Impressive museums in Milan: 6 recommendations
Pinacoteca di Brera or Pinacoteca Ambrosiana: Milan has numerous important museums.
Everything you need to know at a glance
Milan offers a fascinating museum landscape ranging from classical painting to modern art and technology. Highlights include the Pinacoteca di Brera with masterpieces by Raphael and Caravaggio, the Pinacoteca Ambrosiana with drawings by Leonardo da Vinci, and the Museo Nazionale della Scienza e della Tecnologia, Italy's largest science and technology museum, which presents numerous models by Da Vinci. The cultural offerings are complemented by modern art at the Pirelli HangarBicocca, historic residences such as Villa Necchi Campiglio, and the Armani Silos, a center for fashion and design. These museums make Milan an ideal destination for those interested in art, science, and design.
Pinacoteca di Brera: Milan's most important art gallery
The Pinacoteca di Brera, housed in the elegant and classically Italian Brera Palace, displays some of the greatest masterpieces of Italian painting, including Mantegna's "The Dead Christ," Raphael's "The Marriage of the Virgin," and Caravaggio's "Supper at Emmaus." The collection is complemented by wonderful works by artists such as Hayez, Van Dyck, and Boccioni.
In total, you can view more than 400 works in the Pinacoteca di Brera, covering the art history period from the 14th century to the avant-garde. There is also a bronze statue of Napoleon in the courtyard. Once a month, artists perform in the gallery, accompanying your visit with classical music.
Interesting fact: The Pinacoteca di Brera hosted an exhibition of the last collection designed by the late Giorgio Armani.
Pinacoteca Ambrosiana: important art collection
The Pinacoteca Ambrosiana was founded in 1628 as the city's first art museum open to the public. Located near Piazza del Duomo, it houses an important art collection, including Caravaggio's "Basket of Fruit" and Leonardo da Vinci's drawings for the "Codex Atlanticus," his largest collection of writings and drawings in the world.
On your way through the Pinacoteca, you will explore a total of 24 exhibition rooms, some of which contain curious items such as the gloves Napoleon wore at Waterloo or a lock of hair belonging to Lucrezia Borgia, a Renaissance princess from one of the most famous Italian families of the 15th century.
National Museum of Science and Technology: numerous models by da Vinci
The Museo Nazionale della Scienza e della Tecnologia is Italy's largest science and technology museum, famous for its large collection of devices, models, and other inventions designed by Leonardo da Vinci. Opened in 1953, it has been continuously expanded and now covers an area of over 40,000 square meters.
The museum is divided into seven sections: art and science, communication, nutrition, materials science and engineering, energy, transportation, and the Leonardo da Vinci Gallery. In general, all sections focus on presenting scientific findings and their practical applications.
Pirelli HangarBicocca: modern and contemporary art
As its name suggests, the Pirelli HangarBicocca is not located in the city center, but in the trendy new art and residential district of Bicocca. Founded in 2004, it is now one of Milan's most important museums. It displays modern and contemporary art in the monumental former industrial halls of the Pirelli factory.
It is known for large-scale exhibitions and high-caliber temporary exhibitions by international artists. Another sensation is the permanent installation "The Seven Heavenly Palaces" by Anselm Kiefer, whose seven concrete towers impressively emphasize the dimensions of the space.
Interesting fact: To discover spectacular museums, you can also take a cultural trip through Switzerland. Here you will find museums known throughout Europe, such as the Kunsthaus Zurich or the Swiss Museum of Transport in Lucerne, as well as numerous interactive museums that are also interesting for children.
Villa Necchi Campiglio: Art in a historic residence
Villa Necchi Campiglio in the center of Milan is not only a museum, but also an architectural masterpiece from the 1930s, surrounded by a large garden with a tennis court and swimming pool. The interior of the villa is equally impressive, with its elegant rooms and stylish décor.
Today, this Art Deco gem serves as the house museum of the FAI – Fondo per l'Ambiente Italiano. It displays furniture, works of art, sculptures, designer pieces, and the lifestyle of the Milanese elite of the time to the public.
Interesting fact: After its completion, the villa was considered one of the most innovative buildings in Milan: it had elevators, intercoms, sliding doors, and other technology that was state-of-the-art for its time.
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Armani Silos: Milan's fashion museum
Where else in the world would a fashion museum be more at home than in the fashion capital of Milan? In 2015, designer Giorgio Armani gifted his hometown with Armani Silos, where the fashion designer's most beautiful creations are presented by theme across four floors in the rooms of the former grain silos.
At the opening, more than 600 garments and over 200 accessories were already on display at Armani Silos, with further collections added over the years. In 2025, the exhibition "Giorgio Armani Privé 2005–2025," a highly acclaimed retrospective of 20 years of haute couture, caused a sensation.
Milan's museums are bursting with diversity and variety
Milan's museum scene combines art from past centuries with pioneering contemporary art, design, and technology. The museums presented here are a recommended selection, but institutions such as the Fondazione Prada, Triennale Milano, and Museo del Novecento are also worth a visit.
The metropolis of Milan is one of the most exciting cities in Europe, and not just because of its cultural highlights: you will find excellent hotels in Milan, the best places to shop and numerous outstanding stops on a gourmet tour.
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Frequently asked questions and answers
It's a matter of taste, but the Pinacoteca di Brera is considered Milan's top gallery for classical Italian masters.
The Museo Nazionale della Scienza e della Tecnologia, Italy's largest science and technology museum, has many exhibits that will amaze adults and children alike.
The world-famous painting is on display in a room in the monastery of Santa Maria delle Grazie. The permitted visiting time is 15 minutes.
