Museums of Milan

Exploring Milan’s museums will add a vibrant touch to any vacation spent in such a wonderful country as Italy. Carefully curated information about the city provides a diverse range of insights, from science and technology to renowned figures.

Brera Art Gallery

The Brera Art Gallery (Pinacoteca di Brera) houses one of Italy’s most important collections of Renaissance paintings, with over 500 works dating from the 14th to the 20th century. Opened to the public in 1809, the museum is located in a splendid 17th-century building near the Academy of Fine Arts, within the Brera Palace.

Among the masterpieces on display are works by della Francesca, Raphael Santi, Mantegna, Bellini, Caravaggio, Tintoretto, and Veronese. The museum also features a small collection of modern art, including paintings by Modigliani, Giorgio de Chirico, and Carlo Carrà.

Situated in the heart of the Brera district, often referred to as “Milan’s Montmartre,” the museum offers a captivating experience.

Opening Hours, Tickets, Address

• Opening Hours: Tuesday – Sunday, 8:30 a.m. – 7:15 p.m.
• Closed on 1st of January, 1st of May, 25th of December
• Ticket Prices: 7 EUR – 10 EUR
• Address: Via Brera, 28
• Official Website: www.brera.beniculturali.it

Leonardo da Vinci Museum of Science and Technology

The Leonardo da Vinci Science and Technology Museum first opened its doors in 1953 with an exhibition of Leonardo da Vinci‘s works, in honor of whom it is named. This national museum is the largest of its kind in Italy and one of the most significant globally.

The museum’s mission is to engage a new audience by demonstrating the practical development of science and technology, showcased through various master classes.

It houses the world’s largest collection of models of machines sketched by Leonardo da Vinci, reconstructions of his famous flying machine, and other equally remarkable drawings.

Exhibits are organized into categories such as Materials, Transport, Energy, Communication, Leonardo’s Art and Science (visitors can interact with Leonardo da Vinci’s projects on a large scale), and New Scientific Areas for Children.

Opening hours, Tickets, Address

• Opening Hours: Tuesday – Friday, 9:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, 9:30 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.
• Closed on January 1st, December 24/25
• Ticket Prices: 4 EUR – 10 EUR. Entrance for visitors with disabilities accompanied by one assistant is free.
• Address: Via S. Vittore, 21
• Official Website: www.museoscienza.org.

Poldi Pezzoli Museum of Archaeology, Applied and Fine Arts

The historic Poldi Pezzoli House in Milan is one of Italy’s most significant house-museums. It showcases collections of the finest 19th-century collectors. Established in 1881 by collector Gian Giacomo Poldi Pezzoli, the museum was dedicated to adorning his apartments and collecting art masterpieces.

The museum features an impressive collection of works by Italian Renaissance artists, from the Pollaiolo brothers to Venetian landscape artist Francesco Guardi. It also exhibits a unique collection of exquisite clocks, porcelain, jewelry, glass items, tapestries, and armor.

Opening hours, Tickets, Address

• Opening Hours: Monday, Wednesday – Sunday, 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
• Closed on 1st of January 1st, Easter holidays, 25th of April, 1st of May, 15th of August, 1st of November, 8th of December, 25-26th of December.
• Ticket Prices: 2 EUR – 9 EUR. Entrance for children under 10 and tour guides is free of charge.
• Address: Via Manzoni, 12
• Official Website: www.museopoldipezzoli.it.

Gallery of Modern Art

The Gallery of Modern Art (Galleria d’Arte Moderna) is a favorite spot for tourists in Milan. Located within the splendid Villa Reale, where Napoleon once stayed, the gallery houses a global collection of 19th-century paintings. It features works by Lombard artists and other Italian painters, including Modigliani, Boccioni, De Volpedo, Segantini, Previati, and modernists from various countries, such as Gauguin, Van Gogh, Picasso, Cézanne, and Manet. The upper floors of the museum display knightly works of 20th-century sculptor Marino Marini.

Opening hours, Tickets, Address

• Opening Hours: Tuesday – Sunday, 9:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
• Closed on 1st of January, 1st of May, 25th of December.
• Ticket Prices: 3 EUR – 5 EUR
• Address: Via Palestro, 16
• Official Website: www.gam-milano.com.

Toy Museum

The Toy and Children’s Museum (Museo del giocattolo e del bambino) is situated in Milan’s historic institute. Both children and adults can explore over 2,000 antique and contemporary toys, spanning from the 18th century to the 1960s. The museum’s exhibits offer a glimpse into the history of the art of play.

Opening hours, Tickets, Address

• Opening Hours: Monday – Saturday (by appointment); September to May: 2:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. on weekends and holidays.
• Ticket Prices: 6 EUR – 14 EUR
• Address: Via Rodari, 3
• Official Website: www.museodelgiocattolo.it.

Alfa Romeo Museum

The grand opening for fans of Italian automobiles took place in 1976 when the Alfa Romeo Museum (Il Museo Storico dell’Alfa Romeo) was established. The museum tells not only the story of Alfa Romeo’s evolution but also the history of the Italian industry, reflecting a century of national life, people, economy, and society. The Alfa Romeo exhibition includes at least one example of each model produced. The collection comprises more than 250 car exhibits and 150 engines. It showcases a spectacular collection of 110 unique cars, including racing vehicles, production cars, prototypes, and concepts, spanning from the first Alfa car “24 HP” to legendary “Mille Miglia” race winners.

Regrettably, the Alfa Romeo Museum has been under reconstruction since 2011, with no definite information on the duration of the restoration.

• Alfa Romeo Museum Website: www.alfaromeo.com/com/history/museum.

Useful information

Tickets to Milan’s museums can be purchased at the following locations:

• Museum ticket offices
• Vivaticket.it under the Atre-Musei section.

You also have the option to visit Milan’s museums with a discount by getting a MilanoCard, which is valid for one (6.50 EUR) to three (13 EUR) days and covers the Poldi Pezzoli Museum, the Leonardo da Vinci Science and Technology Museum, and the Brera Art Gallery.

TIP from ITALY FOR ME: If you arrive any day after 4:30 PM, and on Tuesdays after 2:00 PM, entrance to Milan’s museums is free.