The Florence Pottery Experience: Factory Tour & Masterclass
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Hi, my name is Matteo, and I grew up surrounded by clay, watching my father and grandfather shape ceramics by hand.
Florence is full of incredible things to see, but there is an Italy beyond the tourist routes that is worth discovering. We are right there.
Montelupo Fiorentino is where Florence's ceramics have been made for over 700 years.
When you visit us, you step into the daily life of a pottery family. You meet my father Salvatore, who has been at the wheel for 50 years, and the artisans who hand-paint every single piece — it gives you a whole new appreciation for handmade things. If something catches your eye, you can also order custom-made pieces directly from the factory!
After the visit you get into it yourself, sit at the wheel, and make something with your own hands.
We are proud to enrich the Italy trip of the people who come to us, so they can say they did not only visit Italy — they explored it, understood its traditions, and left with something they created themselves.
Thông tin khác
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Children must be accompanied by an adult
Very easy to reach by train with a 20min ride from Florence
Chính sách hủy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Cần Quan Tâm
Montelupo Fiorentino is a small town just 20 minutes from Florence, known for over 700 years of ceramic tradition. Leave the crowds behind and step into the real Tuscany — a family workshop where five generations of potters have shaped clay every day. You will visit a pottery factory and see the full production cycle, from raw clay to hand-painted majolica, and meet the artisans who make it all by hand. Back at the shop, my father Salvatore — a master potter with 50 years of experience — will guide you step by step as you shape your own piece on the wheel. Whether you have never touched clay before and want a fun, hands-on way to bring home a tangible memory of your trip to Italy, or you are an experienced potter looking to refine your technique with Italian craftsmanship — Salvatore adapts to your level. After your visit, we fire your piece, glaze it by hand, and ship it to your home — anywhere in the world, included in the experience price. In about two months, a piece of Tuscany made by your hands arrives at your door. Awarded as one of the Best Experiences in Italy 2025, it is suitable for all ages — couples, families, solo travelers, and groups.
Bao gồm
Worldwide shipping of your finished pieces to your home
Private guided tour of a working pottery factory
Option to order custom-made ceramics to add in the same box I have to ship
Local transport to the factory by car
Double firing and hand glazing of your pieces
All materials: clay, apron, and pottery wheel
Tùy chọn
How to make handmade Tuscan Ceramic: a course with a master potter in Montelupo
Đánh giá
207 đánh giá
Tổng số đánh giá và xếp hạng từ Viator & TripAdvisor
Best experience near Florence!
Jacqueline O,15 thg 3, 2026
- Đánh giá từ Viator
5.00This was so fun! Matteo and his family are so nice. The tour was super interesting and making the pottery was a blast! It was my first time ever making pottery and it came out fantastic! It's a great experience for solo travelers.
More than expected. Great for beginners and equally enjoyable for those who are familiar with ceramics at any level.
William Z,28 thg 2, 2026
- Đánh giá từ Viator
5.00I researched a few ceramics classes and chose this one based on its length. As a ceramics teacher I was able to determine what I thought would be the most complete experience. I chose wisely. What a tremendous treat. Matteo was a fabulous host and guide. We went expexlcting a class but were introduced to a process, family, and factory that has been doing this very thing for more than 500 years. We learned much about the history, the town, and we were surprised to learn just how prominent this town and the company are in todays world. I won't spoil anything. Salvatore was a great teacher. I learned some new things and my wife who is not someone that does ceramics had a great time. The location is a 20 minute train ride from Firenze S.M.N and then a 3 minute walk from Montelupo-Capraia station. Great pizza on one side of the shop and gelato on the other side. A beautiful family and an experience far more enjoyable than I ever expected.
A Highlight of Our Florence Trip
76imac,29 thg 1, 2026
- Đánh giá từ Tripadvisor
5.00My wife and I booked the experience with Matteo and his family the minute we saw it was available. It has been one of the highlights of our trip to Florence. We arrived early and were met by Matteo at the gallery with warmth, kindness, and enthusiasm, which lasted throughout the tour. We were taken through sourcing and preparation of the clay, through to the creation and finishing of the pieces with humour and innate knowledge of the craft. The expertise of each member of the studio was highlighted and is almost beyond comprehension. We also can't say enough nice things about Matteo's father, who will guide you through making your ceramic experience complete. It's not hard to see where Matteo's personality comes from. He really is the "rockstar of Montelupo!" If you have any interest in pottery or ceramics, this experience can't be missed. 11/10, no notes.
It was the highlight of...
Jess A,25 thg 1, 2026
- Đánh giá từ Viator
5.00It was the highlight of my 10 day Firenze trip! I was speechless and enamored the entire time. You feel so special, see literal magic in the form of art, and feel like family the entire time - from Matteo, to his father, mother, brother, & all the other artists. Do yourself a favor and sign up. Only then will you understand why it is a prized experience.
Wonderful experience
Davey S,17 thg 1, 2026
- Đánh giá từ Viator
5.00This was a truly special experience. We were lucky enough to be the only guests so our tour was private. The tour brought us to the factory and the private showroom where we were able to see hundreds of pieces in various stages of completion. Salvatore gave us a quick yet masterful demonstration and we were able to meet the co-owner of the studio. After the tour , we returned to the studio where my wife was given a private throwing lesson with Salvatore. It was a magical day. Matteo was such an amazing host and guide. We felt like family when we left.
Montelupo is a must
helenkH5577GL,31 thg 12, 2025
- Đánh giá từ Tripadvisor
5.00A wonderful experience hosted by a wonderful family. We were shown the passion of ceramic artistry and taught how to make pottery the Montelupo way.
Matteo is awesome, 10 stars at least
Bruce J,31 thg 12, 2025
- Đánh giá từ Viator
5.00This was one of if not the the funnest events my wife and I have ever done on Viator. Matteo had great communication beforehand and is such a genuinely fun and energetic person. The factory tour was amazing, as was meeting his family. His father is an amazing teacher and we were able to make some really cool pottery through his patient and caring instructions. This is truly worth the time and trip. This is a train almost every hour from Florence with the station only a 3 minute walk to the studio and the ride is only 30 minutes and cost $5. Do yourself a favor and do this fun adventure.
One of the best experiences in Italy
grace d,10 thg 12, 2025
- Đánh giá từ Viator
5.00If I could give this experience 10 stars I would. I enjoyed the ceramic class in December last year and I found myself booking this again for next year. I feel terrible I don’t remember the name of who gave me the tour but he was one of the most welcoming people I’ve ever met. I was taken around Montelupo and learnt about their culture and history. I then had the opportunity to go to their warehouse which I was told not many people get to go to. I saw how their factory worked, I met the people and saw so many beautiful ceramics. I was then able to make my own bowls which I use almost every day and am in love with. I’ve been to Italy 3 times and this was by far my favourite experience. I cannot recommend doing this more!
Best experience ever!
Beverly D,17 thg 11, 2025
- Đánh giá từ Viator
5.00Montelupo is less than 30 minutes from Florence by train, and the meet up point a five minute walk from the train station. I thought I signed up for a ceramics class but what happened was like “I found a long lost family” experience! I went to the storefront and met Matteo there, he then drove me to their factory a few minutes away. I was given a full tour of the making of their ceramics located on the ground floor and then was shown to the upstairs showroom with all their finished products. They ship them all over the world. I met the kindly grandfather at the factory. We returned to the storefront where I met his beautiful mother, she was so excited to show me all the new pottery and Christmas items on display. She was interested in knowing my opinion! The father came in soon after and took me into the next room for the ceramics class, he taught me to throw clay on the wheel. I had so much fun making 2 bowls. He was so patient. They will fire and glaze it for me then ship it to California. I highly recommend this experience, worth every euro!!!
An amazing and unique experience with very friendly folks!
Gregg S,8 thg 11, 2025
- Đánh giá từ Viator
5.00This was probably my best experience in Italy in any of my visits! I was so happy to find something so unique before I even started. This excursion is also a bit different from the typical pasta, pizza, gelato, museums, and leather making you’d expect in Firenze. Which adds to just how special it is to attend. I was able to catch a quick train from Florence out to Montelupo which was about 20 minutes. The host Matteo was incredibly communicative and enthusiastic. I contacted him the day prior saying I was worried I would have a scheduling conflict with my next excursion. Matteo looked into it and said he would be able to get me back to the city with plenty of time. Upon getting off the train I was able to walk to the shop and see some of the beauty of the square. Matteo was outside waiting for me and that is where the fun part began. Matteo and his family gave me the type of welcome one would expect from Italy. His aunt was there and brought cookies and they were happy to share. I immediately felt like a friend. From there he took me to the factory where they work collaboratively with his studio. The factory was an interesting mix of seeing people work with their hands to craft beautiful pieces with speed and efficiency as well as seeing the ancient traditions of pottery being melded with modern industry to provide some beautiful pieces that go to famous retailers in the US. There was also a studio tour above the factory for all of the pieces in the collection available this season and my response was wide eyes and a loud “wow”. That was only half of the excursion. We returned to the studio where I was to throw some pottery on a wheel with Matteo’s father who is a master potter. This was a fun experience guided by someone with very practiced hands. I was able to make bowls and they would proceed to decorate them and ship to to me. All at the cost of the excursion. I added a more in depth pattern to the design so there was a small extra charge that was well worth it! Matteo and his family were by far the best part of an otherwise already amazing experience. Matteo and I got into a conversation about how different buildings are treated in Italy than in my country and he proceeded to take me down to a store at the end of the street that sold small items and had a statue in it from the 1300s that was just part of the landscape no matter what shop occupied it. This was incredibly interesting for me to see and I would have missed it otherwise if it weren’t for the incredibly welcoming Matteo. This excursion was recently rated one of the best on Air B and B for the area and that award as well as all the ones in the future are well deserved! If you are looking for an amazing and unique experience with some incredibly friendly and kind people I would strongly recommend you book this when you are in Florence.
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