Location: Centro Storico
Top Things to do in Centro Storico
10 History Museums in Centro Storico That You Shouldn't Miss
One of the world’s fashion capitals, Milan offers endless opportunities for chic shopping. Hit the artsy neighborhood of Brera for leather goods and Via Monte Napoleone for exclusive, expensive boutiques. The enchanting mosaics and glass vaults of Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II make shoppers feel like they’re wandering inside a painting. Take break from your spree to gape at the iconic Duomo, then grab tickets to a performance at La Scala. Post-opera, the Navigli district pulses with late-night activity.
Restaurants in Milan
1. Pinacoteca Ambrosiana
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,337 reviews
The Pinacoteca Ambrosiana The Pinacoteca Ambrosiana was established in April 1618, when Cardinal Federico Borromeo donated his collection of paintings, drawings and statues to the Biblioteca Ambrosiana, which he had founded in 1607. Inside the Pinacoteca's expositive path, articulated in 24 rooms, we can admire some of the greatest masterpieces of all times, like The Musician by Leonardo, The Basket of Fruit by Caravaggio, The cartoon for the School of Athens by Raphael , the Adoration of the Magi by Titian, the Madonna del Padiglione by Sandro Botticelli and the magnificent Vases of Flowers by Jan Brueghel. In addition to Renaissance artworks, the museum's collections include paintings by important 17th century Lombard artists (like Morazzone, Giulio Cesare Procaccini, Daniele Crespi and Carlo Francesco Nuvolone) as well as 18th century artists like Giandomenico Tiepolo, Fra' Galgario, Francesco Londonio, and also a notable cluster of 19th and early 20th centuries authors like Andrea Appiani, Francesco Hayez and Emilio Longoni. Walking from a room to another you can also discover a series of genuine curiosities, like the gloves that Napoleon wore at Waterloo, the armillary spheres from the Settala Collection, or the case that keeps a lock of Lucrezia Borgia's hair, in front of which many famous poets like Gabriele D'Annunzio and Lord Byron came to take inspiration. The ideal end of the visit is the Biblioteca Ambrosiana's old 17th century reading room, the Federiciana Room, which is the frame for the Codex Atlanticus exhibition.
Reviewed By blairkk25 - New Jersey, United States
I visited the Pinacoteca Ambrosiana in December 2019. I had a hard time finding it and ended up walking around for 45 minutes with my map and asking several people (in Italian) for directions. But my persistence paid off. The Pinacoteca Ambrosiana is a beautiful museum but it is poorly lit. The ticket cost 15 euros. They provided a good museum plan in English and other languages which gave good guidance on the key works of art to look at. Some of the works of art in this museum include - paintings by Botticelli, Titian, Caravaggio, Breugel and many others. A cartoon by Raphael. A staircase with a beautiful mosaic panorama. Statues in the courtyard. A library with items of Leonardo da Vinci. After the library is a nice bookstore and gift shop. I had an enjoyable visit. But make sure you get precise walking directions to the museum.
2. Grande Museo del Duomo di Milano
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,170 reviews
Welcome to the Museum of the Cathedral, a symbol of Milan all over the world. The Museum's 26 exhibition rooms house the works of art originally from both the Duomo and from the historic storerooms of Veneranda Fabbrica, now organised chronologically to illustrate all the construction stages of the Cathedral, from its foundation in 1386 right through to the 20th century.
Reviewed By blairkk25 - New Jersey, United States
I visited the Duomo Museum in December 2019. It is an excellent museum and I think it is definitely worth visiting here. The museum includes many artifacts including Christ with a cross, many statues, frescos, tapestries, stained glass, a wooden model of the Duomo, gargoyles, and an exhibit on the Duomo in the time of Leonardo da Vinci.
3. Basilica di Sant'Ambrogio
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,869 reviews
Reviewed By giacomina17 - Brisbane, Australia
You can't miss this place as it is huge. Amazing to think it is so old. Milan's second most important church after the Duomo. Good signage throughout means you get to appreciate its history and the art work, especially in the side chapels.
4. Villa Necchi Campiglio
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,988 reviews
Reviewed By Gordon_and_Sally_11 - Broken Hill, Australia
We visited the Villa in July (we are still in catch up mode for reviews) and arrived just as the guided tour in Italian was commencing. As we couldn't wait for an English language tour, we joined the tour as a detailed English written guide was provided. We were incredibly fortunate that the only two others on the tour were English-speaking Italians, who suggested to the guide that the tour continue in English. How kind was that! Whilst some reviewers have complained that the tour takes too long, it is advertised as a one-hour tour, and we greatly enjoyed hearing the detail about this lovely villa from our guide who clearly loved the building. Well worth a visit in English or Italian, utilising the detailed English guide.
5. Casa Degli Atellani - La Vigna Di Leonardo
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 532 reviews
Reviewed By 700Chris - Liverpool, United Kingdom
We had the meal and view deal. Good value. House and Gardens well worth a visit You don't have to book in advance
6. La Sala delle Asse
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 25 reviews
Reviewed By a1eksandar - Belgrade, Serbia
Although the hall itself is impressive, the video presentation is even more staggering. Quite an unexpected treat while discovering the Castle.
7. Galleria 92
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 18 reviews
Guided tour of the upper floor of the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II and of the historic house of 1967 on the fourth floor, an apartment, cozy, intimate and almost secret to the eye of every visitor.
8. Museo Teatrale alla Scala
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 438 reviews
Reviewed By 445nikr - Varna, Bulgaria
We went to this museum because my wife is a big opera fan (wouldn't say so about me). She really loved it and even my son and I were amazed. It is a small museum about La Scala and the opera in general with a priceless collection of musical instruments, original music-books, costumes, paintings and statues of many famous opera singers and composers, posters of operas conducted at La Scala over the years. When you visit the museum, you can also get access to one of the stages and see the opera house inside (provided there are no rehearsals). We combined the museum with a guided tour of La Scala and both were simply amazing. A charming museum, not only for opera lovers!
9. Museo dei mobili e delle sculture lignee
10. Civico Museo Archeologico Sezioni Preistorica ed Egizia
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