A visit to La Scala in Milan offers the chance to discover one of the world’s most famous opera houses. Opened in 1778, the Teatro alla Scala hosts operas, ballets, and concerts in the heart of the historic center.
Its horseshoe-shaped auditorium now seats just over 2,000 people. The red seats, the gilded trim, and the rows of boxes are what make this place so magical.
In this article, we’ve compiled useful information to help you decide between a museum ticket and a guided tour of the theater, as well as to help you plan your visit: prices, hours, directions, and practical tips.
Everything you need to know to plan your visit.
Address: Largo Ghiringhelli 1, Piazza della Scala, 20121 Milan. The theater’s main entrance is on Piazza della Scala; the museum entrance and ticket office are on Largo Ghiringhelli.
Directions: Take the M1 or M3 subway to the Duomo station, then walk about 5 minutes through the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. Take tram 1; get off near Piazza della Scala.
We’ve selected three options in French for visiting La Scala, ranging from a self-guided tour to the most comprehensive guided tour.
1. The museum admission ticket
This is the most affordable way to explore La Scala at your own pace. The ticket includes admission to the museum and the audio guide app in French. You can freely explore the collections of costumes, instruments, portraits, and memorabilia related to the great figures of opera, with a view of the auditorium from the boxes when the theater’s schedule permits.
2. The guided tour of the theater and museum
This guided tour, lasting about an hour, combines theater and museum. A French-speaking guide recounts the history of La Scala, its artists, and its iconic performances, while drawing your attention to the most interesting sets and artifacts. It’s a great way to get in-depth explanations without having to spend half a day on the tour.
3. Our recommendation: the skip-the-line guided tour ❤️
This is the tour we recommend to help you fully enjoy La Scala. For about an hour, a French-speaking guide brings the theater’s history to life, explains its architecture, and shares anecdotes that make the place come alive. Admission tickets and skip-the-line access are included for a seamless tour of the theater and museum.
Quelle formule choisir ?
Les différentes options en un coup d’œil.
Billet du musée
La formule la plus accessible
- Entrée au musée de la Scala
- Audioguide en français
- Découverte à votre rythme
Théâtre et musée
Le bon compromis
- Guide francophone
- Visite d’environ 1 heure
- Billets d’entrée inclus
Visite guidée coupe-file
L’option la plus complète
- Guide francophone
- Accès coupe-file
- Billets inclus
A museum ticket does not grant admission to a performance. To attend an opera, ballet, or concert, you must purchase a separate ticket for the selected performance. The theater recommends arriving at least 20 minutes before the curtain rises; shorts and tank tops are not permitted in the auditorium.
Daily from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., last admission at 5:00 p.m. December 24 and 31: from 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., last admission at 2:30 p.m.
The museum is closed on December 7, 25, and 26; January 1; Easter Sunday; May 1; and August 15.
What can you see on a tour of La Scala?
The self-guided tour begins at the La Scala Museum, which features paintings, costumes, instruments, sheet music, busts, and memorabilia related to the history of the theater and opera. The standard ticket does not include a guided tour of the theater. It only allows you to view the auditorium from the third-floor boxes when no rehearsals, performances, or other activities are taking place.
To enter the theater’s historic areas—including the Toscanini Foyer, the historic boxes, and the royal box—you must take the official guided tour. The tour route may be modified depending on the program.
The Toscanini Foyer is impressive with its tall columns, chandeliers, and spacious interior. Take a moment to admire the details before heading to the boxes.
From the boxes accessible during the tour, visitors can enjoy a view of the stage and the red-and-gold auditorium. Access to these boxes is never guaranteed when a performance is taking place.
What to Know Before Visiting La Scala
- Before your visit, download the museum’s free app for Android or iOS, and be sure to bring your headphones. The audio guide is available in seven languages, including French. The tours range from 20 to 90 minutes; there’s a 30-minute scavenger hunt for children.
- Check the theater’s schedule before you visit. Even with a museum ticket, access to the dressing rooms may be restricted due to a rehearsal, performance, or event.
- The museum is accessible by elevator. However, the official guided tour of the theater is not suitable for people with mobility issues or children under 12.
- Photos and videos are permitted only for strictly personal use; they may not be used for promotional or commercial purposes or posted on social media.
History of the theater
La Scala in Milan, known in Italian as Teatro alla Scala, opened on August 3, 1778. On the night of August 15–16, 1943, Allied bombing severely damaged the theater. After being rebuilt, it reopened on May 11, 1946, with a concert conducted by Arturo Toscanini. Since 1951, the season has traditionally opened on December 7, the feast day of Saint Ambrose, the patron saint of Milan.
Giuseppe Verdi and Maria Callas are among the artists most closely associated with La Scala. To learn more, listen to the story of La Scala on the Radio France podcast.
Why visit La Scala in Milan?
Whether you’re an opera enthusiast or simply curious, seeing the auditorium from a box allows you to appreciate the full splendor of the venue: red velvet, gilded details, rows of boxes, and a monumental chandelier. This view, however, is limited by the absence of rehearsals, performances, or events.
Where is La Scala in Milan?
La Scala is located on Piazza della Scala, in the heart of the historic center. Its neoclassical façade is relatively understated compared to the theater’s interior, but the interior reveals the theater’s full splendor.
The theater is located about a 5-minute walk from the Duomo, Milan’s cathedral, across the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. So you can easily combine both visits on the same day.
- Subway: Lines M1 or M3, Duomo station, then about a 5-minute walk.
- Tram: Line 1, stop near Piazza della Scala.
Visit the Duomo and La Scala on the Same Day
The Duomo and La Scala are separated only by the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, so you can easily visit both on the same day. Check out our complete guide to planning your visit to Milan.
You can also choose a guided tour in French that combines La Scala and the Duomo. This package brings together two of Milan’s must-see landmarks in a single guided tour, saving you the trouble of making multiple reservations.
Video of La Scala Theater
To extend your visit, here is “Secrets d’Histoire—La Scala in Milan,” a France Télévisions video dedicated to the theater.
Where can I stay near La Scala in Milan?
We hope you have a wonderful stay in Milan. Be sure to visit the Santa Maria delle Grazie convent, home to Leonardo da Vinci’s *The Last Supper*. If you’d like to continue exploring the city’s cultural attractions, check out our selection of the best museums in Milan.
Feel free to leave us a quick note or a 5-star rating below to let us know if you’re planning this trip, or to ask any questions here or on Instagram. We’d be happy to respond.
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