Where to Learn Pesto: the 15 Best Classes Worldwide

1.Homemade Pasta and Pesto Class with a Local Chef in Genoa

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 305 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $102Our pick

In central Genoa, Alberto, Alessandra, or Silvia guides a small group of up to six through handmade picagge pasta and mortar-and-pestle pesto in a historic palazzo. You will prepare the meal, share focaccia and local starters, then eat on a rooftop terrace with wine, dessert, and Genoese liqueur.

“It was absolutely wonderful! Be mindful of the many flights of stairs to reach the beautiful space with an outstanding host. Alberto made this class such a special experience - his knowledge, his warm and welcoming atmosphere, and the the detailed cooking experience was far more than we expected.”

Seats and dates →The whole write-up

2.Homemade Pasta & Pesto Local Chef Class with Wine

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 217 reviews · 3 hours · from $105

Join Chef Alberto in central Genoa for a three-hour, small-group class limited to eight people. Make fresh pasta and traditional basil pesto from scratch, learn family techniques, and eat your creations with wine, focaccia, local treats, dessert, and a Genoese liqueur in his historic fifth-floor home.

“The experience was amazing! We spent the afternoon on a beautiful rooftop making pasta and traditional pesto while learning all about the history of the region and of their traditional food. I highly recommend this activity!”

Seats and dates →The whole write-up

3.Pasta, Pesto and Tiramisu class Riomaggiore, Cinque Terre

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 57 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $144

In Riomaggiore, Luca welcomes you into his home for a hands-on Ligurian cooking class. You’ll make tiramisu, Genovese pesto, and hand-shaped trofie pasta, then eat your meal with prosecco and local white wine. The class lasts about two and a half hours and allows no more than six participants.

“We had a wonderful evening learning how to make pesto and tiramisu with Luca! It was an intimate setting in his apartment that had a beautiful view, and Luca was funny, nice, and engaging. The meal ended up being one our favorites and definitely the best pesto pasta we have ever had!”

Seats and dates →The whole write-up

4.Levanto, Cinque terre: Fresh Pasta and Pesto cooking class

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 46 reviews

Clara and Ermanno welcome you into their home near Levanto for a hands-on Ligurian cooking class. You will make corzetti pasta, pesto in a mortar and tiramisu, then sit down for lunch with local wine and an aperitivo. Transfers from Levanto and back are included, and groups are limited to six.

“We thoroughly enjoyed the intimate setting and Ermanno and Clara’s passion for cooking. We will cherish what we learned and the recipes they shared! Wonderful experience”

Seats and dates →The whole write-up

5.Pasta Cooking Class with Pesto Sauce Making in Rome City Center

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 39 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $77

Meet at Ristorante Panzirone near Piazza Navona at 7:00 pm for a 2.5-hour English-language class with Eatalian Cooks. You will make fresh fettuccine and basil pesto, then eat what you prepare. Instructors including Simon, Simone, Mary, and Bea guide the class, with drinks and limoncello included.

“Simon was great. My wife and I enjoyed making fettuccine and pesto from scratch with his expert guidance. It was truly a unique experience to create our own pasta for dinner in Italy. Simone made the experience memorable and added his personal family stories. If you have the opportunity, do not miss this!”

Seats and dates →The whole write-up

7.Hands-On Home cooking Class Pasta Pesto and more with wine

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 34 reviews · from $113

At 10 a.m., you’ll cook colorful gnocchi, pesto, and filled gnocchi in a Genoese home with a host such as Alberto, Silvia, Alessandra, or Cristina. The three-hour class includes lunch, focaccia, wine, and coffee. Expect a small group of up to six, hands-on help, and possible stairs to a terrace or apartment.

“Silvia and Alessandra welcomed us into their lovely home to teach us how to properly make an authentic pesto and gnocchi. This seemed less like a cooking class and more like visiting and cooking with a group of old friends. They were patient and generous with theiRead more”

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8.Gnocchi & Pesto Class with Seaview in Riomaggiore

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 24 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $227

In Riomaggiore, Barbara and Stefano welcome you into their seaside hillside home for a three-hour English cooking class. You’ll make potato gnocchi and Genovese pesto, share the meal with wine, and finish with fruit or a homemade dessert. Allow extra time for the steep, rocky route to the private home.

“Fantastic cooking experience in an amazing home in the mountains of Riomaggiore. Be aware however that traveling to this home includes a very Challenging walk downhill on a rocky path from the main road. All good if you’re reasonably fit but not recommended if hills or rocky terrain bothers you.”

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9.With Tiziana Cooking Class for Pesto , Gnocchi and Tiramisù

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 21 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $162

At Tiziana’s home near Salita Inferiore di Sant’Anna, you’ll make Genoese pesto in a traditional marble mortar, prepare gnocchi, and finish with homemade tiramisù. Tiziana leads the English-language class, while Roberto adds conversation, photos, local tips, and stories. The two-hour session ends with a shared meal, focaccia, coffee, and prosecco.

“An absolutely fabulous experience! We couldn't have asked for better. I attended the class with my daughters age 13 an 16. Tiziana and her partner were so warm, welcoming, and their home up on a hill in prime Genoa is the perfect setting for this class. She was patient and kind and funny - we laughed often and really learned a lot about Genoan cuisine. The pesto, gnocchi and tiramisu was delicious, and she even had extra to share with all of us. My girls had so much fun. We were only in Genoa for one day/night and this was the perfect way to spend the evening -a perfect taste…”

Seats and dates →The whole write-up

10.Genoese Pesto Lesson with Mortar, Pasta Tasting and Local Wine

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 19 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $93

In central Genoa, Barbara and Gaia guide a small group of up to six through an authentic pesto lesson using a marble mortar and wooden pestle. You’ll learn about Ligurian ingredients, eat trofie al pesto, taste Vermentino and Ciliegiolo, and take home a sealed jar of pesto.

“It was so fun, informative, and we love supporting a woman-owned small business. It’s in a local shop, so we bought pasta and were gifted lifetime sealed pesto to take home. We learned a lot about Genova and where they sourced all the ingredients. They played good music, provided water, explained everything fully, answered all our questions, and was just such a fun vibe✨”

Seats and dates →The whole write-up

11.Gnocchi & Pesto cooking class with seaview

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 13 reviews · from $214

In Riomaggiore, Cesarina hosts such as Barbara and Stefano welcome you into their seaside home for a three-hour class on homemade gnocchi and Genovese pesto. You cook at a fully equipped station, then eat your meal with local wines, coffee, and dessert or fresh fruit. Groups are limited to 10.

“Barbara and Stefano were fantastic hosts! We made tiramisu, pesto gnocchi and bruschetta. All the food was fresh and delicious. Her 2 dogs Anna and Julia were the star of the show and were lovely drinking companions. Book this if available! You will not regret it.”

Seats and dates →The whole write-up

12.Cooking Class with Carbonara, Pesto Making, Lasagna, Cannoli

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 12 reviews · 4 - 5 hours · from $81

Meet your chef at Florence’s Ciaoflorence Hub and, on morning departures, shop at Sant’Ambrogio Market before cooking carbonara, ragù lasagne, pesto gnocchi, and Sicilian cannoli. Chefs including Giulia and Alan guide small groups of up to eight. You eat the meal with Tuscan wine and take home recipes, a diploma, and useful kitchen tricks.

“Super fun. I was a little apprehensive at first as we were the only ones in the class. Then we met Giulia, Nicco, and Ghi. They made us feel at home and gave us valuable kitchen hacks that I will use at home. I look forward to coming back and taking more classes and excursions.”

Seats and dates →The whole write-up

13.VIP Cooking Class with Carbonara, Pesto Making, Lasagna & Cannoli

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 10 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $119

Start at Sant’Ambrogio Market on eligible morning departures, shop for ingredients with your chef, then make lasagna, carbonara, pesto gnocchi, and Sicilian cannoli in a small English-speaking class of up to eight. Alain, Stefano, Giulia, Ghi, or Aloun may lead the session. Wine, recipes, and a diploma are included.

Seats and dates →The whole write-up

14.Pasta Cooking Class with Pesto Sauce Making in Rome Center

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 9 reviews · 2.5 hours · from $58

In Piazza Navona, you’ll make fettuccine and traditional Genovese pesto in a small English-language class led by chefs such as Sara, Bea, or Lisa. The chef cooks your pasta, then you sit down at Ristorante Panzirone for bruschetta, a drink, and your handmade meal. It’s a friendly 2.5-hour introduction to everyday Italian cooking.

“The class was good activity and nice size. I wish we were more involved with the cooking process. All the class was making pasta dough and cutting it and then crushing some items for pesto. Wanted more tasks like cooking the pasta and completing the meal.”

Seats and dates →The whole write-up

15.Sunset on a boat with fresh pesto pasta

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 4 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.)

Meet in Riomaggiore at 6:00 pm for a two-and-a-half-hour English-language boat trip along all five Cinque Terre villages. You’ll hear village history, stop to swim and snorkel from the sea, and enjoy pesto pasta, bottled water, and a glass of local wine. Captain Christian is praised for explaining the coastline clearly.

Seats and dates →The whole write-up