This Floral-Citrus Note Evokes an Expensive Italian Villa, and It's in All of My Favorite Perfumes
Breathe in, breathe out.
I've always been fascinated by fragrances—both conceptually (the way they can evoke memories, places, and people) and literally (the chic glass bottles are a sight to behold). I started collecting them when I was a teenager. Back then, I'd trade my hard-earned babysitting money for the odd body mist or semi-affordable department-store scent.
Now that I'm a beauty editor, I test hundreds of fragrances each year, and my collection has grown to include no fewer than 50 perfumes. (I counted.) While they vary in size, shape, and scent profile, I noticed a theme. Some of my most beloved fragrances contain the same fragrance note—bergamot.
To me, bergamot is elevated yet energizing, approachable yet expensive-smelling. While you can absolutely wear it year-round, I personally equate it with summer. Not just any summer, though. It evokes a summer spent lounging in an expensive Italian villa. (Who doesn't want a whiff of that, no matter the season?!) Ahead, see 13 of the best bergamot perfumes to add to your collection.
The Best Bergamot Perfumes, at a Glance
- Best Overall: Le Labo Bergamote 22 Eau de Parfum
- Best Hair/Body Mist: Salt & Stone Bergamot & Hinoki Body and Hair Mist
- Best Fresh Scent: Henry Rose Windows Down Eau de Parfum
- Best Citrus: YSL Libre l’Eau Nue Eau de Parfum
- Best Sweet Scent: Prada Infusion de Vanille Eau de Parfum
The 13 Best Bergamot Perfumes of 2026
Best Overall: Le Labo Bergamote 22 Eau de Parfum
Fragrance notes: Bergamot, orange blossom, grapefruit, petitgrain, amber, vetiver, cedar, musk
Le Labo's Bergamote 22 Eau de Parfum maintains the true essence of bergamot. Described as "fresh, clean, and fizzy," the genderless scent combines the star fragrance note with sweet orange blossom, zippy grapefruit, and grounding amber, cedar, and musk. In my humble opinion, it's even better (and more original) than the brand's iconic Santal 33.
Customer review: "Bergamot is a compelling, mysterious scent. Anywhere I go wearing this scent, people wonder what it is. It’s my new signature scent for summer, and I’ve bought many a bottle for my friends."
Best Hair/Body Mist: Salt & Stone Bergamot & Hinoki Body and Hair Mist
Fragrance notes: Bergamot, orange blossom, hinoki
Here's another must-have scent that pairs bergamot with orange blossom—it's a killer combo. It's no wonder it smells similar to the aforementioned Le Labo perfume (albeit with less staying power, which is not uncommon when comparing an eau de parfum to a body mist—in my opinion, the price difference more than makes up for it). The addition of hinoki, or Japanese cypress, gives it a certain zen-like quality. Fresh and clean, it's pretty much the perfect scent to wear day to day.
Customer review: "This smells amazing! It’s light and not too overpowering! I bought it today and have already received two compliments on how good I smell! Definitely will buy this again!"
Best Fresh Scent: Henry Rose Windows Down Eau de Parfum
Fragrance notes: Bergamot, grapefruit, jasmine, Earl Grey tea, musk
Windows Down is the perfect name for this perfume. Light, fresh, and breezy, it does, in fact, remind me of driving with the windows down on a cool summer evening. It evokes freshly washed skin, clean laundry, and the scent in the air after a heavy rain.
Customer review: "I have been wearing Windows Down for almost a year, and it has remained absolutely delightful! I blindly bought it in the spring and was blown away by the gorgeous, bright citrus and grounding tea notes. It’s like sunshine in a bottle!"
Best Citrus: YSL Libre l'Eau Nue Eau de Parfum
Fragrance notes: Bergamot, green mandarin, orange blossom, lavender
True to theme, this perfume was designed to evoke "long Mediterranean summers." It's crafted with a blend of juicy citrus notes (including bergamot), orange blossom, and lavender. Consider this to be the haute couture take on a traditional bergamot and/or citrus scent.
Customer review: "This is amazing, so refreshing! Perfect balance between citrus and floral scent. I'm obsessed with this perfume! Is perfect and I can smell it all day long!!"
Best Sweet Scent: Prada Infusion de Vanille Eau de Parfum
Fragrance notes: Bergamot, vanilla, neroli
This isn't your basic vanilla scent. Sure, it's warm and sweet, but it also has a woody, ambery, spicy note to it. I can see why some people say it reminds them of vanilla extract—there's a subtle bite to it that other vanilla scents traditionally lack. The floral-citrus scent of bergamot is what strikes me first, then comes the honeyed neroli, and finally, the vanilla itself. Once it dries down, it has a light, second-skin effect.
Customer review: "This was my first Prada perfume, and I loved it. If used properly, the scent is long-lasting and smells high-end but not in a grandma way. It has sweet floral notes. I got the travel size and am only 1/4 way through after using it for 2 months. Perfect for events."
Best Warm: Guerlain Aqua Allegoria Bergamote Calabria Eau de Toilette
Fragrance notes: Bergamot, petitgrain lemon, fresh spices, white musk
To me, this is the perfect example of an iconic, French-girl perfume. The chic, gold-topped bottle belongs front and center on a vanity, yet it doesn't take itself too seriously. The liquid inside is "lively, sunny, and fresh." It's all thanks to a subtle hint of ginger, cardamom, and pink peppercorn. Together, these fresh spices lend it a lively vibe. I can't help but feel some joie de vivre when I wear it.
Customer review: "I love everything about this perfume!!! On me, it starts off citrusy and sweet- but as it settles into my skin it turns warm and sexy. It last all day, and I always get complimented when I wear it."
Best Woody Scent: Parfums de Marly Perseus Eau de Parfum
Fragrance notes: Bergamot, grapefruit, blackcurrant bud, dry woods, cashmere wood, ambergris accord, balsam fir, woody spices, tonka bean
Fun fact: This is technically marketed as a men's cologne, but in my opinion, it's genderless. Even if it weren't, I tend to wear any scent I love, regardless of whether it's traditionally feminine or masculine in nature. The top notes, bergamot and grapefruit, shine through before the middle notes of wood and amber creep up. The base notes of spice and tonka bean give it a warm, creamy finish. To me, it's strong, confident, and utterly cool.
Customer review: "Very nice citrus scent lasts a long time, great quality, I'm glad I got it."
Best Floral Scent: Armani Beauty My Way Eau de Parfum
Fragrance notes: Bergamot, orange blossom, tuberose, vanilla, white musk, cedarwood
Fans of soft, traditionally feminine fragrances will love this one. It's a true floral scent that has a soft touch of citrusy bergamot. This perfume has been in my collection for years because I find it to be so elegant and sophisticated. I think I can credit the white floral notes, especially tuberose, for that.
Customer review: "The most perfect fragrance I have tried. It’s so girly and floral, with sweet notes. I’m in love with this perfume and highly recommend it for everyday use. The bottle is so cute and beautiful! The scent will not disappoint you, and it will last all day."
Best Green Scent: Malin+Goetz Bergamot Eau de Parfum
Fragrance notes: Bergamot, lemon, mandarin, bell pepper, lime, grapefruit, cardamom, muguet, ginger, black pepper, spearmint, cedar, amber woods, musk, sandalwood
When I say this smells "green," I mean it. It delivers a verdant, herby scent that smells like trailing ivy or budding leaves thanks to notes like spearmint and bell pepper (unique, right?). The citrusy top notes—bergamot, lemon, and mandarin—elevate it with a juicy freshness, so that it stays light and bright, not veering into "damp undergrowth" or "vegetable patch" territory. If you like other herby and earthy scents like Phlur's Father Figure or Maison Margiela's From the Garden, you'll love this one.
Customer review: "Bright citrus was the immediate thought upon smelling this, but as it dries down, I definitely picked up on the cedar and sandalwood. Citrus stays bright on my skin, love the bell pepper note, I think it really does give it something special."
Best Oud Scent: Jo Malone Oud & Bergamot Cologne Intense
Fragrance notes: Bergamot, cedarwood, oud
I'm humbly crowning this genderless scent as the most interesting on the list. The deep, intense oud is perfectly complemented by the bright, citrus-forward bergamot. While I wouldn't have ever thought to combine the two contrasting notes (I guess that's why I'm a beauty editor and not a perfumer), I find the result to be well-balanced.
Customer review: "The scent is undeniably delightful! It screams sophistication and when initially applied, gets some really good feedback."
Best Summertime Scent: Diptyque L'Eau de Néroli Eau de Toilette
Fragrance notes: Bergamot, neroli, orange blossom, beeswax
Diptyque describes this perfume as "an entire effervescent orchard, expressed in a scent." I just love that description. And, yes, I think it's accurate thanks to the combo of citrusy bergamot, honeyed neroli, creamy orange blossom, and smooth beeswax.
Customer review: "I have been wearing this scent for 2 years or so and love it."
Best Spicy Scent: DedCool 01 "Taunt" Eau de Parfum
Fragrance notes: Bergamot, vanilla, amber
I swear this best-selling scent never gets old. Light, fresh, and slightly sweet, it smells incredible on everyone I force to try it. I think it's one of the best so-called "skin scents" on the market right now.
Customer review: "This scent has me in a chokehold. If I had to describe it, it’s like a creamy vanilla + bergamot. This one doesn’t get enough recognition!"
Best Elegant Scent: Tocca Colette Eau de Parfum
Fragrance notes: Bergamot, mandarin, lemon, juniper berry, pink peppercorn, jasmine, violet, cyclamen, incense, musk, sandalwood, amber, vanilla, cedarwood
Okay, can I just say something really quick? Tocca deserves so much more attention. I mean, the brand has some truly lovely scents, not to mention the elegant, antique-looking bottles. Tocca's Colette Eau de Parfum is one of my favorites. Equal parts citrusy, flowery, and warm, it's a traditionally feminine fragrance I could wear daily.
Customer review: "Absolutely stunning classic scent, something so cozy and comforting about it."
What Does Bergamot Perfume Smell Like?
Bergamot is a citrus fruit found throughout the Mediterranean. Roughly the size of an orange, the sour fruit has a distinct scent that's led it to become one of the most popular fragrance notes in perfumery. Take it from DSM-Firmenich perfumer Erwan Raguenes. "Bergamot is a bright citrus note with a floral facet, known for its sparkling quality and subtle green undertone, which gives it more nuance than other citrus ingredients."
"Bergamot adds brightness and freshness to a composition while remaining soft and balanced, never overpowering other notes," he continues. "It’s been a staple in perfumery for centuries, first gaining fame as the hero note in the original Eau de Cologne launched by Farina in 1709. Since then, its popularity has only grown, and it’s now considered a foundational ingredient in both classic and modern fragrances."
What Types of Fragrances Contain Bergamot?
Raguenes says bergamot is unique in that it plays exceptionally well with other fragrance notes. "It has a unique ability to enhance and elevate other ingredients while acting as a natural bridge between the top and heart notes, creating a smooth, cohesive transition within the scent."
Classic bergamot pairings include notes like lavender, cedarwood, vetiver, patchouli, and sandalwood. However, if you want a fresh, energizing effect, Raguenes recommends looking for a perfume that pairs bergamot with green tea, mint, or aquatic notes. "Bergamot adds nice contrast to warm and cold spices, while naturally blending with florals like neroli or orange blossom, jasmine, rose, or ylang-ylang," he says. So, in other words, the sky's the limit.
Why Trust Us
At Who What Wear, we know that beauty isn't one-size-fits-all. Over the years, our editors have tested thousands of products—including skincare, makeup, haircare, and nails—while also working closely with trusted experts, like renowned dermatologists, celebrity makeup artists, and other leading industry insiders. Together, this ensures every guide is well-researched, inclusive, and relevant to you.
We focus on formulas that deliver, whether they're affordable favorites or luxury investments. Our product selection is based on tangible results, ingredient know-how, and what we'd truly recommend to our closest friends and family members.
This post was published at an earlier date and has since been updated.
