5 Cheese Tours Worth the Early Start

1.Basel Farmer’s Market, Cheese, Chocolate & Pastry Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 171 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $112Our pick

Walk Basel’s Old Town with a local guide, stopping for seasonal market tastes, Swiss cheese, chocolate, and a traditional spice biscuit. Guides such as Gina and Jean add city stories along the way. The experience is educational and tasting-focused, not a full meal, and some stops may involve standing.

“It was a great tour with Jean. He walked us through the farmers market area and talked about the history. We stopped and ate a local fruit. Then we went to a lovely bakery, a wonderful chocolate shop and then to a cheese store. The tastings were generous. Jean was friendly and knowledgeable and walked a good pace with us!”

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2.Small Group Alkmaar Cheese Market and City Tour *English*

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 49 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $33Best value

Join Jennifer, a Canadian guide who lives in Alkmaar, for a 2.5-hour Friday morning walk. Watch cheese carriers trade, weigh, and move wheels at the traditional market, taste Dutch cheese, and tour the medieval center, including the Great St Lawrence Church, City Hall, canals, and Waag.

“We had a fabulous tour with Jen. The relationship Jen has built with the cheese runners made for a fantastic morning as their interaction made it a fun atmosphere. Jen gave us lots of history and some great stories 😊 As we were in Alkmaar area for a few days, Jen also recommend the medi evil festival. We came back the next day and had an amazing experience! Thanks Jen for a memorable tour! Highly recommended!”

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3.Basel: Farmer’s Market, Cheese, Chocolate & Pastry Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 18 reviews · 2 hours · from $194

Spend two hours with a private English-speaking guide exploring Basel’s Town Hall, Minster, and Grossbasel Old Town while tasting Swiss cheeses, chocolate, and Läckerli spice biscuits. Guides such as Jonas, Gina, and Jean have led this experience. Expect a compact introduction to Basel with shopping opportunities, though the food stops may receive more attention than the sightseeing.

“Very fun and informative! We loved the food samplings! And bought many to take! Jean was awesome, and very patient with us when we were shopping during the tour! There were seven I’d us in our group, all family (no teenagers though).”

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4.Traditional Cheese Market Tour to Alkmaar

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 6 reviews · 8 hours · from $70

Ride from Amsterdam to Alkmaar with an English-speaking driver, then explore the Friday cheese market, crafts stalls, shops, and old streets on your own. You get coach transport, a city map, and free time, but no meals or guided walking tour. The focus is local cheese, traditional trading, and easy independent exploring.

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5.From Amsterdam; Alkmaar Cheese market & Zaanse Schans

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 4 reviews

Travel from Amsterdam Noord to Alkmaar for the traditional cheese market, a 30-minute guided walk, and time at Zaanse Schans. Your English-speaking guide explains cheese trading, Dutch customs, windmills, and crafts. Guide Bea has earned praise for clear, informative commentary. Lunch and some windmill entries cost extra.

“Az idegenvezető kedves volt, a túra is élvezetes volt, viszont kevés idő volt Alkamaarban is körülnézni, de főleg Zaanse Schansban... itt futva tudunk csak körülnézni... Ennyi idő NEM ELÉG!”

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