Milan (Milano) Travel Guide (Milan (Milano), Italy)

Many of Milan's tourists are in the city for just one reason - La Scala , Via dei Filodrammatici 2 (box office open daily noon-6pm, plus 15min after the start of each performance for ticket collection only; tel 02.7200.3744, fax 02.887.9297, www.lascala .milano.com ), one of the world's most prestigious opera houses. The opera season runs from December through to July, and there's usually also a season of classical concerts between September and November. Not surprisingly, seats for the opera sell out months in advance, but you can book tickets via their Web site if you get in early enough. The average price of a ticket is about L75,000/38.74. There is also often a reasonable chance of picking up a cheaper seat in the gods on the day, or one of around 200 standing places; get there an hour or so before the performance starts.

Of Milan's theatres , the Teatro Piccolo, Via Rovello 2 (tel 02.7233.3222, www.piccoloteatro.org ), is a classical theatre, with a traditional repertoire, and is reckoned to be one of Italy's best. Teatro dell'Elfo, Via Ciro Menotti 11 (tel 02.716.791), reachable on bus #60, puts on more original plays. Count on paying around L30,000/15.49 for a seat at either of these places.

As for cinema , Sound and Motion Pictures ( www.anteospaziocinema.com ; L9000/4.65) show a selection of original language films at the following cinemas: the Arcobaleno, Viale Tunisia 11 (tel 02.2940.6054; MM Porta Venezia), the Anteo, Via Milazzo 9 (tel 02.659.7732), and the Mexico, Via Savona 57 (tel 02.4895.1802). The Fondazione Cineteca Italiana is based at the Spazio Oberdan , and has an excellent programme of international arthouse films. In the summer months outdoor cinema is organized at several venues, including the Parco di Villa Ghirlanda, Cinisello Balsamo Via Frova 10 (tel 02.617.3005; www.comune.cinisello-balsamo.mi.it ); see newspaper for listings.