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Milan: Entrance Ticket to La Scala Theatre Museum
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Milan’s Teatro alla Scala, also known as the Nuovo Regio Ducal Teatro alla Scala, is Milan’s principal opera house and one of the world’s most prestigious theatres. Built in 1776 to a design by Giuseppe Piermarini and inaugurated in 1778 with Antonio Salieri’s opera “L’Europa riconosciuta”, the theatre stands on the site of the former Church of Santa Maria alla Scala, from which it takes its name.
Throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, the theatre hosted numerous world premieres by great artists including Gioachino Rossini, Gaetano Donizetti, Giuseppe Verdi and Arturo Toscanini. During Second World War bombing raids, the building suffered severe damage but underwent comprehensive post-war reconstruction.
Today, the Teatro alla Scala ranks among the world’s most prestigious stages, hosting leading artists in opera, ballet and classical music.
The Teatro alla Scala is regarded as Europe’s first neoclassical theatre. From its conception, the theatre was designed with visitor accessibility in mind, featuring a portico that allowed spectators arriving by carriage to enter without stepping outside. The original central structure was supplemented with modern buildings by Swiss architect Mario Botta during restoration work carried out between 2002 and 2004.
The main façade presents a simple, almost austere ground floor, topped by two storeys enlivened with columns and pilasters. At ground level stands the terraced portico with arcades on sturdy rusticated pillars of grey-pink Baveno granite. The theatre’s interiors draw inspiration from the court theatre at the Reggia di Caserta (designed by Vanvitelli) and Naples’ Teatro San Carlo.
The horseshoe-shaped auditorium, enriched with numerous neoclassical decorative details, seats 2,015 spectators. Originally the theatre had five tiers of boxes, but in 1909 the fifth tier was converted to the Prima Galleria. The second gallery, known as “the loggione“, sits just beneath the vault and is one of the most sought-after positions in the theatre, as the acoustics here allow one to hear the singers and orchestra particularly well.
Next to the theatrical complex stands the Casino Ricordi, home to the Museo teatrale alla Scala. The museum houses an extensive collection spread across fourteen rooms, featuring paintings related to opera and theatre, antique musical instruments, busts and portraits of numerous composers, orchestral conductors and artists from the past two centuries. Beyond the museum, it’s also possible to visit the Ansaldo Laboratories, where the theatre’s costumes and set designs are created.
Admission to the Museo teatrale alla Scala costs:
The Teatro alla Scala itself is only accessible via guided tours, which take place on Tuesdays and Saturdays at set times. The ticket cost for a guided tour of the theatre is €25 per person and includes both the theatre tour and museum admission.
Tickets can be purchased online on the official website or at the box office on site.
Given the number of tourists who visit the Theatre Museum daily, we recommend purchasing your entrance ticket a few days before your visit to guarantee access and avoid queuing at the box office, using the box below.
Alternatively, to discover everything about this famous theatre, you can be accompanied by an expert guide during your visit. The cost is slightly higher than a standard entrance ticket and by booking this tour you’ll also save time by avoiding queues at the box office.
Admission to the Teatro alla Scala is free when you purchase the Milan Pass, Milan’s city card which guarantees free entry to the city’s main museums, including the Duomo ticket. Valid for 48 hours, it includes public transport and numerous activities and discounts at local businesses.
The Museo teatrale alla Scala is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 to 18:00, with last admission at 17:30.
The museum is closed on Mondays.
The Teatro alla Scala is easily reached on foot or by public transport.
From Piazza Duomo, the theatre is a short walk through the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II to Piazza della Scala. By Metro, reach the theatre at MM1 Duomo (Red Line) or MM3 Monte Napoleone (Yellow Line). By bus, take Line 61 from via Verdi – via dell’Orso, or by tram, travel on tram no. 1 or no. 2 stopping at via Manzoni – Piazza della Scala.
Driving is not recommended as the theatre lies in a restricted traffic zone. The nearest car parks are Parcheggio Rinascente (via Agnello) and the underground car park at Piazza Diaz.
In early 1776, several noble Milanese families petitioned Maria Theresa of Austria for the construction of a theatre, following the example of other major European cities. Until then, Milan’s official theatre had been the one at Palazzo Reale, which had been destroyed by fire on several occasions. A new site was chosen not far from the Palace and the Duomo, and the Church of Santa Maria alla Scala was demolished to make way for it. The church itself had taken its name from its founder, Regina della Scala, a member of the Scaligeri family of Verona.
Demolition work began on 5 August 1776 and, in just two years, on 3 August 1778 the “Nuovo Regio Ducal Teatro alla Scala” was inaugurated in the presence of Milan’s governor, Archduke Ferdinand of Habsburg-Este, Maria Beatrice d’Este and other important figures. For the occasion, Antonio Salieri prepared the world premiere of “L’Europa Riconosciuta” and the theatre initially had approximately 3,000 seats.
During the Austrian and French rule, the Scala was largely subsidised by the noble Milanese families who had requested its construction and retained ownership through box ownership shares. Notably, the first three tiers remained long in the hands of the aristocracy, whilst the fourth and fifth began to be occupied by the upper middle classes from the early 19th century onwards.
Between the 18th and 19th centuries, great Italian and European composers staged their works at the Scala. Among them were Donizetti and Verdi, who in 1872 presented the European premiere of his famous opera “Aida” here. In 1918, the Ente Autonomo Teatro alla Scala was founded to ensure economic and managerial independence for the theatre through municipal and state funding and money raised through a public campaign organised by the Corriere della Sera. In 1883, when electricity arrived in Milan, the Teatro alla Scala became the first public building to be illuminated.
Over the years, the theatre’s prestige grew ever greater, and among the important composers who worked at the Scala are Vincenzo Bellini, Giovanni Puccini and Arturo Toscanini, who served as Artistic Director until the rise of fascism. The structure was severely damaged by bombing during the Second World War and was restored to its original splendour in 1946. The operatic season resumed on 26 December with “Nabucco”.
The post-war period marked a time of great success for the theatre which, from 1951, decided that the opening of the season should henceforth take place on 7 December, the feast day of Sant’Ambrogio, Milan’s patron saint. In 1986 Riccardo Muti took on the theatre’s musical direction and revived the most beloved works by Verdi, Mozart, Wagner, Beethoven and many others.
Between 2002 and 2004 the theatre underwent major restoration and modernisation of the stage. During these two years, the Teatro degli Arcimboldi in Milan served as the Scala’s temporary home. The theatre was officially reopened on 7 December 2004 by Riccardo Muti with Salieri’s “L’Europa riconosciuta”, the same opera performed at the 1778 inauguration.
The Teatro alla Scala is located in Piazza della Scala right in the heart of Milan's historic centre, not far from the Duomo and the Royal Palace. The Teatro alla Scala also sits directly opposite Palazzo Marino, the seat of Milan's city council.
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