The world’s 10 most beautiful concert venues

Colorado, USA

Fancy watching your favourite musicians in an arena that’s been around for more than 160 million years? Red Rocks Amphitheatre is one of the world’s most unique venues, providing open-air views of the surrounding landscapes and of the legendary musicians who play here. The arena can hold up to 9,500 people and has hosted everyone from Jimi Hendrix to deadmau5. It’s dwarfed on both sides by two dramatic 300ft monoliths made from red sandstone, which help magnify the acoustics from the main stage, where films, concerts and even fitness classes are held throughout the year.

Sydney, Australia

The sails of the Sydney Opera House aren’t just an icon of Australia; they’re renowned throughout the music world. The venue, which comprises multiple performance spaces, hosts music, dance and theatre shows, but also gets the chance to be a star in its own right during several annual celebrations, such as Sydney’s Vivid light festival and on New Year’s Eve. Its main concert hall, located under the largest sail, seats more than 2,000 people, but there are also smaller theatres, a playhouse, a studio and even an outdoor forecourt, where the likes of Florence and the Machine have played alfresco. 

Time Out tip: If you can’t manage to get tickets to a show while in Sydney, the Opera House also has behind-the-scenes tours which explore inside the famous structure.

Vienna, Austria

Vienna’s historic concert hall stands out for its timeless beauty and intricate architecture. Inside, the main Goldener Saal (Golden Hall) is quite literally that, a hall seemingly made of gold; it’s adorned with incredible balconies, paintings, stuccos and gilding work. The concert hall is home to the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, but the Vienna Mozart Orchestra and other orchestras from around the world are also on the annual events lineup. For an authentic night on the town, make like a local and get dressed up to the nines – you’ll feel like you’ve stepped a hundred years back into Vienna’s past. 

Milan, Italy

For opera lovers, there’s no better place to enjoy an aria than at Milan’s grand Teatro alla Scala, where classical music, opera and ballet are played each season. Some of the world’s greatest musicians, composers and artists have performed on the stage here, including Salieri, Verdi and Toscanini, cementing its place in history. The interiors are just as impressive as the stars - the 3,000 plush, burgundy seats are uniquely organised, with six tiers of boxes above the stalls. Importantly for those on a shoestring, above these boxes is the loggione, a gallery housing the most affordable of seats.

Nîmes, France

On a scale of cool venues, listening to the likes of Stevie Wonder, Dua Lipa or Metallica in a real-life Roman amphitheatre gets top marks. This arena in Nimes, France, was built in the 1st Century AD for gladiator battles and is one of the best-preserved Roman amphitheatres in the world. You can even still attend historical reenactments throughout the year. Luckily, around 13,000 revellers can also look forward to less violent shows and performances, such as the annual Festival de Nîmes, when pop and rock legends from around the world make their mark on the 2000-year-old venue.

Rättvik, Sweden

Sweden’s Dalhalla is Europe’s answer to Red Rocks. Located deep in a limestone quarry, the arena has towering rock faces on all sides and is surrounded by dense, emerald forest. At the bottom of the quarry isn’t just a stage, but also a sparkling lake, which only helps add to the magic. It’s not a competition, but Dalhalla’s geology dates back a whopping 360 million years, thanks to a meteorite which crashed landed in the area from outer space. Since becoming a concert venue in 1991, the 6,000-pax arena has welcomed stars including Tom Jones, Patti Smith and KISS.

Tennessee, USA

It seems people love to party underground, as proven by Tennessee’s The Caverns, which sit deep below ground in an ancient, subterranean cave system. The main Big Mouth Cave has a capacity of 1,200 standing spaces and, best of all for gig-lovers who tend to overheat, stays at a steady, cool temperature. The venue is far from rustic, with a full light and sound system, and multiple bars and food stalls. For those who are curious (and not claustrophobic), full tours of The Caverns explore even deeper through 8,000ft of twisting tunnels. 

Time Out tip: If being under the earth with hundreds of people sets you on edge, the venue also has The Caverns Amphitheatre, which is located outside with tranquil views of the landscape and space for 6,000 people. 

Krakow, Poland

If you thought caves were the most unusual venue on this list, think again, because this one is made entirely of salt. Just south of Krakow is the UNESCO-listed Wieliczka Salt Mine, which houses a maze of tunnels stretching for more than 245km. Amongst these is an entire church made from salt, an underground lake and most notably, a concert hall. This intimate venue usually holds performances from the official Salt Mines Brass Band and the mines’ New Year’s concert. It’s a room like nowhere else on earth, just don’t be tempted to taste it – there’s a salt souvenir shop for that. 

Time Out tip: Although tours to the salt mine begin with a workout – descending 380 stairs down into the ground, for those who have trouble walking, you can request to take a small lift to the bottom.

Beijing, China

Not all music venues are ancient, naturally-formed spaces. Beijing’s National Centre for the Performing Arts holds its own against more historic spots for its spectacularly futuristic design. Although it’s locally referred to as The Giant Egg, from the outside, it’s more akin to a sleek silver and glass insect, coated in a shell made from thousands of metal and glass plates. The elliptical building holds an opera hall, music hall, theatre and more, making it the largest performance venue in Asia. It's a home base for the eponymous NCPA Orchestra, but local and international opera singers and musicians also perform here.

County Meath, Ireland

Ringed by undulating green countryside, Slane Castle has stood in Ireland’s County Meath since the late 18th Century. While it was originally home to noble families, since 1981 it has hosted some of the world’s most epic concerts on its sloping lawn. Anyone who’s anyone has performed here, from Bob Dylan and the Rolling Stones, to David Bowie, Eminem and most recently in 2023, Harry Styles, with the majority playing at the castle’s annual Slane Festival.