Perfume Masterclass in Florence: Make your Own Personal Fragrance

What makes this experience interesting is that you are not just buying a souvenir perfume, you are making it with a master perfumer inside a historic 1700s style apothecary shop. I love the chance to craft a personal fragrance that you can actually take home in a 30ml bottle. I also like the setting at Antica Erboristeria San Simone, with shelves of rare essences that feel like real workshop life. One thing to consider: the session is short and the scent sampling can feel limited depending on what you expect from the ingredient variety.

This is a good fit when you want a guided, hands-on activity that mixes practical scent choices with a bit of Florence flavor. The group stays small, and you get coffee or tea plus a signed certificate from the master himself.

Key highlights to know before you go

• A workshop inside Antica Erboristeria San Simone that feels like an old-world apothecary lab
• Create a full signature scent and leave with a 30ml bottle
• Coffee or tea included, so the 2 hours feel comfortable instead of rushed
• Small group format (max 15), with hands-on time at your table
• A signed certificate from the master perfumer, plus notes so you can reorder later if you wish
• Language is English, but some parts can move faster for English speakers

Antica Erboristeria San Simone: the apothecary feel you can smell

Florence has no shortage of perfume shops, but this one starts with a setting that helps you understand what perfume making was for, beyond a modern hobby. You meet at Via Ghibellina, then head into Antica Erboristeria San Simone, where the atmosphere is styled around an old apothecary workshop dating back to the 1700s. Expect a dark, aromatic room with glassware, ampules, and rows of rare essences, the kind of place that makes you slow down and pay attention to smell.

That matters because perfume is not visual. You choose with your nose. If the room feels like a lab instead of a retail counter, you naturally take more time to test and compare notes. Several people appreciated that the experience felt relaxing and even practical, and yes, one review mentioned there is air conditioning, which is a small detail that can make a big difference on a warm day.

The shop visit is not just window dressing. You get a welcome and tour through the store and artisanal laboratory, so you understand what you are about to do. You are seeing how the tradition connects to the ingredients in front of you.

The 2-hour flow: from meeting the master to bottling 30ml

The class runs about 2 hours. In that time, you do three big things: learn the basics, build your blend, and bottle your final fragrance.

First, you meet the master perfumer in the workshop. You get an introduction to Florentine perfumery and how Renaissance roots fed the craft. Then the practical part kicks in. You are guided through how to choose ingredients and how to turn essences into a wearable fragrance.

After that, you start building. You use a kit of essences to create a personalized fragrance. You smell options at your station, pick what fits your taste, then the team brings it together for the final mix. Finally, you bottle your own perfume, with the finished take-home size set at 30ml.

One timing detail I’d plan around: one review noted the class can start at the listed arrival time, but effectively you should treat the check-in time as part of the start. Their advice was to get there early, about 15 minutes before your slot, so you do not feel rushed when the group gets seated.

When you finish, the activity ends back at the meeting point on Via Ghibellina.

How you create your scent blend, and what it really means

The class is built around choice, but it is not totally open-ended. You select from a set of essences provided during the workshop. The staff then help by determining the number of drops and making the blend based on your selections.

Here is what that means for you in plain terms:

• You will spend time smelling and choosing based on your likes.
• You do not walk in, grab hundreds of oils, and create a totally custom ingredient plan from scratch.
• Your final scent is still personal, because the staff turns your picks into a coherent formula.

People who loved this part tended to say it feels straightforward and fun. You pick the notes you like, they help balance the final composition, and you leave with something that feels like yours. If you have never made perfume before, this structure is a real advantage. It lowers the intimidation factor.

A couple of reviews also add useful nuance. One person said they wanted more access to a wider set of essential oils and felt restricted to about 20 dropper vials at the table. Another person noted the instruction in English was brief compared with what Italian speakers got. That does not mean the class is bad. It means you should set expectations: you are making a signature fragrance with guidance, not doing an advanced sensory seminar with unlimited samples.

Also, if you have a specific scent in mind, do not assume it is always available. One review mentioned they asked for Gardenia and it required an upcharge. If you have a must-have flower or ingredient, ask early or be ready to adjust.

Coffee break, certificate, and the souvenir value

The workshop includes a coffee break with complimentary coffee, tea, or water. It sounds small, but it matters because the whole experience is smell-based and can feel mentally busy. A break is a reset for your nose, and it gives time for chatting with the people at your table, which is often where the experience becomes memorable.

Then comes the keepsake part: you receive a certificate of completion signed by the master himself. That is a nice touch because it turns the class into more than a momentary activity. You are leaving with proof of what you made, and that signed detail feels special.

One more value layer: some participants reported receiving a recipe or notes that allow reordering later if you want more of your scent. Even if you do not plan to reorder, that idea is comforting. It means the bottle is not just a one-time novelty.

You should also think about what you are taking home. This is a 30ml bottle of your custom scent, which is a generous size for a class souvenir. If you enjoy fragrance, you will actually use it, not just stash it in a drawer.

The Florentine perfume story: what you learn, and how deep it goes

The class includes an introduction to the history of perfumery in Florence, plus the Renaissance roots that helped shape the craft. You hear about the tradition of alchemists and apothecaries in Florence, and you see the old-world setting that makes that context easier to understand.

What I’d watch for is how much “theory” you expect versus how much guidance you want. Most people who rated it highly seemed happy with the balance: a real start with context, then immediate application through blending. A few reviews, though, said the history portion felt lighter than advertised, or that English instruction was brief. Another comment suggested they wanted more education about the perfume-making process.

My advice: go in with the right goal. If your main goal is hands-on making a scent you love, you will probably have a great time. If your goal is a deep lecture on perfumery science, you might feel like you want more. This is a workshop, not a grad-level course.

That said, you do learn something practical. Even people new to fragrance came away understanding basic structure, like how scents are organized into different layers that work together in a final perfume.

Price and value: is $84.69 worth two hours?

At $84.69 per person for about 2 hours, you are paying for a specific package:

• Guided access to a historic apothecary setting
• A master perfumer introduction
• Your personalized fragrance blend
• A take-home 30ml bottle
• A coffee or tea break
• A signed completion certificate

Where the value lands depends on what you would otherwise do with that time. If you were planning to shop for perfume anyway, this often beats the typical “spray and hope” method because you create the blend based on your nose and preferences. You also get an experience, not just a product.

If you were hoping for a huge menu of scents with unlimited sampling, you might feel the price is steep for the quantity of sampling available. One negative review argued it felt like limited vials and waiting while staff mixed for the group. Another said it was more choosing scented oils than truly learning the process.

So here is the value check I recommend: ask yourself if you want a guided, fun, take-home scent you can use immediately. If yes, the price makes sense. If you want maximum variety and lots of deep instruction, you may want to compare with other perfume experiences in Florence.

Who this class is best for, and who should rethink it

This experience is especially suited for:

• First-timers in perfume making who want guidance and a satisfying end result
• Gift buyers who want an experience tied to a tangible, personal souvenir
• Couples or friends who like hands-on activities and enjoy discussing scent choices
• Solo travelers who want a structured activity that still feels social in a small group

One review described it as a great mother-daughter activity, and another highlighted it as a family-friendly option for a 10-year-old with strong engagement. The age policy also implies it is designed to work for a broad range of ages, though you will need to follow the proof requirements for those over 12.

Who might rethink it:

• People who expect unlimited essential oil sampling and a very long instruction format
• Anyone who is sensitive to a more brief English explanation, especially if you were hoping for a deeper lecture style
• Shoppers who want a faster retail experience and more choice without a workshop format

Tips to get the best experience in Florence (so it feels worth it)

A few practical tips can turn this from pleasant into excellent.

Arrive early. If the session effectively starts at the be there time, build in a buffer. Plan to show up 15 minutes before your slot so you can settle in.

Come with scent preferences, not just ideas. Think in categories: floral, woody, citrus, herbal, spicy. When you know what direction you like, the picking part becomes quicker and more satisfying.

Be ready for limits on sampling. The workshop uses provided essences and a limited number of dropper vials at your table. That is normal for a class. If you want a massive variety, you may feel constrained.

Ask about specific add-ons early. If you want something like Gardenia, do not wait until the last moment. One review mentioned a scent request with an extra cost, so act early if you have strong preferences.

Expect a small group table setup. The experience is capped at 15 travelers. Still, you will likely mix as a group, and staff will handle the final combination process for everyone. That is part of how the workshop runs.

Bring your curiosity. Even if the history portion feels shorter than you expected, you will still get context through the setting and the intro, plus the real fun part, crafting something you will wear.

Should you book this Florence perfume masterclass?

Book it if you want a hands-on souvenir that smells like you, with a memorable setting and a clear end result. The best version of this class is when you treat it as a workshop: pick what you like, trust the perfumer’s balancing, and enjoy the process.

Hold off or choose something else if you are expecting a long, deep, theory-heavy course or unlimited sampling. A few comments show the experience can feel like a guided selection from a limited set of vials, followed by staff mixing for the group.

If you want an activity that is tactile, scent-based, and genuinely personal, this is one of the more fun ways to spend a couple of hours in Florence. With a signed certificate and a 30ml bottle at the end, it is not just time spent, it is something you take home and use.

FAQ

How long is the perfume masterclass in Florence?

It lasts about 2 hours.

Where does the experience take place?

You start at Via Ghibellina, 190, 50122 Firenze FI, Italy, and the activity ends back at the meeting point. The workshop includes a visit to Antica Erboristeria San Simone.

What is included in the price?

The class includes a welcome and store and lab visit at Antica Spezieria Erboristeria San Simone, an introduction to the history of perfumery in Florence, creation of a personal fragrance from a kit of essences, a 30ml bottle of your perfume, a coffee break, and a certificate.

Is hotel pickup or drop-off included?

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

Is the class offered in English?

Yes, it is offered in English.

How many people are in a group?

The experience has a maximum of 15 travelers.

Do I get coffee or tea during the workshop?

Yes. A coffee break with complimentary coffee, tea, or water is included.

Will I receive anything to take home besides the perfume?

Yes. You receive a signed certificate of completion from the master perfumer.

What do I need to bring if I am over 12?

All participants over 12 must present proof of full vaccination, proof of first vaccination administered at least 15 days ago, proof of a Covid-19 infection in the past 6 months, or a negative test taken no more than 48 hours before the activity starts.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel for free up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

Are service animals allowed?

Yes, service animals are allowed.