Genoa: Pasta & Pesto Cooking Class with Terrace Lunch

Make trofie or corzetti pasta from scratch and crush pesto by hand in a Genoese palace before lunching on the terrace

You’ll knead fresh pasta dough inside a historic Genoese palace, learn to make traditional pesto by hand with a local guide, then relax over lunch on a sunlit terrace with wine. Expect honest flavors, hands-on moments, and glimpses of daily life in Genoa that linger long after you leave.

Step-by-step itinerary

Genoese cooking lesson and lunch

• Learn about local ingredients
• Prepare fresh pasta dough
• Shape the fresh pasta
• Make pesto with traditional tools
• Enjoy lunch on terrace

The experience

The first thing I noticed was the smell, not just basil (though there was plenty of that), but something green and sharp, almost like the sea had snuck into the kitchen. We were inside this old Genoese palace, all faded tiles and high ceilings. Our guide, Marta, handed me a wooden board and said, “You’ll get flour everywhere, it’s normal.” She was right: my hands were soon covered in dough and I kept glancing at everyone else’s shapes to see if mine looked remotely like trofie. Spoiler: not really.

I’d never made pesto with a mortar before. It’s louder than you think: the sound of pine nuts cracking is kind of satisfying. Marta showed us how to move the pestle in circles (“not too fast!”) and told stories about her grandmother making this same sauce every Sunday. I tried to say “testaroli” properly but she laughed and corrected me (twice). The windows were open so you could hear scooters zipping past outside, and every now and then someone would wave up from the square below.

Lunch happened out on this little terrace overlooking Piazza. Sunlight bounced off the stone balustrade, wine glasses clinked, and honestly: eating pasta you made yourself (even if it’s lumpy) hits different. The pesto was grassy and rich. I’m still thinking about it days later. If you’re after a day trip in Genoa that feels real (with flour under your nails and laughter in the air), this cooking class is it.

What’s included

Your day includes all ingredients for making fresh pasta (trofie or corzetti) and traditional pesto by hand inside an historic palace, bottled water to keep you refreshed while cooking, local wine poured at lunch, plus time to relax on a terrace as you eat what you’ve made together before heading out into Genoa again.

Options for this experience

4 options

Shared experience conducted in ItalianAvailable from 26 Oct 2027Duration: 2 hours, cooking class with lunch

Shared experience conducted in English10:30Duration: 3 hours, cooking class and lunch; lunch includes fresh pasta, water, and wine (or alternative drinks)

Shared experience conducted in FrenchAvailable from 26 Oct 2027Duration: 3 hours, lunch (déjeuner)

Shared experience conducted in SpanishAvailable from 26 Oct 2027Duration: 3 hours, 3h15 cooking class (clase de cocina)

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesSaturdayDeparts at 10:30Last departure this season: 29 Nov

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (17 to 80 years) · Youth (8 to 16 years) · Child (under 8): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French and Italian

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Stroller-friendlyPublic transport nearby

Operated by Soul of Genoa Tours

Traveler reviews

4.92★★★★★★★★★★

206 verified traveler reviews

5 ★194

4 ★9

3 ★2

2 ★1

1 ★0

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

In Spanish, French and Italian. In English, at 10:30.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (8 to 16 years); Child (under 8): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What dishes do we cook in the Genoa pasta & pesto class?

You’ll make fresh pasta like trofie or corzetti with traditional pesto sauce using local ingredients.

Is lunch included in the cooking class?

Yes, after cooking you’ll enjoy lunch on a terrace overlooking the square: eating what you prepared together.

Where does the cooking lesson take place?

The class is held inside a beautiful historic palace in central Genoa.

Are drinks provided during the class?

Bottled water and local wine are included with your meal.

Is public transportation available nearby?

Yes, there are public transport options close to the meeting point.