Below is a list of different type of art, click on the one you are intersted in and you will find the museums that exhibit it:
- Classic art (La Grande Brera)
- Design and contemporary and modern art
- Photography
- Fashion
- Religious art
- Science and natural history, museum for children
- Italian and Milanese history
- Museum homes
For an overview of what is on at different museums check out our weekly calendar here for information. and the events calendar on the right-hand side of the website/at the bottom of the page on phones and tablets
Milan has several museums worth visiting. But if you can – visit them during the week and leave the queues at the weekend to the others.
If you’re in Milan for 72 hours or less, you should consider getting a MilanoCard. Read more here.
You can visit many of Milan’s museums for free on every first Sunday of every month.
Classic art
La Grande Brera
1 . Pinacoteca di Brera
The ultimate art collection in Milan featuring masterpieces by the classical Italian masters; Caravaggio, Leonardo da Vinci just to mention a couple, the building itself is incredibly beautiful.
–>28, Via Brera (find on map)
2. Palazzo Citterio
With the opening of Palazzo Citterio in December 2024 Pinacoteca di Brera’s dream of a “La Grande Brera” (Greater Brera) came true, Palazzo Cittrtio is an extension of Pinacoteca di Brera’s exhibition space, exhibits of materpieces of modern and contemporary as well as the collection, can be seen here. The palazzo is from the 1700s.
–> 12, Via Brera (find on map)
There is also a Grande Brera app, download it here.
This amazing building was the seat for the local government of the city of Milan and is an important cultural center today and houses important exhibitions and events.
-> 12, Piazza Duomo (find on map)
Santa Maria delle Grazie/Cenacolo Vinciano
Leonardo da Vinci’s masterpiece “The Last Supper” is located next to the church Santa Maria delle Grazie in the Cenacolo Vinciano and is a definite must-see, to get in you must book tickets well in advance here. If you cannot get tickets online, don’t despair; you can call this number +390292800360 and press 2 for English. You have to pay by credit card.
–> 2, Piazza Santa Maria delle Grazie (find on map)
Leonardo3 – The world of Leonardo da Vinci
A museum dedicated to the life and works of Leonardo da Vinci with lots of 3D models for all ages..
–> Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II (find on map)
Pinacoteca e Biblioteca Ambrosiana
One of Milan’s most overlooked museums. This museum and library has an astounding collection of Leonardo da Vinci’s cartoons (charcoal drawings) and notebooks. Definitely worth a visit.
–> 2, Piazza Pio XI Between Via Torino and Cordusio. (find on map).
Galleria d’Italia
One of Italy’s largest banks Intesa San Paolo have opened their private collections to the public on Piazza della Scala, right in the center of the city. It is an impressive exhibiton and there is no admission fee.
.–> Piazza della Scala 6 (find on map)
Design and contemporary and modern art
ADI Design Museum
The museum is housed in an old tram deposit from the 1930s in Milan’s China Town area. It is centered around the prestigious Compasso d’Oro prize awarded for excellence in industrial design.
-> 1, Piazzza Comasso d’Oro (find on map)
Fondazione Prada
Museum for contemporary art and culture co-headed by famous designer Miuccia Prada. The foundation has operated since 1993 and organizes, amongst other things, film festivals. On May 9th 2015 they inaugurated their new venue in Milan – very impressive architecture. FONDAZIONE PRADA’s Bar Luce is designed by film director Wes Anderson. Bar Luce recreates the atmosphere of a typical Milanese café
–> 2, Largo Isarco (find on map)
Museo del Novecento
The museum of the twentieth century, at Piazza Duomo, opened in 2010 after the collection’s original home in Palazzo Reale had been closed in 1988. It’s Milan’s municipal collection of paintings and sculpture from the twentieth century. The collection opens with Giuseppe Pellizza da Volpedo’s fantastic Fourth Estate.
-> Via Guglielmo Marconi (South side of Piazza Duomo) (find on map)
Palazzo Citterio
With the opening of Palazzo Citterio in December 2024 Pinacoteca di Brera’s dream of a “Grande Brera” (Greater Brera) came true, Palazzo Cittrtio is an extension of Pinacoteca di Brera’s exhibition space, exhibits of materpieces of modern and contemporary as well as the collection, can be seen here. The palazzo is from the 1700s.
–> 12, Via Brera (find on map)
Triennale di Milano
La Triennale di Milano is Milan’s Design museum with a huge permanent collection of design but it is also the main Italian venue for architecture, visual and decorative arts, design, fashion and audio/video. The terrace of Triennale is very cool and has a breathtaking view, good place for brunch and aperitivo,
-> 6, Viale Alemagna (find on map)
Mudec – Museo delle culture
The museum for all cultures. Architechtonically speaking a very exciting museum, that is hosted in an old factory
–>56, Via Tortona (find on map)
GAM – Galleria d’Arte Moderna di Milano
Situated in a gorgeous villa in Via Palestro. This villa is one of Milan’s finest examples of neoclassical architecture and hosts both contemporary photo exhibitions and paintings from the 19th century..
-> Via Palestro (find on map)
PAC – Padiglione d’arte contemporanea
PAC houses a beautiful collection of contemporary art. It was re-opened in 1979 after a thorough restructuring of the building, (the mafia had a bomb explode here in 1993). The exhibitions are changed frequently..
-> 14, Via Palestro (find on map)
Pirelli Hangar Bicocca
Milan’s most experimental contemporary museum. It’s located in an old factory and houses very interesting exhibits and installations. Take the metro out there (purple line, get off at Ponale)
–> 2, Via Chiese (find on map)
Fabbrica del Vapore
The steam factory (literally) is a cultural centre in Milan that organizes art exhibitions, music festivals, theatre, conferences and more. The building complex is huge and definitely worth a visit.
–> 4, Via Giulio Cesare Proccaccini (find on map).
Palazzo della Permanente
Milan’s permanent exhibition of more than 300 paintings, drawings, sculpture and engravings by Italian artists starting from 1886 all the way up to today. The museum itself was designed by renowned architect Luca Beltrami and was opened in 1886..
–> 34, Via Turati (find on map).
Photography
Milano Osservatorio – Fondazione Prada
Fondazione Prada’s location in the center of Milan dedicated to photography and visual arts. It is situated at the top of Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II with a view of the glass Octagonal at its center.
–> Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II (find on map)
Fashion
Armani/Silos
This museum, which was inaugurated on April 30th 2015, celebrates Giorgio Armani’s 40-year anniversary as a designer. The museum has been created by the Japanese architect Tadao Ando. 4 floors with historical creations. The museum is located in the Tortona design neighbourhood. Always check whether the mueseum is open before going there, they close for fashion week and frequently between exhibits
–> 40, Via Bergognone (find on map)
Palazzo Morando – Costume Moda Immagine
This beautiful historical building located within the Quadrilatero della Moda Milan’s exclusive fashion dsitrict houses collections of decorative and fine arts and exhibits about fahsion. The museum is closed on Mondays.
–> 6, Via Sant’Andrea (find on map)
Religious art
Museo Diocesano
The Diocesan Museum is housed in the antique cloisters of Sant’Eustorgio and contains over 700 art works spanning from the 4th century up till today including some very fine sculptures by artist Lucio Fontana.
–> 95, Corso di Porta Ticinese (find on map)
Museo del Duomo (Veneranda Fabbrica)
The museum of Milan’s cathedral was originally opened in 1953 but re-opened in 2013 after a long period of renovation. It is a record of the history of the cathedral and covers a period spanning from the 15th to the 20th century.
–> 12, Piazza Duomo (find on map)
Church of San Maurizio al Monastero Maggiore
This incredibly beautiful church from 1503 is famous for its frescos, which have earned it the nickname the Sistine Chapel of Milan. It is open every day from 9.30 am-7.30 pm except on Mondays.
-> 15, Corso Magenta (find on map)
Basilica di Sant’Ambrogio
Basilica di Sant’Ambrogio is Milan’s oldest church (built in the fourth century AD) – here you can also see the exhibition about Milans patron saint and first bishop Saint Ambrose called “Ambrosius. The Treasure of the church.”
-> 15, Piazza Sant’Ambrogio (find på kort)
Science and natural history, museum for children
Museo nazionale scienza e tecnologia Leonardo da Vinci
The Leonardo Da Vinci museum is a must for children from age 6 and up. There is enough entertainment to last you several hours on a rainy day. The most diversely talented person ever to have lived is painter, inventor etc. Leonardo da Vinci, and Italy’s national technical museum, located in Milan, is also his official museum. It combines the chance to actually try out some of his inventions with the more traditional exhibitions.
–> 21, Via San Vittore (find on map)
Museo di Storia naturale
a perfect place for children aged 6 and up, if they like dinosaurs, fossils and crystals.
-> 55, Corso Venezia (find on map)
MUBA – Museo dei bambini
The children’s musum in Milan. where children can play, paint and create on their own terms. For children aged 2-11.
–> 12, Via Enrico Besana (find on map).
Italian and Milanese history
Museo Archeologico di Milano
Milan’s archeological museum in the heart of the city next to the incredibly beautiful Church of San Maurizio from 1503.
-> 15, Corso Magenta (find on map)
Museo del Risorgimento
The museum covers the historic events that led to the unification of the different states on the Italian peninsula to the kingsom of Italy between 1815 and 1871.Admission is free of charge.
-> 23, Via Borgonovo (find on map).
Teatro alla Scala Museum
The museum of the Scala Theatre, amust for all lovers of opera, ballet and classiscal music – . Instruments, costumes, busts and special exhibits.
–> 1, Largo Chiringelli. Piazza Scala (find on map)
Castello Sforzesco Museums
The Sforza castle from the 15th century built by .Francesco Sforza is a landmark in Milan and houses a large number of museums (that are closed on Mondays).
–> Piazza Castello (find on map)
Museum homes
If you want to vist more than 1 museum home, consider getting the casa museo card, it gives free access to the first four museum homes on this list and is €25. Get yours here.
Bagatti Valsecchi Museum Home
This home belonged to the two brothers the barons Fausto and Giuseppe Bagatti Valsecchi, who collected 15th and 16th century art to decorate their home so that it reminded themselves and their guests of princely Lombard homes of the 16th century. It was inhabited by their descendants until 1974 when one of Giuseppe’s sons decided to create the Bagatti Valsecchi Foundation and donated the entire patrimony to it, at the same time the home was purchased by the region of Lombardy that opened the museum home to the public in 1994.
–> 5, Via Gesù (find on map)
Villa Necchi Campiglio
This villa from the 1930s by Milanese architect Piero Portaluppi is a country home with tennis courts and swimmingpool in the heart of Milan, it is managed by FAI, a foundation that protects and maintains places of historical, natural and cultural value all over Italy.
–> 14, Via Mozart (find on map)
Poldi Pezzoli Museum Home
One of Milan’s most interesting private museums founded by art collector Gian Giacomo Poldi Pezzoli (1768-1833) it contains works by some of the greatest Italian painters e, g. Botticelli, Belini and Hauez.
–> 12, Via Alessandro Manzoni (find on map)
Boschi Di Stefano Museum Home
This gem which was the private home of married art collectors was opened to the public in 2003 and contains their private collection by some of the finest painters from the twentieth century. A unique look into a private home.
–> 15, Via G. Jan (find on map)
Fondazione Achille Castiglioni
Achille Castiglioni who died in 2002 was an Italian designer of furniture, lighting, radiograms a.o. his studio has been turned into a museum and is run privately by the Achille Castiglioni foundation. You have to book your ticket online here.
–> 27, Piazza Castello (find on map).