Discovering Milan’s artistic heritage: the most iconic museums and galleries

Milan is a city full of charm and waiting to be discovered, bustling and dynamic and that hides unforgettable treasures and gems.

In this article, we provide you with three itineraries that will lead you to discover the city’s best-known galleries, churches, and museums.

How to get to Milan

Milan is excellently connected to major Italian and European cities. In addition to trains and buses, it can also be reached by plane. Linate and Malpensa are the two main airports, but for those looking for some affordable deals, it is possible to keep an eye on Bergamo Orio al Serio airport, which offers great fares at certain times of the year.

This airport is also very well connected to the Lombard capital by the new Flibco shuttle service, which has now opened a route that guarantees a direct, rapid and comfortable transfer from Bergamo airport to Milan city centre in about 55 minutes. The bus service is available all year long and offers multiple departures adapted to flight schedules, and it is also possible to take advantage of the Flibco shuttle service to get to the airport from Milan Central Railway Station, at the end of the journey. In addition, the possibility of conveniently purchasing tickets online, via website or app, distinguishes the service offered by Flibco, as you can thus secure that you have your reserved seat on the shuttle.

Itinerary 1: between the Duomo and Castello Sforzesco

The city tour can start from Piazza Duomo. Here you can visit the Cathedral, the museum, and the archaeological area of the Duomo; if you wish, you can also take the lift to the top of the church to admire the city from above. The square is overlooked by the Museo del Novecento, which houses works by great artists such as Boccioni and Picasso, and the Palazzo Reale, home to interesting contemporary exhibitions.

At the end of the visits, you can head towards the charming Piazza dei Mercanti, then walk along Via Dante. At the end of the street, you can admire the Castello Sforzesco, inside which there are several museums. Also in the area is the Triennale, a must-see for lovers of contemporary art.

From Castello Sforzesco, you can easily reach Cadorna station to admire the work ‘Needle, Thread and Knot’ by Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen. From here, it is possible to reach Santa Maria delle Grazie, the church that houses the Cenacolo Vinciano.

Itinerary 2: towards Navigli

The second unmissable itinerary will take you, wonder by wonder, to Navigli area. The starting point is in Piazza Duomo, from here, you should proceed towards Via Falcone to admire the 15th-century church of Santa Maria presso San Satiro. We recommend you stop for a moment to admire the interior of the church and be amazed by the optical illusion of the painted apse.

Then continue along Via Torino, where Tempio Civico di San Sebastiano stands; thereafter turn into Corso di Porta Ticinese to reach the Basilica di San Lorenzo. Before proceeding to Navigli, you can rest under the columns or in the park behind, which overlooks Piazza della Vetra, the place where, in the late 1500s and early 1600s, women accused of being witches were burned at the stake.

The tour then continues to the Basilica of Sant’Eustorgio and leads to Arco di Porta Ticinese. Once you get to Navigli, you can visit the Arnaldo Pomodoro Foundation, the Armani/Silos Fashion Museum and Mudec, the Museum of Cultures.

Itinerary 3: Brera

The third itinerary will let you to discover Brera, a former artists’ quarter and today the beating heart of nightlife. Starting from Piazza della Scala, where the theatre of the same name and the Gallerie d’Italia are located, you will walk along Via Giuseppe Verdi. In Brera, besides the Pinacoteca dell’Accademia, you can visit the botanical garden and the Church of Santa Maria del Carmine.