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Palermo Market Excursion: A Multicultural Cooking Experience at Casa Di Cilla
5.0
372 Ratings
Palermo
Embark on a multicultural cooking adventure at Casa Di Cilla in Palermo Market. Explore the vibrant market alleys, buy fresh ingredients, and learn to prepare delicious dishes in a welcoming kitchen.
Embark on a multicultural cooking adventure at Casa Di Cilla in Palermo Market. Explore the vibrant market alleys, buy fresh ingredients, and learn to prepare delicious dishes in a welcoming kitchen.
Duration:
5 hours
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
- Via Dante, 54 - The experience will commence early in the morning at “Porta Carini,” the entrance to the renowned Capo market. Participants will explore the bustling market alleys, brimming with goods, to purchase ingredients for the chosen menu. The vibrant stalls, filled with colors and sounds, evoke the atmosphere of a souk in a Muslim city….
- Via Dante, 54 - The experience will commence early in the morning at “Porta Carini,” the entrance to the renowned Capo market. Participants will explore the bustling market alleys, brimming with goods, to purchase ingredients for the chosen menu. The vibrant stalls, filled with colors and sounds, evoke the atmosphere of a souk in a Muslim city. Visiting a Palermo market offers a multicultural experience, showcasing the diverse and cosmopolitan culture of Palermo. After shopping, the journey continues at the host’s home, just minutes from Piazza Politeama, where the culinary adventure unfolds. Under expert guidance, the kitchen becomes the stage for culinary creations. Sicilian cuisine, celebrated for its creativity and visual appeal, is deeply intertwined with the island’s historical, cultural, and religious heritage. From appetizers to desserts, the host will share the origins and stories of each dish, fostering cultural exchange and dialogue.
What's Included
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- Lunch included
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- Lunch included
Meal Options
- pasta first
- typical Sicilian
- second course of fish or meat
- cannolo or typical Sicilian dessert
- pasta first
- typical Sicilian
- second course of fish or meat
- cannolo or typical Sicilian dessert
Additional Information
Our journey will commence early in the day at the ‘Porta Carini’ gateway into the city’s renowned Cape market. We’ll traverse the market’s bustling aisles filled with goods, purchasing what’s needed to prepare the menu we’ve decided upon. The vibrant stalls, the spectrum of hues and buzzing crowd might give you the sense of being in a marketplace in any…
Our journey will commence early in the day at the ‘Porta Carini’ gateway into the city’s renowned Cape market. We’ll traverse the market’s bustling aisles filled with goods, purchasing what’s needed to prepare the menu we’ve decided upon. The vibrant stalls, the spectrum of hues and buzzing crowd might give you the sense of being in a marketplace in any Islamic city. A visit to a Palermo market is indeed an exploration of diverse cultures in itself, mirroring the multifaceted and cosmopolitan ethos of the area. After securing our ingredients, we’ll head for my home, located a short distance from Piazza Politeama. Here, the journey will progress as we begin cooking under my guidance, my kitchen transforming into the stage for your culinary masterpieces.
Location
Via Volturno, 78
Via Volturno
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
5.0
(372 Ratings)
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Willj934
Mar 2, 2026
Absolutely first class Sicilian cooking experience - We had the most fabulous cooking experience with Marco - who is so much fun and a great teacher. The shopping in Capo Market was an experience in itself with Marco knowing all the local sales people and explaining the produce we were to cook with. Marcos apartment is super close to the market and a lovely bright home to cook. My partner is an expert cook and I am a novice cook but Marco made is easy and super fun. We made ravioli, swordfish rolls aubergine rolls and canollo. All amazing !! All washed down with lovely Sicilian white and red wine. Thanks so much Marco !!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Timucinw
Feb 17, 2026
An Amazing Experience!! Don't Pass it By!!! - My wife Ann and I had an exceptional experience with Marco (of Casa Di Cilla) on our recent visit to Palermo. We met him at the entrance of one of the markets in Palermo where, after introductions, we decided on a menu and then went right to shopping for the ingredients. As we shopped, Marco taught us about the nuances of the various ingredients and how to pick the best items. Just visiting the different market stalls, from fish to vegetables to cheeses was just amazing. Along with that, we also learned about Palermo / Sicilian food culture. After we got our ingredients, we went to his apartment, a short ten minute walk away, where we started the lesson. His kitchen space was exceptionally clean and he guided us though the preparation of our three course meal. This was an absolute blast. It was like we knew each other for years. His attitude is genuine and you can tell he loves what he does and truly enjoys seeing his pupils (us) learn a few things. This is the real deal. After we prepared the food, probably two plus hours or so, we then had the meal in his dining room and chatted about life and family. He was very open about sharing his family experiences and we did the same of course. This was more like meeting an old friend and catching up on things (and learning a lot about Sicilian cuisine) in a familial atmosphere. This is a certainly must as the experience with Marco, is much more about learning how to cook a Sicilian meal, it is experiencing a fantastic tase of Sicilian Culture. Note this is a half day (four hours or so) from start to end BUT well worth it!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jtd3inaz
Feb 14, 2026
Fantastic experience you will remember forever! - We met Marco at the street market full of fresh seafood and vegetables. We talked about the menu and he took us to his favorite spots to buy each of the ingredients and then we walked back to his beautiful apartment. It was an amazing experience. I don't cook at all but he made it so fun and easy. Even my husband who is the cook at home learned a few things. We made four delicious dishes. Marco is a great teacher with a beautiful outgoing personality. This was definitely one of the highlights of our visit to Palermo.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Beagles1013
Feb 7, 2026
Fun and food - We were very fortunate to have found such a great experience! We met Marco at the Capo Market where we discussed what we would like to cook then Marco took us to the stands that sold fish, vegetables and cheese. We then walked to Marco’s personal residence where he has a studio for his cooking class
Marco made our experience fun and informative along with cooking some absolutely delicious food.
This is a hands on experience and not a cooking demonstration! Be prepared to dig in and cook with a professional chef.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Straussman
Jan 3, 2026
Fantastic Sicilian Cooking Experience! - What a fantastic time we had with Marco. We went through the Capo Market together discussing the types of food we were interested in and selected the nicest looking produce and freshest fish for our culinary adventure. Marco was charming, funny, and a fantastic teacher throughout our time together. If you are looking for an amazing Sicilian cooking experience, you will want to book a date with Marco.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Dream00552895364
Nov 4, 2025
Wonderful day with Marco! - We had a wonderful time with Marco and with only 2 couples it was great conversation and very hands on cooking. The food was so fresh and delicious. I highly recommend!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Ronoaustin_texas
Oct 29, 2025
Amazing Cooking Class With Marco! - The five hour cooking class with Marco was one of the highlights of our trip to Sicily and Italy. My wife and I learned so much but more than that, it was just so much fun. Besides being an accomplished chef, Marco has a wonderful personality and was the perfect host and teacher. He took us to the market where the locals shop and we bought the food that we would prepare in his kitchen. Caponata, Swordfish rolls, Veal rolls, Pasta alla Norma and Cannoli. It was an absolute blast and I would highly recommend it to anyone going to Palermo. You will come back with so many cooking tips. Thank you, Marco for such a wonderful time!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
E1556gtdanielk
Oct 22, 2025
Culinary Delight - Chef Marco is extremely personable and so creative. He welcomed us into his apartment to cook with him and it was an absolute delight to spend time with him, old friends and new friends. He let our group of 10 choose the menu as we shopped in the market prior to cooking with Chef. This is THE cooking class to take in Palermo!!! Highly recommend!!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Taino72
Oct 21, 2025
The best cooking class in my life! - I have taken part in cooking classes around the globe, but this was by far the best. Marco was charming, knowledgeable and friendly. I chose this class for my wife’s birthday as I wanted to do something special. I was not disappointed.
We met at the local market to purchase our ingredients, which allowed us to meet the market vendors and sample a variety of treats and wares along the way.
Our group was small and the space well equipped. We cooked four different dishes, plus a dessert and snacks.
Everyone was encouraged to take part, but nobody was pushed to do something they felt uncomfortable doing. We felt like we were learning and laughing the whole time.
Marco’s instructions were clear, everyone had a designated work space and his meals were planned and perfected. He ensured all dietary needs were accommodated and everyone was happy with the planned menu.
Everyone took part in prepping and cooking, and I learned some new skills along the way. Marco was patient and kind. The wines were excellent and generous. When everything was finished we sat down together for a fantastic meal in Marcos beautifully appointed apartment. It was literally the best meal I ate in Palermo.
If you are looking for an excellent cooking class, and are hoping to eat delicious food, have a laugh, learn about Palermo and spend a day with great people, then this is the class to take! Salute and bon appetit mi amici!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Agatarp9138gr
Oct 13, 2025
A recipe for a perfect day in Palermo - This cooking class was the highlight of our Palermo trip. Marco's hospitality was unmatched and the food was delicious and authentic. Everything was fun, from picking out the menu and exploring the market for a bit, to heading back to the kitchen and learning how to cook sicilian dishes... not to mention eating them ;) We made handmade tagliatelle with pesto, stuffed squid (my fave), and cannoli and cassatelle (my other fave) for dessert. Highly recommend this experience, worth every cent!
Review provided by Tripadvisor