Perfume Masterclass in Florence: Make your Own Personal Fragrance

The best part of this Florence perfume class is the setting: you work inside Antica Erboristeria San Simone, an atmospheric apothecary and laboratory dating to the 1700s. Surrounded by old glassware, ampules, dried herbs, and fragrance bottles, you get a pleasant taste of Florence’s long connection with perfumes and herbal remedies.

I like two things in particular. First, you leave with a 30ml bottle of your own fragrance, not just a souvenir trinket. Second, the class explains top, heart, and base notes in a way that helps you understand why a scent changes after you put it on. The staff, including Elena, are warm and encouraging, and the small-group format keeps the activity personal.

The main caution is that this is a guided blending session rather than a full course in perfume chemistry. Your choices may be limited to roughly 20 to 30 prepared essences, and a staff member does the final mixing. If you expect to formulate every detail from a huge range of oils, the $84.69 price may feel high.

Key points to know before booking

• The workshop takes place in an 18th-century apothecary: Antica Erboristeria San Simone gives the activity much of its atmosphere.
• You create a 30ml personal fragrance: Your selected essences are blended for you to take home.
• The class lasts about two hours: That includes the introduction, scent selection, mixing, coffee or tea, and certificate.
• You learn basic perfume structure: The useful terms are top, heart, and base notes.
• The group can reach 15 people: A larger group may mean some waiting while scents are mixed.
• You should arrive early: The class begins at the stated meeting time, and one participant found that arriving three minutes late meant the introduction had already started.

Entering Florence’s old apothecary

The meeting point is Via Ghibellina 190, a central Florence address near public transportation. You make your own way there, since hotel pickup, drop-off, and transportation are not included. The experience begins and ends at this same location, making it easy to fit into a day of sightseeing in the historic center.

Antica Erboristeria San Simone is more than a plain classroom. The store and artisanal laboratory are filled with the visual language of old pharmacy work: glass containers, small ampules, dried plants, and fragrance materials. The room is described as dark and alluring, with an old-world feel that helps the workshop feel connected to Florence rather than like a generic shopping activity.

That setting matters. Perfume can be difficult to understand through a list of ingredients, but the old bottles and herbal displays give you a sense of how scent once belonged to the worlds of medicine, alchemy, and household remedies. You are not simply sitting in a modern shop and choosing a bottle from a shelf.

The group size is capped at 15 people. That is small enough for a social activity and large enough that you may share a table with other couples, friends, or families. You might enjoy the relaxed conversation, but a full group can also slow the process when everyone is waiting for an individual blend to be prepared.

A short lesson on Florentine perfumery

The class opens with an introduction to perfume in Florence, including its Renaissance roots and the role of historic apothecaries. The amount of history can vary with the instructor and the language of the group. Some sessions offer a satisfying account of the venue and Florentine perfume making, while others give only a brief explanation in English.

If local history is your main reason for booking, keep your expectations measured. This is not a museum lecture or a long study of Renaissance trade. The history works best as a frame for the hands-on part, explaining why Florence has a connection with herbs, essences, and handmade fragrance.

The most practical teaching concerns the structure of a perfume. You learn that a fragrance is built from different layers:

• Top notes are the first scents you notice.
• Heart notes form the main character of the fragrance.
• Base notes last longer and help anchor the blend.

This simple framework is useful when you test the samples. A scent that smells wonderful at first may not be the one you want as the main part of your bottle. The class also gives you a reason to pause and think about how several notes might work together instead of choosing one strong smell on impulse.

The English instruction is generally clear enough for the activity, but it may be shorter than the Italian presentation. If you need detailed technical teaching, ask questions as you go. The staff are there to help, and the experience is designed for beginners rather than trained perfumers.

Choosing from the fragrance samples

The central part of the activity is the scent selection. You receive a prepared kit of essences and smell the available options before deciding which ones suit you. The exact selection can vary, but the supplied experience information describes a group of around 20 to 30 vials or scents.

This is where your own patience helps. Smelling many oils in a short period can make them blur together. Give yourself time, return to the scents you like, and think about the kind of fragrance you want rather than trying to select the most unusual vial.

The staff help translate your preferences into a workable formula. You choose the scents, and the perfumer or assistant determines how many drops of each ingredient should be used. That guidance is valuable because a good fragrance is not simply a pile of your favorite smells. Too much of one ingredient can overwhelm the others.

At the same time, you are not usually measuring each drop or mixing every ingredient yourself. The final combination is prepared with your selections. That makes the workshop accessible and tidy, but it also explains why some people find the activity less hands-on than expected.

The available choices are another important point. Most participants find enough variety to make a scent they like, but the range is not unlimited. If a particular note is missing, you can ask about it. At least one participant was able to add a desired scent for an extra €10. Any additional charge should be confirmed before you approve the change.

Making a scent that changes over time

Freshly mixed perfume does not necessarily smell exactly as it will later. The ingredients need time to blend, and the scent can develop over roughly a month. That delay gives the souvenir an interesting second stage: you take home the bottle, but the final character may still be changing.

The class is especially good at helping you make a fragrance based on your preferences. You can lean toward floral, herbal, fresh, or warmer notes depending on the available essences. Men and women can enjoy the process, and the activity works for someone who already loves perfume as well as someone starting from scratch.

There is also a practical benefit. You receive the recipe for your blend, so you can reorder the fragrance later if you want to recreate it. That makes the bottle more useful than a one-time holiday purchase, especially if you discover a scent that becomes part of your daily routine.

Still, your satisfaction depends on enjoying the final combination. This is not a chance to test hundreds of commercial perfumes and select a finished scent. You are making a guided blend from the available kit. If you are very particular about fragrance, the limited range may leave you wishing for more control.

Coffee, conversation, and the waiting time

The workshop includes complimentary coffee, tea, or water. It is a small touch, but it gives the class a natural pause and makes the two-hour length feel less rushed. The social side can be part of the fun, particularly if you come with friends, a parent, or a daughter.

The experience has worked well as a mother-daughter activity and as a birthday gift. It can also suit a solo participant because the format gives you a clear task and staff support. A family group may enjoy it too, although you should check the current age and health-document requirements before booking.

The less polished part is the pace. When a group is full, one employee may need to mix the individual perfumes one by one. That can create a stretch where you are mostly chatting and waiting. Some people see this as a relaxed break; others feel the class has too much downtime for the price.

The signed certificate adds a playful finishing touch. It is not a professional qualification, but it records the occasion and pairs nicely with the bottle. You leave with a physical reminder of Florence that is more personal than a standard souvenir.

Who gets the most from the $84.69 price

At $84.69 per person, this is not the cheapest way to buy perfume in Florence. You can certainly smell and purchase fragrances for less, and a quick stop at a perfume shop gives you more finished products to compare.

The value comes from the setting, instruction, and personal bottle. You are paying for about two hours, access to the apothecary and laboratory, help from a master perfumer, a custom 30ml fragrance, a drink, and a signed certificate. If the scent-making process sounds appealing, that package is reasonable for a special holiday activity.

I would book it for a couple who wants a shared experience, a parent and adult child, a birthday surprise, or anyone who enjoys handmade products. It is also a good choice when you have already seen Florence’s major churches and museums and want an activity that uses a different sense.

I would be more cautious if you are mainly seeking a serious education in fragrance formulation. The class gives you an introduction, not an advanced lesson in raw materials, ratios, aging, or laboratory technique. You may also feel the cost is hard to justify if you do not usually wear perfume or if you dislike making decisions from a limited sample set.

The 4.7 rating from 253 published ratings and the 93 percent recommendation figure indicate that the basic idea works very well for most people. The strongest praise centers on the friendly hosts, appealing shop, personal bottle, and fun of comparing choices with the group. The weaker experiences focus on limited scent choices, brief English history, and the wait for final mixing.

Practical planning for your Florence day

Plan to arrive at least 10 to 15 minutes early. The class starts at the stated meeting time, and the opening explanation may already be underway if you arrive late. Since there is no hotel transportation, allow time to find Via Ghibellina 190 on your own.

The mobile ticket is convenient, and confirmation is provided when you book. The activity is offered in English, but the amount of English explanation may be shorter than the Italian presentation. If detailed instruction matters to you, keep your questions ready and ask the staff to explain any scent or process you do not understand.

The activity is near public transportation, and most people can participate. Service animals are allowed. The listed requirements state that participants over 12 must present one of several accepted vaccination, recovery, or negative-test documents, so check the current rules before your visit because health requirements can change.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations or changes made inside that window are not accepted for a refund.

Should you book this perfume class?

Book it if you want a creative Florence souvenir, like the idea of making a scent with help, and value an atmospheric historic shop. The 30ml bottle and reorderable recipe give the activity a useful payoff, while the coffee break and small group keep it light and social.

Skip it if you expect a full perfumer’s course, unlimited oils, or complete control over every measurement. The final blending is handled by the staff, and a group of 15 can involve waiting.

For most people, I see this as a pleasant two-hour change of pace, not a must-see Florence attraction. It is at its best when you treat it as a guided introduction and a personal keepsake. Go in with realistic expectations, arrive early, and you have a good chance of leaving with a scent that brings your Florence visit back each time you wear it.

FAQ

Where does the perfume masterclass take place?

The class takes place at Antica Erboristeria San Simone, at Via Ghibellina 190, 50122 Florence, Italy.

How long does the experience last?

The workshop lasts approximately two hours.

What language is the class offered in?

The experience is offered in English.

How large is the group?

The activity has a maximum of 15 participants.

What do I make during the class?

You create a personal fragrance from a prepared kit of essences, with guidance from the perfumer and staff.

How much perfume do I take home?

You take home a 30ml bottle of your personalized fragrance.

Do I receive anything besides the perfume?

Yes. The experience includes complimentary coffee, tea, or water and a completion certificate signed by the master perfumer.

Is transportation included?

No. Hotel pickup, drop-off, and transportation to or from attractions are not included. You meet and finish at Via Ghibellina 190.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations inside 24 hours are not accepted for a refund.

Are there health or participation requirements?

The supplied conditions state that participants over 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 previous six months, or a negative test taken no more than 48 hours before the activity. Service animals are allowed, and most people can participate.