Florence · FLORENCE ARTISAN WORKSHOPS
Leather, gold leaf, marbled paper and hard-stone mosaic, mostly in the Oltrarno. These 15 put you at the bench for a few hours, priced by what you make and whether you take it home the same day.
At Antica Spezieria Erboristeria San Simone, a master perfumer guides you through Florence’s perfume traditions and the scent pyramid. Choose from many essences, create a personal fragrance, and leave with a 30ml bottle, formula, and certificate. Elena and other skilled hosts lead sessions in Italian or English.
“Very fun to do! The instructors were great! Would definitely recomend”
At Antica Erboristeria San Simone, you’ll learn the basics of top, heart, and base notes, choose from a set of essences, and blend a 30ml perfume with help from the staff. The two-hour workshop includes coffee or tea, a certificate, and a recipe for reordering your scent.
“I was expecting to learn more about the perfume making process but instead you just choose some scented oils and they mix it into a perfume. Not worth the price.”
Meet Matteo in Montelupo, tour a working ceramics factory and showroom, then learn wheel throwing from his father Salvatore. You will make your own pottery piece, choose its finish, and have it double-fired, glazed, and shipped home. The English-language experience lasts about two hours and accepts six people.
“This tour was maybe our favorite day of our 12 day tour of Italy. Matteo and his family went far above and beyond to share their family business and it's workings with us and made the day truly memorable. We received a private tour of their gallery, then to the factory to meet each of their employees who sweetly showed us the process, love, and art that goes into making each piece. We then had a chance to try our hand at throwing our own bowl, guided by Matteo's father. We were so glad that we left the chaos of the city to experience this beautiful afternoon in the quiet…”
Travel from Florence to Dörthe Lütkemeyer’s private workshop in Montespertoli for a four-hour jewelry lesson. You’ll melt, shape, saw, solder, file, hammer, and polish silver into a ring, earrings, pendant, or bracelet, with snacks and patient one-on-one guidance.
“This is definitely a must try when in Florence. The whole experience was amazing from start to finish. Prior to getting there, Dorthe provided clear instructions and helped us organise transportation from the centre. She then carefully explained the whole process whilst giving us full freedom on what we wanted to make. 10/10 experience definitely something you need to do and the views were stunning too!”
At Feel Toscana on Via del Sole, Silvia guides a small group of up to seven through perfume psychology, scent layers, raw ingredients, and custom blending. You create a personal fragrance and leave with a 30ml bottle, plus the recipe for ordering more later.
“My best friend and I absolutely love fragrances, so this was the perfect workshop for us. I wasn't sure what to expect, but the whole experience was more than I imagined! Sylvia is an expert when it comes to fragrances and has over 20 years of experience, and it showed. On top of helping us create our signature scents, Sylvia was so friendly and we enjoyed chatting with her throughout the workshop. I was so amazed at the fragrance she helped me create, I decided to make an extra bottle, which would save me money in the long run. If you're in Florence I highly recommend this workshop, you will…”
Create a personal perfume or cologne in Florence with perfumer Silvia. In 1.5 hours, you’ll learn about scent psychology, top, heart, and base notes, test professional ingredients, and leave with a 30ml bottle of your own design.
“We loved our class with Silvia. She is very thoughtful, insightful, and knowledgeable. We had a lovely time experiencing the process of discovering fragrances, preferences, and personal tastes. We were all delighted with our personal perfumes. It was a beautiful morning.”
At GARBAGE’En in Florence, Julia and the workshop team guide you through choosing leather, colors, fittings, and finishes before you make your own wallet. The small class allows plenty of hands-on help, with coffee, tea, and water included. The workshop is conducted in English, Italian, or Spanish.
“I had a lot of fun making a leather wallet for myself, learning about the process and feeling the satisfaction of making something with my hands. It was a very relaxing activity, and I get to take home a pretty wallet I made :)”
Spend three hours in a private Florence studio learning oil painting with Laura or clay sculpture with Frank. Choose your subject, work in a group of no more than eight, and get personal guidance in English. Tell the studio your choice when booking, since last-minute changes are not accepted.
“Had a great time painting with Laura! I do have quite a bit of painting experience, but I've never worked with oils. I think she broke down color mixing and the process easy enough for a beginner, but it was still challenging for . I was thrilled with my final painting! Definitely recommend this class if you enjoy painting!”
Spend about 90 minutes with a private English-speaking guide at Santa Croce Basilica and the adjacent Leather School. See works linked to Giotto, Donatello, and Brunelleschi, visit the tombs of Michelangelo and Galileo, and watch leather artisans work. The school is closed weekends.
“Ilaria was very attentive and knowledgeable. She enhanced our tour tremendously! Your included personal tour of the leather school.”
At Octavio Palomino’s Florence studio, you’ll study Michelangelo’s David, learn the lost form technique in plaster, and carve your own anatomical detail with mallet and chisel. The workshop is private, taught in English, and your finished sculpture can go home with you.
“What a fabulous experience! The couple who runs a Studio or fantastic, they were patient, it was fun we had the very best time”
Walk Florence with an English- or Italian-speaking guide through a modern art gallery and 2 to 6 artisan workshops. See leather, painting, ceramics, and jewelry in progress, then finish with gelato. Guides such as Vanessa and Enrico add local history and practical food tips.
“Wonderful tour with our guide Vanessa. She was very sweet and informative, showed us many amazing places and hidden gems and gave us tips for best food and ice cream. We had a great time together discovering many of Florence‘s small workshops with their traditional craftsmanship.”
At Maria’s small Florence workshop, you’ll learn an unusual wire-knitting technique passed through her family and make a necklace, bracelet, or earrings. Choose silver or gold plated wire and gemstones, with tools, water, and snacks supplied. The group is limited to five.
“Maria è un eccellente insegnante, simpatica e attenta. Imparare questa tecnica è veramente divertente.”
Spend three hours at Geko Art Studio in Florence learning palette-knife oil painting with artists such as Katerina and Rosanna. You’ll mix colors, build texture, and make a 20-by-20-centimeter canvas with patient, step-by-step guidance. English, Italian, Spanish, Greek, and Chinese instruction may be available.
“My daughter's experience was wonderful! This is our second year to gift her a workshop. The owners are always professional, caring, and supportive.”
At Geko Art Studio in Florence, you’ll make a small fresco with an instructor such as Claudia or Eleonora, using Cennino Cennini’s medieval recipe. The private, English-language class lasts about three hours, includes every material, and lets you take your finished work home.
“I will never look at a fresco again without appreciating all the work that goes into creating it. We learned so much about the history of frescoes and had such fun creating one ourselves. Claudia, the instructor, was so enthusiastic and excited to teach us and show us how to create. She helped guide us through the process, and even for beginners, we were able to make something that we were proud of. We had a lovely coffee and pastry with Rosanna while we let the fresco dry and then went back to paint it with Claudia's help. Everyone was warm and welcoming. We would highly recommend this class to…”
Meet your personal shopper guide at Santa Croce and walk through Florence’s craft districts, visiting workshops for marble inlay, handmade jewelry, leather, wood carving, and marbled paper. Guide Maria has earned praise for making introductions warm and useful, with shopping advice and no pressure to buy.
“If you really want to explore the true arts and artisans of Florence, this is an amazing tour that explores the various trades. Our tour guide took us to mosaic making, perfume shop, goldsmith, paper marbling, lithograph maker shops. We got to meet the owners and artisans, and learn about the process of their craft. There were also opportunities to purchase, but it was solely up to you, no pressure. Our guide, Maria, was absolutely great!!”
Pick a gallery, a kitchen or a road out of town.
