Sicily Cooking Class with Kids in Palermo: A Hidden Gem on Our Disney Cruise Through Italy
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When we booked our Mediterranean Disney Cruise, we were dreaming of ancient ruins, beautiful coastlines, and of course — pasta. What we didn’t expect was for one of our favorite memories to come from a non-Disney excursion in Palermo, Sicily. This cooking class wasn’t flashy or sponsored — it was authentic, hands-on, and exactly what we hoped travel would be for our family: a cultural experience that stuck with us long after we sailed away.
First Impressions of Palermo
Our first port stop was Palermo, and let’s just say — it didn’t start out great. As soon as we stepped off the ship, we were surrounded by an overwhelming number of taxi drivers, all trying to get us to hire them. It was intense. Honestly, the kids were nervous. And when we pushed past the crowd, the streets of Palermo greeted us with graffiti and garbage. We were told this city has an ongoing trash problem.
It didn’t feel magical—not at first.
And because we had decided not to do the easy option and book a Disney excursion, I was already questioning my decision.
My husband kept asking where I found this online and was sure we were being taken advantage of or worse, but I assured him this was legit and we just needed to meet our chef guide who would then take us to his personal kitchen … he wasn’t reassured. I found the cooking class on Viator, which has always been a trusted resource for us, and the class had great reviews and lots of pictures with kids, so I figured it was a family-friendly option.
We met our host in a quiet square around 10 a.m. The area was pretty empty, which made my husband — who is always cautious — even more uneasy. But our host was friendly, and a short time later, another nice family walked up who would be joining our cooking class.
Our host arrived right on time and walked us through a bustling outdoor market, chatting with vendors in Italian and gathering ingredients for the meal we’d be cooking together. Watching him in his element — greeting butchers and sellers picking our fresh ingredients was like being part of a local food documentary. It was a great start for me and my husband started to feel a little more at ease.
Cooking From Market to Meal
After the market, our host led us to the kitchen in a residential part of Palermo. We climbed up tiny stairs and were welcomed into a small but well-organized space. There was a bathroom off the entry, a kitchen filled with fresh ingredients and tools, and a dining room where we’d share our meal.
He had the whole experience down to a science. A second chef helped with dishes and prep, and they worked seamlessly as a team. The menu was seasonal, traditional, and interactive — we weren’t just watching, we were chopping, kneading, and stirring right alongside them.
What made it even more special? Michael’s food history lessons. On the wall of his kitchen, he had artwork showing when key ingredients like pine nuts, lemons, and tomatoes arrived in Sicily — and from where. We learned about Arab, Spanish, and other cultural influences that shaped Sicilian cuisine. It was like a history class and a cooking show rolled into one which is everything I could ever ask for!
A Meal to Remember (And Recreate)
We cooked several dishes: pasta with fresh tomatoes, granita, and a few other recipes I still can’t pronounce but will dream about forever. Yes, everyone touched everything, but it all got cooked, so if you're worried about germs, don’t be. And picky eaters? Ours are right there with you. But they did so well. They tried everything, and even if they didn’t love every bite, they were respectful and curious, which was our goal.
We always give our kids a little pep talk before cultural experiences like this: be grateful, be curious, and show respect to people who are sharing their time and traditions with us. The kids did great and really rose to the occasion.
After the meal, our host gave us printed recipes to take home, and we’ve actually recreated the dishes since. We even made the noodles for Sunday dinner with Grandma after the trip. (It’s hard to go back to boxed pasta after you’ve made your own.)
The Best Gelato in Italy?
Before saying goodbye, our host gave us the inside scoop (pun intended) on where to find the best gelato in Palermo — and he was not wrong. We tried a lot of gelato over the next several ports, but nothing beat that first shop in Palermo. It was the cherry on top of a perfect half-day.
Final Thoughts: Why This Was One of Our Favorite Days in Italy
We walked back to the ship full, happy, and honestly amazed at how the day turned around. Palermo started off rough — no doubt about it — but this cooking class gave us exactly what we were hoping for: a real connection to the culture, a new skill, and a core memory made together.
If you’re stopping in Palermo on a Mediterranean cruise, and especially if you’re cruising with kids, this is a great alternative. It’s easy to fit in during a port day and leaves you time to either explore more or enjoy the quiet back on the ship while everyone else is out.
At the heart of it, this is what travel is about for our family: showing our kids how other people live, eat, and connect — and giving them the chance to participate in that with respect and curiosity.
