La Scala Theatre and Museum Tour in Milan

Skip the line into the world-famous opera house and museum with a local guide

4.93 (29) ·

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· 1.50h · Milan, Italy

La Scala Theatre and Museum Tour in Milan

Exploring the hidden world behind Milan’s Teatro La Scala can be a challenge without the right guide. This guided tour takes you through the history and grandeur of this legendary venue, where singers like Pavarotti and composers like Verdi have left their mark. Explore the grand stage, seats, and balconies, then, dive into the La Scala Museum to see a fascinating collection of set designs, musical instruments, and costumes from three centuries of remarkable performances.

What you get with this tour

Passionate English-speaking guide
Tickets to La Scala Theatre & Museum
Set designs, musical instruments, and costumes
Visit the two completely distinct structures
Busts of Giuseppe Verdi, Arturo Toscanini and Maria Callas
Group size of 15 people
Hotel pick up and drop off
Food and beverages
Guide gratuities

Tour Itinerary

1

Meeting point at La Scala Museum
Find your local guide and small group of fellow travelers in Largo Antonio Ghiringhelli
2

Museum guided tour
With your skip-the-line tickets, enjoy a swift entry inside Milan’s world-famous opera house and theatrical museum
3

Great opera house
Admire the incredible grandeur and 2,000 luxurious red chairs of the Great Opera House, which dates back to 1778
4

Theatre's luxurious halls
Marvel at the theater’s ornate halls, which are draped in opulent gold hues and adorned by extravagant glass chandeliers
5

The history of opera
Your expert guide will share more about the fascinating history of the opera, along with tales of La Scala’s most iconic performers
6

Costumes and sets from great performances
View historic sets, intricate costumes, and prominent artifacts from the world’s most iconic operas, like Frank Liszt’s famous piano!
7

Ending point
This activity ends back at the meeting point

Additional Information

After meeting your local guide and small group at La Scala Museum, you'll dive straight into Milan's rich musical history. With your expert guide, you'll explore the grandeur of La Scala, from its 2,000 luxurious red seats to the gilded design that defines its iconic presentation. Then, step into the La Scala Museum, where you'll journey through 250 years of operatic and musical history. Admire rare sets, costumes, and the famous piano once played by Franz Liszt, all while learning fascinating stories behind Milan’s world-renowned theatre.

Milan La Scala Theatre and Museum Tour Description

This 1.5 hour tour includes:

Professional English-Speaking guide
Admission to the Teatro La Scala
Ticket to La Scala Museum
Cultural and historic insights
Admire the busts of Giuseppe Verdi and Maria Callas
Maximum Group Size of 15

Meet Your Guide in Largo Antonio Ghiringhelli

Your local guide will be waiting in front of the La Scala Theatre Museum, located on Largo Antonio Ghiringhelli, the square that connects the La Scala Theatre to one of the world's most famous shopping malls, the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. If you're walking from the Duomo, you can pass through the opulent Galleria as a preview of the stunning architecture you'll encounter at La Scala.

Head through the Opera House

Once reunited with your guide and small group, step into the grandeur of the Teatro alla Scala. As you enter, your eyes will be drawn to the dazzling glass chandeliers, a sight that has welcomed countless visitors heading to their evening performance.

Inside the theatre, your guide will explain the seating arrangements in the 2,000-seat room, including the notorious "loggione" – the passionate crowd seated high above the luxury boxes. Much like fervent sports fans, these attendees are known to show their approval or disapproval of the performance, with some performers even facing career-ending boos. If you're lucky, you might catch a live rehearsal of that evening's show. And if the performance inspires you to return later, be sure to ask your guide for tips on securing tickets, in case there are still some available.

Visit the Sets and Costumes in the La Scala Museum

Next, continue your journey at the La Scala Museum, where you’ll encounter tangible examples of the stories and sights you explored inside the theatre. Admire busts of the world’s greatest composers and singers who have graced the stage of La Scala throughout the centuries.

Explore the exquisite sets and costumes that have brought operatic stories to life for generations. Marvel at Franz Liszt’s impressive piano, which he used for his groundbreaking 19th-century concerts that captivated Europe. Your guide will share the fascinating tales of these legendary performers, many of whom would be forgotten if not for the preservation efforts of La Scala’s Museum. The tour concludes where it began, leaving you with a deeper understanding of the remarkable history of La Scala and its impact on the world of opera.

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Customer reviews

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4.9/5 (based on 29 reviews)

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Unprofessional and Disrespectful Tour Company

21 October 2025

Reviewed by
Caitlan Griffith

I understood upon booking, that I might not be able to go into the theater if there was a performance or rehearsal. So I booked at 9:30 am tour. On the day of my tour there was an "event" starting in the morning. We were not allowed to go into the theater at all. We were not offered at time to return after the tour to see the theater. When pressed, the guide told us we could try to return at the end of the day. When we returned at 5:30, the theater was closing the doors and would not let us even peak inside. They said we could return the next morning, Sunday. We were leaving Milan at 7:30 am that morning and would not be able to return. We paid for a tour but never saw the theater. only the museum. How does a booking company not even check to see if there is an event scheduled? I imagine events are scheduled in advance. Why have a tour at a time when you know FOR A FACT that the tour will not be able to enter the theater? What a rip off. Very unprofessional and an obvious way to take advantage of tourists.

La Scala Theatre and Museum Tour

23 September 2025

Reviewed by
David Scoggin

My traveling companions and I enjoyed this interesting tour. Our guide, Sara, was very good. Observing the opera stage from a box was exciting! The museum items and portraits Sara highlighted were fascinating!

28 August 2025

Reviewed by
Chennaraya Polepalli

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Frequently Asked Questions

What to bring?

This is a walking tour so please wear comfortable shoes. Large bags and backpacks must be checked into the cloakroom and cannot be brought into the museum or theater.

What to bring?

This is a walking tour so please wear comfortable shoes. Large bags and backpacks must be checked into the cloakroom and cannot be brought into the museum or theater.

Will I definitely see inside the theater?

Owing to rehearsals or private events organized by La Scala’s management, access to the theatre may occasionally be restricted. In such instances, the visit will gracefully focus on the Museo Teatrale Alla Scala.