Making perfume in Florence feels like alchemy. In a 1.5-hour workshop at Antica Spezieria Erboristeria San Simone, you’ll learn to blend scents with a master perfumer and walk out with your own 30ml bottle. I especially like the small group size (up to 10), which keeps the pace calm and the guidance personal. One thing to consider: the session is in an artisanal shop setting, so you shouldn’t bring luggage or large bags.

You’ll also get more than mixing instructions. Expect a real lesson on perfume-making in Florence, with references to Renaissance-era perfumers like René le Florentin, tied to Catherine de Medici’s court—plus step-by-step help choosing notes that match your nose.

By the end, you collect your bottle along with its formula and a certificate of your new skill, and you’ll have a simple coffee break (coffee, tea, or water) while your fragrance sets.

Quick hits: why this Florence perfume masterclass works

• Create a custom blend in about 90 minutes, not a half-day project
• History + hands-on mixing taught by a master perfumer
• Scent-pyramid-style guidance helps you understand what you’re smelling
• Take home 30ml with its formula and a certificate
• Small group (max 10) keeps it relaxed and interactive
• Coffee break included to make the workshop feel unhurried

Florence perfume workshop at Antica Spezieria San Simone: the vibe you’re paying for

If you want Florence but not another museum line, this is a smart switch. You’re going to a real perfume and herb shop in the city center, then spending your time doing something oddly satisfying: smelling, comparing, and building a signature fragrance from scratch.

This class is priced at $82 per person, which is not bargain-bin. But you’re not just paying for “a demo.” You leave with a 30ml bottle of what you made, plus documentation (the formula) and a certificate. One helpful review detail: people noted the bottle size feels similar to what you’d pay for in-store, so the math starts to make sense if you’re the type who likes to bring something home that’s personal rather than generic.

And because the group is limited to 10 participants, the experience doesn’t feel like a factory lecture. You’re actually choosing scents, not just watching someone else do it.

What happens during the 1.5 hours: your nose goes first

The workshop runs about 1.5 hours, guided by a master perfumer and offered in Italian and English. The pace is built for real decision-making, because choosing fragrance notes is harder than it sounds. What smells amazing in a bottle can turn surprising once combined—so you’ll get help through the process.

Here’s the flow in plain terms:

• You start with intro + perfume history in Florence, including how Renaissance-era perfumers influenced the craft.
• You move into the hands-on mixing stage, where you sample an array of delicate and stronger aromas.
• You then put together your own personalized fragrance using a kit of essences.
• At the end, your perfume is ready for you to take away in a 30ml bottle, along with the formula and a certificate.

While you’re working, plan on lots of sniffing and short comparisons. The workshop is designed around the idea that good perfume is structured: you’re not just picking one smell you like. You’re building layers.

The scent-pyramid lesson: why the mixing part isn’t random

One of the most useful parts here is the way the instructor frames the choices. Even if you’ve never thought about perfume “notes,” you’ll likely leave understanding why florals, woods, spices, or citrus don’t behave the same way.

Some reviews mention a scent pyramid, and that’s basically the mental model behind perfume structure:

• Top notes tend to feel lighter and show up first.
• Middle notes carry the “body” of the fragrance.
• Base notes are what linger and give depth.

The kit gives you ingredients to combine, but the teaching helps you make choices that work together. That’s the difference between making something you like in the moment and making something that feels like a real fragrance on skin.

It’s also why the class feels more like craft than like a novelty souvenir. You’re learning how to think like a perfumer for a short, friendly stretch of time.

Meet the master perfumer: how guidance keeps you from guessing

You’ll be guided by the master perfumer throughout the blending process. In past sessions, instructors named in feedback include Elena, Debra, and Alina, and people repeatedly mention how patient the guidance is when it’s time to choose.

For you, this matters because scent selection can get overwhelming quickly. Too many options can make your decisions feel shaky. Having an instructor there helps you:

• narrow down what you actually like versus what just smells “pretty”
• adjust your blend when one aroma overpowers the others
• land on a final mix that feels balanced, not chaotic

If you’re visiting with friends or family, the small group format is great for comparing preferences. You’ll notice how one person’s “favorite bottle” doesn’t always become the best match in the final formula.

Your take-home fragrance: 30ml, formula, and a certificate

At the end, you collect a 30ml bottle of your personalized perfume. You don’t just get a little sample dab. You also receive:

• your formula (so you know what you chose)
• a certificate recognizing the skill you practiced
• a ready-to-use souvenir that isn’t stuck in a drawer after the honeymoon phase

One standout detail from reviews: there’s an option to have a chemist (referred to as doctor in one message) handle the combining once you decide the ingredients. That’s useful if you worry about precision. Some people also liked having a recipe for later purchases and noted that you can order ingredients again by emailing the shop.

In other words, this isn’t only a one-day “fun.” It can become a fragrance you build on.

Coffee break and shop time: the workshop’s pacing feels human

You get a small coffee break with coffee, tea, or water included. It’s brief, but it changes the tempo. Instead of rushing through smell decisions, you get a moment to reset your nose and think.

Because the location is a real working shop, you can also expect the atmosphere to be part of the experience. People mention how the venue feels special and warm, and that there’s plenty to smell and browse while you wait for your blend to be prepared.

Practical note: the activity includes instructions about keeping things light. You’ll want to bring only what you need.

Price and value: how $82 stacks up in Florence

At $82 per person, you’re paying for three things:

1) expert guidance from a master perfumer

2) the perfume-making process and ingredient kit

3) a full 30ml bottle you can actually use

If you normally buy perfume in shops, you’ll recognize that a bottle in that size range often isn’t cheap. One review specifically said the takeaway size is comparable to what you might pay for off the shelf (around €70 was mentioned). Even without locking into that exact number, the value proposition is clear: you’re not paying just for instruction. You’re leaving with product.

So this is a good value choice if:

• you like scent enough that you’ll wear it
• you want something personal for a gift (or for yourself)
• you’d rather pay for an experience than another “small trinket”

If you’re just curious and don’t see yourself wearing perfume, you might find it less satisfying. In that case, you’ll still enjoy the fun of smelling and learning, but the bottle won’t feel as necessary.

Who should book this class, and who might not love it

This masterclass fits well if you want an activity that’s:

• hands-on and interactive
• different from standard sightseeing
• structured but relaxed (small group up to 10)
• meaningful as a souvenir because it’s your blend

It’s also a nice option for couples and adult groups. Reviews mention people doing it as a highlight, a bonding activity, and even as a family outing that worked across ages.

A caution based on the provided information: wheelchair information conflicts. The details say it’s wheelchair accessible, but it also says not suitable for wheelchair users. If mobility is a concern, you’ll want to check before you go so you don’t get stuck with unexpected access limits.

Practical tips for a smooth session

A few small habits make a big difference with fragrance workshops:

• Bring a camera (it’s listed as what you should bring).
• Skip luggage or large bags. Keep it simple—your hands and your nose will do most of the work.
• If you’re sensitive to strong smells, take it slow during sampling. You can ask for a moment to reset rather than forcing through.
• Languages are Italian and English, so if you prefer one language, choose a time that matches what you’re comfortable with.

Also, this is Florence. The shop is in the heart of the city, so expect normal street life nearby. One review suggested the street noise could be reduced during instruction, which is a reminder that the workshop is in a real storefront environment, not a soundproof lab.

Should you book the Florence perfume masterclass?

Book it if you want a Florence activity that feels original and leaves you with something you’ll actually use. The combination of master-level guidance, a structured scent approach, and a 30ml takeaway with formula makes the price feel justified in a way many “craft experiences” don’t.

Skip or rethink it if you’re not interested in wearing perfume at all, or if you need guaranteed step-free access (since the wheelchair suitability information is mixed). If that’s you, send a quick message to confirm physical access before you commit.

Otherwise, this is one of those rare classes where you’ll be learning, laughing, and walking away with a scent that feels like it belongs to you.

FAQ

How long is the perfume masterclass in Florence?

The experience lasts about 1.5 hours.

Where does the masterclass take place?

It takes place at Antica Spezieria Erboristeria San Simone in the heart of Florence.

What do I take home at the end?

You’ll receive a 30 ml bottle of your personalized perfume, along with its formula and a certificate.

Is the class small?

Yes. It’s limited to a small group of up to 10 participants.

What languages are used during the class?

The instructor and class are offered in Italian and English.

Is coffee included?

Yes. There is a coffee break with coffee, tea, or water included.

Can I bring luggage or large bags?

No. Luggage or large bags are not allowed.

Is it wheelchair accessible?

The details include conflicting information: it’s listed as wheelchair accessible, but it’s also labeled not suitable for wheelchair users. Check directly before booking if you rely on wheelchair access.