Perfume Masterclass in Florence: Make your Own Personal Fragrance

The best part of this Florence workshop is the setting: you make perfume inside Antica Erboristeria San Simone, an atmospheric apothecary and laboratory dating to the 1700s. Glass vessels, ampules, herbs, and perfume ingredients give the activity a strong sense of place.

I like that you leave with 30ml of your own fragrance and a signed certificate, rather than just a pleasant memory. I also like the relaxed, social format, which works for couples, families, solo visitors, and small groups. The main caution is that this is a guided blending session, not a full perfumery course, and the available scents may feel limited if you expect dozens of oils to sample.

Key points to know before booking

• Historic setting: The workshop takes place at an 18th-century Florentine apothecary with an artisanal laboratory.
• Your finished product: You take home a 30ml bottle of your custom perfume and a recipe for future orders.
• Small-group format: The maximum group size is 15 people, though some sessions may feel fairly full.
• Fragrance basics: You learn about top, heart, and base notes, then select ingredients from a prepared kit.
• Useful timing tip: Arrive at least 10 to 15 minutes early. The class may begin at the stated arrival time.
• Extra costs are possible: Certain scents, such as gardenia, may carry an additional charge.

Inside Florence’s 1700s apothecary

This activity begins at Via Ghibellina 190, a short walk from Florence’s central sights. You meet the staff at Antica Erboristeria San Simone, then enter a shop and laboratory designed around Florence’s old tradition of herbal remedies and scent making.

The room matters here. This is not a modern classroom with rows of plastic bottles. The setting includes old-style glassware, ampules, dried herbs, flowers, and rare essences. The atmosphere helps explain why perfume making fits Florence so well. During the Renaissance, apothecaries worked with plants, oils, medicines, and aromatic ingredients, and the workshop presents that connection in a practical way.

The opening talk covers the development of perfumery in Florence and introduces the basic structure of a fragrance. Some sessions include more historical explanation than others. If the history is important to you, listen closely at the start and ask questions while the instructor is nearby.

You may also want to spend a few minutes looking around the shop before the blending begins. One participant specifically recommended taking time to see the owners’ perfume collection. That adds another layer to the visit and helps you understand the difference between a quick souvenir stop and a hands-on workshop.

How the perfume-making process works

The class starts with an introduction to the ingredients and the way fragrance is built. You learn the difference between top notes, heart notes, and base notes.

Top notes are the scents you notice first. They tend to create the initial impression of a perfume. Heart notes form the main body of the fragrance, while base notes last longer and help anchor the blend. You do not need previous experience. The activity begins at a basic level, so you can take part even if your knowledge of perfume ends with knowing what you like and dislike.

You then smell a selection of prepared essences and choose the ones that appeal to you. The exact selection can vary, but the class generally works with around 20 to 30 scent options. Staff help you think about combinations and decide how much of each ingredient should go into the final blend.

This is the point where expectations matter. You are not independently measuring from a large perfumer’s organ filled with hundreds of raw materials. Instead, you select from a set of droppers, and an experienced staff member determines the number of drops for each scent. That keeps the process manageable for beginners, but it also means the final formula is guided rather than fully engineered by you.

The process can feel creative and personal, especially when you compare choices with the people at your table. Three friends can begin with the same selection and still create noticeably different combinations. Families and couples also get a fun activity that encourages conversation without requiring anyone to be an expert.

Some people want more control. If you have taken fragrance workshops elsewhere, you may find the selection narrow. One of the clearest drawbacks is that you may not get to test every oil you hoped to sample. Ask about the available ingredients before you settle on your formula, particularly if you have a very specific scent in mind.

Choosing a scent that will age well

Your perfume may smell different after it has had time to settle. The freshly mixed scent is not always the same as the finished fragrance after the ingredients have blended and developed. Several participants were told to wait about a month before judging the final result.

That waiting period is worth keeping in mind when you choose. A scent that smells appealing right away may change as the heavier base notes become more noticeable. The instructor’s role is useful here, since the staff can help balance your preferred ingredients instead of simply adding equal amounts of everything you like.

You can also ask for a recipe of your formula. That is one of the most practical parts of the activity. If you love the finished scent, the recipe makes it possible to order more later. For a souvenir, this is more useful than a standard bottle selected from a shop shelf.

There are limits. The staff may not have every scent you want in the basic set. Gardenia, for example, has required an additional payment in some cases, and another participant paid extra for a scent that was not initially available. Ask about surcharges before the final blend is made.

A two-hour activity with a social rhythm

The full workshop lasts about two hours. The pace includes time to hear the introduction, smell the essences, choose your ingredients, wait for the formula to be mixed, and bottle the result.

The group size is capped at 15 people. That is small enough for the staff to provide help, but it is not an intimate private lesson. You may be seated at a shared table while the staff move from person to person. During busy sessions, the waiting period can feel long, especially once you have made your selections and are waiting for the perfume to be assembled.

This is a better fit for people who enjoy a relaxed group activity than for anyone seeking a fast, highly technical lesson. The coffee, tea, or water break gives the session a casual feel. It also helps make the class suitable for a mother and daughter, a birthday outing, or a small group of friends.

The staff are generally warm and encouraging. Elena has been singled out for being especially helpful and charming. English instruction is available, but the amount of English explanation may be shorter than the Italian presentation during a mixed-language session. If you need something explained again, ask directly. The class is more enjoyable when you understand why a particular ingredient is being recommended.

Arrive early. The practical arrival time is 10 to 15 minutes before the listed start, since the class may begin at the stated meet time. A late arrival can mean missing the introduction, and that opening section explains the structure of the activity.

What you take home from San Simone

The main souvenir is a 30ml bottle of your personalized perfume. You create the formula during the class, then take the finished bottle home with you.

You also receive a certificate signed by the master perfumer. It is a small keepsake, but it suits the occasion and makes the activity feel more complete. The certificate is not the main value of the workshop, but it can be a nice addition if you are giving this as a birthday gift or planning a special Florence day.

The formula is perhaps the most useful extra. A bottle eventually runs out, while a saved recipe gives you a path to reorder the same blend. Ask how the reorder process works before leaving if you think you may want more.

Remember that the perfume may need time to settle. If you spray it immediately and dislike the first impression, do not make a final judgment too quickly. Letting the blend rest for several weeks can give you a better sense of the finished scent.

Is $84.69 a fair price?

At about $84.69 per person, this is not a bargain souvenir stop. Part of the cost covers the setting, instruction, staff time, the custom 30ml bottle, coffee or tea, and the certificate.

The price makes more sense if you value the activity as a two-hour Florence outing rather than simply paying for a bottle of perfume. You are getting an unusual place, a personal formula, and a story connected to Florentine apothecary traditions. For a birthday or mother-daughter activity, the shared time may be as important as the finished scent.

The value is weaker if your only goal is to buy a wide range of perfume or find the lowest price. A department store or perfume shop will give you more brands and more ready-made choices. You may also be disappointed if you expect to make every technical decision yourself.

I would compare the price to a guided craft class, not to a normal fragrance purchase. If you want a creative activity and a Florence-specific souvenir, the cost is reasonable. If you want serious training in formulation, look for a longer and more technical course.

Who will enjoy this Florence perfume class?

This workshop suits anyone who likes scents, crafts, local traditions, or unusual souvenirs. It works well for:

• Couples looking for something different from another museum visit
• Parents and children who want a shared activity
• Friends who enjoy comparing their creative choices
• Solo visitors who are comfortable joining a small group
• People interested in fragrance but new to perfume making
• Anyone who prefers a personal souvenir to a standard gift-shop purchase

The activity is open to people over age 12 under the stated participation rules. A parent and a 10-year-old have also taken part together, with the child staying engaged, but the formal age and health requirements should be checked when booking.

It is suitable for men and women. The fragrance choices are not presented as limited to one type of customer, and you can build a scent around your own preferences.

I would be more cautious about booking if you want a highly technical education, a large menu of raw materials, or complete control over the formula. The session is best understood as an introduction to fragrance creation with expert assistance.

Location, group size, and practical details

The meeting point is Via Ghibellina 190, 50122 Florence. The class ends at the same location, so you do not need to arrange transport between multiple stops.

Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. You make your own way to the apothecary, which is near public transportation. A mobile ticket is accepted, and confirmation is sent when you book.

The activity is offered in English and has a maximum of 15 participants. Service animals are allowed, and most people can take part. The supplied booking information also lists health documentation requirements for participants over age 12, including proof of vaccination, recent recovery, or a negative test within the stated time period. Check the current rules before you go, since these requirements can change.

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

Should you book the perfume masterclass?

Book it if you want a hands-on Florence souvenir, enjoy scented products, and like the idea of spending two hours in an old apothecary rather than rushing through another shop. The finished bottle, saved formula, and signed certificate give you something personal to take home.

Think twice if you expect a formal perfumery lesson or hundreds of ingredients. The class uses a prepared selection, and staff do much of the final measuring. The English explanation can also be brief in a mixed-language group.

For most first-time fragrance makers, I think the setting and personal result justify the cost. Arrive early, ask about extra charges, take your time with the owners’ collection, and remember that your perfume may need several weeks to settle before you judge it.

FAQ

How long does the perfume masterclass last?

The activity lasts approximately two hours, including the introduction, scent selection, blending, bottling, and a coffee, tea, or water break.

Where does the workshop take place?

It takes place at Antica Erboristeria San Simone, located at Via Ghibellina 190, 50122 Florence, Italy.

What do I take home?

You take home a 30ml bottle of the personalized perfume you create and a certificate signed by the master perfumer. A recipe for the fragrance may also be provided for future orders.

Is the class offered in English?

Yes. The experience is offered in English. In mixed-language sessions, the English explanation may be shorter than the Italian presentation.

How many people can join the class?

The maximum group size is 15 participants.

Is transportation included?

No. Hotel pickup, hotel drop-off, and transportation to or from the activity are not included. The workshop starts and ends at the Via Ghibellina meeting point.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations and changes made less than 24 hours in advance are not accepted for a refund.

Are there any health requirements?

The stated requirements say that participants over age 12 must present proof of full vaccination, proof of a first vaccination given at least 15 days earlier, proof of COVID-19 infection within the past six months, or a negative test taken no more than 48 hours before the activity. Check the current requirements before attending.