The 5 BEST Cooking Classes in Cinque Terre, Italy

What better souvenir than learning how to prepare authentic Italian recipes and bringing that new skill home with you? If you’re spending 2 days in Cinque Terre or more, one of these cooking classes in Cinque Terre will be a great addition to your itinerary!

In this curated list, you will find five different cooking classes that teach you how to make certain Ligurian specialties and foods from scratch. The main star of most of these classes is Pesto, Liguria’s most famous culinary star.

Liguria, home to Cinque Terre, luscious hills, and crystal waters, is a region that focuses on simple, fresh, and local ingredients. This is seen throughout the region’s world-renowned dishes, from Pesto to Focaccia, and Farinata, and more.

If you’re looking to dive deeper into Cinque Terre and Italian traditions, a cooking class is the perfect activity for you. Whether you want to learn how to make Pesto, Tiramisu, hand-made pasta – each class offers something for everyone!

Without further ado, explore the 5 best cooking classes in Cinque Terre and find the perfect one for you!👇

5 Best Cooking Classes in Cinque Terre. Riomaggiore, town of Cinque Terre in Italy, with Ligurian sea and hills surrounding it and its colorful harbour.

Disclaimer: This post has affiliate links that can help me earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. If you click through and purchase with these links, thank you in advance for the extra support.💖😊

Table of Contents

Best Cooking Classes in Cinque Terre

1. Manarola: Authentic Pesto Making Class

📍Location: Manarola
🕰️ Duration: 1.5 Hours
😋 Food: Pesto making class. Enjoy Pesto, Wine, and Focaccia tasting.
❌ Cancellation Policy: Free cancellation. Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
🗺️ Language: English, and Italian
Group Size: Up to 10 participants

Located in the splendid town of Manarola, this 1.5 hour cooking class teaches you all about Pesto. Led and taught by local foodie and home chef, you will learn how to make Pesto in the traditional manner, with a marble mortar. Aside teaching you how to make your pesto, the home chef will teach you about the culinary traditions of the Ligurian region.

At the end of this experience, you will be able to enjoy your homemade pesto along with some complimentary, delicious focaccia and wine.

Save your spot for this highly-rated experience now!👇

2. Riomaggiore: Pesto Class with Sea View

📍Location: Riomaggiore
🕰️ Duration: 2 Hours
😋 Food: Pesto making class. Enjoy Pesto, Wine, and other beverages.
❌ Cancellation Policy: Free cancellation. Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
🗺️ Language: English, and Italian
Group Size: Up to 10 participants

Picture this, you’re in a luscious, Ligurian vineyard looking over the mesmerizing sea that sparkles under sun, as you’re making pesto with a traditional marble mortar. Sounds like a dream, doesn’t it?

With THIS class, that “dream” is the reality!😍

Located in the beautiful Riomaggiore, this class starts off with the fascinating history of Pesto. During this time, the host will also explain the traditional system of using the best basil plants and how to carefully select high-quality ingredients to create the best flavor.

After the history and “theoretical” lesson, you will learn how to make pesto in two different methods: the traditional method with a mortar and modern, with an electric blender. By learning these two methods, you will always be ready to prepare pesto with whichever instrument you’ve got.

As you prepare the pesto, you will also learn tips on how to properly store it and ensure it stays fresh for as long as possible. At the end of the class you will pack up your pesto to bring back home, or even on a rocky cliff, and enjoy as you please. If you choose the latter, I highly recommend getting some focaccia to dip into the pesto!

Sounds like the perfect class for you? Book it now to save your spot!👇

3. Riomaggiore: Pasta and Tiramisu Class

📍Location: Riomaggiore
🕰️ Duration: 3 Hours
😋 Food: Learn how to make two types of homemade pasta and Tiramisù. Enjoy complimentary soft beverages and a sparkling wine aperitivo.
❌ Cancellation Policy: Free cancellation. Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
🗺️ Language: English, and Italian
Group Size: Up to 12 participants

During this 3 hour cooking class in Riomaggiore, you will learn how to prepare two types Pasta Fresca and the iconic dessert, Tiramisù.😋

As a little Italian lesson, Pasta Fresca is homemade pasta made with eggs; some Pasta Fresca styles are Gnocchi, Trofie, and Tagliatelle. Being a traditional style of pasta from Liguria, one of the types of pasta you will (likely) make is the Trofie.

As you get hands-on instructions in making two pasta recipes and Tiramisù, you will receive complimentary aperitivo with sparkling wine and soft beverages. At the end of the class, you will be able to sit down and enjoy your delicious creations.

Are you ready to learn how to make Pasta and Tiramisù? Book your class today!👇

4. Riomaggiore: Gnocchi & Pesto Making Class

📍Location: Riomaggiore
🕰️ Duration: 3 Hours
😋 Food: Gnocchi and Pesto making class.
❌ Cancellation Policy: Free cancellation. Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
🗺️ Language: English and Italian
Group Size: Small group

Also located in Riomaggiore, this 3 hour class teaches you how to make how to make Gnocchi and Pesto, a delicious combination, with a side of spectacular views of the Ligurian sea.🌊

If you’re not familiar with this pasta, Gnocchi is a pasta made with potatoes, flour, and eggs. This thick and round-shaped pasta has a soft consistency, and is simply delicious.

At the end of this class you will take a seat and enjoy your handcrafted meal along with local wines along with local wines, and fresh fruit or a homemade dessert by your host. With the sit down meal, you will get to engage in a lively conversation with your hosts.

If this sounds like the perfect class for you, save your spot before it sells out!👇

5. La Spezia: 3-Course Cooking Class

📍Location: La Spezia
🕰️ Duration: 4 Hours
😋 Food: Prepare a three course, which includes gnocchi with pesto and tiramisù.
❌ Cancellation Policy: Free cancellation. Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
🗺️ Language: English and Italian
Group Size: Up to 4 people

If you want to take your culinary skills to the next level, and experience a local food market, THIS cooking class is for you!

This 4 hour experience starts at the railway station, La Spezia Centrale, where you meet your instructor and small group. Once united, you will stroll through La Spezia’s charming streets as you head toward a bustling and vibrant local market.

At the local market you will meet the vendors, learn how to select the perfect and freshest food – from fish to vegetables – and other insider tips. Once you have all the ingredients, you will head to the kitchen of a quaint Italian restaurant and start your class!

During the class, you will learn about the Slow Food Movement and its philosophy. This is an Italian-born movement that fights for good, clean and fair food for everyone and defends biological and cultural diversity. In doing so, the movement promotes local food and traditional cooking to ensure they are never erased.

During the next hours you will learn how to prepare an Italian 3-course lunch. The sample menu includes stuffed muscles cake, Gnocchi with Pesto, whipped codfish, and Tiramisù for dessert. Once you’re done preparing your lunch, you will sit down and feast with your small group. To celebrate your hard work and success, you will have complimentary wine, along with water and soft drinks.

As you leave this incredible experience, you will receive some printed recipes of your 3-course lunch to bring back home and taste Liguria whenever you miss it!

This beloved experience often sells out. Book the class now to save your spot!👇

Cinque Terre Cooking Classes and Food FAQs

What foods are Cinque Terre known for?

The towns of Cinque Terre do not have a specific food they are famous for. However, being in the Ligurian region, they all have the traditional Ligurian foods. When you’re in Cinque Terre, or anywhere in Liguria, you must try these foods:

Trofie al Pesto – Trofie is a style of pasta fresca that, along with pesto, originates from Liguria.
Focaccia Genovese – this is the traditional Focaccia that everyone knows and loves. This is a soft and airy, oily bread with a crunchy bottom.
Focaccia di Recco – this style of focaccia is made with a very thin dough and filled with the most delicious cheese.
Farinata – this delicious street food dish has several different names, and can be best described as a savory chickpea “pancake”.
Friscieu – fried salted cod.

What are the cooking classes in Cinque Terre prices?

The prices of cooking classes in Cinque Terre can vary, but average around 145 euros. Given most classes are at least 2 hours long, provide ingredients, tools, and complimentary foods and drinks, this is a reasonable average price.

Are there Free cooking classes in Cinque Terre?

There are no free cooking classes in Cinque Terre. The costs of the cooking classes not only cover the host’s compensation, but the ingredients, complimentary foods and drinks, and so forth.

Want more help with your travels? Check out my services!

One of the main reasons I became I travel blogger is my love and passion for helping others experience the best of their destination. I offer three services on Thatch: Customized Itineraries, Customized Recommendations, and Consultation Calls.

If you want extra help on your Cinque Terre or Italy travels, check out my Thatch page and book my services!

📌 Liked it? Pin It!👇

I have to ask…

Which of these cooking classes in Cinque Terre are you incorporating in your Cinque Terre itinerary? Let me know in the comments!😊

Share this with family & friends who are planning to travel to Italy and would find this helpful.🤩

Subscribe to my Newsletter for exclusive content and latest updates, and follow me on Instagram for daily travel content!

The 5 BEST Cooking Classes in Cinque Terre, Italy

Best Cooking Classes in Cinque Terre

1. Manarola: Authentic Pesto Making Class