The most beautiful theatres in the world do not share a common characteristic, except from their astonishing beauty. Some are hundreds of years old, while others are only ten. Some are made in extravagant, elaborate designs from the 19th century, while others have modern curves and surfaces. Many of them even serve different purposes: Opera houses, concert halls, and even cinema theatres are included on this list of theatres. Nevertheless, they stand out for their distinctive designs, imaginative inventions, and beautiful aesthetics. AD takes you to the top 11 theatres in the world in the list below.

The Vienna State Opera
(Vienna, Austria)

The Vienna State Opera was the first structure constructed on the Vienna Ring Road, a thoroughfare that encircles the historic Innere Stadt neighbourhood, and it was finished in 1869. August Sicard von Sicardsburg and Eduard van der Nüll, architects, were responsible for creating the Renaissance Revival structure. Emperor Franz Joseph I and Empress Elisabeth of Austria both attended the ceremony on the day of the inauguration.

Palacio de Bellas Artes
(Mexico City, Mexico)

The Palacio de Bellas Artes, one of Mexico's most well-known cultural institutions, has hosted a range of events, including exhibitions of art, dance, and theatre. The structure was created by Adamo Boari and Federico E. Mariscal and is a fusion of several architectural styles, including art deco and neoclassical. It has interior decorations that highlight Mexican plants, animal life, and masks from pre-Hispanic customs.

Palau de la Música Catalana
(Barcelona, Spain)

The Palau de la Msica Catalana, which can be seen in Barcelona, is a spectacular example of Catalan Art Nouveau architecture. The building was created in accordance with the architect Llus Domènech i Montaner's vision and was initially created for the Orfeó Català choral organisation. In 1997, UNESCO designated the magnificent theatre as a World Heritage Site.

Teatro di San Carlo
(Naples, Italy)

The Teatro di San Carlo is the world's oldest continually operating opera venue, having opened its doors in 1773. The masterpiece was created by Giovanni Medrano under the direction of Bourbon King Charles VII of Naples.

Walt Disney Concert Hall
(Los Angeles, California)

The Walt Disney Concert Hall, which houses the Los Angeles Philharmonic, was created by Frank Gehry and opened its doors in 2003. The expansive building is a well-known example of deconstructivist design and is regarded as one of the most technologically advanced concert halls in the world.

Opéra Garnier
(Paris, France)

The Opéra Garnier, sometimes referred to as The Palais Garnier, is a 1,979-seat opera theatre in Paris that was constructed during Emperor Napoleon III. The theatre was envisioned by Charles Garnier in the "Napoleon III style," which includes embellishments and components that are reminiscent of baroque Palladian Renaissance architecture. A number of sculptures on the façade are based on concepts like "harmony," "instrumental music," and "dance." Between the columns of the front exterior are also busts of great composers like Beethoven, Mozart, and Rossini.

Harbin Grand Theater
(Harbin, China)

The Harbin Grand Theatre's smooth curves may give it the appearance of something from a sci-fi fantasy film, but the astonishing structure is not the result of a wishful imagination. The multi-venue centre, created by MAD Architects and inaugurated in 2015, features a large theatre, a smaller theatre, and other rehearsal halls. However, the most distinctive aspect of the building may be that visitors are allegedly urged to climb up on the roof for sightseeing.

Raj Mandir
(Jaipur, India)

Many Hindi film premieres have taken place at Jaipur's Raj Mandir, a sizable cinema. W. M. Namjoshi created the Art Deco-inspired building, which has a variety of zigzags and asymmetrical designs on the façade.

Sydney Opera House
(Sydney, Australia)

The Sydney Opera House is perhaps the most recognisable theatre in the world. The building has a striking roof line that resembles sails cutting through the harbour, making it an obvious marvel of modern architecture. However, the theatres dramatic past also includes skyrocketing building expenses, which forced Danish architect Jrn Utzon to abandon the project.

Lobero Theatre
(Santa Barbara, California)

The Lobero Theatre in Santa Barbara will commemorate its 150th birthday in February 2023. The building was created by renowned Californian architect George Washington Smith and Lutah Maria Riggs, and it was completed when the city's distinctive architectural style was beginning to emerge. The Spanish Colonial design approach is now ingrained in the character of the city.

Steinmetz Hall
(Orlando, Florida)

One of the most acoustically sophisticated theatres in the world is Steinmetz Hall, which is situated in Orlando, Florida. The unusual building, which is part of the Dr Phillips Centre for the Performing Arts, is built on steel train tracks, which allows the seats to change shape and orientation to accommodate different performance needs.