Milan Pinacoteca Tickets and Tours

The Pinacoteca di Brera is an essential part of any comprehensive cultural tour of the capital of Lombardy. Although the city’s main attraction is the Sforzesco Castle, this museum is just two streets away and is undoubtedly one of the must-see attractions when planning what to see and do in Milan.

The collection at this temple of art ranges from Bramantino’s famous Sagrata Famiglia to Andrea Mantegna’s Madonna with Angels. There are over 400 renowned works. This is undoubtedly a paradise for art lovers and those interested in general culture. Read on to find out more about how to visit the Pinacoteca in Milan.

Thanks to this guided tour of the Pinacoteca di Brera, you’ll gain direct access to the museum without queuing at the ticket office. Inside, you can admire the beautiful works of Raphael, Caravaggio, Rubens and Titian, amongst many others. Thanks to the explanations from the guide accompanying you on the tour, you’ll learn about the historical and artistic context.

But the approximately two-hour guided tour also includes a stroll through the central Brera district, where the Pinacoteca is located and which is one of Milan’s most exclusive areas. You’ll be able to wander the narrow streets and discover its exclusive shops and restaurants.

Recommended if... You want to gain an in-depth understanding of one of the world’s most important collections of Italian art with a guide who explains its history, and to experience the culture of Brera, one of Milan’s most charming neighbourhoods.

General admission tickets for the Pinacoteca in Milan can be purchased for around €15.

Tickets must be purchased online in advance, as the museum ticket office is only there to assist visitors and does not sell tickets.

Concessionary tickets: who is eligible?

• People aged 70 and over are eligible for a reduced rate on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Their ticket costs €7.50.
• European Union citizens aged between 18 and 25 pay just €2 for their tickets.
• Italian citizens with a certificate of unemployment pay just €5.
• Citizens of Norway, Iceland, Switzerland and the Principality of Liechtenstein pay just €2 for their tickets.

The best option: a guided tour of Brera

However, tickets do not include an audio guide. These come at an additional cost and are available in English and Italian. For this reason, I recommend that, for a little extra, you book a guided tour of the Pinacoteca di Milano in advance.

You’ll take a 2-hour tour of the museum grounds, during which a guide will help you appreciate the significance of such important works as Tintoretto’s ‘The Finding of St Mark’ or Raphael’s ‘Christ in the Tomb’, amongst many others.

This visit also includes a tour of the Brera district, where the Pinacoteca is located, offering a complete experience not only for art lovers but for anyone wishing to explore the historical and cultural heritage of the city of Milan.

Of course it is, especially if you’re not an art connoisseur and are interested in learning about the history of the works, the styles, messages and interesting facts behind each piece. Remember that there are five centuries of history, tradition and culture.

The Pinacoteca di Milano’s impressive collection of works by artists such as Raphael, Caravaggio, Hayez and Mantegna is well worth a guided tour led by an art expert who can help you contextualise and understand the symbolism of each piece. Furthermore, if you’d like a more personalised experience, when booking your guided tour of the Pinacoteca di Milano you can select the private tour option , exclusively for you and your group.

In addition, the specialist guide will take you on a tour of the Palazzo Brera, the building that houses the museum and which was founded by the Jesuits. During the tour, don’t miss the building’s inner courtyard, a marvel of Italian architecture.

• People with certified disabilities. If a companion is required, that person will also enjoy the same benefit.
• Italian citizens living abroad who present their proof of residence (AIRE).
• Italian teachers with their MIUR certification.
• Members of the Museums of Lombardy.
• Members of ICCROM. They must present a valid membership card.
• Honorary inspectors and curators of the Italian Ministry of Culture.
• Military personnel of the Italian Cultural Heritage Protection Unit.
• Teachers and students of:

1. The Italian Academy of Fine Arts or its equivalent in the European Union.
2. Architecture, Cultural Heritage Conservation, Education, Art-oriented Literature or Archaeology at Italian universities or their equivalent in the European Union.
3. Advanced training courses at the schools of the Italian Ministry of Culture.

The Pinacoteca reserves the right to grant this privilege to other groups in order to protect the museum and promote the study of art in Italy.

No, tourist passes such as the Milano Pass include admission to the Pinacoteca Ambrosiana but not to the Pinacoteca di Brera. However, as the Brera district is known for its bohemian luxury, the La Grande Brera Passport was created.

By visiting 5 of Brera’s attractions, such as the Palazzo Citterio or the La Scala Theatre Museum, you can collect the stamps to fill your passport and thus get your free entry to the Pinacoteca di Brera!

The address of the Pinacoteca di Milano is Via Brera, 28, 20121 Milan. Thanks to its central location in the capital of Lombardy, you can reach the museum in various ways:

• By bus: On city bus routes 61 and 57.
• By Metro: You can reach Palazzo Breda via Line 2 at Lanza, Line 3 at Montenapoleone or Line 1 at Cairoli.
• By tram: You can connect with lines 1, 4, 8, 12, 14 and 27.
• By car: You can get there via Via Brera 3, where there is parking.

One of the family activities offered by the Pinacoteca di Brera is the Arte Orto project, conceived with the idea of combining art and gardening.

The tours offer adults, families and children a series of artistic botanical itineraries, designed to focus attention on the different types of medicinal plants featured in the Pinacoteca di Brera and connect them with their counterparts in the Botanical Garden.

The project began in 2014, under the direction of the Brera museum complex (Poldi Pezzoli Museum, Museo del Novecento and Palazzo della Ragione) in collaboration with Aboca Spa. I recommend checking their calendar of events in advance.

Alternatively, if you don’t have enough time or money to visit the Brera Art Gallery inside, you can opt for a bike tour of Milan and stroll through the building’s inner courtyard, which is free to access.

At the Pinacoteca di Brera, you’ll find an extensive collection of works, considered by experts to be the most comprehensive in Italy. Its origins date back to 1571, when the Jesuits began construction of the Palazzo di Brera to turn it into a prestigious college. Later, Empress Maria Theresa of Austria founded the Pinacoteca in 1776 alongside the Academy of Fine Arts.

An interesting fact is that at the entrance you are greeted by a sphinx of Napoleon Bonaparte, who reopened the venue on 15 August 1809, his birthday. The general’s intention was to gather as many paintings as possible from the Italian regions that had been conquered; it was a symbol of power, which is why he turned it into a museum.

How the Pinacoteca di Brera is organised

A total of 38 rooms make up the Pinacoteca di Brera. Within them, the works are organised according to two criteria. Firstly, in chronological order, and secondly, by the artist or school to which they belong.

Milan’s most famous art collection is not the only attraction at the Palazzo Brera, as there are other very interesting areas to explore.

Its most important works

The collection of works in this museum brings together an extensive range of frescoes. Some sources, such as The Telegraph, claim there are over 500 artistic gems, whilst others say the number is around 450 pieces, including works by Canaletto, Raphael, Modigliani, Bramante, Rubens, Titian, Rembrandt and more.

Although the exact number of pieces in the collection is unclear, there is a top 10 list of works from the Pinacoteca di Brera that are often the focus of attention among art lovers:

• Caravaggio’sSupper at Emmaus.
• The Kiss by Francesco Hayes.
• The Lamentation over the Dead Christ by Andrea Mantegna.
• Raphael’sThe Marriage of the Virgin.
• Christ at the Column by Donato Bramante.
• Madonna with Saints and Federico da Montefeltro as Donor by Piero della Francesca.
• Still lifes by Giorgio Morandi.
• The Virgin of Carmen by Giovanni Battista Tiepolo.
• The Pietà by Giovanni Bellini.
• The Miracle of St Mark by Tintoretto.

The Braidense National Library

It is better known as the Brera Library and was founded in 1770 by Maria Theresa of Habsburg-Lorraine, but its doors did not open to the public until 1786. It forms an essential part of the city’s cultural offering. It specialises in art, literature and curatorial studies. The Braidense National Library overlooks Piazza Brera, one of the historic buildings in the historic centre of Milan.

The Brera Astronomical Museum

With its thirty or so scientific instruments dedicated to the study of the cosmos, such as Schiaparelli’s Amici telescope, it is unique for the prestige it represents.

The Brera Astronomical Museum enjoys social significance due to its commitment to scientific development. If you’re looking for things to do in Milan in spring or autumn, this is an ideal stop, especially between May and July, when cultural activities are the order of the day.

The Botanical Garden

A unique space to take a break from the architecture and immerse yourself in nature. The Botanical Garden is considered a little green lung due to its proximity to Sempione Park.

If you visit Milan Castle, you’ll understand the reason behind its nickname, whilst the flowers, trees and ornaments paint a picture of a 10-point landscape before your eyes.

Did you know that

Did you know that some of the classics in the Pinacoteca di Brera are so coveted that they’ve made it onto the NFT market? Yes, everyone wants to get their hands on the certified digital copies – and you’re still wondering whether you should visit the museum?

Visitors exploring on their own have 90 minutes to tour the Pinacoteca di Brera during each visiting session. Bear in mind that the guided tour lasts around two hours.

It is important to remember that the admission times are strictly enforced. You will have up to 15 minutes after the time stated on your ticket to enter the museum.

If you exceed this time window, your ticket will be forfeited. We recommend arriving 5 minutes before the time on your ticket to avoid any inconvenience.

How many people can visit the Pinacoteca as a group

To provide the best possible service to visitors and ensure the museum is well looked after, a maximum of 24 people may enter per session, including the guide where applicable.

Tuesday to Sunday from 08:30 to 19:15. These opening hours apply throughout the year, except on Mondays, 1 January, 1 May and 25 December, when the museum is closed.

• Make sure you arrive on time for the time slot on your ticket. They are strict about this.
• Wear comfortable shoes. The museum covers 24,000 m² and the tour lasts 90 minutes.
• Hire a guide. The space is very large and the audio guide is not available in Spanish. A local expert will be able to assist you and provide relevant information and facts during your tour.

The philosophy at Brera is to study art in order to understand, respect and cherish it. This is how it became the ‘luxury bohemia’, and in keeping with this mission, the Pinacoteca di Brera shop opened its doors: the Bottega Brera.

This space embodies Milan’s deep-rooted cultural identity. Here you’ll find a bookshop, a collection of design objects, clothing, jewellery and little gifts to take home as souvenirs. From the main courtyard of the Palazzo di Brera, you can take a memento home with you.

• Bottega Brera opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday from 10.00 am to 7.00 pm. Entry to this area is free.

There are plenty of options for stopping off to enjoy a good Neapolitan meal in the Brera district, but here are my top 5 picks that won’t disappoint:

• Ristorante Nabucco They specialise in classic Italian cuisine. Their risottos, Milanese cutlets and fresh pasta never disappoint, and the restaurant’s tiramisu is described by many as a true delicacy. Don’t miss it! All diners highlight the quality of the ingredients in this dessert – an unmissable treat. It’s located at Via Fiori Chiari 10, 20121.
• Tramé: If you’re looking for a quick stop to continue your day out, Tramé is the answer. They specialise in selling succulent Venetian-style sandwiches. They cater to all tastes and the prices are affordable. From €7 you can enjoy a sandwich and a spritz – sounds good, doesn’t it? You’ll find them at Piazza San Simpliciano, Corso Garibaldi 22, 20121.
• Ristorante Lucca: Their menu is versatile, catering to all tastes. It includes a variety of traditional, vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free dishes. The styles of Tuscany and central Italy are the cornerstones of their cuisine. Customers often visit this restaurant for dinner and stay for the service, music, good food – oh, and the chance to be served in Spanish. It’s located at Via Panfilo Castaldi 33, 20124.
• La Tartina: a tapas spot in the Brera district, you say? La Tartina is the answer. This quiet spot is ideal for enjoying a cold beer accompanied by Italian bruschetta – the local version of tapas, which are much more generous here, in true Milanese home-style fashion. Order the charcuterie and cheese platter or the gourmet canapés – they’re delicious. You’ll find it at Via San Carpoforo 4, Brera Area, 20121.
• Carminio: You can order whatever dish you fancy here, but their salads and soups are in a league of their own. Each dish is more sumptuous and delicious than the last. Located at Via del Carmine 3, 20121.

The Academy of Fine Arts has created a virtual catalogue featuring around 600 works of art.

A summary of the history of the frescoes, the artists behind them, their inspiration and the date of creation is available on the Pinacoteca di Milano website in English and Italian.

• Palazzo Citterio, adjacent to the Botanical Gardens. It is an imposing 18th-century palace where exhibitions of ancient and modern art are often held.
• If you’re interested in visiting the world-famous Milan Opera House, visit La Scala Theatre; here you’ll find all the information you need, including tickets, opening times and how to tour the theatre’s interior
• The Poldi Pezzoli Museum. This museum is constantly evolving, offering exhibitions of ancient, modern and contemporary art. Find out more about the exhibition schedule here
• The Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, where luxury and fine dining come together in a popular city hotspot.
• Visit Milan Castle. Just two streets away from the Pinacoteca, this Milanese fortress bears the mark of Leonardo da Vinci throughout its structure.