Hotels near Teatro Massimo

Teatro Massimo is the largest opera house in Italy and the third largest in Europe, opened in 1897 and fronted by a grand neoclassical portico and bronze lions. Film fans will recognise its steps as the setting for the climactic opera scene in The Godfather Part III.

Guided tours run through the day when there is no rehearsal, taking in the horseshoe auditorium, the royal box, and the echo room beneath the dome. Catching an actual opera or ballet is even better, and cheaper than most European houses of this stature.

Pro Tip: Tours cost about 12 EUR and run in several languages; book a slot online to avoid waiting. Check the performance calendar - upper-tier opera tickets can start under 25 EUR.