The best perfume ateliers in Florence
Perfumes, scents, research and alchemy: beautiful spaces in Florence for sensory and olfactory experiences
Florence is famed for the crafts it has preserved and passed down for centuries inside what locals call ‘botteghe’: refined workshops and artisan boutiques found in few other cities across the world.
That is certainly true for goldsmiths or bespoke tailors, alongside another great point of local pride: master perfumers. Expect bespoke fragrances, alchemical research and evocative olfactory journeys that stay etched in memory.
Here is our pick of the best perfume ateliers in Florence for an unconventional detour off the standard tourist track.
Atelier Parfumèide
Piazza Fra’ Girolamo Savonarola, 11r
Parfumèide is an ‘Olfactory Design Atelier’ that describes itself as an innovative scent designer. The goal is to give an olfactory form to clients’ requests and desires. Alongside custom work, ongoing research produces permanent collections that express the brand’s identity and history. Ingredients are carefully selected for each perfume, crafting every scent as an exclusive blend of science and art.
A handsome venue in central Florence where listening to the client guides every step of the research to craft their dream scent.
Antica Spezieria Erboristeria San Simone
Via Ghibellina, 190
Antica Spezieria Erboristeria San Simone is one of the oldest shops in Florence, dating back as far as the early 1700s (‘700) near the Santa Maria Nuova hospital. Drawing on centuries of experience, it combines the scientific principles of medicine with the empirical healing properties of medicinal herbs, flowers and fruit. Today it is a charming atelier on Via Ghibellina where you can browse perfumes, room fragrances, colognes, body mists, cosmetics and bespoke creations. It also runs workshops and classes dedicated to the art of perfume-making.
Step inside and travel back to an era when perfumers doubled as alchemists and botanists, admire the bottles and labels, and discover an inspiring spectrum of fragrances.
Aqua Flor
Borgo Santa Croce, 6
Whether you are a fragrance devotee or a curious newcomer, Aqua Flor is a stop in Florence you should not miss. Housed in the historic Palazzo Corsini Antinori Serristori, just steps from Piazza Santa Croce, this Italian perfume atelier keeps alive a craft rooted in the days of Caterina de’ Medici. The atmospheric workshop in the ancient cellars adds to the charm. Inside, a grand central table and antique apothecary cabinetry showcase finely crafted bottles and room scents. Through their website, you can book bespoke fragrance workshops and private experiences that reveal the secrets of artisanal perfumery.
Sileno Cheloni
Via di S. Niccolò, 72R
Stepping into the atelier of Sileno Cheloni in the San Niccolò neighbourhood (di là d’Arno, as Florentines say), you might wonder whether you are still in 2022, or indeed awake at all. It is an enchanting space with velvet sofas, antique wooden counters and shelves filled with scents that resemble magic potions. Cheloni sees himself as an alchemist, composing fragrances to evoke deep moods and emotions. Describing the space hardly does it justice: book a private session with the master perfumer for one of the most memorable olfactory experiences in the city.
Lorenzo Villoresi
Via de’ Bardi, 12
Maison Lorenzo Villoresi reflects the founder’s cosmopolitan world of travel, experimentation, raw ingredient research and bespoke perfumery. The atelier crafts everything in-house, from early conceptual research to final bottling. The signature hexagonal bottle embodies a discreet, personal idea of luxury. Located in an elegant palazzo on Via de’ Bardi in the centre of Florence, the boutique features ancient architecture and restored frescoes—a luminous setting for the brand’s full collections. Here, expert staff guide perfume enthusiasts through the house’s storied creations.
