You get a tbreathtaking view of all of Milan from the Torre Branca (find on map) in Parco Sempione right next to Triennale Design Museum. Opening hours are 10.30 am-12.20 pm and 3-6.30 pm on Wednesdays and Fridays, 10.30 am-2 pm, 2.30-7 pm and 8.30 pm-midnight on Saturdays and 10.30 am-2 pm and 2.30-7 pm on Sundays.
You could combine your vist with a visit to the Triennalemuseum and from here take a walk through Milan’s big park Parco Sempione to Castello Sforzesco, for the second beautiful view.
The battlements of Castello Sforzesco
Another hit is the tour of the castle’s battlement, the Panoramic Merlate, you get some astounding views of Milan from this place.
From here you have a short walk to Piazza Duomo and the third vantagepoint.
The Cathedral Rooftop
This is a truly spectacular point to enjoy the view of Milan from, on a clear day you can see the Alps from up here. Read more and book your ticket here.
Highline Galleria
The fourth palce to enjoy a wonderful view from is only a short walk from the Duomo; Highline Galleria which has opened the terrace above Galleria Vittorio Emanuele with a spectacular view over Piazza Duomo and extended access to the old Room of Clocks, get more informations and tickets here.
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.
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)
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)
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. –> 2, Piazza Santa Maria delle Grazie (find on map)
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).
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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 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)
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)
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).
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).
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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 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)
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)
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).
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)
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).
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)
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.
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)
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)
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)
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)
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).
If you’re with your children in Milan then buy 3 day’s access to the civic museums for just €12 an adult (under-18s don’t pay). You can get it online or, easier, at the ticket sale at the first museum you visit. There are lunch ideas mentioned after every museum.
If you are here between the months of June and September there are public swimmingpools in Milan. Read more here.
Check also our post on classic sightseeing here. Milan offers canal tours and double-deckers.
Rent a different bike for the kids at the park
In the Giardini Pubblici Indro Montanelli (find on map) and Parco Sempione (find on map) you can rent the beautiful originale 3-wheel take bike Alternative Byki from 1959.
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.
Museo di Storia naturale – Dinosaurs and other monsters
Museo di Storia Naturale is yet a perfect place for children from age 6 if they like dinosaur skeletons and everything to do with wild beasts.
It’s located in a great park with a wooden jungle gym and a really cozy outdoor café, Bar Bianco where you can get coffee, ice cream, frozen yogurt, soft drinks and lunch. The park also houses a genuine old-fashioned merry-go-round, a little train and bumper cars for very young kids.
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).
In the Rotonda della Besana where the children’s museum is located is a very nice restaurant with kids’ menu, it is called Rotonda bistro (find on map)
Milan Cathedral (Duomo)
The city cathedral is very impressive on the outside and rather gloomy on the inside. You should spend your time visiting the roof which has an extraordinary view of the whole city and when the weather is clear you can see the Alps in the background. Either take the elevator up or get a fun experience walking all the way up the crooked old stone staircase
You can go get lunch at Luini (find on map) a very good cheap lunch place.
The city’s impressive medieval castle Castello Sforzesco where you can choose to just walk right through the beautiful courtyards to the Sempione park, which contains playgrounds and ample lawns where you can have your sandwiches, you can eat at Bar Bianco (find on map) or try the incredibly vast choice of sandwiches at the kiosk on Piazza Castello left of the fountain when coming from Piazza Cairoli.
But you could also visit the inside of the castle, where there are several art museums, displaying historical weapons, paintings, musical instruments and furniture. Especially the weapons tend to appeal to kids.
Another hit with children and adults alike is the tour of the castle’s battlement, the Panoramic Merlate, you get some astounding views of Milan from this place.
On the other side of the park the entrance to the design museum Triennale di Milano is located.
Take a trip on the tram
It’s really kind of awesome and cheap entertainment and children under 14 don’ pay. Milan has old, very elegant trams that were built between 1928 and 1932.
Milano Design Week/Fuorisalone – one week in spring, usually in April, in 2026 the dates are April 20th-26th. A week with very lively cosmopolitan atmosphere and cocktail parties, where Milan is turned upside-doown in occasion of the Salone del Mobile furniture fair, In the city you get the up-and-coming designers’ bid on what the future will look like. Just before Milano Design Week, Miartand Milano Art Week take place., it is an incredible month for contemporary and modern art and design. Read more about it here.
Piano City Milano – 3 days during the penultimate weekend of May, In 2026 the dates are May 15th-17th. There is piano music everywhere with lots of fantastic free concerts in the city’s parks, squares and several of Milan’s beautiful courtyards. The concerts go on 24 hours a day and the city teems with life and people. Read more about it here.
Summer
The Filarmonica della Scalaplays a free concerts on Piazza Duomo – the second Sunday of June with a speciel guest perfomance – this is a speciel and magical evening where thousands of Milanese of all ages fill up Piazza Duomo for a very speciel night.
Estate Sforzesca – from the beginning of June to the end of August there is entertainment almost every night in the central courtyard of Castello Sforzesco of theater, dance or music, a wonderful way to spend the summer evenings with the locals. Bear in mind that July and August are the hottest months in Milan and when we say hot we means sweltering; temperatures up to 35 degrees Celsius and they don’t go down much at night
Triennale Estate – the summer season in Triennale Milano‘s garden – there are concerts, aperitivos, DJ sets lectures and much more from from mid May to mid September .
Sales in Milan – July/August for the exact dates check our shopping guide.
Autumn
MITO September Music – a festival which every year focuses on a theme and offers performances in both Milan and Turin for 20 days in the beginning of September.
Milan Fashion Week – September, the city is hectic during this week with cat walks, cocktail parties and many other things.
JazzMi – Milano jazz festival the first two weeks of November. Some of the world’s finest jazz musicians come to Milan to play..
Winter
Artigiani in Fiera – Enormous Christmas market at Milan’s fair during the first week of December, actually the atmosphere in Milan during the month of December is wonderful with lots of ice skating rinks and Christmas markets. Read more about them hereand here.
Opening Night at La Scala theater – the new season at Teatro della Scala starts with an opera on December 7th remember that if you want to experience this very speciel night, you have to book your tickets a long time in advance. Read all about getting tickets here.
Milan Fashion Week – February and September, the city is hectic during this week with cat walks, cocktail parties and many other things.
Sales in Milan – January/February for the exact dates check our shopping guide.
