Colon Theatre (Teatro Colón)

The regal façade of the Colon Theatre makes a popular photo stop on sightseeing tours of Buenos Aires, but visitors can also admire the lavish interiors on a guided theater tour. Tours take in all the highlights, including the Golden Hall, the Gallery of Busts, and the Main Foyer. Attending a performance at the luxurious, 7-story, 2,500-seat theater is an even more memorable experience.

• There is an admission fee for visitors without performance tickets to enter the theater; a guided tour is included.

• Tours run daily, every 15 minutes (except during performance times) and last about 50 minutes.

• Tours are offered in multiple languages, including English.

• There is a range of seating options and ticket prices available for performances, but advance booking is always recommended.

• The theater is fully wheelchair accessible.

The Colon Theatre is on the corner of Cerrito and Tucuman in downtown Buenos Aires. The closest subway (subte) station is Tribunales (Line D).

Head to the Colon Theatre in the evening to watch a performance; the striking building is most magnificent after dark, when it’s dramatically illuminated. Free performances are held monthly, usually on a Saturday or Sunday at 11am.

The theater took more than 20 years and three architects to complete, before opening its doors in 1908. It has hosted some of the world’s greatest conductors, opera singers, and ballet dancers. Artists who have appeared include Igor Stravinsky, Maria Callas, Luciano Pavarotti, and Plácido Domingo. The theater is also famed for its set and costume workshops, as well as the Instituto Superior de Arte, where dancers Julio Bocca and Maximiliano Guerra trained.

Yes, you can visit the Colon Theatre (Teatro Colón) without attending a performance. You can take a guided tour of the lavishly decorated performance venue—its classical architecture and world-class acoustics rival those of Paris’ Palais Garnier and London’s Royal Opera House. Tours take place every day and last 50 minutes.

On a tour of the Colon Theatre, you see the foyer, the Bust Gallery, the Golden Hall, and the Main Hall. Look out for details such as grand chandeliers, gold-leaf adorned ceilings, and sculptures. You’ll also learn about its architecture and the famous performers who have graced its stage.

Tickets can be booked online or at the box office for Colon Theatre performances and guided tours. As the premier destination for classical music performances in Argentina, tickets for certain events can sell out fast, so secure yours early to avoid disappointment.

The dress code for events at the Colon Theatre is smart casual. While you’ll see plenty of people wearing jeans and trainers to performances, some visitors take the opportunity to dress up in formal apparel. If you’re unsure about what your particular performance requires, you can contact the venue via the email listed on its website.

Colon Theatre has a reputation for the best acoustics in the world, so any performance you see there is sure to be spectacular. To make the most of its sound-amplifying capacity, consider booking an opera or ballet performance, during which live orchestras and voices will sound particularly crisp and clear.

The Colon Theatre boasts a prime position on Avenida 9 de Julio, the main artery of Buenos Aires. Other nearby landmarks include the city’s Obelisco monument (Obelisco de Buenos Aires); Palacio Barolo, a grand building modeled on Dante’s Inferno; and Galerías Pacífico, an opulent shopping center with artworks and a grand dome.