La Scala Opera House (Teatro alla Scala)
The Basics
La Scala is an impressive sight whether or not you’re an opera or ballet aficionado. The building’s exterior may not be as remarkable as Milan’s Duomo, just a stone’s throw away, but a tour of its opulent interior is a must for any music lover. Along with the Duomo and Leonardo da Vinci’sThe Last Supper, La Scala is one of the most popular attractions in Milan, so booking a skip-the-line tour is a must. Consider joining a small-group walking tour of Milan’s highlights with an expert guide to avoid long entry waits and to learn first-hand about the iconic sights’ fascinating history. If you would like to take a full tour of La Scala, you must visit with an official tour guide. These theater tours also include a visit to La Scala Museum, which houses a collection of costumes and set designs, musical instruments, portraits of actors and musicians, and an archive. Of course, nothing beats seeing a La Scala concert, ballet, or opera, including beloved works by Rossini, Puccini, and Verdi.
Recent reviews from experiences in Milan
Things to Know Before You Go
Without a performance ticket or guided theater tour, you can see the inside of the theater only by visiting La Scala Museum, which includes a quick peek into the auditorium through the third-level boxes when there is no rehearsal or performance.
Purchase performance tickets in advance to ensure a seat.
The theater and museum are accessible to wheelchairs and strollers, though the guided theater tour is not.
Large bags and backpacks must be checked into the cloakroom.
How to Get There
La Scala is located on Piazza della Scala in the heart of downtown Milan, just on the other side of the elegant Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II from the Duomo. The tram line 1 and yellow metro line both stop near the theater.
Trip ideas
When to Get There
The La Scala performance calendar runs year-round. Theater tours are held on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday afternoons when there is no rehearsal or performance scheduled. The museum is open daily from 9am to 5:30pm with a few holiday and other closures; see the website for details.
The “Staircase Theater”
The wordscala means “staircase” in Italian, but Teatro alla Scala was so named because it was built on the site where the Church of Santa Maria alla Scala once stood.
- Things to do in Lombardy
- Things to do in Ferno
- Things to do in Lake Como
- Things to do in Parma
- Things to do in Genoa
- Things to do in Langhe-Roero and Monferrato
- Things to do in Turin
- Things to do in Verona
- Things to do in Davos
- Things to do in Lucerne
- Things to do in Bologna
- Things to do in Pisa
- Things to do in Zurich
- Things to do in Piedmont & Liguria
- Things to do in Swiss Alps
- Leonardo3 Museum
- Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II
- Poldi Pezzoli Museum (Museo Poldi Pezzoli)
- Piazza Mercanti
- Milan Duomo
- Fidenza Village
- Museo del Novecento
- Via Monte Napoleone
- Quadrilatero d'Oro
- Royal Palace of Milan (Palazzo Reale di Milano)
- Church of Santa Maria at San Satiro (Chiesa di Santa Maria presso San Satiro)
- Via della Spiga
- Codex Atlanticus
- Ambrosiana Museum and Library (Veneranda Biblioteca Ambrosiana)
- Bagatti Valsecchi Museum (Museo Bagatti Valsecchi)
- Skip the Line for the Last Supper
- All Milan Skip the Line Tours
- Shopping in Milan
- Milan in 3 Days
- Lake Day Trips from Milan
- Romantic Things To Do in Milan
- Venice Day Trips from Milan
- Top Nightlife Experiences in Milan
- Milan Neighborhood Guide
- Top Parks and Gardens in Milan
- Swiss Alps Tours from Milan
- Milan for Art Lovers