Best museums in Milan that are worth your time

Discover the incredible scope of Milan’s influence across fashion, architecture, art, and history at its most famous museums.

Delve into Italy's astonishing art museums at institutions like Pinacoteca di Brera and Santa Maria delle Grazie, or hone in on iconic figures like Leonardo da Vinci at dedicated exhibits like Leonardo 3.

Many of Milan's top monuments, like the Duomo and Royal Palace, also contain a vast treasure trove of museum artifacts. Yet, for all Milan's famous cultural attractions, there are also plenty of unique and specialist museums. Uncover macabre scenes at the San Bernadino alle Ossa or trace soccer icons at the San Siro Stadium Museum.

Get inspired at the 15 best museums in Milan.

Best history museums in Milan

1. Learn about the Codex Atlanticus at the Ambrosiana Gallery

Ambrosiana is a must-visit for lovers of all things Renaissance. One of the museum and library's most prized possessions is the Codex Atlanticus, an original 12-volume book gathered by Pompeo Leoni from Leonardo da Vinci's personal notebooks. Learn all about its history with the Ambrosiana Gallery & Da Vinci's Codex Atlanticus Tour.

Highlights:

Get as up close as possible with this historical book and discover even more Da Vinci and Renaissance artifacts, including centuries-old display cases made by Alfredo Ravasco.

Address and opening hours:

Piazza Pio XI, 2, 20123 Milano MI, Italy. Open Thursday-Tuesday, 10:00 AM-6:00 PM. Closed on Wednesday.

2. Visit the historic Duomo Milan

The Gothic Duomo began work in the 14th century and contains gorgeous details designed and developed over the centuries. With a Cathedral and Rooftop Ticket, you can explore the cathedral's vast historical treasures and enjoy towering views from atop the rooftop.

Highlights:

There are plenty of historical features to look for, from the gilded Madonnina to the Holy Nail used to bind Jesus to his crucifix.

Address and opening hours:

P.za del Duomo, 20122 Milano MI, Italy. Open daily, 9:00 AM-7:00 PM.

3. Explore the Basilica of Sant'Ambrogio

Founded in the 4th century, this ancient cathedral was built by Milan's patron saint, Ambrose. Spectacularly historic features like a 9th-century altarpiece make this among the city's most historically significant sites. Book the Basilica di Sant’Ambrogio and Old Town Private Tour for an in-depth guide to this important corner of Milan.

Highlights:

Explore the Basilica di Sant’Ambrogio's most important sights as you tour the pretty Old Town, with the option to extend your tour and enter Sforza Castle.

Address and opening hours:

Piazza Sant'Ambrogio, 20123 Milano MI, Italy. Open Monday-Saturday, 7:30 AM-7:00 PM, but closed every day from 12:30 PM-2:30 PM. Open Sunday, 8:00 AM-1:00 PM, and then 3:00 PM-8:00 PM. Tour times vary.

4. Walk in the footsteps of emperors at the Royal Palace

This important former seat of Milan's ruling government now boasts a wide variety of historical museums and galleries. You'll discover glamorous staircases, halls, and piazzas that were once the opulent settings for royal galas. Book the 3-Hour Private Walking Tour to explore this treasured region in detail.

Highlights:

Learn about the Palace's history, from the beloved stomping ground of Holy Roman Empress Maria Theresa to its use by the National Fascist Party during the Second World War.

Address and opening hours:

P.za del Duomo, 20122 Milan MI, Italy. Open Tuesday-Sunday, 12:00 PM-7:30 PM. Open late every Thursday, 12:00 PM-10:30 PM. Tour times vary.

Best art museums in Milan

5. View the Last Supper at Santa Maria delle Grazie

As a stunning architectural space, the Santa Maria delle Grazie is worth your attention alone. Its most famous asset, however, is also one of the world's most famous murals: Da Vinci's "The Last Supper." Book the Guided Tour of Leonardo da Vinci's Last Supper and skip the line for a tour of the convent and its treasures with an art historian.

Highlights:

Crowds are kept small so that you can fully appreciate the famous tapestry for a full 15 minutes.

Address and opening hours:

Piazza di Santa Maria delle Grazie, 20123 Milano MI, Italy. Open Tuesday-Sunday, 8:15 AM–7.00 PM.

6. Go modern at the Museo del Novecento

Milan's modern art mecca, the Museo del Novecento, is an important world hub of Abstract and Post-Impressionist art. Its spacious, whitewashed interiors are impeccably grouped into themed rooms that span the history of cutting-edge Italian and European art movements. Get to know its highlights with the Museo Novecento Private Tour.

Highlights:

You'll discover important Modernist Italian artworks from Boccioni, Giacometti, and Modigliani, as well as important works by Picasso, Klee, and Kandinsky.

Address and opening hours:

P.za del Duomo, 8, 20123 Milano MI, Italy. Open Tuesday-Sunday, 10:00 AM-7:30 PM. Late open every Thursday, 10:00 AM-10:30 PM.

7. Browse world masterpieces at Pinacoteca

Pinacoteca di Brera is one of Italy's most important art museums, boasting a veritable treasure trove of Old Masters that are rarely seen in such quality and quantity. Book the guided tour of the Brera District & Pinacoteca Guided Experience to get access to the gallery as you tour the pretty streets of Brera.

Highlights:

Brera's masterpieces include Andrea Mantegna's "The Dead Christ and Three Mourners" and Hayez's iconic "The Kiss."

Address and opening hours:

Via Brera, 28, 20121 Milano MI, Italy. Open Tuesday-Sunday, 8:30 AM-7:15 PM. Last entry at 6:00 PM.

8. Delve into world art at the Mudec Museum

The Mudec Museum is one of Milan's newest museums, with a sleek collection of world-reaching artworks and artifacts in an eye-catching former factory setting. It hosts many cutting-edge and blockbuster exhibitions that have spanned heavyweights like Rodin and Korean pop culture.

Highlights:

Explore the illuminated glass exteriors and interiors designed by the minimalist British architect, David Chipperfield. The permanent collections are free to enter.

Address and opening hours:

Via Tortona, 56, 20144 Milano MI, Italy. Open Tuesday-Sunday, 9:30 AM-7:30 PM. Open Monday, 2:30 PM-7:30 PM, with late openings on Saturday and Thursday to 10:30 PM.

Best science museums in Milan

9. Explore tech at the National Museum of Science and Technology

Milan's National Museum of Science and Technology has a significant Da Vinci exhibition hall that brings the famed polymath's inventions to life. Book your Science and Technology Leonardo da Vinci Museum Entry to browse these delightful flying machines among thousands of tech items from Italy's history.

Highlights:

Delve into the automobile industry with Alfa Romeo cars and check out a stunning Middle Age planetary clock.

Address and opening hours:

Via San Vittore, 12, 20123 Milano MI, Italy. Open Tuesday-Friday, 10:00 AM-5:00 PM. Open Saturday, 10:00 AM-6:00 PM, and Sunday, 9:30 AM-6:30 PM.

10. Delve deeper into Da Vinci's inventions at Leonardo3

This fascinating science-oriented museum brings the world of Leonardo da Vinci to life. There are hands-on models of famous inventions, and a full digitally-restored version of "The Last Supper" to explore. Skip the ticket booth with a Leonardo3 The World of Leonardo Museum Entry Ticket.

Highlights:

Model planes, crossbows, submarines, and other mechanical contraptions are brought to life at this absorbing exhibit.

Address and opening hours:

Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, 11, 20121 Milano MI, Italy. Open daily, 9:30 AM-9:00 PM.

11. Explore the nautical sciences at the Enrico Toti Submarine

Fans of nautical history should board the Toti Submarine, first launched in 1967. An Enrico Toti Submarine Guided Tour and Museum Ticket will give you access to its storied depths, where you can test out the periscope and marvel at Italian craftsmanship.

Highlights:

Learn about life on a 1960s submarine and explore highlights like the torpedo-guiding control system.

Address and opening hours:

Via San Vittore, 12, 20123 Milano MI, Italy. Open Tuesday-Friday, 10:00 AM-5:00 PM. Open Saturday, 10:00 AM-6:00 PM, and Sunday, 9:30 AM-6:30 PM.

Alternative museums in Milan

12. Visit the Church of San Bernardino alle Ossa

Get access to this macabre museum as part of the Milan Off-the-Beaten-Path Private Walking Tour. The Church of San Bernadino alle Ossa houses a fascinating ossuary constructed from bones and human remains. The chapel contains other architectural and painterly treasures, including 17th-century frescoes by Sebastiano Ricci.

Highlights:

Milan's chapel of bones is a macabre masterpiece that will kick off an exciting tour of the city's hidden gems.

Address and opening hours:

Piazza Santo Stefano, 20122 Milano MI, Italy. Open Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM-6:00 PM. Open Saturday, 9:30 AM-6:00 PM, and Sunday, 9:30 AM-12:00 PM.

13. Trace Milan's soccer history at the San Siro Stadium Museum

Home of the city's beloved AC Milan, the San Siro Stadium was built in 1925. You can browse soccer-related treasures with the San Siro Stadium and Museum Tour, where you can browse iconic kits, medals, and memorabilia.

Highlights:

Enjoy a behind-the-scenes tour of the stadium with access to the changing rooms and player's tunnel.

Address and opening hours:

Piazzale Angelo Moratti, 20151 Milano MI, Italy. Tours and museum Monday-Friday, 9:30 AM-5:00 PM. Closed on weekends for matches.

14. Immerse yourself in classical music at La Scala Museum

La Scala has played a pivotal role in Milan's famous music scene, premiering operas by Bellini, Verdi, and Puccini. Book a La Scala Museum and Theater Tour to explore real props and ephemera from this treasured theater's history

Highlights:

Perfect for opera fans, you may just spot some musicians rehearsing during your tour of the space.

Address and opening hours:

Teatro alla Scala, Via Filodrammatici, 2, 20121 Milano MI, Italy. Open daily, 9:30 AM-5:30 PM.

15. Experience Milanese elegance at Villa Necchi Campiglio

A palace to Milan's roaring 1930s and its flourishing modernist art scene, the Villa Necchi Campiglio is suitably situated close to Milan's fashion district. This luxurious mansion museum is packed with Art Deco flourishes and stunning 20th-century furniture. Enjoy access with a Villa Necchi Campiglio Entry Ticket.

Highlights:

Spend some time in the gardens and outdoor café, where you can wander through ivy carpets and enjoy the colorful flowerbeds.

Address and opening hours:

Via Mozart, 14, 20122 Milano MI, Italy. Open Wednesday-Sunday, 10:00 AM-6:00 PM.

FAQs

What are the must-visit museums in Milan?

Milan's most revered museums include Pinacoteca di Brera, which houses one of Italy's best national painting collections, and Basilica di Santa Maria delle Grazie, home to Da Vinci's "The Last Supper." There are also shrines to Renaissance art, like Pinacoteca Ambrosiana, and the excellent design museum, Triennale di Milano.

Are there any free museums in Milan?

Top museums with free entry include Palazzo Morando and Palazzo Moriggia, the Francesco Messina Studio Museum, and the permanent collections of Mudec Museum.

Are there any museums in Milan that are suitable for children and families?

Yes, kids adore discovering Leonardo da Vinci's strange and futuristic inventions at both the National Museum of Science and Technology and at Leonardo3. The palatial Sforza Castle is also captivating for children with an interest in history.

For which museums in Milan are guided tours recommended?

Sprawling museums like the Sforza Castle and Royal Palace benefit from guided tours. So too do famed attractions like the Santa Maria delle Grazie and the macabre Church of San Bernadino alle Ossa. Many of Milan's treasure-filled art museums benefit from a guide that will highlight the must-see pieces with detailed context.

Are there any museum passes or discount cards available for visiting multiple museums in Milan?

A Milan Pass City Card will get you entry to participating museums, including the La Scala Museum, the Duomo's rooftop terraces, and the Museum of Science and Technology, among others.