When we think of Milan, iconic landmarks like the Duomo di Milano or The Last Supper often come to mind. But the city also hides lesser-known gems that are absolutely worth exploring. If you're curious to discover a different side of Milan, here are five museums that will let you see it with fresh eyes.
1. Casa Verdi – Piazza Michelangelo Buonarroti, 29
Casa Verdi is much more than just a residence: it’s the home of one of Italy’s greatest composers, Giuseppe Verdi (1813–1901). In the final years of his life, Verdi created this place as a haven for elderly musicians, where they could continue living surrounded by music.
Today, the house preserves the atmosphere of that era: original furniture, letters, sheet music, and instruments tell the story of the maestro’s daily life. Walking through its rooms, you can almost hear echoes of great operas like La Traviata and Rigoletto.
2. Palazzo Morando – Via Sant’Andrea, 6
In the heart of Milan’s famous fashion district, Palazzo Morando tells the story of the city like few other places can. Donated to the city in 1945 by Lydia Caprara Morando Attendolo Bolognini, this historic residence showcases Milan through clothing, accessories, prints, and vintage photographs.
Its art gallery highlights the city’s urban evolution, while the noble apartments furnished with original pieces, immerse visitors in elegant 18th-century life.
3. Villa Necchi Campiglio – Via Mozart, 14
Between the two World Wars, Milan shone with elegance and social life, and Villa Necchi Campiglio was one of its most exclusive residences. The Necchi family, successful industrialists in textiles and sewing machines, hosted aristocrats and high society here.
Designed in the early 1930s by Piero Portaluppi, the villa represented a new way of living: spacious, bright, and modern. It was the first home in Milan to feature a private swimming pool. The original interiors, with refined furnishings and design details, still reflect the glamorous lifestyle of the time.
4. Bagatti Valsecchi Museum – Via Gesù, 5
If you love the Renaissance, this is a must-see. The museum was born from the extraordinary passion for art of the brothers Fausto Bagatti Valsecchi and Giuseppe Bagatti Valsecchi, who transformed their home into a 16th-century-style residence inspired by Lombard Renaissance houses.
Today, it remains one of the best-preserved house museums in Europe, a fascinating place for anyone interested in art and history.
5. Pinacoteca Ambrosiana – Piazza Pio XI, 2
Founded in 1618 by Federico Borromeo, the Pinacoteca Ambrosiana is one of Milan’s oldest galleries. It was created with a forward-thinking idea: making art accessible to everyone.
Today, the museum houses over 1,500 works. Here you’ll encounter three giants of art: Leonardo da Vinci, Caravaggio, and Raphael. Highlights include the Codex Atlanticus, the Portrait of a Musician, Basket of Fruit, and the cartoon for The School of Athens.
Don’t miss the evocative Sala Federiciana with its original library and a curious detail: a lock of hair belonging to Lucrezia Borgia, which became a kind of 19th-century artistic relic. Located between the Duomo and Via Torino, it’s perfect to combine with a walk through Milan’s historic center.
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Scuola Leonardo da Vinci Milan
Thanks to its prestigious universities and academies, Milan is the elected place of education for numerous Italian and international students.
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