Art & Culture

Teatro Massimo Scenography Workshops

Villa Igiea, in partnership with Teatro Massimo, invites you to uncover the secrets of the opera house with a captivating behind-the-scenes scenography tour. Delve into Brancaccio’s theatrical heart, where artisans transform wood and canvas into stunning stage sets. In the Construction, Scenery, and Props workshop areas, guests witness the art of creation of intricate props and breathtaking backgrounds. This unique experience evolves with the artistic seasons, reflecting the dynamic nature of theatre. Contact our concierge team for availability and step into a world where every creation tells a spellbinding story.  

duration of the guided tour: one hour
booking is mandatory 7 days in advance of the chosen date and is considered valid only after the confirmation by Teatro Massimo

Behind the Curtain at Teatro Massimo

With its grand dome, Grecian style columns and imposing staircase flanked by bronze lions, Teatro Massimo has been Palermo’s star attraction ever since opening in 1897. Book a guided visit with us and go behind the scenes of Europe’s third largest opera. Admire the golden stuccoes of Teatro Massimo’s 1,200-seat auditorium and visit the Royal Box. Notice red silk brocade on mahogany furniture in the private Royal Sitting Room. Marvel at the Pompeian Room, dubbed the ‘echo room’ for its remarkable acoustics, and enjoy expansive views across the city from the frescoed Coat of Arms Hall. 

On a 45 minutes guided tour, available daily between 9.30am and 5.30pm, discover the monumental beauty of Palermo’s most important theatre.

In the Footsteps of The Florios

Travel back to Palermo’s Belle Époque, following in the footsteps of one of Sicily’s most prominent families: the Florios – influential entrepreneurs and patrons of Palermo. Bringing Palermo’s history to life through the stories of this famous family, the tour will take in important addresses in their history: Villino Florio all’Olivuzza, an Art Nouveau beauty built by Ernesto Basile for the family; Teatro Massimo, the cultural hotspot commissioned by the Florios; and the Palazzina dei Quattro Pizzi, the Neo-Gothic residence of Vincenzo Florio.

The Best of Palermo and Monreale

Get to know Sicily’s Phoenician capital in an all-encompassing guided tour in and around Palermo. Start the day like a local with a morning shopping trip to Capo market, taking in the vibrant sights, sounds and streetfood of the fabled mercato. Appetites sated, the tour will next take you through the city’s boulevards, piazzas and ancient Old Quarter, past its palaces, churches and fountains, stopping off to take in the Quattro Canti – the four corners of the city – and the Duomo. End the adventure in a drive to the Arab-Norman architectural treasure of Monreale, a 12th-century town just outside of Palermo – the perfect end to a perfect Palermo day.

Jewish Palermo

An integral part of Palermo’s past, Sicily’s Jewish community saw the city’s synagogue reinstated in 2017 – 500 years after its abolishment. This fascinating, focused tour takes visitors through the history of one of Europe’s oldest Jewish communities – in Palermo since the sixth century – through the historic Jewish Quarter and the traditional miqveh, and onto the Duomo, the Hebrew-inscribed Zisa Palace and finally to Monreale town.

A Theatrical Night out with Villa Igiea & Teatro Massimo

Take in the drama of an opera or live performance in a theatre designed to look like a classic Greek temple. Choose from an early evening performance followed by dinner for two, or a drink before the 8pm curtain call. Begin your night with aperitivo hour at Villa Igiea, watching as the sun slowly dips below the horizon. Share your theatre review over a romantic three-course dinner, paired with wine at our restaurant Florio. No matter which experience you choose, leave the travel arrangements to us and we’ll ensure you arrive and leave the theatre in style.

Your experience includes:

• Transfer to and from the theatre
• Aperitivo or dinner for two
• From €154 per couple with aperitivo
• From €224 per couple with dinner
• Tickets to a performance to be added (please refer to Teatro Massimo calendar)
• Subject to availability, advance booking is recommended

If you’d like to combine a stay at Villa Igiea with a night at the theatre, discover four special guest experiences created in partnership with Teatro Massimo.

Segesta, Erice and Trapani Salt Pans

A multi-stop tour taking in some of the island’s most geographically and culturally exciting spots, this expedition across western Sicily starts in Segata, where your guide will take you on a tour of the famous temple and Greek amphitheatre atop Mount Barbaro. Next stop, the medieval mountaintop town of Erice, with sweeping views over Trapani, the Aegadian Islands and, on a clear day, all the way to the coast of Africa. Stopping at Erice’s renowned pastry shop Pasticceria Maria Grammatico, you will finish the day in the remarkable salt pans at Trapani.

Cefalù and Castelbuono

Take in two of Sicily’s most stunning sites on a guided day-trip to Cefalù and Castelbuono. Beginning with a drive to the captivating medieval village of Castelbuono, nestled in the Madonie Mountains, your guide will take you through its storied church, castle and charming cobbled streets, then onto Cefalù – a seaside city blessed by expansive beaches and a beautiful historical centre. Explore the old town, the 12th-century cathedral and its Byzantine mosaics before your driver takes you back to Palermo.

The Leopard's Locations

Film fanatics and newcomers to Sicily alike will delight in revisiting the locations chosen for filming the Leopard, a movie that surely left a mark on film’s history. Set in 19th-century Sicily and original novel by Lampedusa, step back in time whilst admiring the remarkable Villa Boscogrande and Palazzo Gangi, as well as Palazzo Lanza Tomasi, home to the novel’s author Prince Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa during our guided visits (locations may be visited individually or as a complete tour).