Make perfume in a Florentine apothecary.

This class takes place inside Antica Erboristeria San Simone, a storied workshop-style shop where you smell rare ingredients and learn how Florentine perfumery grew from old-world craft. You meet a master perfumer in a 1700s apothecary setting and leave with a personal fragrance you bottled yourself.

I really like the clear payoff: a 30ml keepsake bottle plus a completion certificate signed by the master. I also like that there is a coffee or tea break built in, so it doesn’t feel like you’re just standing at a counter sniffing vials for two hours.

One consideration: the experience is built around a set kit and guided blending, so your choices may feel more limited than you’d get browsing a full perfume shop. If you’re hoping for a huge spread of samples, plan for a limited sample set and follow the instructor’s direction for the final mix.

Key highlights to know before you go

• Historic apothecary setting at Antica Erboristeria San Simone in central Florence
• Guidance from a master perfumer as you build your scent
• Blending a signature fragrance from a kit of essences (then bottling it)
• Take-home 30ml bottle plus a signed completion certificate
• Complimentary coffee or tea break during the workshop
• Small group size (maximum 15), with English offered

A 2-hour Florence workshop with a real lab vibe

This is a small-group, hands-on activity aimed at giving you a finished result—not just a demo. The class runs about two hours, with a gentle pace that includes time to choose scents, mix, and bottle your final fragrance.

The group stays capped at 15 people, which matters more than it sounds. In a room like this (dark wood, glassware, concentrated smells), small group size helps you actually focus on what you’re doing instead of getting shoved behind a crowd.

You should also plan to be a bit early. One practical tip from real experience: the session effectively starts at the scheduled arrival time, sometimes about 10 minutes before the listed class start. So if your ticket says arrive at a certain moment, treat it like class starts right then.

Antica Erboristeria San Simone: the 1700s apothecary room

The heart of the experience is the setting. You begin inside Antica Spezieria Erboristeria San Simone, with a look and feel that’s meant to bring you close to how apothecaries and alchemists worked. Expect a workshop vibe: bottles, ampules, and the kind of carefully stored essences that make perfume feel like craft, not just cosmetics.

This matters for the way you remember the class. When a workshop is staged in a real historic-style space, your scent choices feel more deliberate. You’re not just making something random; you’re learning in an environment that signals Florence took perfume seriously long before modern branding.

And yes, it’s a shop. So while you’re learning, you’re also surrounded by the products and materials behind the scene. If you like hunting for souvenirs that feel tied to a place, this helps a lot.

Meet the master perfumer and learn Florence fragrance roots

Your session starts with meeting the master perfumer in the workshop. You’ll get an introduction to the history of perfumery in Florence, with the message that Renaissance-era trade, craft, and experimentation helped shape the city’s reputation for scent.

Then you move from story to technique. The workshop explains how to choose ingredients and how different essences contribute to what ends up smelling like your signature perfume. In other words: you’re not just handed a scent button. You’re learning the logic behind scent building.

I also like that the class connects craft and selection. You learn what ingredients are doing, then you use that knowledge immediately while you pick your own fragrance recipe.

Your custom scent: how the blending really works

After the history intro, you create your fragrance from a kit of essences. In practice, you’ll be seated at a table with dropper-style samples. You smell, compare, and make choices, then the group’s final blend gets combined for you.

From what you’re taught, the key idea is structure: fragrance often gets discussed in terms of base, heart, and top layers (the different parts that show up first, in the middle, and later as the scent settles). Even if you don’t memorize the perfume science, you’ll likely notice the effect right away while you test and adjust.

Here’s the part that can surprise people—in a good way. You might think you’re making one smell you already know, but the blending forces compromise. The final fragrance is a balance created from your chosen components, using the staff’s guidance for how many drops go into the final mixture.

You can also customize a bit. Some classes allow additions (for example, adding an extra scent like gardenia has been known to involve an upcharge). So if you’re sure you want a specific note, ask during the selection phase rather than assuming it’s included.

What you take home: 30ml bottle plus a signed certificate

The payoff is tangible. You leave with a 30ml bottle of your custom fragrance. That size is big enough to actually wear and share a bit, not just dab once and tuck it away.

You also receive a completion certificate signed by the master himself. That’s a nice touch if you’re keeping receipts and memories from your trip in a more personal way than just photos.

One more useful detail: you’ll have your recipe. At least in some cases, the class provides enough information that you can order again later if you want. Even if reordering isn’t your plan, it’s comforting to know this isn’t a one-time mystery scent you can’t recreate.

Language, pacing, and group size: making it worthwhile in English

The experience is offered in English, and most of the structure is interactive. Still, pacing and instruction depth can vary depending on the mix of the group.

If you rely heavily on detailed explanations, keep this in mind: some people have found the English instruction brief compared to what Italian speakers may get. The good news is that the blending part is visual and hands-on, so even if you miss a few minutes of verbal detail, you can still follow along while selecting and smelling.

Staff members can help a lot here. One name that comes up is Elena, described as charming and helpful. When a workshop has staff who keep things moving and clarify steps, that reduces stress and helps you get a scent you’ll actually like.

Price and value: is $84.69 worth it?

At $84.69 per person, this sits in the “activity price” range rather than “quick shop purchase.” So the value question is simple: does it feel like you’re buying an experience, not just a bottle?

Here’s where the price makes sense:

• You get a full, branded finished product (30ml) that’s personalized
• You get guided instruction plus a historic setting, not a self-serve tasting
• You get a certificate signed by the master, which is more personal than a generic receipt
• You get coffee or tea included, so it’s not purely work time

Where it might feel steep:

• If your goal is maximum scent sampling with lots of options, you may find the kit and table setup more limited than a full retail perfume counter
• If you want heavy technical training, the class is still designed to be short (about two hours), so it won’t feel like a long chemistry course

I treat this kind of workshop like a “pay for the process” choice. If you enjoy crafting, smelling, and choosing notes, the price often feels justified. If you just want a bottle and don’t care about the ritual, you may prefer shopping nearby.

Who should book this Florence perfume masterclass

This is a good fit if any of these are true for you:

• You like hands-on activities where you actively make something
• You want a Florence-specific souvenir that ties to local craft
• You’re traveling as a couple, solo, or in a family group and want a shared “we did this” moment
• You want something that feels creative but not physically demanding

I also think it’s friendly for first-timers. Reviews and descriptions point to a beginner-accessible setup: you start at basic scent choosing, then staff determine drop counts based on your picks. That structure keeps the experience from turning into confusion.

One more practical point: plan to be present for smells. Perfume-making depends on attention. If you’re the type who walks into a room and immediately rushes to the next stop, you may miss what makes this worth it.

Quick practical tips before you arrive

• Give yourself a little buffer. Aim to show up close to the stated arrival time, since the session may start right then.
• Expect a workshop atmosphere. You’re in a historic apothecary-style room, so keep your time focused and don’t treat it like a quick errand.
• If there’s a scent note you strongly want, mention it during the selection process while there’s still time to adjust.

Also, remember the basics of the setting: it’s a scent-focused activity. Strong perfumes from your own day might interfere, so go easy on what you wear before class.

Should you book Perfume Masterclass in Florence?

If you want a small-group, guided, hands-on Florence experience with a real take-home result, this is a strong pick. The mix of a historic apothecary space, master-led instruction, and the finished 30ml bottle makes it feel like more than a souvenir grab.

Book it if you like craft, like trying scent combinations, or want a memorable gift you can explain back home. Skip it (or adjust expectations) if you mainly want maximum variety like you’d find at a large retail counter, or if you want a long, deep technical class with lots of formal instruction.

FAQ

How long is the Perfume Masterclass in Florence?

The class lasts about 2 hours.

What do I get to take home?

You’ll bottle your own fragrance and take home a 30ml bottle. You also receive a certificate signed by the master perfumer.

What’s included in the price?

The price includes the welcome and visit to the Antica Spezieria Erboristeria San Simone store and artisanal laboratory, the history introduction, creating your personal fragrance, 30ml of your custom perfume, a coffee break (coffee, tea, or water), and your certificate.

Where is the meeting point?

Meet at Via Ghibellina, 190, 50122 Firenze FI, Italy.

Is hotel pickup or drop-off included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, and transportation to and from attractions isn’t included either.

How many people are in the group?

This experience has a maximum group size of 15 travelers.

Do I need proof of vaccination or a test?

Yes, for participants over 12 years old you must present proof of full vaccination, proof of first vaccination 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.

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