La Spezia is a fantastic place to learn the secrets of Italian cooking and local traditions. Unlike big city tour groups, La Spezia offers intimate, hands-on experiences led by passionate locals who want to share their culinary techniques and stories. Whether you’re rolling fresh pasta, tasting cheese straight from the farm, or shopping with a local guide, these workshops provide a genuine taste of Liguria’s flavors. One experience we particularly like is the small group pasta and tiramisù class because it combines authentic cooking with a friendly atmosphere, perfect for travelers seeking a relaxed, engaging session.
If your goal is to get a real sense of Ligurian cuisine, all of these options deliver. Some, like the market tour & home cooking class, go beyond the kitchen and into the bustling streets of La Spezia, while others like the pesto making class focus on one iconic ingredient made the traditional way. No matter your budget or time constraints, you’ll find a class that suits your appetite for authentic Italian food.
Quick Overview
This list includes a range of cooking workshops, market tours, and specialized classes that highlight Ligurian cuisine’s best. From small-group pasta and tiramisù lessons to private home experiences and pesto workshops, each offers a unique way to connect with La Spezia’s culinary culture. For example, the home cooking class with a local provides personalized instruction, while the market tour combined with a cooking class offers insight into the local produce scene. Check out the details below to find the best fit for your interests and schedule.
1. Cesarine: Small group Pasta and Tiramisu class in La Spezia
Making fresh pasta and authentic tiramisù can seem intimidating, but this class simplifies the process. Led by a passionate local host, you’ll learn the techniques to shape and fill pasta like ravioli or tortellini, and then create a traditional tiramisù from scratch. The class lasts about three hours and takes place in a cozy home kitchen, creating a relaxed vibe perfect for socializing.
What makes this experience stand out is the small group setting — typically around 8 people — which encourages personalized attention. You’ll start with a Prosecco aperitivo and light snacks, then roll up your sleeves to cook. Afterward, you sit down to enjoy the dishes you’ve made, paired with local wine. The reviews highlight Daniela and Donata’s warmth and authentic approach, with one guest noting, “This isn’t just a class; it’s a warm invitation into Donata’s home, her kitchen, and her heart.”
Bottom Line: If you want a friendly, authentic experience with hands-on cooking and great company, this class offers excellent value and a memorable taste of Liguria.
2. Cesarine: Pasta & Tiramisu Class at Local’s Home in La Spezia
For around $172, this local home cooking class invites you into a local’s residence to learn how to prepare two pasta dishes plus tiramisù. The host, Daniella, shares her family’s recipes and tips, making it a very personal experience. The class includes tasting your creations alongside carefully selected local wines, which elevates the meal into a true Italian feast.
What makes this tour special is the authentic home environment and the chance to chat about local traditions while cooking. Guests rave about the hospitality and high-quality ingredients, with one reviewer mentioning how they enjoyed sitting on a patio overlooking the hills. This experience is ideal for travelers wanting a private, immersive lesson that leaves them with recipes they can replicate at home.
Bottom Line: If a private, home-cooked meal in a welcoming setting appeals to you, this class offers a distinctive experience with excellent personal touches.
3. La Spezia: Pesto Making Class with Focaccia and Drink
In Liguria, pesto is king, and this Pesto Making Class offers a quick, fun lesson in crafting this iconic sauce from scratch. Lasting just about an hour, you’ll first enjoy a refreshing basil and lemon cocktail, then learn to make pesto with a local chef guiding you step-by-step. The class also includes crispy focaccia, perfect for dipping or serving alongside the pesto.
What’s unique here is the focus on traditional techniques and the history behind the recipe, giving you more than just a recipe — you get a deeper understanding of why Ligurian pesto is so special. Guests are impressed with the relaxed atmosphere, and you get to take home your own pesto recipe to impress friends back home.
Bottom Line: If you’re short on time but want to learn a true Ligurian specialty, this hands-on pesto class is a flavorful, quick educational experience.
4. Cesarine: Market Tour & Home Cooking Class in La Spezia
This market tour and cooking class combines the best of La Spezia’s vibrant food scene with hands-on cooking. Over approximately four and a half hours, you’ll explore the local market with a private guide, choosing fresh ingredients for three classic dishes. After shopping, you’ll head to a local home kitchen to prepare your meal, which you then enjoy with wine.
The big plus here is the insider knowledge you gain about local produce and the opportunity to cook dishes that showcase Ligurian flavors. The reviews mention how this experience deepened their appreciation of Italian ingredients and cooking methods. This tour is perfect for those who want a comprehensive introduction to La Spezia’s food culture along with practical cooking skills.
Bottom Line: If you love market shopping and want a full immersion into Ligurian cuisine, this is one of the best choices.
5. La Spezia: Walking Tour & Traditional Cooking Class with Wine
This experience offers a hybrid of a walking tour and cooking class, lasting about three hours. You start with a stroll through La Spezia’s bustling market, selecting up to five fresh ingredients. Then, in a local’s home kitchen, you prepare two dishes based on your ingredients, including a homemade pasta. The class concludes with a tasting of your dishes paired with local wines.
What sets this apart is the local-guided shopping experience combined with the cooking, which makes it engaging and educational. Reviewers praise Daniela’s friendliness and her knack for teaching, emphasizing how much they learned about ingredients and techniques. This class is ideal for travelers who want to combine sightseeing with cooking.
Bottom Line: If you enjoy hands-on cooking plus a bit of local culture, this class blends both successfully and offers good value.
6. Cheese Tasting, Cooking Class & Farm-to-Table Activity in Tuscany
While technically outside La Spezia, this Tuscany-based experience offers a delightful combination of cheese tasting, hands-on cooking, and farm visits. Led by a host with roots in Florence, you’ll gather herbs and vegetables from her garden, prepare traditional Italian dishes, and then enjoy your creations with a farm-fresh cheese tasting.
It’s a longer, more immersive day—about three and a half hours—perfect for those willing to travel a bit for a full farm-to-table experience. Reviewers love the warm hospitality and the opportunity to see how local ingredients are sourced and prepared, making it perfect for foodies keen on authenticity.
Bottom Line: Ideal for travelers willing to venture a bit outside La Spezia, this tour combines culinary education with rural charm and cheese expertise.
7. Cesarine: Home Cooking Class & Meal with a Local in La Spezia
Rounding out our list is this home cooking class, which offers a personalized, hands-on experience in a local’s kitchen. You’ll learn to cook dishes specific to the La Spezia region, like chickpea fritters, Ligurian minestrone, and radicchio. After preparing the meal, you sit down to enjoy it with Ligurian wine and other beverages.
The focus here is on regional specialties and a relaxed atmosphere, making it perfect for travelers wanting an authentic, intimate experience. While the price is on the higher side, reviews note the friendly hosts and delicious food as worth the cost.
Bottom Line: If regional Ligurian cuisine and a private setting appeal, this class offers a warm, customized experience.
How to Choose Your Perfect La Spezia Workshop
When selecting a cooking class or workshop, consider your budget, time, and culinary interests. For a quick but authentic taste of Ligurian pesto, the pesto class is ideal. If you want a full immersion, the market tour & cooking class offers a comprehensive experience. For those seeking intimacy and personalized attention, the home cooking classes are perfect.
Booking early is recommended, especially in peak seasons, as these popular classes tend to fill quickly. Also, check the duration and focus—whether you prefer a brief hands-on activity or a full-day farm-to-table experience.
To sum it up, La Spezia offers a variety of options for food lovers and curious travelers alike. Whether you choose a small-group pasta class, a private home experience, or a market stroll with cooking, you’ll enjoy a genuine taste of Liguria. Our top picks are the small group pasta and tiramisù class for its warmth and authenticity, and the market tour with a private cooking class for its comprehensive approach. Whichever you pick, early booking will ensure you secure your spot for this delicious adventure.