An evening at Teatro alla Scala is, for many visitors, the highlight of a stay in Milan. The theatre sits on Piazza della Scala, a few steps from the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II and the Duomo, in the heart of the city's restricted traffic zone. Arriving by car is perfectly possible, but it works best when the driver knows exactly where to stop and when, and when you have agreed in advance how you will meet after the performance.
Where cars can stop
Piazza della Scala itself is largely pedestrian, and the streets around it are busy with taxis, pedestrians and trams before a performance. Cars cannot wait in front of the theatre. Your driver will drop you as close to the entrance as the traffic rules allow, at a point you can reach in a short walk, and will agree with you where they will be waiting when the performance ends. In winter or in the rain, this short distance makes a difference, so it is worth planning.
Timing for curtain up
La Scala starts performances on time, and late arrivals may have to wait for an interval before entering. Allow for the traffic in the centre in the early evening, which can be heavy, especially on weekdays. For a hotel in the centre, a departure about half an hour before curtain up is usually comfortable; from further away, we will suggest a time based on the traffic. Arriving a little early also leaves time for the cloakroom and a glass in the foyer.
The opening night on 7 December
The season traditionally opens on 7 December, the feast of Sant'Ambrogio, Milan's patron saint. The 2026/2027 season opens on Monday 7 December 2026 with Verdi's Otello, conducted by Myung-Whun Chung in his first new production as music director, in a staging by Damiano Michieletto. The opening night is one of the most important cultural and social events in Italy: tickets are hard to find, security around the theatre is tighter and the streets nearby are busier than usual. If you are attending, book your car early and allow extra time for arrival.
After the performance
When the performance ends, many people leave at the same moment and the streets around the piazza fill with taxis and pedestrians. Your driver will be at the agreed meeting point, so you can walk there directly instead of joining a queue. If you plan dinner after the opera, tell us in advance and we will take you to the restaurant and then back to your hotel. Booking the car for the whole evening, as an hourly service, is often the simplest solution.
Dinner before or after
Some guests prefer an early dinner before the performance, others a late supper afterwards. Both are common in Milan, where restaurants near La Scala and in Brera are used to theatre schedules. With a car on standby, you do not need to choose a restaurant within walking distance: the driver can take you anywhere in the city and wait.
Dress
La Scala asks its audience for appropriate attire, and for evening performances many guests choose formal clothing; on the opening night evening dress is common. Formal shoes and long dresses are another good reason to be dropped close to the entrance rather than walking from a distant car park.
Arriving in Milan on the day
If you are flying in on the day of the performance, choose your flight with care. From Linate, the drive to La Scala takes around half an hour in normal traffic; from Malpensa, closer to an hour. A delayed flight is the most common reason for missing curtain up, so allow a generous margin. Your driver tracks the flight and can take you straight to your hotel to change. If you are staying outside the city, for example on Lake Como, the same car can wait during the performance and drive you back afterwards.