Walking into a Renaissance-style perfume lab in Florence is a quick time travel. The experience is built around the old-world romance of apothecaries and alchemists, but the class also treats scent as something you can learn to blend, not just guess at.

I especially liked two parts: the setting at Antica Spezieria Erboristeria San Simone (ancient workshop energy, real artifacts, not a staged set) and the hands-on moment when you create your own custom fragrance from a kit of essences.

One thing to keep in mind: there can be last-minute documentation checks. One booking shared that they were asked for a passport photocopy to confirm the appointment after booking, so I recommend confirming requirements early.

Key highlights you’ll feel right away

• A historic workshop setting that feels like Florence-era apothecary life
• Hands-on blending led by a master perfumer, not a lecture-only class
• Your own custom perfume made during the session, with guidance throughout
• A 30 ml take-home bottle, so the experience continues after you leave
• Small-group format (up to 30) for a more personal pace

A Florence perfume workshop that mixes tradition and technique

Florence has a way of making everyday things feel legendary. Perfume is one of those topics. In this workshop, the story starts with the old craft world: herbs, flowers, and fruits, plus the mindset of medicine and healing that shaped apothecaries for centuries.

What makes the class interesting is the mix. You get the romance of alchemists—rare glassware, ampules, and precious essences—alongside a practical approach to making scent. The workshop frames perfumery as both tradition and know-how, so you’re not just smelling and hoping. You’re learning how ingredients work together in a perfume.

You also get a sense of Florence’s perfume identity through the history shared in the room, including references to figures tied to the city’s scent-making story like Catherine de Medici and René le Florentine. It’s a nice touch because it connects your nose-in-training moment to why Florence mattered in the first place.

Where to meet and what the start feels like

The meeting point is Via Ghibellina, 190, 50122 Firenze FI. This is helpful because it keeps things straightforward. There’s no need to coordinate a hotel pickup, and you’ll simply make your way to the workshop area when you arrive in Florence.

The class itself runs about 1 hour 30 minutes. That’s a sweet spot: long enough to learn the basics, blend your scent, and finish with your bottle, but not so long that it wrecks your day plans. It’s also a good option if you want a creative activity that doesn’t depend on weather.

Also, you’ll use a mobile ticket. So you can keep it simple and plan around your phone, rather than hunting for printed paperwork.

Inside Antica Spezieria Erboristeria San Simone: an apothecary feel, not a costume

You’re welcomed into Antica Spezieria Erboristeria San Simone, their store and artisanal laboratory. This matters more than it sounds. A perfume workshop can easily feel like a classroom in disguise. Here, the atmosphere is part of the lesson—an old-space vibe where the tools of the craft look like they belong to the building, not just to a theme.

You’ll notice the feel right away: the workshop context, the impression that this isn’t a modern demonstration but a working style of apothecary craft. And because it’s described as an artisanal laboratory, you can expect the environment to support hands-on work rather than just guided tasting.

The group size is capped at 30, which is another practical win. Smaller groups usually mean less waiting and more chance to get feedback as you blend. And with something as personal as scent, feedback helps you steer toward what you actually want.

The perfumery history lesson that actually supports your blending

The class includes an intro to the history of perfumery in Florence. Rather than treating this like a separate, filler segment, it connects to the main activity: choosing and combining essences.

Here’s what I like about this approach: it gives you context for what you’re smelling. When you understand that perfumery grew alongside the medicinal world of herbs and healing, ingredients stop being random. They become purposeful parts of a larger craft tradition.

The workshop also leans into the idea that scent-making involved both art and practical knowledge. That’s why the description talks about the scientific knowledge of medicine blending with the healing powers of herbs, flowers, and fruits. You can still enjoy the story even if you’re not a science person. It just helps the class feel grounded, not mystical for the sake of drama.

And that historical framing—plus the Florence connection—keeps you from thinking of the final bottle as a novelty. You’re leaving with something you made in a context that clearly respects the craft.

Creating your custom perfume: what happens during the 90 minutes

Your main mission is to create a unique custom-made perfume during the workshop. The process is guided by the master perfumer, with expert support throughout.

From a practical point of view, here’s what you’re really doing in the blend:

• selecting from a kit of essences
• adjusting your choices as you go
• building a final scent that reflects your preferences
• finalizing your creation to bottle format for takeaway

You’ll also finish with your own 30 ml bottle. That takes the class from learn-and-forget to learn-and-keep. It’s the kind of souvenir that gets used, shared, and remembered.

One detail from the experience feedback that stands out is the personal, patient guidance. People described the instructor as kind and careful, and they emphasized how much they learned about fragrance blending through the hands-on work. That matters because perfume-making can feel intimidating if you assume you need a “perfumer nose.” You don’t. You need a willingness to try and tweak, and you need someone to help you steer.

How to get the most out of your scent choices

Even with guidance, perfume creation is still a creative act, and you’ll get more from the class if you go in with a few guardrails for yourself.

Before you start blending, think about what you tend to like:

• Do you prefer lighter, floral-leaning scents, or something warmer?
• Do you want a fragrance that feels crisp, or more rounded?
• Are you hoping for something you can wear daily, or more of a special-occasion scent?

Then let the master perfumer guide your path using what you’re selecting and how it’s coming together. The workshop is designed around customization, so your choices actually affect your final bottle.

Also, because the workshop uses herbs, flowers, and fruits as part of the ingredient world, it can help to approach the experience with curiosity rather than expectations. If you think you already know what you want, you might miss the fun of discovering a combination you didn’t think of.

Value check: $29 for 90 minutes and a take-home bottle

At $29, you’re paying for more than a craft activity. You’re paying for access to:

• a historic workshop environment
• a guided perfume-making session in English
• the customization process using a kit of essences
• a 30 ml bottle of your final perfume

This is where the value becomes clear. You’re not just buying a ticket to watch. You’re leaving with a product that’s part of your work. For the time (about 1.5 hours), the take-home item makes the price feel reasonable, especially compared with many “experience” activities where the output is mostly photos.

Small group format also supports value. With fewer people, the session doesn’t feel rushed, and your questions (and scent decisions) are more likely to get attention.

Booking notes that can save you stress

The listing says confirmation comes at booking time, and the experience is conducted in English in a small group setting.

But there’s one practical note I’d treat seriously: one cancellation account shared that after booking, they were asked for a passport photocopy to confirm the appointment, even though they didn’t see that requirement stated up front. The experience was then cancelled when the photocopy request wasn’t met.

I can’t confirm that this will happen to everyone. Still, it’s enough of a flag that I’d do two things:

1) double-check what documents are required before your day arrives

2) contact the operator if you’re unsure, so you don’t lose a paid slot

Also, the activity ends back at the meeting point. So plan to hang around the area afterward. This isn’t a drop-off-and-forget stop.

Who this Florence perfume class suits best

This is a strong fit if you:

• love fragrance and want a real hands-on learning moment
• want a creative Florence activity that doesn’t require museums or tickets
• enjoy small-group experiences with time to ask questions
• want a souvenir that’s actually useful (your bottle)

It’s also a nice choice if you want something different from the usual “see sights all day” pattern. The workshop builds a story you can carry home, and you’ll remember it each time you open your bottle.

If you’re not sure you like perfume, you can still enjoy the process as a craft. You don’t need to be a scent expert—you need to be open to experimenting. Just keep in mind that you’ll come away with an item made from your choices.

Should you book this perfume-making workshop?

Yes, if you want a low-cost, high-output Florence experience where you actively make something. For $29 and about 90 minutes, the combination of a historic workshop setting, guided blending, and a 30 ml custom bottle makes it a practical choice.

I’d book with extra care if you’re sensitive to last-minute paperwork. Confirm document requirements early, especially if you’re traveling with tight schedules.

If you’re craving a creative Florence moment that feels both traditional and hands-on, this is the kind of class that turns into a personal keepsake fast.

FAQ

How long is the perfume-making workshop?

It runs for about 1 hour 30 minutes.

What is the meeting point in Florence?

The meeting point is Via Ghibellina, 190, 50122 Firenze FI, Italy.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

What language is the tour conducted in?

The small group tour is in English.

What do I get to take home?

You create a custom perfume during the workshop and receive a 30 ml bottle of your personalized fragrance.

Is there free cancellation?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Changes made less than 24 hours before the start time aren’t accepted for refunds.

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