Teatro Massimo, Palermo: Address, Phone Number, Teatro Massimo Reviews: 4.5/5
Teatro Massimo
Teatro Massimo
4.5
About
One of the biggest opera houses in Europe, Teatro Massimo is renowned for its excellent acoustiscs and holds over 1,300 seats.The venue hosts more than 130 music, opera and dance events every year.The exteriors are in neo-classical style with influences from Greek Sicilian temples, while the interiors are art-nouveau.
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Popular mentions
4.5
3,494 reviews
Excellent
2,137
Very good
985
Average
270
Poor
51
Terrible
51
larryjman
Montreal, Canada215 contributions
Apr 2022
I loved this experience. The building is beautiful inside and out. The guide was attentive and knew her stuff. She answered all the extra questions we had.
Some people mentioned the Opera House seems to be neglected. I kind of disagree. Yes, I noticed watermarks on the ceiling. But I'm also one of those strange hipsters who thinks it adds character to the space and represents a long and rich history. I wouldn't get rid of those watermarks, I'd highlight them.
I particularly appreciated the Murano glass chandeliers spread out all over. All original from when it opened in the 1890s as well.
We also were treated to the stage crew setting up for a few minutes, and the orchestra rehearsing. That was a special experience. We even got to sit in the royal suite.
The tour lasts for approximately 30 minutes. I think ours went a little over to about 35 or 40 minutes. I thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience. A wonderful lesson in Palermo's artistic history.
Some people mentioned the Opera House seems to be neglected. I kind of disagree. Yes, I noticed watermarks on the ceiling. But I'm also one of those strange hipsters who thinks it adds character to the space and represents a long and rich history. I wouldn't get rid of those watermarks, I'd highlight them.
I particularly appreciated the Murano glass chandeliers spread out all over. All original from when it opened in the 1890s as well.
We also were treated to the stage crew setting up for a few minutes, and the orchestra rehearsing. That was a special experience. We even got to sit in the royal suite.
The tour lasts for approximately 30 minutes. I think ours went a little over to about 35 or 40 minutes. I thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience. A wonderful lesson in Palermo's artistic history.
Written 4 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Brian E
Santa Rosa, CA400 contributions
Mar 2022 • Couples
The opera house itself is spectacular. And, I’ve not attended an opera there, yet. I write, instead, about the paid tour. One of the experiences my wife and I love is taking tours of opera houses around the world (Sydney, Vienna, The Met in NYC, etc.). And always the tours have been in-depth with behind-the-scenes access to what goes into producing these sumptuous, complex performances. “Expecting” something similar (which is probably my mistake), the tour was brief — 20 minutes maybe — with visits to the main hall, the smoking area, and one of the private suits. I’m not saying don’t do the tour, as it is one of the top opera houses in Europe, but have realistic expectations about what is being offered.
Written 17 March 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
miss_maya
20 contributions
Feb 2022 • Solo
Wow! You can only visit with a guided tour (€8) but it is worth the money! If you like the opera do visit this one, it is the 3rd biggest one in Europe.
Written 4 February 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
ellavie
athens62 contributions
Dec 2021
The building itself is stunning; definitely worth a visit. We did a bilingual guided tour. You get to visit some amazing parts of the theatre up close - the royal box and echo room are highlights. The information we were given was interesting but was really the bare minimum and delivered by a very unenthusiastic guide. We would have loved to hear more anecdotes and interesting details to bring the place and our visit to life. At 25 minutes, it was a little short too - we could happily have spent an hour hearing more.
Written 2 January 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
IlyaNJ
Marlboro, NJ786 contributions
Sep 2021
We got lucky by walking in 5 minutes before a bilingual Italian-English tour was about to start, otherwise we probably would have decided to skip. The building is beautiful, although probably less grand on the inside than some other famous opera houses. The tour itself lasts about 25 minutes and makes 4 stops - foyer, orchestra, the royal box, and finally the "echo room", which is probably the most unusual highlight on account of its weird acoustics. Worth it on balance, could have been less so if we had to wait for the tour.
Written 7 October 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
KerryfromGermany
34 contributions
Sep 2021 • Couples
We wanted to have a look at the Opera House. Only possible with a guided tour. Well, ok, we would do it.
1 hour wait.
Well, with hardly any tourists around, but ok. So I asked for using the toilets while waiting. There was just a „no, no toilets“ !!!! Can you believe that? That was the end of my Opera visit. I had way to many of these experiences in Palermo and was deeply disappointed. Never would have expected this in Sicily.
1 hour wait.
Well, with hardly any tourists around, but ok. So I asked for using the toilets while waiting. There was just a „no, no toilets“ !!!! Can you believe that? That was the end of my Opera visit. I had way to many of these experiences in Palermo and was deeply disappointed. Never would have expected this in Sicily.
Written 22 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Demetr7
Canton of Basel, Switzerland59 contributions
Aug 2021 • Friends
We took a 30 min tour. Was enjoyable plunge into the theater atmosphere. Tours are bilingual and let the visitors to see the theater from different perspectives including the royal lodge
Written 26 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
phat_dawg_21
Alpharetta, GA12,262 contributions
May 2021
The steps make for a popular photo opp. Lovely statues and a busy piazza in front.
Thirty minute guided tours were available for 8€.
Thirty minute guided tours were available for 8€.
Written 31 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Karolina R
Vilnius, Lithuania3 contributions
Jul 2021
I'm really happy that we decided to take a guided excursion here. It was super interesting. We even had an oportunity to see a rehersal of orchestra! Highly recommend to see one of the most beautiful place at Palermo!
Written 28 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Marie V
Paris, France246 contributions
Jul 2021
We took a guided tour of this magnificent place. 8 euros per person as the backstage tour was not available because of Covid. The tour was in Italian and English. The guide did not show a single smile during the visit ! Impersonal, hasty informations of nearly NO interest. You should not be a guide if you are not interested in the job. You had to be careful to understand as she started in Italian and swapped to English suddenly. We knew the tour was short but we thought the "guided" tour would be more informative. Thank goodness the place is great and there was a rehearsal taking place ...that we had a little more than a minute and a half to enjoy. Too expensive a visit.
Written 20 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Do they have disable facility like lift to avoid steps up front, or disable toilet?
trelawney5
Burscough, UK38 contributions
I didn’t see one but they did have disabled toilets on the ground floor.
𝔸𝚕𝚒_08
Italy88 contributions
Buongiorno! Potete consigliarmi un posto carino da visitare in città dove si paga poco, oltre i posti delle mie recensioni? Grazie
Gianluigi G
266 contributions
castello della zisa, oppure cattedrale di palermo o di monreale
Per i docenti c'è ingresso gratuito come per i musei? Oppure tramite carta del docente?
klavka v
62 contributions
Credo di sì, meglio telefonare per conferma comunque.
nlanoue
Vermont102 contributions
Does the cafe in Teatro Massimo have breakfast fare? Thanks!
Carrie P
Greater London, UK255 contributions
Normally a croissant or muffin and cappuccino or espresso is available - opposite are a couple of hotels you could try out for a continental breakfast and down the street are dozens of little bars and cafes serving mini pizzas and hot dogs and of course Sicilian breakfasts of brioche and ice cream! A must have with freshly squeezed orange juice and pomegranate at one or two catching onto new desire for other fresh fruit juices. Enjoy!!
Becky R
West Bay, Grand Cayman44 contributions
Do the "high" chairs (seats 4-6) in the boxes have footrests of any kind?
Becky R
West Bay, Grand Cayman44 contributions
Thanks for your review. I am trying to book tickets for a ballet at the theater and would appreciate any info you can offer regarding the pros and cons of the various seating areas. I have read that the back seats 4-6 in the boxes are not good and that the views from the boxes that are sideways to the stage and not very good either. Where did you sit for your opera, and where would you suggest?
John D
8 contributions
We sat at the side. If the stage is North, we sat South West. First row in a box. Third level. Good view of the stage. Hope this helps.
Monica V
Mar del Plata, Argentina10 contributions
Dònde consigo ticket para tour adentro del teatro ? Saben precio ?
Patricia T
La Plata, Argentina131 contributions
En el mismo teatro. 8 €
Monica V
Mar del Plata, Argentina10 contributions
Estarè allì del 18 al 22 de mayo. Hay espectaculos en el teatro? Cuànto sale el ticket?
Frequently Asked Questions about Teatro Massimo
- We recommend booking Teatro Massimo tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 50 Teatro Massimo tours on Tripadvisor
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- Hotels near Teatro Massimo:
- (0.04 km) Palazzo Sovrana
- (0.05 km) Palco Rooms&Suites
- (0.05 km) Massimo Plaza Hotel
- (0.06 km) Casa Al Teatro Massimo
- (0.13 km) B&B Casa Galati
- Restaurants near Teatro Massimo:
- (0.03 km) Caffè del Teatro
- (0.05 km) Bar Pasticceria Ruvolo
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