No visit to Switzerland is complete without a stop at a cheese dairy. And no visit to Appenzellerland would be complete without a visit to the Appenzeller Schaukäserei. In this place, you can literally peek behind the scenes of the production of one of Switzerland’s most famous cheeses. Here, tradition, patience, and the smell of fresh milk mix with a secret known only to a handful of insiders.
After hiking from Ebenalp to Seealpsee and visiting the picturesque town of Appenzell, which looks like something out of a fairy tale, I headed to the nearby village of Stein, AR.
How to get there
Appenzeller Cheese Dairy is located in the village of Stein (AR), about 10 minutes by car from Appenzell. Parking is free at the car park near the cheese dairy (Parkplatz Schaukäserei). By bus: line 180 from Herisau or Lustmühle – stop Stein AR, Dorf (right next to the aforementioned parking lot).
Opening hours and admission
The Appenzeller Schaukäserei is open 364 days a year, from May to October: 9:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., from November to April: 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Cheese production lasts until around 3:00 p.m.
Admission is CHF 13 for adults (aged 17 and over); CHF 12 for students and senior citizens; CHF 8 for children aged 6 to 16. Family admission (2 adults and up to 4 children) is CHF 32.
After paying the admission fee, you will receive a tasting box of cheeses of various degrees of maturity, a key to open various parts of the exhibition, a bag of spices to mix yourself, and a token. You can either use it at the end of the tour to make a purchase (1 CHF discount) or keep it as a souvenir to use as a shopping cart token.
Tour of the Appenzeller Schaukäserei
The exhibition and tour route are imaginatively designed and accessible to all age groups and visitors from around the world. The basic texts and descriptions of the exhibition are in German. Still, all information can be easily translated via QR codes and an online guide (in English, French, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Japanese, and Korean), which you can download via free Wi-Fi.
I really liked the ten-minute film in which a cheesemaker talks not only about how cheese used to be made but also about life in this region. Everything is accompanied by period photographs (and subtitles, of course).
I liked that the exhibition was not only about cheese, but also about local culture, clothing, customs, and celebrations.
Children have their own role as “little explorers,” accompanied by a little mouse named Chäsli Jakob. At the entrance, they receive a key, which they use during the tour to open various windows and doors—behind which they find additional information or little surprises. This makes the visit fun even for younger visitors, who learn through play.
The window gallery allows visitors to look directly into the production area and watch the cheese makers at work. At the same time, information panels and exhibits explain the individual steps involved in cheese production and other interesting facts.
Advertisements for Appenzeller cheese are very popular in Switzerland, so it is fascinating to see how they have changed over the years.
Through the large windows, you can see into the cheese cellar where Appenzeller cheese is matured.
At the end of the tour, visitors can fill their own bag with the herbs that make Appenzeller Käse so unique. You can choose from five local herbs, which you put into a mortar, crush with a pestle, and add to the bag to create your own blend to take home as a souvenir.
Cheese shop
This is where you can redeem your token after the tour, but trust me, if you like cheese, you will definitely spend more than one franc 🙂 In the adjacent shop, you can buy not only various types of Appenzeller Cheese, but also local specialties – dried sausages, teas, souvenirs, and kitchen accessories.
Schauchäsi Restaurant
There is also a restaurant located directly in the building, offering simple cuisine ideal for lunch or an afternoon break after a tour. The menu naturally includes cheese specialties such as fondue, cheese platters, and cheese soup, along with other regional specialties.
Children’s playground
In front of the cheese factory, you will find a great children’s playground, whose main attraction is a cheese-shaped climbing wall. There is a slide, trampoline, swing, and other play equipment.
Grand Tour of Switzerland Photo Spot
Before you leave, don’t forget to take a photo in the Grand Tour of Switzerland frame. I already have a nice collection of them. Take a look here at the article.
Summary
- Appenzeller Schaukäserei is a beautifully designed excursion destination that combines tradition and experience.
- If you are staying in the region for at least 3 nights, take advantage of the Appenzeller Ferienkarte – it includes free admission to the cheese factory.
- The cheese dairy tour doesn’t take long, so I definitely recommend combining it with another visit in the area. For example:
