Perfume Masterclass in Florence: Make your Own Personal Fragrance

In a 1700s apothecary in Florence, your perfume-making class turns a row of fragrant essences into something you can wear and take home. You’ll hear about the city’s perfume traditions, choose ingredients, and have a master perfumer help turn your preferences into a 30ml bottle.

I like the unusual setting and the fact that you leave with a scent made to your taste, plus its recipe for possible reordering. One consideration: this is a guided introduction, not a full technical course. The choice of essences and amount of instruction may feel limited if you expect to formulate every detail yourself.

The useful details at a glance

• You work in a historic apothecary: Antica Erboristeria San Simone combines a shop with an artisanal laboratory.
• You make a personal blend: You select from a kit of essences, and the perfumer helps determine how much of each to use.
• You take home a 30ml bottle: A signed certificate is included, and one participant also received the fragrance recipe for reordering.
• The class lasts about two hours: Coffee, tea, or water is provided during a break.
• The group is capped at 15: That keeps the class relatively small, though you may still share the fragrance table and instructor’s attention.
• Expect a hands-on introduction, not advanced training: The balance between history, explanation, and making can vary.

Inside the San Simone apothecary

The meeting point is Antica Erboristeria San Simone, at Via Ghibellina 190. You start and finish there, so there is no transfer between venues to plan. The shop and laboratory are the experience’s main attraction: the room is described as atmospheric, with old-style glassware, ampules, herbs, flowers, and perfume materials on display.

The setting gives the activity a useful sense of place. Florence has a long association with fragrance-making, and the class introduces you to that tradition in a working apothecary rather than in a standard classroom. You can look around the shop as part of the visit, too. One helpful tip from a participant: leave time to see the owners’ perfume collection instead of heading straight out when the class ends.

The workshop is presented as a step back into the world of Renaissance apothecaries and alchemists. That framing adds color, but keep your expectations practical. The experience is about learning some history and making a scent, not visiting a museum with a detailed historical tour.

Choosing notes and making your blend

After an introduction to perfume-making in Florence, you’ll get a chance to explore the essences and decide which smells appeal to you. The class introduces the idea of balancing different kinds of notes, including base, heart, and top notes. That gives you a simple way to think about why scents combine as they do, even if you are new to fragrance.

The process is collaborative. You make the choices, then the master perfumer or a staff member helps work out the number of drops for each essence and mixes the ingredients. You are not left to handle every step independently, nor does the class appear to involve a long technical exercise in formulation. For many people, that makes it an easy and sociable activity. If you want detailed instruction on chemistry, sourcing, or professional perfume production, this may feel basic.

The number of choices may also depend on the class setup. Participants have described the selection as around 20 dropper vials, while another described roughly 30 scents. Those accounts suggest a useful range, but not an unlimited perfume counter where you can sample every oil in the shop. If discovering a very particular ingredient is central to your plans, ask what is included before you start.

There may be an extra charge if you want an essence that is not part of the standard selection. One participant paid an additional €10 for a requested scent. That does not establish a fixed fee for every extra ingredient, so check the cost before adding anything.

What the two hours feel like

The session includes the welcome and visit to the shop and laboratory, an introduction to Florentine perfume history, time to choose your ingredients, the blending process, and a coffee, tea, or water break. The exact pace can vary, but the activity is designed to fit into about two hours.

The group limit is 15 people. That is small enough to make a shared workshop feel personal, but it is still a group class. You may be waiting while the instructor helps other people with their blends. If you prefer one-to-one guidance or want to spend a long time testing a large number of scents, the group format is worth weighing before you book.

The language is English, though the amount of explanation may not always feel equal across languages in a mixed group. One participant found the English instruction brief compared with the presentation for Italian speakers. If clear, detailed English instruction is your main reason for booking, it is sensible to confirm what language the session will use.

Staff members have been described as warm and helpful. Elena is one name associated with the experience, but there is no guarantee that she will lead your class. The master perfumer is not named in the details provided, so you should not book expecting a particular instructor.

The bottle, certificate, and value

The main keepsake is a 30ml bottle of the fragrance you create. You also receive a certificate signed by the master perfumer. One participant said the recipe was provided as well, making it possible to order the same blend again. Since that detail is not specified as a standard inclusion, ask the staff how reordering works and whether you will receive your formula.

A custom scent is a more personal souvenir than a bottle chosen from a shop shelf. It can also be a fun way to remember a Florence visit, especially if you make the class part of a mother-and-daughter outing, a birthday treat, or a small-group activity. Some participants enjoyed comparing choices around the table and seeing how different each finished fragrance could be.

At $84.69 per person, the class is not a bargain if you judge it only by the amount of perfume you take home. Its value comes from the combination of the apothecary setting, the guided selection process, a short introduction to local perfume history, the 30ml bottle, and the time spent making something personal. If you mainly want a low-cost bottle of perfume, a shop will be cheaper. If you want a hands-on activity and a distinctive souvenir, the price is easier to justify.

Some people have not liked the final scent or felt that the selection did not allow them to make something distinctive enough. Perfume is personal, and choosing from a limited kit carries a little risk. Take your time smelling the options, and be honest about the kinds of scents you like. You can also ask how the formula is recorded before the ingredients are mixed.

Who is likely to enjoy this class

This works well for people curious about perfume, couples or friends who enjoy creative activities, and families looking for something different from another museum visit. Participants have brought children, including a 10-year-old, who stayed engaged. The formal participation information says most people can take part, and service animals are allowed.

It can also suit solo visitors. You do not need to arrive with a group, and the shared table can make the activity social without requiring you to know anyone beforehand. The class is open to men and women, and the result does not have to be a traditionally feminine perfume. You are choosing smells that appeal to you.

The experience may disappoint if you expect an intensive perfumery lesson, dozens of ingredients, or a long history lecture. The balance varies: some classes include an engaging account of the shop and Florence’s perfume past, while others focus more on making the blend. Treat the history as an introduction rather than the sole reason to attend.

Planning your visit

The address is Via Ghibellina 190 in Florence, and the activity ends at the same meeting point. It is near public transportation, but hotel pickup, drop-off, and transport to or from other attractions are not included. Arrive early: one participant found the class had started shortly after the listed time, and recommends being there 15 minutes ahead.

The experience is offered in English and uses a mobile ticket. It is often booked well in advance, with an average booking lead time of about 35 days, so reserve early if you have a specific date in mind. The maximum group size is 15.

The supplied participation information includes a health-document requirement for everyone over 12: proof of full vaccination, proof of a first vaccination administered at least 15 days earlier, proof of a Covid-19 infection within the past six months, or a negative test taken no more than 48 hours before the activity. Because entry rules can change, check the current requirements before you go.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made later are not accepted for a refund.

Should you book it?

Book this if you want a creative Florence activity, like trying fragrance ingredients, and would enjoy leaving with a custom 30ml scent from a historic apothecary. It is especially appealing as a shared outing or a hands-on break from sightseeing.

Think twice if you want a rigorous perfume-making course or a very broad range of oils to explore. The activity is best understood as a guided, accessible introduction with a personal souvenir, not a professional workshop. Its strong overall rating of 4.7 from 253 ratings and 93% recommendation rate points to broad appeal, but your satisfaction will depend on whether that simple format matches what you want.

FAQ

How long does the perfume class last?

The activity lasts about two hours.

Where does the class meet?

It meets at Antica Erboristeria San Simone, Via Ghibellina 190, 50122 Florence. It ends at the same location.

What will I make?

You will create a personal fragrance from a kit of essences and take home a 30ml bottle.

Is the class in English?

Yes. The activity is offered in English.

How many people can join?

The maximum group size is 15 people.

Is a drink included?

Yes. The class includes a complimentary coffee, tea, or water break.

Is transport included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off, and transportation to or from attractions, are not included.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before the activity are not accepted for a refund.