Milan's Top Museums, Galleries, and Churches for Art Enthusiasts

Biblioteca Ambrosiana in Milan

TripSavvy / Christopher Larson

While Milan is not as well known for its museums like Florence and Rome, the northern city does have its share of great art spaces. It's also one of the few places in Italy where you can see Michelangelo's art as well as iconic ​works from Leonardo da Vinci, such as the Last Supper, and also some more modern masterpieces.

01 of 06

The Last Supper at the Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie

The Last Supper at the Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie in Milan, Italy

TripSavvy / Christopher Larson

Address
Piazza di Santa Maria delle Grazie, 20123 Milano MI, Italy
Phone +39 02 467 6111

Perhaps Leonardo da Vinci's most famous work, "The Last Supper" (Cenacolo Vinciano in Italian), is located within the Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie refectory.

As this is one of the most in-demand paintings in the world, the church now acts as a museum, only allowing approximately 20-25 patrons to enter at a time to view the fresco.

Not surprisingly, tickets can be difficult to secure and should be booked at least two months in advance, whenever possible.

02 of 06

Castello Sforzesco

Castello Sforzesco with tourists

 TripSavvy / Angelina Pilarinos

Address
Piazza Castello, 20121 Milano MI, Italy
Phone +39 02 8846 3700
4.8

Michelangelo's exquisite marble sculpture, Rondanini Pietà is located in the Pinacoteca of the Castello Sforzesco. This massive castle also houses a number of other museums, including a Museum of Ancient Art, a Museum of Musical Instruments, and the Archeological Museum, which has prehistoric and Egyptian sections.

03 of 06

Pinacoteca di Brera Gallery

Brera Gallery in Milan

TripSavvy / Christopher Larson

Address
Via Brera, 28, 20121 Milano MI, Italy
Phone +39 02 7226 3230

The Pinacoteca di Brera, part of the Accademia di Belle Arti di Brera, is Milan's premier fine arts gallery, boasting paintings by both Italian and international artists including the likes of Raphael, Bellini, Bronzino, Mantegna, and Tiepolo, as well as Rubens, Braque, Hayez, and Van Dyck.

04 of 06

Leonardo da Vinci Science and Technology Museum

Leonardo da Vinci Science and Technology Museum in Milan

TripSavvy / Christopher Larson

Address
Via San Vittore, 21, 20123 Milano MI, Italy
Phone +39 02 485551

The Museo Nazionale della Scienza e della Technologia Leonardo da Vinci is Italy's largest science and technology museum. In addition to housing the Leonardo Gallery, which contains some of Leonardo da Vinci's original drawings and numerous models of his scientific innovations, the museum has interactive labs, a submarine exhibit, and a section devoted to science for young children.

Continue to 5 of 6 below.
05 of 06

Pinacoteca and Biblioteca Ambrosiana

Biblioteca Ambrosiana, Milan, Italy

TripSavvy / Christopher Larson

Address
Piazza Pio XI, 2, 20123 Milano MI, Italy
Phone +39 02 806921

The oldest museum in Milan houses priceless works by artists like Titian (Tiziano Vecelli) and Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio and also contains the cartoon for the Raphael's The School of Athens, one of the highlights of the Vatican Museum.

The adjacent library is most famous for having Leonardo da Vinci's Codice Atlantico, a collection of almost 2,000 drawings and notes from the Renaissance master.

06 of 06

Palazzo Reale

Palazzo Reale (The Royal Palace of Milan)

TripSavvy / Christopher Larson

Address
P.za del Duomo, 12, 20122 Milano MI, Italy
Phone +39 02 8846 5230

The Royal Palace of Milan was the seat of government for the city for many centuries but now serves as a cultural center and art museum.

Used mostly to host temporary art exhibitions, the Palazzo Reale is also the home of the Civico Museo D'Arte Contemporanea, also called CIMAC. CIMAC features works of the 20th century, including collections of Surrealist and Futurist art.

Back to List

Milan's Top Museums, Galleries, and Churches for Art Enthusiasts