La Scala Opera in Milan: Worth It?

La Scala is still one of the world's most prestigious opera houses. Expect a beautifully restored neoclassical theater with excellent acoustics and a formal, old-school atmosphere. A guided tour of the theater and museum takes you through the auditorium (when no rehearsal is happening), the opulent boxes, backstage areas, and a collection of costumes and memorabilia. Evening performances feel special – the audience dresses up and the energy is electric – but they can run long (three to four hours with intervals). The museum alone is decent but not essential unless you're an opera obsessive.

Best time is the opera season from December to July; avoid August when everything shuts. For a tour, expect to pay around €35–€60 per person. Opera tickets range wildly: gallery seats can start from €30–€50 if you're lucky, while decent stalls or box seats often run €150–€350. Book as far ahead as possible for popular titles.

Tip: choose a tour that actually enters the auditorium over a museum-only visit – the theater itself is the main event. Skip the overpriced pre-theater dinner near the opera house; eat better and cheaper a few blocks away. If you're on a budget, go for a midweek performance in the upper tiers rather than an expensive Saturday night in the stalls.