Top Free Museums in Milan
Milan is a cultural hub packed with history and art. As one of the fashion capitals of the world, there is much to explore if you are an art lover in this lively city, and what’s better is you get to do it all for free! Art and history know no bounds, so whether you are on a budget or a student, these places can be accessed by everyone. So enjoy it all at no cost!
Palazzo Morando
Palazzo Morando, built in the 16th century, resides within the heart of the fashion district. The palace boasts an impressive costume collection ranging from the 17th century to present day. Not only can you access this exhibit for free but also the accompanying palace itself, fully furnished with period pieces! You will be able to marvel at the Baroque and Rococo-style architecture; be sure to take note of the impressive work on the staircases. The palace also arranges workshops and seasonal exhibits related to costume design that you can book in advance!
For more information, check out their website here.
Location: Via Sant’ Andrea; nearest Metro station- Montenapoleone M3
MUDEC-MUseo DElle Culture
One of Milan’s most famous art and Cultural Museums. The permanent 5 room collection called ‘Global Milan’, can be accessed for free! The museum was originally a mechanical factory and was restructured in the early 2000s to form a cultural hub. MUDEC is dedicated to modern and contemporary art from all around the world; it hosts exciting exhibitions, which push the boundaries of art and perception. This museum is perfect for those interested in our ever-growing globalised world.
For more information, check out their website here.
Location: Via Tortona; nearest metro station-Porta Genova M2
Galleria di Arte Moderna
Located in the ornate Villa Belgiojoso Bonaparte, formerly owned by Napoleon, has now been reformed into Villa Reale, a site of modern and neoclassical art. The gallery is encompassed by a private, lush English-style garden, ideal for those wanting to enjoy art with a view.
All collections are open to the public for free on the first and third Tuesday and the first Sunday of the month after 2 pm.
For more information, check out their website here.
Location: Via Palestro 16; nearest Metro station –Palestro M1
WOW Spazio Fumetto
A vibrant museum and public space dedicated to the art of comic making and graphic novels. This space is great for children, families, or adults looking to reconnect with their inner child! Spazio Fumetto is a newer gallery founded in 2011, It has large sculptural pieces as well as interactive ones, It is the best and largest museum dedicated to comic enthusiasts in Italy, with over 500,000 pieces in their collection. The gallery offers drawing activities for children and free worksheets for all to enjoy all. Make sure to bring your family to this one!
For more information, check out their website here.
Location: Viale Campania 12; nearest Metro Station- Susa M4
Castello Sforzesco Parco Sempione
The Castello is a medieval fortification built in the 15th century by Duke Francesco Sforza, whereas the park was constructed later on in the 1890s to imitate English gardens and is currently the largest park in all of Milan. The Castello and its adjacent park serve as a three-in-one, not only does the Castello have a striking exterior and a vast open-access park, but it also has free admission to its very own museum and medieval art exhibitions.
Every first and third Tuesday and first Sunday of the month, after 2 pm the museum is open to all visitors for free. So mark your calendars!
For more information, check out their website here.
Location: Castello Sforzesco; nearest metro station- Cairoli M1
Street Art
Art should not be restricted to establishments, there is art everywhere in Milan; you just have to take a closer look! Street art and graffiti have become a staple of Milanese culture, especially among youngsters, as a free form of artistic expression, creativity, and rebellion. Graffiti garnered popularity in Milan in the 1970s and has since been gaining momentum.
The best streets and places for street art would be in the Isola district, an urban art paradise. Naviglio and Porta Ticinese offer up their walls as canvases; at night, Naviglio Grande’s street lights, accompanied by the murals, truly make the canal come to life. Toiletpaper houses have been a recent endeavor by the Toiletpaper magazine artists Maurizio Catalan and photographer Pierpaolo Ferrari. These houses are their headquarters, and from the outside, they are townhouses converted into displays of creative expression located in Via Balzaretti. Finally, the Porta Venezia district is one of the oldest street art locations; it serves as an amalgamation of contemporary art within 18th-century architecture, a perfect place where the old meets new.
Locations: Isola M5, Porta Venezia M1, Via balzaretti 4-16; nearest station-Piola M2, Naviglio/Porta Ticinese; nearest Metro station- Ptv Genova M2
Palazzo Reale
One of the oldest palaces in Milan, it was built in the 1300s to house the Sforza and Visconti families and soon got restructured in its present neoclassical style. In the 1500s, it was a performance space and has now become one of the most renowned exhibition spaces in Milan, hosting grand debuts and housing famous artist pieces. Though the palazzo does not house permanent exhibitions, many of their temporary exhibitions are free!
For more information, check out their website here
Location: Piazzo Duomo 12; nearest metro station –Duomo M1/M3
Article by Asmita Thareja for Easy Milano
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