Best known for being the fashion capital of the world, Milan is also home to some of Italy’s best museums. The museums in Milan explore all aspects of arts, culture and history. With galleries exploring art from all eras and museums where you can learn about the history of the technological or natural world, Milan has something for everyone.
Museums in Milan: museum pass
If you’re planning on visiting a number of museums and art galleries on your trip to Milan, it’s a good idea to consider a museum pass. The MilanoCard is the tourist pass for Milan, and it not only includes discounted entry to many of the city’s museums but also free public transport and a free drink at some of Milan’s best clubs.
The card discounts the entry fee to museums by 25% to 35%, including four of the museums you’ll find in this guide:
- Armani/Silos
- the Ambrosian Library & Pinacoteca Ambrosiana
- the National Museum of Science & Technology of Milan
- Museo Poldi Pezzoli
The card costs around €11.50 for one day, €17.50 for two and €19.50 for three; when planning your purchase, remember that many of the museums in Milan are closed on Mondays.
Milan art galleries
Pinacoteca di Brera
Milan’s main art gallery, the Pinacoteca di Brera, was built in the 14th century and has one of the largest painting collections in all of Italy. This is the museum for those who love Italy’s classic painters, with works from Caravaggio, Raphael, Mantegna and many, many more. Tickets must be booked online; you can book either a standard for around €15 or there’s a range of concession prices available. The building also has a beautiful courtyard that you can visit for free. The tickets let you return to the gallery whenever you want over a period of three months, as well as give you access to their online platform.
- Opening Hours: 8:30-21:15 Tuesday-Sunday
- Closed Monday
Museo Poldi Pezzoli
The Museo Poldi Pezzoli, created from the personal collection of the 19th-century Italian count Gian Giacomo Poldi Pezzoli, is a bit of an underrated gem amongst Milan’s museums. The museum is located in what was once Pezzoli’s residence and contains a beautiful collection of Renaissance paintings, as well as some beautiful sculptures and tapestries. On the ground floor, you’ll find a fascinating armoury with a collection of weapons and armour. On the first floor sits The Golden Room, where the museum’s masterpieces are held, including Botticelli’s Lamentation over the Dead Christ with Saints. Regular tickets cost about €14, and those under 18 can enter for roughly €6.
- Opening Hours: 10:00-13:00 & 14:00-18:00 Sunday-Monday
- Closed Tuesday
Ambrosian Library and Pinacoteca Ambrosiana
The Ambrosian Library dates all the way back to 1618, and whilst it hosts both an impressive collection of historical manuscripts and artworks, the building itself is also a work of art, with painted winding staircases and mosaic floors. If you’re interested in Leonardo Da Vinci, this is the place for you, with his artwork in the gallery and his Codex Atlantico on display as the library’s main attraction. Tickets cost around €15 for adults and roughly €10 for those aged 14 to 18, whilst those under 14 can visit for free. There are also some other concessions available.
- Opening hours: 10:00-18:00 Tuesday-Sunday
- Closed Monday
Royal Palace of Milan
Once the seat of government in Milan, the Royal Palace of Milan is now a cultural centre, home to a variety of international art exhibitions. Located in the Piazza del Duomo, this museum is great for those who have been to Milan and its museums before. The exhibitions are constantly changing, so there’ll be something new for you to see. The palace also contains the Museum of the Palace, which tells the history of the palace itself, dating back to the Neoclassical era. Full-price tickets cost around €14 whilst concession tickets cost about €12, and it’s a good idea to book them ahead of time, as the gallery can be quite popular.
- Opening Hours: 10:00-19:30 Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday-Sunday
- 10:00-22:30 Thursday
- Closed Monday
Modern and contemporary art galleries
Museo del Novecento
The Museo del Novecento is focused on the artworks of the 20th century, with both permanent pieces and temporary exhibitions for visitors to see. Close to the Piazza del Duomo, the museum hosts 400 artworks displayed in chronological order, and you’ll find a wonderful range of works by both Italian and international artists. The third-floor window provides an incredible view of Milan and the Duomo. Tickets cost around €10 and can be purchased online. If you’re particularly interested in learning about 20th-century art, there are guided tours that usually run every half hour – they’re a great way to enrich your experience.
- Opening Hours: 10:00-19:30 Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday-Sunday
- 10:00-22:30 Thursday
- Closed Monday
Fondazione Prada
Fondazione Prada is a fascinating and unique art gallery, dedicated mostly to contemporary art and artists. Housed inside what was once a gin distillery, the gallery not only includes paintings and sculptures but also photography, cinematic works, performance art and dance and architectural visions. A major goal of the gallery is to help visitors engage in conversations about art and the artworks, and many rooms aim to be immersive experiences that transport you to new worlds. You can get tickets online; they cost roughly €15 for those between 18 and 65, around €12 for students or those over 65, and visitors under 18 can enter for free. See the website for other concessions available.
- Opening Hours: 10:00-19:00 Wednesday-Monday
- Closed Tuesday
Science and technology museums
National Museum of Science & Technology of Milan
You’ll love the National Museum of Science & Technology of Milan, especially if you’re travelling with curious children. The museum highlights some of Italy’s most well-known and influential inventions, with exhibits such as models interpreting designs by Leonardo da Vinci and a 1932 Alfa Romeo. It takes visitors on a journey throughout history, from a planetary clock built from specifications dating back to the 14th century to the Italian-designed Programma 101, considered to be the very first personal computer (PC). Tickets can be purchased online (and it’s a good idea to book ahead of time), costing around €10 for regular admission and roughly €7.50 for those under 27 or over 65.
- Opening Hours: 9:30-17:00 Tuesday-Friday
- 9:30-18:30 Saturday-Sunday
- Closed Monday
Museum of Natural History
The Museum of Natural History in Milan is one of the finest of its kind in Italy, with 23 exhibition rooms across two floors, including exhibits on palaeontology, zoology, mineralogy and the natural history of humans. Over 100 dioramas recreate a variety of ecosystems, letting visitors experience them first-hand. Not to be missed is the Beranno fossil collection, which includes seven fully complete dinosaur skeletons dating back roughly 200 million years. The museum is an excellent place to take young children – regular tickets cost around €5, whilst there are reduced tickets and free entries available under certain circumstances.
- Opening Hours: 10:00-17:30 Tuesday-Sunday
- Closed Monday
Fashion Museums in Milan
Armani/Silos
If you’re headed to Milan, there’s a good chance you’ve got an interest in fashion, and the Armani/Silos exhibition space is a must-visit for fashion lovers. Housed in an old granary, the museum curates temporary exhibitions; these let visitors get up close to new and old Armani fashion designs and see the ideas behind them. The museum also has a digital archive on the third floor, which you can see by itself with a free ticket. Ordinary admission costs roughly €12, whilst prices for temporary exhibitions can vary, particularly during fashion week.
- Opening Hours: 10:00-20:00 Tuesday-Sunday
- Closed Monday
