Vienna State Opera – guided tours

On a 40-minute guided tour, experience the Vienna State Opera, one of the most significant opera houses in the world. Built in 1869 to plans by architects August Sicard von Sicardsburg and Eduard van der Nüll, and reopened in 1955 following devastation in World War II, it offers its international audiences top-caliber music theater on some 300 days a year.

A peek behind the scenes of the Vienna State Opera, the world’s biggest repertory theater, reveals lots of things that are otherwise hidden from evening opera-goers. A tour provides lots of interesting information about the history, architecture and running of the Opera House.

From the foyer, the tour ascends the Grand Staircase and then through the ceremonial rooms (Teesalon, Marmorsaal, Schwindfoyer, Gustav-Mahler-Saal) to the auditorium with a view of the stage. Images that the whole world knows: The stalls transform once a year into a ballroom for the Vienna Opera Ball. Normally, the Viennese audience listens in from the tiers of seating.

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5 pictures

Vienna State Opera — © WienTourismus/Paul Bauer

Gustav Mahler-Saal in der Wiener Staatsoper — © Vienna Tourist Board, Paul Bauer

Safety Curtain in the Vienna State Opera, 2024/25, by Pipilotti Rist: "Abdominal Cavity Flies Over a Dam" — © museum in progress

Vienna State Opera house — © WienTourismus/Christian Stemper

Guided tour dates, languages

On the website of the Vienna State Opera, you'll find the times at which the tours are offered (held at least in German and English). For dates of tours in other languages, please inquire directly at the contact details shown.

Registration

For single visitors, online registration is recommended, in order to secure one of the 30 slots available on the chosen tour. Groups contact the Vienna State Opera in advance, please.

Vienna State Opera (Wiener Staatsoper)

Opernring 2
1010 Vienna

http://www.wiener-staatsoper.at
+43 1 514 44 2250 (Information)
+43 1 513 1 513 (Tickets (credit card))

Accessibility
- Side entrance
  - 2 Steps (Swinging doors 87 cm wide)
- Car parks Main entrance
  - Parking spaces for people with disabilities
    Operngasse, Opernring intersection
- Elevator available
  - Door 80 cm wide
- Further information
  - Seeing eye dogs allowed
  - 22 Wheelchair spaces available (4 in the stalls/orchestra, 18 seats in the gallery as needed)
  - Wheelchair accessible restroom available.
- Special offers for people with disabilities
  Tours in ten languages, prior notification for wheelchair users necessary (Tel. +43 1 514 44–2606). Language display.
- Comments
  Portable ramps available for steps inside building.
  To reserve wheelchair and companion seats for performances, tel. +43 1 514 44-2653 (Mo-Fri, 9.00 am – 4.00 pm)