New: week-long to multi-month cooking courses in Italy, prices read from school sites

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Cookweeks

Two weeks or longer · 34 courses from 16 schools

Long-Stay Cooking Courses Abroad

Long-stay cooking courses abroad let you live somewhere for two weeks to several months and cook every day, not just on holiday. In Italy that means culinary schools that run intensive programmes for international students, often with lodging and an optional restaurant internship, plus pastry, gelato and pizza schools with multi-week courses.

Prices checked

Ponte Vecchio over the Arno river in Florence
Photo: Jebulon, CC0
Courses
3416 schools
From
€580per person
Median
€4,70530 priced
Places
11Florence, Siena, Bologna…

Price spread

Published per-person prices by course type.

  • 2 to 4 weeks14 to 31 days · 19 priced
    €580median €2,250€6,250
  • Longer than a month5 weeks up to a year · 11 priced
    €5,000median €12,500€30,200
Published prices per person in euros (US dollar and pound prices converted at the ECB rate), log scale. The dot is the median.

The 24 cheapest long-stay cooking courses abroad

Cheapest published price first; courses without a published price come last. The course finder lists all 34.

All 34 in the finder
€580per person, from, 2 weeksabout US$648
Length
2 weeks
Per day
about €41
Taught in
Italian

Offers 1, 9 and 16 combine the standard Italian language course (mornings) with cooking and a culture course. 'The offers are valid throughout the year and can be chosen for periods from 2 to 8 weeks.' Accommodation priced separately. Price shown is 'from' for 2 weeks; longer durations on the offer detail pages (not read).

School page: “from € 580 / 2 wks”

Read 1 Nov 2026School page
€700per person, 2 weeksabout US$782
Length
2 weeks · 16 h hands-on
Per day
about €50
Group
up to 15
Taught in
Italian
Certificate
Attendance
Season
Start any Monday

Includes 40 group lessons, 4 cooking classes (4h), equipped kitchen, didactic material, social activities. Language classes max 15 (average 8). Certificate states lessons attended and CEFR level. Accommodation separate.

School page: “€700.00”

Read 1 Nov 2026School page
€1,330per person, 4 weeksabout US$1,486
Length
4 weeks · 32 h hands-on
Per day
about €48
Group
up to 15
Taught in
Italian
Certificate
Attendance
Season
Start any Monday

Includes 80 group lessons, 8 cooking classes (4h), didactic material, social activities. Accommodation separate.

School page: “€1,330.00”

Read 1 Nov 2026School page
€1,941per person, 4 weeksabout US$2,168
Length
4 weeks · 24 h hands-on
Per day
about €69
Taught in
Italian
  • Meals

Price table 'Italian language course + 2 cooking lessons for week': 1 week EUR 530, 2 weeks EUR 1000, 3 weeks EUR 1471, 4 weeks EUR 1941 (page renders the numbers next to template code, so quote is the number only). Extra cooking lessons EUR 68 each, max 3 per week. You taste what you cook at the end of each lesson. hands_on_hours computed from 2 x 3 h x 4 weeks.

School page: “1941”

Read 1 Nov 2026School page
€1,950per person, plus VATabout US$2,179
Length
4 weeks · 120 h hands-on
Per day
about €70
Taught in
Italian
Certificate
Attendance
Min. age
18

160 hours: 120 h laboratory + 20 h theory + 20 h placement in a partner pizzeria. Monday-Friday 10:00-18:00. VAT (IVA) not included. Instalments up to 12 possible subject to financing approval. Includes handouts, kit (apron, t-shirt, hat, backpack), final certificate "Pizzaiuolo Base - 160h". 2026/27 dates: 21 Sep-16 Oct 2026, 2-27 Nov 2026, 18 Jan-12 Feb 2027, 1-26 Mar 2027, 19 Apr-14 May 2027, 31 May-25 Jun 2027, 5-30 Jul 2027. Page in Italian.

School page: “€1950 + IVA”

Read 1 Nov 2026School page
€2,000per person, from (VAT included)about US$2,234
Length
4.3 weeks
Per day
about €66
Taught in
English
Certificate
Professional

Price depends on module and internship; range EUR 2,000-10,000. Courses from one month to one year. Chef lessons 9:30-14:30, pastry lessons 15:00-20:00, three times a week. Payment 30/30/40 instalments.

School page: “Prices start from a minimum of €2,000 including VAT and go up to a maximum of €10,000 including VAT.”

Read 1 Nov 2026School page
€2,240per personabout US$2,503
Length
2 weeks · 60 h hands-on
Per day
about €160
Taught in
English
Certificate
Attendance

One week at Institut Lyfe (Lyon) + one week at CAST (Brescia), 60 teaching hours, in English. Fee includes classes, workshops, visits, tastings and one meal per class day; accommodation, transportation, other meals, visa not included (Lyon residence EUR 350). Alliance members EUR 2,100.

School page: “Full rogramme €2,240”

Read 1 Nov 2026School page
€2,250per personabout US$2,514
Length
2 weeks
Per day
about €161
Group
up to 20
Taught in
English, Italian
Certificate
Professional
Season
Next dates: Florence 19 October 2026; Lecce 21 June 2027

74 hours of training; 2 weeks, Mon-Fri 7.5 hours a day; max 20 students. Fee includes teaching with a professional translator in English, raw materials, equipment, jacket and hat, English manual, certificate 'Expert of Italian Pasta and Sauces'. Taught by Italian chefs with English translation. Accommodation not included (separate accommodation page).

School page: “€ 2250”

Read 1 Nov 2026School page
€2,250per personabout US$2,514
Length
2 weeks
Per day
about €161
Group
up to 20
Taught in
English, Italian
Certificate
Professional
Season
Florence: 28 September 2026 (sold out), 2 November 2026

74 hours; lessons Mon-Fri 7.5 h a day; max 20 persons. Fee includes translator into English, raw materials, equipment, uniform, English manual and certificate 'Expert in Italian Pizza and Baking'.

School page: “€ 2250”

Read 1 Nov 2026School page
€2,900per person, complete courseabout US$3,240
Length
2 weeks
Per day
about €207
Taught in
English
Certificate
Professional
  • Lodging
  • Meals

2 weeks of lessons plus 11 weeks optional internship (total 100 days). Fee includes guesthouse accommodation for 2 weeks, breakfast and lunch/dinner Monday-Friday, chef uniform, visa support. Malpensa group bus transfer listed under additional payment services. Internship not included in fee.

School page: “Complete course: 2.900 €”

Read 1 Nov 2026School page
US$4,250per student, 3 creditsabout €3,804
Length
3 weeks
Per day
about €181
Certificate
Professional
Season
Summer I–IV 2027 (May to August)

6 credits $ 6,050. 6-week sessions: 3 credits $5,150, 6 credits $6,550, 9 credits $8,050. Prices from the Study Abroad in Europe agency page, not apicius.it. Housing inclusion not stated on the page.

School page: “3 Credits - $ 4,250”

Read 1 Nov 2026School page
€4,300per person, 3 weeks lessons + optional internshipabout US$4,804
Length
3 weeks
Per day
about €205
Taught in
Italian, English
  • Lodging
  • Meals

Taught in Italian with English interpreter. 5,400 EUR for 4 weeks of lessons + 8 weeks internship; weekly modules 1,700 EUR. Internship accommodation and meals paid by student.

School page: “4.300€ for the first 3 weeks of lessons and 9 weeks of internship (optional)”

Read 1 Nov 2026School page
€4,500per person, complete courseabout US$5,027
Length
3 weeks
Per day
about €214
Taught in
Italian, English
  • Lodging
  • Meals

Taught in Italian with English interpreter. 3 weeks of lessons plus 10 weeks optional internship. Single week modules EUR 1,700 (weeks 1 and 3) or EUR 1,800 (week 2).

School page: “Complete course: 4.500 €”

Read 1 Nov 2026School page
€4,510per personabout US$5,039
Length
4 weeks
Per day
about €161
Taught in
Italian
Certificate
Attendance
  • Meals

Italian-language editions (02.11.2026, 01.02.2027, 08.11.2027); paid English simultaneous translation available. Fee includes lunch and coffee breaks. Additional administrative fee for non-EU students. Deposit EUR 1,350.

School page: “The Professional Artisan Gelato Program has a fee of €4,510.00.”

Read 1 Nov 2026School page
€4,900per personabout US$5,474
Length
2 weeks
Per day
about €350
Taught in
English
Certificate
Attendance
Min. age
18
  • Lodging

For international culinary students and young chefs with 2/3 years of experience; optional one-month internship. 3rd edition 9 June 2027.

School page: “Official Price: € 4.900 (VAT and accomodation included)”

Read 1 Nov 2026School page
€5,000per person, entire courseabout US$5,586
Length
16 weeks · 100 h hands-on
Per day
about €45
Group
up to 12
Taught in
Italian
Certificate
Professional
Season
5 April 2027 and autumn 2027

Qualifying course under regional regulations; 100 hours over max 16 weeks, Monday-Tuesday 15:00-20:00; optional internship. Early enrolment EUR 4,500. Taught in Italian; foreign candidates need adequate Italian.

School page: “€ 5,000”

Read 1 Nov 2026School page
€5,300per personabout US$5,921
Length
3 weeks
Per day
about €252
Taught in
English
Certificate
Attendance
Min. age
18

Requires intermediate English; applicants over 40 asked for a motivational letter. Optional traineeship. Editions 24 November 2026 and 9 July 2027; '2027 Editions price is 5.500€'.

School page: “Official Price: € 5.300 (VAT included)”

Read 1 Nov 2026School page
€6,000per person, taxes not includedabout US$6,703
Length
12 weeks
Per day
about €71
Taught in
Italian, English
Certificate
Professional

Monday-Friday 8:00-14:00, mandatory attendance; 6 students per school year, 2 per class. Entry only after the 3-day course and teacher approval. Diploma signed by Alessandra and Stefania Spisni; no final exam. Students arrange their own housing. Full €6,000 paid at enrolment.

School page: “COSTO: € 6000,00 per persona. (Tasse non incluse)”

Read 1 Nov 2026School page
€6,250per personabout US$6,983
Length
4 weeks
Per day
about €223
Taught in
English
Certificate
Attendance
Min. age
18

Requires high school diploma and intermediate English. Optional traineeship. Next edition 04 May 2027.

School page: “Official Price: € 6.250 (VAT and tool kit included)”

Read 1 Nov 2026School page
€9,400tuition per student, plus €2,000 enrollment feeabout US$10,502
Length
26 weeks
Per day
about €52
Taught in
Italian, English
Certificate
Professional
  • Lodging

6-month program (about 26 weeks). 12-month version €10,400 tuition. Fees include Italian language classes, housing, weekly guided art visits and extracurricular activities. Start dates 28 Sep 2026, 25 Jan, 5 Apr, 27 Sep 2027. English interpretation provided; classes off-campus.

School page: “€9,400”

Read 1 Nov 2026School page
€12,000per person, entire courseabout US$13,406
Length
16 weeks · 300 h hands-on
Per day
about €107
Group
up to 12
Taught in
Italian
Season
Spring and autumn 2027 sessions

300 hours, max 16 weeks, plus 16-week curricular internship at pastry shops. Early enrolment EUR 11,000. Taught in Italian (B1 required).

School page: “€ 12,000”

Read 1 Nov 2026School page

What to know

These are the courses where a careful comparison saves the most money: totals run into thousands of euros, and what is included varies a lot, from tuition only to room, meals and transfers. Each card shows the length, what the price covers and a price per day so a 2-week and a 12-week course can be compared.

Non-EU visitors can stay in the Schengen area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa. Courses longer than that need a national (type D) study visa, which you apply for before you travel.

How to choose

  • Work out the total: tuition plus lodging, food and travel. The price per day on each card is tuition and whatever the school says is included.
  • Check the internship: some programmes add weeks or months in a restaurant after the classes.
  • Count teaching hours per week; intensive programmes run 25 to 40 hours.
  • Over 90 days? Plan the study visa first.

Related: cooking courses in Italy · what a cooking course in Italy costs · course finder

Not sure which to pick?

Tell us your dates, budget and what you want to learn. We reply by email with matching courses and can ask the schools for you.

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Long-Stay Cooking Courses Abroad: questions

How much do long-stay cooking courses abroad cost?

Across 30 courses with a published per-person price, the range is €580 to €30,200, with a median of €4,705. The lowest is Special Offer: Italian course + Italy today (or art history) + cooking at Istituto Michelangelo (€580 per person, from, 2 weeks). Non-euro prices are converted at the ECB rate.

Can I take a cooking course in Italy on a tourist visa?

For stays up to 90 days in any 180 days, citizens of visa-exempt countries such as the US, UK, Canada and Australia can attend a short course without a visa. Longer courses need a national study visa (type D). EU and EEA citizens have no time limit. Check the official Schengen rules for your passport.

What is the cheapest way to learn to cook in Italy for a month?

The lowest-cost option is usually a language school with cooking lessons, or a culinary school course where lodging is not included and you rent a room yourself. See the 1-month page for the courses with published prices.