Mejores quesos de mano de España

Discover an unparalleled selection of Spain's most exquisite and award-winning cheeses. From the iconic Manchego to the bold Cabrales and smoky Idiazabal, this list celebrates Spain's rich cheesemaking tradition. Explore sheep, goat, and cow milk varieties, and learn about the unique flavors that make each cheese a masterpiece. Ideal for cheese lovers and those seeking the best Spanish dairy products.

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  1. 1

    Queso Payoyo (Cádiz)

    280 Global Votes
    • Premium, handcrafted cheese

      (+4)

    This artisan cheese is crafted from a unique blend of Payoya goat's milk and Merina Grazalemeña sheep's milk, indigenous breeds from the Sierra de Cádiz, which gives it a distinctive and balanced flavor. Its handcrafted production process and exceptional quality have earned it multiple awards, solidifying its reputation in the Spanish cheese landscape.

  2. 2

    Manchego Cheese

    65 Global Votes
    • Most popular Spanish cheese

      (+4)

    Manchego cheese is a benchmark of Spanish gastronomy, renowned for its exceptional flavor and quality, both nationally and internationally. Its production with milk from Manchega sheep and its Protected Designation of Origin ensure a product with unique characteristics and centuries of tradition.

  3. 3

    Queso Zamorano

    62 Global Votes
    • Distinctive, slightly piquant flavor

      (+4)

    Queso Zamorano holds a Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) that guarantees its quality and authenticity, making it the only cheese from Castilla y León with this distinction. Its traditional production with milk from Churra and Castellana sheep and a minimum ripening period of 100 days give it an unmistakable flavor and texture, highly valued by cheese enthusiasts.

  4. 4

    Roncal

    50 Global Votes
    • Well-developed and predominantly buttery flavor

      (+4)

    Roncal Cheese is a gastronomic treasure tied to the Navarrese territory, recognized with the first Protected Designation of Origin for a Spanish cheese. Its artisanal production with raw sheep's milk from native breeds and a minimum maturation of four months give it a unique flavor and unmistakable personality. Its aromatic profile, slightly sharp and with sheepy nuances, makes it a benchmark in Spanish cheesemaking.

  5. 5

    Idiazabal

    46 Global Votes
    • Name protected since 1987

      (+4)

    Idiazabal Cheese is a benchmark of Spanish cheesemaking, standing out for its artisanal production with raw Latxa or Carranzana sheep's milk and its distinctive smoking process. Its flavor profile, combining buttery, nutty notes with a subtle caramel sweetness, makes it a unique and highly appreciated gastronomic experience.

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  7. 6

    Queso San Simón da Costa DOP

    12 Global Votes
    • Traditionally smoked over birchwood chips

      (+4)

    This cheese was awarded as the Best Cheese in Spain at the 'Alimentos de España' awards in 2025, granted by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. Its artisanal production with Galician Rubia cow's milk and its distinctive birch wood smoking process give it an exceptional flavor and aroma profile.

  8. 7

    Majorero Cheese

    9 Global Votes
    • Recognized as the best Spanish cheese in 2017

      (+2)

    This cheese stands out for its artisanal production using milk from the Majorera goat, an indigenous breed from Fuerteventura, and its Protected Designation of Origin status. Its intense flavor profile, with acidic and milky notes, makes it a highly valued and internationally recognized gastronomic product.

  9. 8

    Queso de Cabra Curado “El Bosqueño”

    1 Global Votes
    • Received multiple international awards

      (+4)

    This cheese stands out for its artisanal production using milk from the Payoya goat, an indigenous breed from the Sierra de Cádiz that imparts a unique flavor and quality. Its curing process and the tradition of Quesos El Bosqueño have earned it multiple national and international awards, recognizing its excellence.

  10. 9

    Cabrales Cheese

    1 Global Votes
    • Creamy texture

      (+4)

    Cabrales Cheese is a Spanish blue cheese with Protected Designation of Origin, artisanally produced in Asturias using a blend of cow's, goat's, and sheep's milk. Its maturation in natural caves within the Picos de Europa imparts an intense, tangy flavour and a distinctive creamy texture.

  11. 10

    Queso Valdivieso Trufado

    1 Global Votes
    • Exquisite truffle flavor

      (+4)

    This truffle sheep's cheese from Castilla-La Mancha stands out for its artisanal production using pasteurized sheep's milk and the inclusion of black truffle from Soria, offering an elegant and balanced flavor profile. Its quality has been internationally recognized with Silver Medals at the World Cheese Awards in 2019 and 2021, highlighting its excellence in the Spanish cheese landscape.

  12. 11

    Queso Azul Savel

    1 Global Votes
    • Won the second edition of the Cheese from Spain Awards

      (+4)

    This Galician blue cheese, made with raw Jersey cow's milk, offers remarkable creaminess and a complexity of nuances that make it unique. Its elegant flavor, with notes of butter, mushrooms, and a subtle spiciness, has captivated experts and consumers. It was recognized as Best Cheese of Spain in 2021 by the Salón de Gourmets, solidifying its prestige.

  13. 12

    Cured Sheep Cheese (Quesería 1605, Ciudad Real)

    0 Global Votes
    • Has pronounced aromatic nuances

      (+4)

    This cured sheep cheese stands out for its artisanal production using raw Manchego sheep's milk from their own livestock and a maturation period of at least 10 months. Its quality has been recognized with the Supergol medal at the World Cheese Awards 2025 and gold medals in previous editions, demonstrating its excellence and exceptional flavor.

  14. 13

    Queso Tostado Ibérico de García Filloy

    0 Global Votes
    • Winner of World Cheese Awards 2024-2025

      (+4)

    This cheese was awarded a gold medal at the World Cheese Awards 2024-2025, standing out for its exceptional creamy texture and intense flavor. Its international recognition underscores García Filloy's mastery in crafting high-quality cheeses.

  15. 14

    Queso Torta de Barros

    0 Global Votes
    • Renowned cheese from Extremadura

      (+4)

    This Extremaduran cheese was awarded Super Gold at the World Cheese Awards 2025, standing out for its exceptional quality and flavour. Its artisanal production with raw sheep's milk and its unique flavour profile establish it as a benchmark in Spanish cheesemaking.

  16. 15

    Queso Tetilla

    0 Global Votes
    • Has DOP recognition

      (+4)

    Queso Tetilla is an emblem of Galician gastronomy, valued for its soft, creamy texture and delicate flavor with milky notes and a slight tang. Its unique conical shape and Protected Designation of Origin guarantee a quality and authenticity that make it stand out among Spanish cheeses.

  17. 16

    Calaveruela Cheese

    0 Global Votes
    • Has a unique flavor

      (+1)

    This cheese stands out for its artisanal production using raw sheep's milk from their own livestock in Fuente Obejuna, Córdoba. Its maturation in the Sierra Morena dehesa imparts a balanced flavor profile with notes of field and hay, and it was awarded Gold at the World Cheese Awards 2024.

  18. 17

    Homenaje Natural by Granja Rinya

    0 Global Votes
    • Creamy texture

      (+3)

    This cheese stands out for its captivating creaminess and a soft yet very characteristic flavor, resulting from its artisanal production with high-quality cow's milk. Its excellence was validated with a Super Gold award at the World Cheese Awards in 2023, solidifying its reputation in the Spanish cheese landscape.

Frequently asked questions

This ranking evaluates the quality and uniqueness of artisan cheeses produced in Spain, highlighting those with an artisanal character and recognition, such as Manchego, Cabrales, Idiazabal, Tetilla, and Mahón.
While this ranking is editorial in nature, we value community suggestions. You can share your favorite Spanish cheeses that you believe have a special and artisanal character.
The results of this ranking should be interpreted as a guide to discover exceptional Spanish cheeses. They reflect the popularity and recognition of cheeses that have stood out for their quality and tradition, including those that have won international awards.
An 'artisan' or 'handcrafted' cheese is distinguished by its traditional elaboration, often using methods passed down through generations. Authenticity, the origin of the milk, and the curing process are valued, such as Manchego sheep cheese or Mahón with its paprika rind.

How we built this ranking and what to consider when choosing

Our ranking of the best artisan cheeses in Spain is based on an editorial evaluation that considers the cultural relevance, recognition, and uniqueness of each cheese. It does not use complex algorithms, but rather an analysis of available information and community impact.

  • Cheeses with significant history and tradition in Spain, such as Manchego, Cabrales, or Idiazabal, are considered.
  • National and international recognition is valued, including those that have won important competitions.
  • The authenticity of the artisanal process and the quality of the ingredients are key factors in the selection.
  • The diversity of cheese types is taken into account, from soft and creamy to intense blue and smoked varieties.
  • Origin and Protected Designation of Origin (PDO): Cheeses with a clear geographical origin and, preferably, with a PDO that guarantees their authenticity and quality are prioritized.
  • Artisan Production Method: We look for manual or semi-manual production that respects traditional techniques and the unique character of the cheese.
  • Recognition and Awards: Cheeses that have received awards in national or international competitions, or that are widely recognized for their excellence, are considered.
  • Uniqueness and Character: The distinctive personality of the cheese is valued, whether for its flavor, texture, aroma, or the type of milk used (sheep, goat, cow).
  • Cultural Impact and Popularity: The cheese's presence in Spanish gastronomic culture and its popularity among consumers are also important factors.