Thing to do
Uetliberg
Zurich's own 870-metre hill, reached by S10 train from the main station, with an observation tower, views over city, lake and Alps and the Planet Trail…
Opernhaus Zürich
Zurich's 1891 opera house on Sechseläutenplatz, home to the opera company, Ballett Zürich and the Philharmonia orchestra, with around 1,100 seats.
At a glance
- Type
- Opera and ballet performances
- Area
- Seefeld / Sechseläutenplatz, Zurich, Switzerland
- Official site
- opernhaus.ch
Good to know
- Opera
- Ballet
- Concerts
- Student and youth discounts
Why we recommend it
An evening at the Opernhaus Zürich is one of the best things to do in the city after dark. The opera house stands on Sechseläutenplatz and was opened in 1891. It was designed by the Viennese architects Fellner & Helmer, and its auditorium seats about 1,100 people, small enough for good sightlines and an intimate atmosphere.
The house is home to the opera company, to Ballett Zürich and to its Philharmonia orchestra, which also gives concerts, so the programme covers opera, dance and orchestral music. The house has also hosted world premieres, such as Rudolf Kelterborn's opera Der Kirschgarten, which opened the reopened theatre in 1984 alongside Wagner's Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg.
Tickets can be bought online, by phone or at the box office, which opens from Monday to Saturday from noon until the start of the performance, and on Sundays from 90 minutes before the curtain (one hour for small formats). There are several ways to see a show for less. Students, pupils and apprentices can buy reduced Legi tickets online from a week before, and any remaining tickets are sold at the box office from 90 minutes before the start at a low fixed price. Young people aged 16 to 26 can join Club Jung for last-minute tickets, and on Opernhaus Days, about twice a month, tickets are sold at half price on the day of the performance. Holders of a KulturLegi card can also buy last-minute tickets, and AHV and IV recipients get half price on Sunday afternoon performances in most categories. Proof of eligibility is needed and discounts do not apply to premieres.
When choosing seats, note that the cheapest categories have partial or strong restrictions on the view of the stage, and some seats are listening places with no view at all. Check the seating plan before you book, and allow time to collect tickets at the box office if you buy last-minute.
The opera house is close to the lake and within walking distance of the Old Town, the Kunsthaus and the restaurants of the Niederdorf, so it is easy to make a full evening of it with dinner before the curtain.
Opernhaus Zürich FAQs
How do I buy tickets for the Opernhaus Zürich?
Online, by phone on +41 44 268 66 66 or at the box office at Falkenstrasse 1.
When is the box office open?
Monday to Saturday from 12:00 until the start of the performance (12:00-18:00 on days without a show), and on Sundays 90 minutes before the performance.
Are there cheap tickets?
Yes. Legi tickets for students and apprentices, Club Jung last-minute tickets for 16 to 26 year olds, and half-price Opernhaus Days about twice a month.
How many seats does the opera house have?
About 1,100.
Does the Opernhaus show ballet?
Yes. It is home to Ballett Zürich as well as the opera company and the Philharmonia orchestra.
Do all seats have a full view?
No. The cheapest categories have restricted views, and some seats are listening places without a view of the stage.
Are there discounts for older visitors?
AHV and IV recipients get 50 per cent off Sunday afternoon performances in most categories.
When was the opera house built?
It opened in 1891 and was designed by the Viennese architects Fellner & Helmer.