Guidebook for San Francisco
Arts & Culture
Built in the form of an amphitheater, this is surely the most spectacular venue in London. It was opened by Queen Victoria in 1871 and dedicated to her late husband, Albert. This is the place to catch the legendary summer concert series, the BBC Proms. Sunday mornings, they host intimate concerts by rising stars from the neighboring Royal College of Music.
If you are interested in seeing more, ask about the sightseeing tours that teach a bit more about the history of the building.
674 locals recommend
Royal Albert Hall
Imperial College RoadBuilt in the form of an amphitheater, this is surely the most spectacular venue in London. It was opened by Queen Victoria in 1871 and dedicated to her late husband, Albert. This is the place to catch the legendary summer concert series, the BBC Proms. Sunday mornings, they host intimate concerts by rising stars from the neighboring Royal College of Music.
If you are interested in seeing more, ask about the sightseeing tours that teach a bit more about the history of the building.
A one-of-a-kind venue in the centre of Covent Garden, it’s a must-visit for every opera and ballet lover. Opera creates so much excitement, and just being inside this beautiful space gives you a thrill. Whether you are out to catch something new or a timeless classic, seeing a performance in the Royal Opera House is a unique experience.
Arrive early to check out the street performers outside St. Paul’s Church or in the Piazza. The musicians are preselected by a panel of judges, so the quality is high and it’s always fun to watch. You’ll get a good view from the balcony above, or you can watch up close from a cafe downstairs.
252 locals recommend
Royal Opera House
Bow StreetA one-of-a-kind venue in the centre of Covent Garden, it’s a must-visit for every opera and ballet lover. Opera creates so much excitement, and just being inside this beautiful space gives you a thrill. Whether you are out to catch something new or a timeless classic, seeing a performance in the Royal Opera House is a unique experience.
Arrive early to check out the street performers outside St. Paul’s Church or in the Piazza. The musicians are preselected by a panel of judges, so the quality is high and it’s always fun to watch. You’ll get a good view from the balcony above, or you can watch up close from a cafe downstairs.
Alongside New York’s Carnegie Hall, this is the world’s most famous recital hall. With an audience capacity of just over 550, it has a uniquely intimate atmosphere. There is no better place to admire your favourite string quartet or pianist in a solo recital. For the best acoustics, choose a seat in the middle rows.
Remember to check for special ticket offers. There are discounts for under 35s and free tickets to some events for 8- to 25-year-olds.
38 locals recommend
Wigmore Hall
36 Wigmore StAlongside New York’s Carnegie Hall, this is the world’s most famous recital hall. With an audience capacity of just over 550, it has a uniquely intimate atmosphere. There is no better place to admire your favourite string quartet or pianist in a solo recital. For the best acoustics, choose a seat in the middle rows.
Remember to check for special ticket offers. There are discounts for under 35s and free tickets to some events for 8- to 25-year-olds.
Home to three of London’s top orchestras: the London Philharmonic Orchestra, the Philharmonia Orchestra, and the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment. The Royal Festival Hall has truly fantastic acoustics. It’s right by the river, and it’s lovely to arrive in the evening when all the lights are reflected in the water.
When booking tickets, check for free pre-concert events, such as artist talks or chamber music concerts.
130 locals recommend
Royal Festival Hall
Belvedere RoadHome to three of London’s top orchestras: the London Philharmonic Orchestra, the Philharmonia Orchestra, and the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment. The Royal Festival Hall has truly fantastic acoustics. It’s right by the river, and it’s lovely to arrive in the evening when all the lights are reflected in the water.
When booking tickets, check for free pre-concert events, such as artist talks or chamber music concerts.
With a capacity of nearly 2,000, the hall is part of the largest performing arts complex in Europe. Home to the London Symphony Orchestra and the BBC Symphony Orchestra, it has stunning acoustics. There’s a great atmosphere here because you’re surrounded by people who are here to see all kinds of things: music, dance, theater, film.
If you’re booking a ticket to see the LSO, make sure you check for the free pre-LSO concerts. These are performed by excellent young artists from the nearby Guildhall School of Music.
509 locals recommend
Barbican Centre
Silk StreetWith a capacity of nearly 2,000, the hall is part of the largest performing arts complex in Europe. Home to the London Symphony Orchestra and the BBC Symphony Orchestra, it has stunning acoustics. There’s a great atmosphere here because you’re surrounded by people who are here to see all kinds of things: music, dance, theater, film.
If you’re booking a ticket to see the LSO, make sure you check for the free pre-LSO concerts. These are performed by excellent young artists from the nearby Guildhall School of Music.
Seating over 900, this stunning hall can accommodate chamber orchestras and choirs as well as opera and dance performances. I saw a concert here that was really memorable because the musicians in the English Chamber Orchestra gave such meaning to the music.
In the spring and summer months, take your drinks up to the rooftop garden and enjoy the river view.
9 locals recommend
Queen Elizabeth Hall
Belvedere RoadSeating over 900, this stunning hall can accommodate chamber orchestras and choirs as well as opera and dance performances. I saw a concert here that was really memorable because the musicians in the English Chamber Orchestra gave such meaning to the music.
In the spring and summer months, take your drinks up to the rooftop garden and enjoy the river view.
I often visit the smallest of the Southbank Centre concert halls to see new artists perform. It has excellent acoustics for chamber music, and is an intimate setting for chamber recitals.
This is the place to hear young performers who have won some major competitions. It gives them the opportunity to perform in a prestigious venue.
436 locals recommend
Southbank Centre
I often visit the smallest of the Southbank Centre concert halls to see new artists perform. It has excellent acoustics for chamber music, and is an intimate setting for chamber recitals.
This is the place to hear young performers who have won some major competitions. It gives them the opportunity to perform in a prestigious venue.
London’s newest high-class concert venue. I played here when they were testing the adjustable acoustic panels. Very few venues in the world can compete with this place in terms of the acoustic conditions for chamber music recitals.
No need to buy pricey tickets. In my experience, the sound is best from the balcony.
Guildhall School of Music & Drama
Silk StreetLondon’s newest high-class concert venue. I played here when they were testing the adjustable acoustic panels. Very few venues in the world can compete with this place in terms of the acoustic conditions for chamber music recitals.
No need to buy pricey tickets. In my experience, the sound is best from the balcony.
Home to the excellent Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, this used to be a church, so it has a beautiful interior as well as wonderful concert-hall acoustics. The hall plays host to BBC Proms chamber concerts.
For the best sound here, aim for the middle seats in the middle rows.
37 locals recommend
Cadogan Hall
5 Sloane TerraceHome to the excellent Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, this used to be a church, so it has a beautiful interior as well as wonderful concert-hall acoustics. The hall plays host to BBC Proms chamber concerts.
For the best sound here, aim for the middle seats in the middle rows.
Sightseeing
The church of St Martin-in-the-Fields has daily events, including free lunchtime concerts featuring excellent up-and-coming artists. These concerts attract a big audience, so make sure you arrive early to get the best seats, toward the front. The venue is also home to a legendary orchestra, the Academy of St Martin in the Fields.
Look out for the series of evening candlelit concerts—and visit the crypt for a drink after the performance.
34 locals recommend
St Martin-in-the-Fields
Trafalgar SquareThe church of St Martin-in-the-Fields has daily events, including free lunchtime concerts featuring excellent up-and-coming artists. These concerts attract a big audience, so make sure you arrive early to get the best seats, toward the front. The venue is also home to a legendary orchestra, the Academy of St Martin in the Fields.
Look out for the series of evening candlelit concerts—and visit the crypt for a drink after the performance.