Teatro Real (Royal Theatre), Madrid

Madrid's opera house stands as a grand and imposing structure with its six-sided grey exterior. The building's remarkable architecture is further enhanced by its impressive nine visible above-ground floors and an additional six floors below street level. Upon its opening in 1850, it quickly became the center of fashionable Madrid, showcasing highly acclaimed works by Verdi and Wagner. However, in the late 20th century, it fell into disrepair.

After an extensive ten-year renovation, surpassing the originally planned four-year timeframe and costing a staggering US$150 million, the opera house finally reopened in October 1997. Adorned with opulent red and gold decor, a magnificent 2.5-tonne crystal chandelier, state-of-the-art lighting, and exceptional acoustics, it provides a truly magnificent setting for opera, ballet, and classical concerts.

The second floor boasts four spacious foyers surrounding the main hall. These foyers showcase an exquisite collection of tapestries, paintings, mirrors, chandeliers, and antiques. The floors are adorned with carpets specially crafted for the theatre by the Manuel Morón workshop in Ciudad Real, located south of Madrid.

Located on the second floor, the restaurant features a ceiling that beautifully depicts Madrid's starlit sky on the night of the theatre's grand inauguration. While open for both lunch and dinner, it is exclusively reserved for theatregoers on performance nights. This restaurant occupies the space that was once the ballroom, where Isabel II often hosted lively parties. Visitors can also admire costumes from operas such as "Aïda" and "Anne Boleyn" on display.

Finally, on the sixth floor, there is a cafeteria that offers a delightful view overlooking the Oriente Square ("Plaza de Oriente"), exclusively available to those attending a performance.

Tip:
Ticket prices range from €10 to €400, but securing the best seats requires booking well in advance.