While Milan itself is quite expensive, there are some attractions, including museums, you can visit completely for free. I did some digging and prepared for you the list of all free museums in Milan.
The list has two types of museums, the ones open all year round and the state-owned museums. Those are only free at certain times, so read carefully to learn about the discounted days and hours.
Free museums in Milan on Sundays, how?
You’ve read right. As an initiative to encourage Italian cultural heritage knowledge, public museums in Milan offer free entrance on the first Sunday of each month. Many public museums already participate in the “Sunday at the museum” program. The following event happens on March 6th.
The museums which you can see for free in Milan on the first Sunday of the month include some big names, such as:
- Pinacoteca di Brera, the famous Milanese art gallery,
- Museo del Cenacolo Vinciano, showcasing Leonardo Da Vinci’s The Last Supper.
Both museums are free only by appointment. Book an appointment for Pinacoteca di Brera or Museo del Cenacolo Vinciano.
More free museums on the first Sunday of the month:
- Museo del Novecento (20th-Century Art Museum, no appointment needed)
- Gallerie d’Italia (Italian Art Gallery)
- Galleria d’Arte Moderna (Modern Art Gallery)
- Acquario Civico di Milano (Milanese Aquarium – I have visited it and would recommend it. It’s smaller but beautiful)
- Castello Sforzesco (Sforzesco Castle Museum)
- Museo Civico Archeologico di Milano (Archaeological Museum)
- Museo Civico di Storia Naturale di Milano (Milan Natural History Museum)
- Museo Diocesano di Milano (Diocesan Museum)
Ladies, attention! If you’re in Milan for International Women’s Day on the 8th of March, you have guaranteed free entrance to several museums!
All year round free museums in Milan
There are plenty of museums where the entrance is free all year round and not just on specific dates. Find the list of such free museums below:
- Pirelli Hangar Bicocca is a free exhibition, dedicated to contemporary art. This free museum is located in a building that was once a Pirelly factory. Reach it easily by red or purple metro.
- MUDEC or Museo delle Culture di Milano is a museum in a cool, renovated factory building in the center of Tortona Fashion District. The museum is dedicated to world cultures and features rotating exhibitions and a fine dining restaurant.
Book a dinner at Mudec restaurant (or any other restaurant) through The Fork using the code 82DEF54E and enjoy a 20€ DISCOUNT ON YOUR NEXT MEAL!
Museo del Risorgimento collects important relics and pieces of the Napoleon era and Risorgimento. Admission is free from Tuesday – Sunday between 2 pm and 5 pm.
Other museums in Milan worth visiting
Museo Nazionale della Scienza e della Tecnologia Leonardo da Vinci, the largest science and technology museum in Italy, is dedicated to Leonardo da Vinci. Tickets cost 10€.
Museum of Dreamers, a recent sensation in the heart of Milan. Social media, including Instagram and TikTok, are full of photos from the museum. Museum of Dreamers features 15 immersive installations of the dream world. Make sure to visit it as the museum only lasts until 26 March.
Hi, it's Neja
I am an expat from Slovenia,
living in Milan since 2021 and writing a travel blog for all of you who are curious about life in Italy or traveling in Europe.
Follow me on my journey and learn everything about Italy and the European destinations.
