Vienna State Opera (Wiener Staatsoper)

Attending a concert at the Vienna State Opera is an unforgettable experience, but tickets sell out quickly so it's imperative to book in advance. Concerts by the Vienna Mozart Orchestra are a popular choice; the performers dress in traditional costumes and most tour packages include a gourmet dinner or Vienna walking tour in addition to the show. Alternatively, you can marvel at the magnificent facade on a sightseeing or hop-on hop-off bus tour of the city, or peek behind the scenes on a guided opera house tour.

• The dress code for concerts is smart evening attire; individuals wearing informal clothing such as short pants or leisurewear may be refused admission. Coats, jackets, and larger bags must be checked into the cloakroom.

• The use of cameras and smartphones is prohibited during performances.

• Children under 5 are not permitted at evening performances, but special matinée concerts for kids are held.

• The Vienna State Opera is wheelchair accessible, but wheelchair seating must be booked in advance.

The Vienna State Opera House is located on the Ring Road (Ringstrasse) in the historic center of Vienna, close to Hapsburg Palace and the Winter Palace of Prince Eugene. The opera house can be reached by public transport—the nearest subway (U-Bahn) station is Karlsplatz and the nearest tram station is Opernring.

Concerts are held year-round, but the main opera season starts in April. Most concerts are held in the evening, but there are also a number of matinées featuring choral groups, children's opera, and chamber music.

Since opening its doors in 1869 with a gala performance of Mozart'sDon Giovanni, the Vienna State Opera has become one of the most famous concert venues in the world, boasting a rich history and extensive repertoire. Past directors have included musical legends such as Gustav Mahler, Richard Strauss, Herbert von Karajan, Karl Böhm, and Lorin Maazel. Director Dominique Meyer broke new ground by introducing live outdoor events and live streaming performances.

Yes, you can take tours of the Vienna Opera House with private companies or on in-house guided tours. The latter are 40 minutes long and cover the building's history, architecture, and the opera business, They also visit the grand staircase, the staterooms, and the auditorium.

Not exactly. While the Vienna Opera House does not have a formal dress code, it's recommended that you wear formal or semi-formal clothing—think business attire—to a performance. Wearing black ties or formal dresses might be excessive except for formal events. Musicals have looser clothing standards. Shorts are never allowed.

No, the Vienna Opera House is not free to enter—you can visit by buying a ticket for a performance or taking an in-house guided tour. These tours cost between €7–13 and are free for children. Visitors with a valid Niederösterreich-Card, Vienna Pass, or Flexi-Pass can enjoy 1-time, free admission.

While there are three opera houses in Vienna, the Vienna Opera House is considered the main one—it's among the leading opera houses in the world and hosts hundreds of performances. The other two opera houses in Vienna are the Vienna Opera Theater and Vienna Chamber Opera.

You can buy tickets for the Vienna Opera House online via its website and third-party vendors, by telephone, or at the ticket box offices at the Vienna Opera House and other locations around Vienna. The standing-room box office sells standing-room tickets starting 80 minutes before performances begin.

It depends. You can visit the Vienna Opera House on an in-house guided tour for €7–13, buy standing-room tickets 80 minutes before a show for about €13–20, or buy regular tickets for performances—these typically cost less the earlier they're purchased, but can cost hundreds of Euros depending on the performance.