Trieste
It's always worth checking the Miela calendar for its legendary Pupkin Kabarett nights, but the regular live music program is also a nice way to tap into…
Must-see entertainment in Italy
Venice
Award-winning films and blockbusters screen year-round at the city's main cinema. Films are screened in their original language on Fridays and Mondays,…
Perugia
Dating back to 1717, this grand theatre plays host not only to musical performances and special events but also films. At the time of research it was…
Trastevere & Gianicolo
Head to this cramped basement for a mellow night of Eternal City blues. A long-standing venue, it also stages jazz, funk, soul and R&B acts, as well as…
Sassari
Inaugurated in February 2012, Sassari's largest theatre stages opera, concerts and plays. Check local listings for upcoming performances, or visit www…
San Gimignano
Hour-long classical-music concerts staged in the bijou Teatro dei Leggieri. Book and purchase tickets at the tourist office.
Bologna
The annual San Giacomo Festival brings regular free chamber-music recitals to this lovely space. Check the website or the board outside for upcoming…
Duomo & Piazza della Signoria
This lovingly restored early-20th-century theatre, complete with intact balcony seats and Tiffany-style cupola, shows films in their original language.
Bologna
This venerable theatre, where Wagner's works were heard for the first time in Italy, is still Bologna's leading opera and classical-music venue.
Sassari
One of Sassari's historical theatres, the Nuovo Teatro Verdi hosts dance, opera, concerts, musicals, shows for children and cultural events.
Naples
Inside Galleria Umberto, this ticket agency sells tickets to concerts, major theatre productions and football matches at Stadio San Paolo.
Perugia
Funky arthouse cinema showcasing indie Italian films (subtitled in English when available) and thoughtfully selected international films.
Naples
A ticket agency inside the Feltrinelli bookstore, selling tickets to numerous events, including rock concerts and theatre productions.
Ravenna
This historic theatre serves as a venue for music events during the Ravenna Festival in June and July.
Verona
Verona's best jazz joint at the Due Torri Hotel with regular concerts featuring mainly Italian talent.
Genoa
Genoa's stunning four-stage opera house with a seasonal opera program that's worth booking ahead for.
San Lorenzo & San Marco
Beautiful city theatre with stunning entrance; host to classical concerts October to April.
Florence
An evening at this small but sweet, historical theatre is as much about admiring its pre-WWII, Rationalist architecture – it was built in 1940 for workers…
Milan
San Siro Stadium wasn't designed to hold the entire population of Milan, but on a Sunday afternoon amid 80,000 football-mad citizens it can certainly feel…
Venice
Founded in 1638, the world's oldest casino moved into its current palatial home in the 1950s. Slots open at 11am; arrive after 3.30pm wearing your jacket…
Rome
The academy was founded in 1821 and its members have included Rossini, Donizetti and Verdi. It still attracts star performers, and its varied program…
Giudecca, Lido & the Southern Islands
The experimental theatre of Venice's acting academy, nicknamed Teatro Formaggino (Little Cheese), seats 150 around its three-sided stage. But you’re not…
Turin
Film lovers shouldn't miss this three-screen cinema near the Mole Antonelliana. The Massimo shows art-house films, retrospectives and classics from the…
Perugia
It's a fair hike out of town, but Urban is Perugia's most famous club, hosting live music from underground acts, theme parties and genre-spanning DJs. A…
Southern Rome
Located in the Villa Osio park near the Terme di Caracalla, the House of Jazz comprises three buildings housing a 150-seat auditorium, recording studio,…
Rome
Near the Villa Borghese's southern entrance (Piazzale San Paolo del Brasile), the Cinema dei Piccoli is the world’s smallest cinema according to the…
Lucca
During his teenage years Puccini performed as a piano accompanist at this 17th-century theatre, where the curtain would later rise on some of his best…
Rome
In Villa Borghese, the Casa del Cinema comprises three projection halls, an exhibition space, and a 200-seat outdoor theatre. It screens everything from…
Venice
It's a gimmick for sure, but the Scuola Grande dei Carmini provides a sumptuous backdrop for classical concerts performed in masks and 18th-century…
Bay of Naples
Located in suburban Fuorigrotta, west of central Naples, the architecturally uninspiring Palapartenope is the biggest indoor concert venue in town. A 6000…
Southern Rome
Inaugurated in 1999 in the post-industrial landscape of Rome’s southern suburbs, the India is the younger sister of Teatro Argentina. It’s a stark, modern…
Catania
Housed in Catania's former sulphur works, Zo serves up contemporary art and performance from Italy and beyond. Its eclectic program of events includes…
Milan
When this former warehouse is full of a thousand people working up a sweat to an international indie or electronic act, there's no better place to be in…
Venice
Spend a perfectly enjoyable evening in prison with this six-member chamber orchestra, which performs Vivaldi's Four Seasons in the grand hall rather than…
Venice
With fine acoustics, soaring Tiepolo ceilings and a long association with Vivaldi, La Pietà makes an ideal venue for live baroque music. This ensemble…
Porta Garibaldi & Isola
This industrial site once housed a factory for electric trams; now it lends its vast warehouses to a centre of the arts particularly aimed at developing…
Milan
Long-time favourite of the Milanese nightlife scene, this self-managed social club has proudly resisted eviction from its Navigli premises since 1976. A…
San Giovanni & Testaccio
For a taste of the underground, head to this historic centro sociale (an ex-squat turned cultural centre) occupying the city’s graffiti-sprayed former…
Monti, Esquilino & San Lorenzo
This alternative arts centre, tucked down a grungy San Lorenzo street, hosts cultural events including festivals, live gigs and club nights: expect…
