For opera lovers these are Italy’s best cities, seasons and festivals.
Italy is the ultimate opera pilgrimage. This is where Verdi, Puccini, Rossini and Donizetti created some of the world’s most enduring music, and where historic theatres, Roman arenas and open-air stages still provide some of the most unforgettable settings in which to hear it. From glamorous Milan and its La Scala Opera House to the Roman Baths of Caracalla under the stars, here is where to experience opera at its most Italian.
Milan. A night at La Scala
No opera itinerary would be complete without Milan’s Teatro alla Scala, one of the most famous opera houses in the world. Seeing a performance here is as much about the experience as the music: the red velvet auditorium, glittering tiers of boxes and sense of history make La Scala a bucket-list destination. The main season generally runs through the autumn, winter and spring, with a programme of opera, ballet and concerts. And even if there is no performance during your visit, the theatre’s museum offers a fascinating glimpse into the history of Italian opera and some of its greatest names.
Verona and Venice. Beauty and spectacle
For sheer spectacle, nothing quite compares with the Arena di Verona. Every summer, this ancient Roman amphitheatre becomes one of the world’s most dramatic opera stages, with thousands of spectators gathering beneath the stars. The 2026 Arena Opera Festival runs to 12 September, with major productions including Aida, La Traviata, Nabucco and Turandot. The Teatro La Fenice in Venice is one of Italy’s great opera venues, with performances throughout much of the year. It is particularly appealing for travellers who want to combine opera with one of the world’s most extraordinary and beautiful cities.
Naples and Rome. Europe’s oldest opera house and ancient ruins
The Teatro di San Carlo opened in 1737, and is widely recognized as the oldest continuously active opera house in the world. The season typically runs across the autumn, winter and spring, with opera, ballet and concerts. A visit is also a perfect excuse to explore Naples itself – from the historic centre and archaeological treasures to pizza, pastries and the Bay of Naples. Rome offers the best of both worlds: a traditional opera season at the Teatro dell’Opera di Roma and spectacular summer productions staged at the Baths of Caracalla. The main theatre season generally runs through the cooler months in the Rome Opera House, while the summer programme transforms Caracalla into one of Europe’s most atmospheric open-air venues.
Tuscany, Pesaro and Macerata
For fans of Giacomo Puccini Torre del Lago is a must. This is where the composer lived and worked, and every summer the Puccini Festival (with only operas by Piccini) celebrates his music beside Lake Massaciuccoli, close to his former home. If Rossini is your composer, head for Pesaro, his birthplace on the Adriatic coast. Every summer, the Rossini Opera Festival attracts opera enthusiasts from around the world with productions ranging from famous works to rarely performed masterpieces. Another summer highlight is the Macerata Opera Festival, staged in the extraordinary Sferisterio, an open-air arena with an exceptionally wide stage and dramatic architecture.
