Saudi Arabia and the Arab world
| Place | Why go | Before you go |
|---|---|---|
| Ithra (King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture) | A theatre, cinema, museum and library in a striking building, with shows and events all year. | Dhahran |
| The Royal Opera House Muscat | A lavish building with Islamic decoration, with guided tours and performances. | Qurum, Muscat |
| Dubai Opera | A building shaped like a traditional dhow, opened in 2016, with concerts and international shows. | Downtown Dubai near Burj Khalifa |
| The Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Cultural Centre | An opera house of striking modern architecture, with gardens around it. | Kuwait City |
| Katara Cultural Village | An amphitheatre by the sea and cultural events all year. | North of Doha |
| The Cairo Opera House | An opera house opened in 1988 on Zamalek island, with halls for music and ballet. | Zamalek, Cairo |
Russia
| Place | Why go | Before you go |
|---|---|---|
| The Bolshoi Theatre | The world's most famous ballet theatre, in its classical colonnaded building. | Moscow; book early |
| The Mariinsky Theatre | One of the world's great ballet and opera houses, with «The Nutcracker» in winter. | Saint Petersburg |
| The Mikhailovsky Theatre | A historic ballet and opera theatre with a grand auditorium. | Saint Petersburg, Arts Square |
| The Nikulin and Ciniselli circuses | Two historic 19th-century circuses with acrobatic shows that suit families. | Moscow and Saint Petersburg |
Europe
| Place | Why go | Before you go |
|---|---|---|
| The Vienna State Opera | One of the world's most famous opera houses, with a 40-minute tour of the grand staircase, the state rooms and the auditorium. | Vienna; the tour is €15 for adults |
| The Palais Garnier (Paris Opera) | A grand opera house with a marble staircase and a painted ceiling, open to visitors. | Paris; the visit is €15, booked online |
| La Scala and its museum | Italy's most famous opera house, and a museum overlooking the auditorium. | Milan, near the cathedral |
| The West End theatres | London's theatre district, with long-running family musicals such as «The Lion King». | Central London; book early in the holidays |
| The Oslo Opera House | A white building on the water whose sloping roof you can walk up to the top. | Oslo waterfront |
Open-air ancient theatres
| Place | Why go | Before you go |
|---|---|---|
| The Arena di Verona | A Roman arena that hosts opera under the stars in summer. | Verona; the 2026 festival runs 12 June to 12 September |
| The Aspendos theatre | One of the most complete Roman theatres in the world. | About 45 km east of Antalya |
| The El Jem amphitheatre | A huge Roman amphitheatre, one of the largest surviving, on the World Heritage list. | El Jem, Tunisia |
| The Hierapolis theatre | A large Roman theatre on the hill with views over the valley. | Pamukkale, Turkey |
Asia and Australia
| Place | Why go | Before you go |
|---|---|---|
| The Sydney Opera House | White sails on the harbour, on the World Heritage list, with tours inside. | Sydney, Australia |
| The water puppet theatre | A traditional puppet show on water that families love. | Hanoi, Vietnam |
Tips before you go
- Book early at famous venues such as the Bolshoi and the West End, as tickets sell out in the holidays.
- Many opera houses welcome visitors on daytime tours even without a show, such as Vienna, Paris, Sydney and Muscat.
- Ask about the minimum age for children, as some shows have one.
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Frequently asked questions
What are the world's most famous theatres and opera houses?
The Bolshoi in Moscow, the Mariinsky in Saint Petersburg, the Vienna State Opera, the Palais Garnier in Paris, La Scala in Milan, the Sydney Opera House and London's West End theatres.
Can I visit an opera house without seeing a show?
Yes, many offer daytime tours, such as the Vienna State Opera (40 minutes, €15), the Palais Garnier in Paris (€15), the Sydney Opera House and the Royal Opera House Muscat.
Which opera houses are closest to Saudi Arabia?
The Royal Opera House Muscat, Dubai Opera, the Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Cultural Centre in Kuwait and the Cairo Opera House, and in Saudi Arabia the Ithra theatre in Dhahran.
When is opera staged at the Arena di Verona?
In summer; the 2026 festival runs from 12 June to 12 September.
Last updated: October 2026. The information is for guidance only; ticket prices and opening hours are set by each attraction and may change, so check them on the official website before you go.