The beautiful Cinque Terre National Park is well-known for its dramatic coastline, featuring colorful cliffside villages, fishing hamlets, and incredible sea views. It’s a popular stop on any Northern Italy itinerary for a reason!
But I bet you didn’t know that the famous coastline also offers a remarkable gastronomic experience, from seafood specialties to pasta dishes unique to this region, and the beloved Ligurian pesto, which was originated in this part of Italy.
To truly immerse yourself in the flavors of Liguria, I highly recommend joining a cooking class when you visit. I love learning to prepare new dishes in the different countries I visit, as they’re not only a very fun (and delicious!) experience, but they also give you all the tips and recipes to recreate the dishes at home. Yum!
In this article, I’ve compiled the best Cinque Terre cooking classes to help you choose the best option for you. Are you ready to dive in? Let’s do it!
Why trust me with your Italian getaway? For starters, I’m originally from Bologna, a city in Northern Italy and the country’s foodie capital, so I know a thing or two about Italian cuisine 😉
Plus, I’ve been curating travel guides and tours for ten years, and I’ve personally taken part in many cooking classes around the world, so I know exactly what to look for to ensure the tour offers a high-quality experience, is authentic, and worth your time.
I use Viator and Get Your Guide to book tours during my travels, and I especially recommend them for their great cancellation policy. It allows you to cancel most activities up to 24 hours in advance and get a full refund.
OUR PICK: The BEST Cooking Class in Cinque Terre
This Small Group Pasta and Tiramisu Class in Riomaggiore is, in my opinion, the best cooking class in the area, lasting merely three hours and led by a Cesarina, an Italian home cook.
Your host will welcome you into her home in the seaside town of Riomaggiore, where you’ll put on an apron and dive into the art of making fresh pasta from scratch.
You’ll learn about the ingredients and the appropriate way of mixing and kneading the dough, following the instructions of your very expert teacher as you prepare two types of pasta.
Once they’re done, you’ll move on to create a delicious, creamy tiramisu – one of the most beloved Italian desserts. And how could it not be, when it’s made with espresso!
At the end of the class, you’ll sit down with a glass of sparkling wine to enjoy your homemade meal.
Why this tour? It teaches you to prepare pasta and tiramisu, the two most iconic classic Italian dishes. The ambiance is intimate, as group sizes are small, and an authentic Cesarina will share family recipes and secrets with you. It’s cozy, unique, and memorable…Plus, you’ll get incredible views!
Read what the reviews say:
“This has become one of my favorite memories in Italy. Luca from the beginning was very friendly and welcoming into his home. We created 2 sauces to pair with 2 pastas and tiramisu. I was genuinely so impressed with the recipes. The dishes were absolutely delicious, better than if we went out for dinner. This experience had so much value. Thank you Luca!!”
Taylor_B – Read more reviews
This cooking class in Cinque Terre includes: An aperitivo, and a meal with drinks. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
Other Great Options To Consider
▶️ The Pasta, Pesto and Tiramisu class Riomaggiore, Cinque Terre takes place in a private home boasting striking views of the sea. Your host will welcome you with a glass of Prosecco and proceed to teach you the skills to create a mouthwatering Italian meal.
You’ll make local Trofie pasta from scratch, and discover the authentic recipe of Genovese pesto. Then, delve into the creation of a creamy tiramisu, Italy’s most beloved dessert.
At the end of the class, you’ll sit down to relish your dinner with a glass of local wine.
This tour includes: A cooking class with all ingredients, a meal, a glass of Prosecco, and wine. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
▶️ This Cinque Terre: Gnocchi & Pesto cooking class with seaview is a delightful alternative. It teaches you to prepare potato-based gnocchi in the enchanting home of a local.
Your expert guide will teach you the ins and outs of Italian cuisine, and provide cooking tips that you’ll keep using at home. Under their watchful eye, create homemade gnocchi and the traditional Pesto Genovese.
The best part? Relishing your meal with a glass of wine, and savoring a sweet dessert prepared by the Cesarina.
This tour includes: A cooking class, all ingredients, a meal, wine, and coffee. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
Pesto Making Classes in Cinque Terre
▶️ This Pesto Course in Levanto allows you to immerse yourself in the world of the oh-so-delicious pesto Genovese. Learn from a charismatic local chef as you crush fresh basil, pine nuts, and garlic with a mortar and pestle.
Savor the mouthwatering results, paired with a glass of wine and a spread of local products. This hands-on culinary adventure is an amazing introduction to Italy’s cuisine for food enthusiasts of all ages.
This pesto-making class in Cinque Terre includes: Pesto class, wines, and local specialties. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
▶️ The Manarola: Authentic Pesto Making Class in Cinque Terre is a 1.5-hour lesson that will turn you into a Pesto Genovese connoisseur.
Equipped with mortar and pestle, you’ll crash basil and pine nuts, and combine them with the rest of the ingredients to create the famous pesto sauce.
Learn the right amount of each component, and by the end of the class, indulge in a freshly baked focaccia with pesto and wine.
This tour includes: All ingredients, pesto class, and a meal with wine. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
▶️ Check out this BarCa Winery Cinqueterre Trekking & Wine Tasting & Pesto Class for a slightly different experience.
You’ll tour BarCa’s cellar and historic vineyards, learning about the history and process of its wine production as you trek through the beautiful property. Then, take part in a guided wine-tasting of white, rosé, and red wines.
The tour is followed by a pesto-making class, which will have you grinding basil leaves, Parmesan cheese, and pine nuts like a pro. Finally, blend it all with extra virgin olive oil for the final product.
This tour includes: A winery tour, wine tastings, and pesto class. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
Cooking Classes in La Spezia
La Spezia, located near Cinque Terre, is a popular location among those visiting the region. While technically not part of the National Park, La Spezia serves as a fantastic base for exploring the rest of the towns.
If you’re looking for more affordable accommodation or a quieter area, staying in La Spezia is a great option. And you’ll be able to join a cooking class there as well!
▶️ You’ll be welcomed by passionate local hosts, known as Cesarine, in their charming home for a Small Group Pasta and Tiramisu Class in La Spezia.
Delve into the art of turning flour and eggs into mouthwatering pasta dishes, such as Trofie and Pasta alla Contadina. Then, follow the steps to make tiramisu, which you’ll relish for dessert.
By the end of the class, you’ll master these Italian classics like a pro and will be equipped with the skills to recreate them at home. Sip Prosecco with nibbles as you wait for your meal to be ready, and then enjoy lunch with a group of other foodies.
This tour includes: Cooking class, an aperitivo, a meal, and drinks. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
