run acetaia
What's Included
- Local guide
- Transport by private vehicle (if option selected)
- Pick-up and drop-off in Parma
- Beverages
- Wine and food tasting
- Lunch
- Gratuities
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- Parma, Province of Parma, Italy
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.Pickup details
Please, let us know the name of the hotel or apartment you stay in, we offer the pick-up also at the other hotels in Parma. If you will arrive for the tour from the other city, we will advise you the best point to meet your guide. If you will arrive for the tour by train, please let us know the arrival time and your guide will meet you at the ticket office of the train station in Parma.
Operating hours.9:00 am
Itinerary
1
Via J. F.Kennedy, 18
2 hours • Admission Ticket Included
2
Consorzio Del Prosciutto Di Parma
1 hour • Admission Ticket Included
3
Consorzio Tutela Aceto Balsamico Tradizionale di Reggio Emilia DOP
1 hour • Admission Ticket Included
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- May be operated by a multilingual guide
- Make a note of any dietary needs in the 'Special Requirements' box when you book
- Not wheelchair accessible
- A minimum of 2 people per booking is required
- Stroller accessible
- No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- Most travelers can participate
- This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate
Supplied by
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews
4.9
based on 128 reviews
Lisa_S, Jan 2025
We loved this experience!! We visited small production houses for parmesan cheese and balsamic vinegar as well as Parma ham factory. Our guide was very knowledgeable about the region and how the processes of each operated. If you love food and want to visit Parma - this is a definite must for you!
Response from Host, Apr 2025
Thank you so much for your kind words! We’re thrilled to hear you loved the experience and enjoyed visiting the local producers of Parmigiano Reggiano, balsamic vinegar, and Parma ham. It’s such a joy to share the rich food traditions of this region with fellow food lovers! We’re also happy to hear our guide helped bring the stories and processes to life — it’s always our goal to make the day both delicious and insightful.
Hope to see you again in Parma someday! Rossella
Lisa_P, Oct 2024
Giacomo was an amazing tour guide.
A worth while experience. My husband and I have been wanting to do this tour for a while and it did not disappoint.
Response from Host, Nov 2024
Hi Lisa, thank you for your lovely review. We are so happy that you enjoyed our tour. For us,
it has been a pleasure to let you discover our food treasures. We hope to see you again in
Parma soon. Rossella
Kimberly_S, Sep 2024
Our tour guide was incredibly knowledgeable and attentive, answering all of our questions with great detail. She truly went above and beyond to ensure we had an exceptional experience. Every moment of the tour was memorable, and I would highly recommend it to anyone seeking a remarkable adventure!
Response from Host, Oct 2024
Hi Kimberly, thank you for your lovely review. We are so happy that you enjoyed the tour. You're right
all our guides are excellent because they love their work. We hope to see you again in
Parma soon. Rossella
Michele_F, Sep 2024
Valentina made our experience truly unforgettable. From the start, her communication was thorough, and her meeting instructions were exceptionally clear. This private tour is perfect for seeing the top three attractions in the Parma area, and Valentina's expertise made it even better. Our first stop was the Parmigiano Reggiano factory, where she educated us on the entire process with live demonstrations, followed by a tasting of some of the best cheese I’ve ever had. Next, we toured the Prosciutto factory, learning about production from start to finish. Valentina even arranged a quick stop at a nearby castle, allowing us to capture stunning scenic photos. For lunch, we enjoyed delicious meats and cheeses we had just learned about. Our final stop was at a family-run traditional balsamic vinegar producer, where Valentina once again impressed us with her extensive knowledge. Her expertise across all three industries made the tour absolutely worthwhile. Highly recommended!
Response from Host, Sep 2024
Hi Michele, thank you for your lovely review. We are so happy that you loved your tour in Parma. For us, it has been a pleasure to let you discover our amazing products and production process. You're right all our guides are knowledgeable, informative, and passionate because they love their job and our territory. We hope to see you again in Parma soon. Rossella
Donna_S, Aug 2024
Absolutely wonderful day spent with our Guide, Claudia. We enjoyed each stop - including our hosted lunch. Claudia clearly explained the history and processing of the cheese, ham and vinegar. She was passionate as she spoke and she was easy to understand. Each producer took the time to meet us and talk about their products and the aging process. Our driver, Vincenzo, was also a pleasure to spent the day with.
Would highly recommend this tour.
Response from Host, Sep 2024
Hi, thank you for your lovely review. We are so happy that you enjoyed the tour. You're right
all our guides are excellent because they love their work. We hope to see you again in
Parma soon. Rossella
Megan_M, Jul 2024
Great experience! Well planned out as we were able to see the cheese making in process as that was our first stop of the day. The lunch was very yummy and in another great location. Giacomo our guide was great! Super knowledgeable. You could tell he was really passionate about the information he was relaying to us. All in all would highly recommend.
Response from Host, Jul 2024
Hi, thank you so much for your lovely review. We are so happy that you enjoyed our tour. you're right all our guides are very knowledgeable because as you said they are very passionate and they love our amazing products and territory. We hope to see you in Parma again soon. Rossella
Shauna_H, Jun 2024
What a great deep dive into the food culture of Italy! Our guide was friendly and knowledgeable. Loved this tour!
Response from Host, Jun 2024
Hi, thank you for your lovely review. We are so happy that you enjoyed our food tour in Parma. We hope to see you again Parma soon. Rossella
G_H, Oct 2023
It was all eye opening and informative. It’s definitely “down in the trenches”. You have to appreciate some pretty intense smells! I’m glad they saved balsamic for the end. It was the best part!
Anthony_C, Aug 2023
We were very happy with our guide and she was very knowledgeable and very informed and we walked away with more than we anticipated.
Paul_B, Jun 2023
This is a wonderful food tour and we loved everything about our day. Our guide, Giacomo, was fabulous - so knowledgeable but easy to talk to and we felt we knew him a long time by the end of the day. The Parmesan Cheese factory was amazing and we loved watching the milk turn into cheese and seeing the enormous wheels of cheese curing. Tasting was delicious too! The Prosciutto factory was equally informative and seeing all that ham curing was a real sight. Our lunch at a small family trattoria was just delicious and we loved it all. Then we ended with a tour of small balsamic vinegar maker. The process is very detailed and the owner is making traditional balsamic vinegar by specific rules. Our tasting was fun. All in all a perfect day.
Response from Host, Jul 2023
Hi, thank you for your nice review. We are happy to have given you a perfect day. Our guides are very knowledgeable. You have seen the magical process that allows the creation of our tasty products. We hope to see you again in Parma. Rossella.
Catherine_A, Jun 2023
We had the best time learning about the production of parmigiana - reggiano cheese, prosciutto di parma, and aceto balsamico tradizionale. Lisa, our guide was incredibly knowledgeable with a clear passion for her region and the local producers. She also gave great recommendations for where to go in town. Lunch was delicious and a special home-cooked experience. Make the time to take his tour and not be rushed! Highly recommend!
Response from Host, Jun 2023
Thank you for your lovely review. People who live in Parma are very proud of their products and town, so they are the best speaking. Here in Italy, the quality of food is very important, and we are happy to have been able to pass it on to you. Rossella
Peggy_S, Oct 2022
Fantastic experience! Stefania was so knowledgeable and had such a great rapport with all of the owners of the facilities we visited. Witnessing the production of all three products was eye opening. The old adage “good things take time” is so evident in all three. Highly recommend!! Stefania is a true gem, salt of the earth.
Response from Host, Nov 2022
Dear Peggy, thank you so much for the review!
I am very happy to know you've enjoyed the tour with Stefania and now share the philosophy of "tempo giusto" applied to the food. Indeed, good things take time and the exceptional taste of our traditional products proves it very well.
Hope to see you in Parma again!
Rossella
Lucia_B, Aug 2022
Giacomo picked us up at our hotel in Parma. He was incredibly knowledgeable so he made our experience so memorable. These three destinations should not be missed. Lunch and snacks along the way were delicious. The drive was scenic with Giacomo’s describing the area and architecture along the way. Not to be missed I highly recommend this trip!
Response from Host, Sep 2022
Dear Lucia,
Thank you so much for your kind words. I am delighted to know you've enjoyed the tour with Giacomo and are bringing home some good memories about our land.
Take care!
Arturo_D, Aug 2022
Incredible experience where you learn how Italy’s delicacies are made, the guide explained every detail and was very nice!
Response from Host, Aug 2022
Hi Arturo,
Thank you for taking time to write the review. I am glad to know you've enjoyed your foodie experience in Parma.
All the best,
Rossella
Michael_S, Aug 2022
Giacomo, our guide absolutely made the tour! He was beyond knowledgeable, and so accommodating, I don't think it would have been as wonderful with anyone but him 🙏🏼
Response from Host, Aug 2022
Hi Michael, thank you so much for taking the time to write the review. I am very happy you've enjoyed the tour with Giacomo and I will pass him your kind words.
Charisse_D, Jun 2022
Our tour guide was amazing! The tour was wonderful. The food was great! The area was beautiful!! Highly recommend. Worth every penny!!
Response from Host, Jul 2022
Thank you so much for taking the time to review your foodie experience. I am very pleased to hear you've enjoyed it and hope to see you in Parma again!
Pamela_C, Apr 2022
I booked this tour a month ahead of time. I was in communication with the tour guide days before. I received a message from Viator that the tour was paid for with my credit card and confirmed. After 11 pm the night before the tour was to start at 7 am I got a message that the tour was not paid for and I had to bring cash to the tour guide. It was over 400 Euro and we didn’t have that much cash and no time to get more so we had to cancel and did not go.
Response from Host, May 2022
Hi Pamela, I think you did the wrong tour review, what you are talking about did not happen with us.
The April 22nd tour was done regularly and Elisa, your guide took lots of pictures with you. You got on very well with her and you also gave her your business card inviting her to visit you at your home. She kept the business card with pleasure.
I am very sorry for this mistake, it can happen to get confused when you have so many experiences in a few days, as I think it happened to you.
I therefore kindly ask you to cancel the review as it does not concern the tour you took with us in Parma.
Rossella
Tracey_W, Oct 2021
Elisa, our tour guide, was very knowledgeable and funny. We enjoyed touring the cheese factory, the Italian ham process, the amazing foods including lunch and ending our tour learning about the history of Balsamic vinegar along with an amazing tasting.
Response from Host, Jun 2022
Hi Tracey, thank you so much for taking the time to write the review! I am happy to know you've enjoyed your foodie experience with Elisa.
Nuttree, Dec 2018
Visiting Parma, take this tour! My wife and I visited a Parmesan Cheese factory and Balsamic vinegar facility and a great lunch. We were supposed to visit a Prosciutto (ham) facility but a snowstorm closed the facility and were unable to visit. The usual restaurant for lunch was also closed due to the snow and we found an alternate. Our guide, Silvia was great! She was very knowledgeable, had a great personality, and answered all of our questions. The tour company was proactive in offering a refund of a portion of our fee for not being able to visit the Prosciutto. Definitely recommend this tour.
Catherine_W, Oct 2018
We took a private tour with Elisa as our guide and driver. It was a day well spent: Elisa’s knowledge of the cheese factory, Parma ham factory, the balsamic vinegar producer and region was incredible and she made it so interesting and colorful. Lunch was delicious at a local restaurant with regional specialties. I highly recommend this tour. It was a highlight of our trip. And her car was spacious, clean and comfortable.
Robert T, Nov 2017
This tour was one of the best things we did on our 3 week Italy vacation. Monica was an excellent guide. She gave us insight on all of the places we visited and helped us with learning about Italian culture. We almost did the half day tour, I'm so glad we did not! The visit to Modena was one of the most interesting parts of the tour. I you are interested in food and how it gets to your table, this is the tour for you!
Maria S, Oct 2017
This was a awesome tour. Our guide was so nice and very knowledgeable, she made us feel like family. We really enjoyed seeing how the cheese and Parma Ham is made. The balsamic vinegar factory was very interesting and the owner explained the complete process to us. Lunch was very good and the views from the restaurant were amazing. The whole day was perfect. I highly recommend this tour.
Grant_A, Sep 2017
This tour was amazing!!! Our tour guide Lesa was from Parma and her English was perfect. She was so knowledgable and really fun to spend the day with. i would recommend this tour to anyone who wants to experience Italian food at its best!!
Susan R M, Jul 2017
Our guide, Lisa, was knowledgable and fun to be with. Her English was perfect. The places we visited were great. We got to see everything up close and talked with the makers of the parmesan cheese and balsamic vinegar. It was a GREAT day.
Daddio, Jul 2017
The food was great as we visited each establishment. I had an understanding of the process behind the Parmesan Reggiano cheese and the Parma ham / prosciutto which held true. Little did I know about traditional balsamic vinegar. A real learning experience by a very passionate host / vinegar maker. Our tour guide was very knowledgeable about all of the food processes, developed a good rapport with each of us. Lunch was spectacular, high above Parma nestled in amongst vineyards was a delightful restaurant. The ham was superb and the pasta dishes to die for, exquisite taste with melt in your mouth smoothness.
A long day but one well worth every bit of effort. Would do it again just for the lunch.
From $395.52
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