9 of the Best Museums in Milan and How To Visit

If Milan is known for one work of art, it’s Da Vinci’s Last Supper (Il Cenacolo). This blockbuster Renaissance mural—today dramatically degraded by time—covers the refectory wall of the former Dominican convent adjacent to the Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie (Chiesa di Santa Maria delle Grazie) and is one of the premier Milan cultural attractions. Tickets sell out far in advance, so avoid disappointment by booking a Last Supper tour that includes admission ahead of your visit to the city; many tours also include a walking tour to cover highlights like the Milan Duomo, La Scala Opera House (Teatro alla Scala), and Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II.

Don’t miss: The photos of WWII damage to the convent just outside the refectory entrance make the survival of the Last Supper seem like nothing short of miraculous.

The Brera Art Gallery (Pinacoteca di Brera) tops the list of Milan art museums, with its dozens of masterpieces by heavy hitters like Botticelli, Caravaggio, Raphael, and Titian. Set in the handsome 17th-century Palazzo di Brera, the gallery is surrounded by the chic Brera neighborhood, one of the trendiest spots in the city for shopping and dining. Spend a few hours exploring the museum on your own or as part of a guided tour, then explore the boutique-lined lanes that fan out from the lavish palace and stop for an aperitivo with the well-heeled locals.

Don’t miss: Francesco Hayez' The Kiss, one of the museum’s most famous and reproduced paintings.

No Milan museum guide would be complete without a mention of the Ambrosiana Museum and Library (Veneranda Biblioteca Ambrosiana), where the largest surviving collection of Leonardo’s notes and sketches—known as the Codex Atlanticus—is housed. The 17th-century cultural hub is also home to thousands of antique books and manuscripts, plus paintings by artists like Caravaggio, Raphael, Botticelli, and da Vinci himself. Admission to the Ambrosiana Museum and Library is one of the hottest Milan museum tickets, so book in advance or visit with a guided tour that includes admission to avoid wasting time in a long line to enter.

Don’t miss: The 12-volume Codex Atlanticus, portions of which are on rotating display in the library’s Sala Federiciana and adjacent Pinacoteca Ambrosiana.

Built in the 15th century to house the ruling lords of Milan, the Sforza Castle (Castello Sforzesco) today is a major cultural center and highlight of city sightseeing tours. Walking tours generally cover the exteriors of the castle, including its round battlements, central tower, and defensive walls designed by Leonardo da Vinci. Inside, however, more than a dozen Milan history museums, art collections, archives, and libraries occupy the halls—a treasure trove for lovers of art, history, design, and more. Admission tickets include access to all of the castle’s collections, and you can linger for as long as you like exploring the museums inside.

Don’t miss: The Museum of Ancient Art, which is home to several Michelangelo statues, and his masterful Pieta Rondanini in the Pieta Rondanini Museum.

Leonardo Da Vinci and his contemporaries steal much of the cultural limelight in Milan, but the city also has excellent collections of modern and contemporary art and design to explore. One of the most prominent is the Museo del Novecento just opposite the Duomo, which overflows with 20th-century paintings, drawings, and sculptures. Stop by after touring the Gothic cathedral to admire works by Modigliani, Klee, Mondrian, and Boccioni in the permanent collection, plus temporary exhibitions and cultural events.

Don’t miss: The Futurism collection, with Italy’s largest grouping of works dating from this early 20th-century artistic movement.

Italy’s largest science museum—Leonardo Da Vinci National Museum of Science and Technology—occupies an immense 16th-century monastery complex and provides hours of interactive education and entertainment for STEM-buffs of all ages. Peruse its halls displaying thousands of science- and technology-related items from models based on da Vinci's sketches to outdoor hangars housing historic steam trains, vintage planes, and the Enrico Toti, Italy’s first submarine. The museum also offers interactive workshops and labs, ideal for families who need a hands-on break from sightseeing. Admission is included in the Milan Pass or you can opt to tour with a guide to cover the highlights of this vast museum.

Don’t miss: The Leonardo Da Vinci Galleries, the largest permanent exhibition dedicated to the scientist and inventor in the world.

Milan is Italy’s unrivaled fashion capital, so it’s not surprising that the city has several collections dedicated to Italian style. Armani/Silos is a must-see fashion museum for lovers of haute couture, with a permanent collection that covers half a century of Armani creations set against the backdrop of a sleek, reclaimed granary (hence the silos in the name). The museum is located near the trendy Navigli District, making it easy to pair a visit with a shopping tour that covers the neighborhood’s buzzy boutiques and ateliers.

Don’t miss: The permanent collection of women’s wear grouped by theme, including “Voyage” and “Glamour.”

Set inside the city’s lush Sempione Park (Parco Sempione), La Triennale Museum (La Triennale di Milano) is a mecca for admirers of sleek Italian design and applied arts. Its rotating roster of temporary exhibits, events, and performances are held inside the 1933 Palazzo dell’Arte, an exhibition space built specifically to showcase Italy’s top designers and creations. Take in themed shows or peruse the permanent collection of more than 1,000 objects that celebrate the Italian sensibility, including the iconic Fiat 500 and furnishings by Casa Minerbi and Casa Manusardi. The central location in Milan’s most famous park makes it easy to pop in for a look around after a city sightseeing tour.

Don’t miss: Step into the garden to check out de Chirico's technicolor Fountain of Mysterious Baths, created for the 1973 Triennale exhibition.

The Milanese are known for three things: fashion, finance, and footie (or soccer). Experience the local passion for the AC Milan team at Casa Milan, the club’s futuristic headquarters and museum. Take in interactive exhibitions highlighting the club’s historic triumphs, AC Milan memorabilia, the Hall of Fame, and the Trophy Room on your own, or join a soccer-themed tour to visit the team headquarters along with the San Siro Stadium where the team plays, located just a 10-minute drive away.

Don’t miss: The team shop, where you can purchase “Rossonero” kit in Milan's official red-and-black colors.