Teatro La Scala in Milan Tickets and Tours

The La Scala Theatre in Milan is considered worldwide to be a temple of opera, attracting thousands of tourists every year who come to visit it or enjoy one of its wonderful performances. Its sombre, ancient exterior gives us no hint of the beauty that lies within, nor of its unique history.

If you are wondering what to see and do in Milan during your stay in the city, a tour of La Scala Theatre should be on your to-do list. The ticket to the theatre also includes access to an incredible and very interesting museum to complete the visit.

The most convenient option

Milan La Scala Theater and Museum Guided Tour

1-hour guided tour of La Scala Theatre in Milan

Join this guided tour of La Scala Theatre and Museum and discover the secrets of one of the world's most famous opera houses.

From CAD 64 at Hellotickets

The guided tour of La Scala Theatre in Milan is included in the best tours and excursions in Milan. This one-hour activity is a tour led by an expert guide where you will visit the different parts of this famous theatre, the museum and the bookshop.

Don't miss this opportunity to admire paintings and musical instruments dedicated to the great Italian composers as well as portraits of historical masters such as Giuseppe Verdi and Arturo Toscanini. Don't forget to book your place in advance, as this tour is in high demand and regularly sells out weeks in advance.

Recommended if... you are a lover of opera and theatre or if you want to learn about the history and curiosities of La Scala Theatre.

Admission to La Scala Theatre costs around €5 and entitles you to visit the interior of the theatre and gives you access to the Theatre Museum. Visits with this type of ticket are completely self-guided.

Another way to visit the theatre is by attending one of the operas on the programme. The prices for this type of show vary greatly depending on the location you choose and the type of performance. Tickets can range from €20 to €500, as in most prestigious theatres around the world.

The best option

Another way to get to know La Scala Theatre first-hand, which I recommend to anyone who doesn't want to miss out on a bit of the history of this symbolic theatre and its museum, is to take a guided tour. With the help of a specialised guide, you will learn its secrets, while discovering the great opera production behind its stages.

Yes, tickets to the theatre and museum can be purchased at the box office, but keep in mind that due to the popularity of this theatre, availability can be quite limited or even non-existent.

I recommend purchasing your tickets in advance through the theatre's website so you don't miss out on this fantastic visit.

For performances, the box office is only open for shows on the same day, subject to availability. The reality is that almost all performances sell out in advance, especially the most famous ones that everyone wants to see. Performances such as Macbeth or Un ballo in maschera sell out within days of the start of the ticket sales season.

Yes, there are guided tours and, in my experience, they are the best way to get to know it. A guided tour of La Scala Theatre in Milan will allow you to admire the beauty of the theatre's interior and its halls, but you will also learn about its history and interesting facts.

Tours are available in Spanish, but remember to book your place in advance so you don't miss out. The price of these tours starts at €30.

If you are lucky enough, your visit may coincide with one of the rehearsals for upcoming performances. This will allow you to enjoy a behind-the-scenes look at the preparations for the upcoming performances.

In addition, you will have privileged access to the theatre's main portico, one of the favourite places in the entire theatre and considered a jewel of this important European musical building.

Yes, with the Milan Pass you have free access to both the theatre and its museum, as well as other important attractions and the best tourist bus service in Milan.

In the case of La Scala Theatre, the standard ticket for your self-guided visit is included. However, if you would like a guided tour, you will receive a discount on the price with the Milan Pass.

The theatre and its museum are open every day of the week from 9 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. and then again from 1.30 p.m. to 5.30 p.m. It is closedon Sundays from 1 November to 30 April .

La Scala Theatre is located in Piazza alla Scala in the centre of Milan. The closest places to Piazza della Scala are Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, Milan Cathedral and the Pinacoteca Ambrosiana. You can therefore use them as landmarks or even combine visits on the same day to make the most of your stay in Milan.

• To reach the theatre from anywhere in the city, you can take tram lines 1 and 2 to Manzoni Scala station.
• If, on the other hand, you prefer to use the underground, you should take lines 1 and 3, which will take you to Duomo station.
• If you arrive in Milan by plane, there is a fast train service from Malpensa Airport. The Malpensa Express arrives at Cardona station in around 40 minutes from Terminal 1 and will drop you off very close to La Scala Theatre. You can also take the Malpensa Bus Express, a bus that runs from Terminal 1 to Milan Central Station, where you can connect to other means of transport.
• If you wish to get to La Scala Theatre by bus, there are several bus services that run from both terminals to Milan Central Bus Station.

Here is a list of the best things and places to enjoy during your visit to La Scala Theatre:

• Sala della Ferraia (Horseshoe Room): where performances and plays are held. This is undoubtedly the highlight of the visit and the main place that everyone wants to see.
• The Theatre Foyer: It is rather similar to that of a Baroque palace.
• The Theatre Auditorium: This is a huge space full of luxuries and details that will leave you speechless. It is constructed from wood and red velvet, an exquisite combination. As if that weren't enough, the gold-toned decorations add the finishing touch to its elegant and imposing style. Crowning this scene is a huge crystal chandelier made up of 383 light bulbs in the middle of the room.
• La Scala Theatre Museum: You will find a variety of paintings and costumes related to opera that are truly incredible. In fact, when you consider their age and state of preservation, you will be even more surprised. There is also a section dedicated to an exhibition of portraits of the most representative artists of Italian opera and a large bookshop.
• Piazza della Scala: Outside the theatre, you can enjoy the square of the same name. It is worth taking in the surroundings and taking a photo with the statue of Leonardo Da Vinci.

Guided tours last 1 hour, but you can stay in the vicinity of the theatre and museum for as long as you like. If you prefer to visit on your own, I recommend setting aside about an hour of your day of sightseeing in Milan.

But if you are going to enjoy a performance, keep in mind that the theatre generally opens its doors about 3 hours before the show starts. Performances last an average of 2 hours.

A visit to La Scala Theatre with the little ones is one of the things to do in Milan with children, among others.

If you visit on your own, the tour is completely family-friendly, and you can explore the theatre and museum surroundings without any problems. Children will love seeing the different parts of this monument, and the costumes and paintings in the museum will keep them entertained all day long.

If you take the guided tour, you don't have to worry either, as it is a very enjoyable and short tour.

As for the performances, although there are no age restrictions, the formality of the events and the length of the shows may be things to consider when going with children.

• For opening performances and shows, women are required to wear dark formal attire and men are required to wear a suit and tie. For all other performances, casual attire is acceptable. In any case, elegance is appreciated when entering the venue.
• To attend the Prima della Scala, held every 7 December to mark the opening of the season, men are required to wear a tailcoat and women a long evening gown.
• If you are thinking of going to a particular performance, buy your tickets well in advance as they tend to sell out very quickly. Many people from all over the world are waiting for their chance to see one of these shows.
• If you are not a fan of opera or ballet, I recommend reading up on the show you are going to see beforehand. This will make it much easier for you to understand and enjoy it more.
• But if you really don't like this musical genre, keep in mind that attending a show is much more than that. It is an experience in itself. In addition, the theatre's acoustics are among the best in the world.