In many people’s view, the tour of Teatro Colón in Buenos Aires is worth doing, especially if you’re into architecture, history, theatre, or just want to see one of Buenos Aires’ crown jewels up close. Whether you will feel it was worth it depends a bit on your interests, how you go about it, and your expectations. I’ll lay out the pros, cons, and my take so you can decide.
What the tour offers #
Here’s what you get (and what many people like) from the guided tour:
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The guided tour is ~50 minutes long, visiting the foyer, the Golden Hall, the Bust Gallery, and the Main Hall (the auditorium).
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You’ll learn about the theatre’s more than 100-year history, its architecture, prominent artists who’ve performed there, construction details, etc.
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The beauty of the interior — the decor, the ceilings, staircases, art, ornamentation — is often praised.
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Because it’s a real working theatre, depending on the schedule, some areas might be off-limits, lighting may be dim in parts, etc.
Common criticisms / things to watch out for #
Here are some of the less ideal bits reported by people:
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Size of the tour group: Some visitors say there are too many people, which makes it hard to hear the guide and to move around freely.
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Cost vs. what you see: A few people feel the price is a bit high for what is essentially a walkthrough of certain sections (not always backstage, etc.). You might expect more “behind-the-scenes” access than you get.
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Lighting or visibility: Sometimes lighting conditions aren’t ideal; parts might be dim, or certain views are obscured.
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Schedule constraints: Because it’s a working theatre, performances, rehearsals, etc., can impact access. Also, tours are scheduled at specific times and in specific languages.
Value for money #
This depends heavily on:
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Your perspective: if you love art, architecture, theatre — you’ll likely feel it’s good value. If you’re more a casual traveler trying to pack in sights, and you’re less interested in theatre history or interiors, you might feel it’s “nice but optional.”
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Getting the right tour (language, time, small group if possible).
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Comparing doing the tour vs. going to a performance: many say that seeing a live show in Teatro Colón is even more rewarding. If the schedule and budget allow, catching a performance adds something you can’t get from the tour alone.
Our take #
If we put ourselves in your shoes, we’d say:
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Yes, we’d do the tour, especially if we were in Buenos Aires only a few days and wanted a taste of its culture and history. The theatre is genuinely beautiful, and there’s a lot of craftsmanship and art to appreciate.
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If possible, we’d try to align it so that we could see a performance there (opera, ballet, concert) — even better, but not always feasible.
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We’d try to go on a smaller tour, or at a time when it’s less crowded, to better enjoy the spaces and hear the guide. Also bring something to take photos (but mindful of lighting) and be ready for some walking or stairs.
