The Vienna State Opera, constructed in the Neo-Renaissance style, transports visitors to another era with its elegant façade and opulent interiors. Since its opening in 1869 with Mozart’s Don Giovanni, the opera house has made music history and captivates audiences with around 350 high-quality performances annually. The guided tours, which offer a glimpse behind the scenes of one of the world’s most famous opera houses, are especially popular with tourists.

But history is made not only on stage: during the glamorous Opera Ball, celebrities and global stars gather to waltz in the ballroom. It’s no surprise that the State Opera is also a sought-after star in Hollywood – perhaps most famously featured in Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation, where it serves as the setting during a performance of Puccini’s Turandot. The Vienna State Opera also plays a central role in films like Woman in Gold (2015) and A Dangerous Method (2011).

Subway

• U1 and U4: Station Karlsplatz (Exit Opernring)

• U2: Station Museumsquartier (approx. 5 min. on foot to the opera house)