Official Information
Official site: https://www.teatrolafenice.it
Official tickets: See the “Visit the Opera House” (“Visite al Teatro”) section on the official site for guided and self-guided tour booking links
Address: Campo San Fantin 1965, 30124 Venezia VE, Italy
Map: View on Google Maps
Opening Hours
Guided and self-guided tours generally operate daily with set entry times from morning through late afternoon, depending on the rehearsal and performance schedule. Hours and availability can change often, so always confirm current times and reserve your tour via the official website.
La Fenice is one of the world’s legendary opera houses, a place where premieres by Rossini, Bellini and Verdi helped define 19th-century Italian music. Visiting on a daytime tour lets you experience that history even if you’re not attending a performance. Hidden a few alleys back from the bustle of St Mark’s Square, the theatre’s modest exterior opens into a gilded, horseshoe-shaped auditorium that feels intimate and theatrical at the same time. The name “La Fenice” (“The Phoenix”) is no accident: the theatre has burned down and been rebuilt several times, most recently after a devastating fire in 1996. The current interior, reopened in 2003, recreates the 19th-century décor, five tiers of boxes with pale blue and gold ornament, a painted ceiling with a sparkling chandelier, and a royal box still used for special occasions. Tours typically include the auditorium, some foyers, and, when rehearsals allow, a look at the stage and orchestra pit. An audio or live guide shares stories about infamous premieres, staging challenges in Venice’s unique environment, and the painstaking reconstruction after the last fire. You’ll also see historic costumes, set designs, and portraits of the composers associated with the theatre. Tours last 30–45 minutes and are easy to fit between other central Venice sights. Dress is casual for tours; if you return for a performance, consider something a bit smarter. As tour times can shift around rehearsals and events, booking ahead via the official site is highly recommended.