25 Free Things to Do in Milan (including those that almost no one knows about)

Just a stone’s throw from the Duomo, on a busy street lined with shops, lies one of the most ingenious tricks in the history of Italian art. Bramante, with very little space to work with, painted a faux apse so realistic that it appears to be nearly ten meters deep—in reality, it’s less than a meter. The illusion is only noticeable when approaching the altar from the side.

Free admission, no lines, and the feeling of having discovered something that very few people actually notice.

Palazzo Morando tells the story of early 20th-century bourgeois Milan through paintings and period clothing, and the Boschi Di Stefano House Museum houses masterpieces of 20th-century Italian art within a converted private apartment: both are always free to enter, with no admission fee or required reservation. Not far away, the Spazio Alda Merini houses the objects and scribbled thoughts of the “poetess of the Navigli” on a pay-what-you-wish basis, Thursday through Sunday from 4 to 7 p.m. Three perfect stops for a leisurely afternoon away from the lines at the most famous museums.

Here’s a list of all the museums in Milan that are always free to visit.

In the Ortica neighborhood, in the eastern part of the city, twenty monumental murals recount a century of Milanese history on the walls of courtyards and working-class alleyways: from amateur sports to Fausto Coppi, from the labor movement to figures like Walter Tobagi. It’s a project funded by the city, always visible and free, in one of Milan’s lesser-known spots that’s off the beaten tourist path.

Perfect for exploring by bike in a couple of hours, perhaps combining it with a stop at the Teatro Martinitt.

Boccioni, Modigliani, Kandinsky, and many other leading figures in the art of the last century, in a museum overlooking Piazza Duomo. It’s not always free, but on the first and third Tuesdays of the month starting at 2 p.m. and every first Sunday of the month, admission is free: just plan ahead a bit (always check the updated calendar before you go, because dates may change).

Don’t just call it a park: over a hundred botanical species and 22 circular forests frame a calendar of free events that runs all year round, from contemporary circus performances to guided nature walks. It’s one of the few examples in Italy of a park with a genuine cultural program, and it remains one of the most surprising free places to visit for those who think they already know Porta Nuova.

It’s not for everyone, but if you’re into elegant macabre, this is a must-see. The church’s ossuary is entirely decorated with human skulls and bones arranged in geometric patterns: an atmosphere suspended between the sacred and the Gothic that few expect to find in Milan. Admission is free, but it is a place of worship: respectful behavior and attire are required.

The “Milanese sea” has a stretch of free, supervised beach where you can swim for free from late May to early September, with lifeguards on duty during opening hours. Don’t expect Sardinia, but for a truly relaxing, free day just half an hour from downtown, it remains one of the most beloved surprises of the Milanese summer.

Seven monumental towers weighing 90 metric tons each, created by German artist Anselm Kiefer, are on permanent display at the Pirelli HangarBicocca: a former industrial space that is now one of Europe’s most important centers for contemporary art. Admission to the permanent exhibition is always free, Thursday through Sunday (the spaces are closed on other days and during seasonal breaks, so it’s best to check the updated hours), and the industrial cathedral atmosphere alone is worth the trip out of the city center.

A former 18th-century cemetery that has become one of the city’s most elegant and least-known gardens: capitals carved in the shape of skulls, a circular portico, and a lawn where you can read or go for a jog away from the traffic. Admission to the garden is free, while the temporary exhibitions hosted in the deconsecrated church at its center vary depending on the program.

Climb to the 39th floor of a skyscraper and gaze down on Milan from above—for free: this is possible on the special open days at the Belvedere of Palazzo Lombardia, when you can admire a 360-degree view of the city all the way to the Alps on the clearest days. The open days don’t follow a fixed schedule, so before planning your visit, check the Lombardy Region’s website to see if and when the next open day is scheduled.

An urban corridor beneath the railroad tracks, between Viale Monza and Via Padova, where the walls are constantly changing thanks to Italian and international graffiti artists. It’s the Milanese version of the East Side Gallery: free, ever-changing, and perfect to pair with a stroll toward the Naviglio della Martesana or Parco Trotter.

More than a cemetery, it’s an open-air museum: allegorical sculptures, Art Nouveau shrines, and Alessandro Manzoni’s tomb beneath a blue dome that leaves you speechless. Admission is always free, and on weekends, free guided tours led by Civil Service volunteers are often available by reservation for those who want more than just a simple stroll.

Hidden among the courtyards of downtown, this historic 18th-century garden is now managed by the University of Milan and remains one of Brera’s best-kept secrets: few tourists find it, partly because it’s not visible from the street. Admission is free, and the quiet paths winding through rare plants offer a moment of peace just a stone’s throw from the Pinacoteca.

You don’t need a ticket to enjoy Rem Koolhaas’s architecture: the outdoor spaces, the bookstore, and above all, the Bar Luce designed by Wes Anderson (yes, that’s right) are open to everyone without having to pay admission to the exhibitions. A perfect combination if you want to soak up the museum atmosphere without the cost of a ticket, perhaps with a coffee in hand.

The third-oldest aquarium in Europe, with its Art Nouveau façade and the statue of Neptune at the entrance, just outside Parco Sempione. Starting in May 2026, there will be an admission fee (€8), but entry remains free on the first Sunday of every month thanks to “Domenica al Museo” (Museum Sunday): a perfect opportunity to combine a visit to the large tanks filled with fish and coral with a stroll through the park—just be sure to check the updated calendar before you go.

In the heart of the city, behind the walls of what was once the Ca’ Granda—the ancient main hospital commissioned by the Sforza family—lie Renaissance courtyards that very few people know are open to the public. It’s one of those free places to visit that seem to have come from another era, yet it’s just a stone’s throw from the Duomo, amid students studying on the steps and an almost monastic silence.

Anyone who steps inside the Church of San Maurizio al Monastero Maggiore on Corso Magenta finds themselves facing a ceiling and walls completely covered in frescoes, with not a single centimeter left bare. The nickname is no exaggeration: the decorative splendor of this place is truly breathtaking, and it’s almost unbelievable that admission remains free and the church is so uncrowded compared to the city’s other masterpieces.

On the western outskirts, amid former gravel pits transformed into small lakes and dirt trails, a completely different Milan lies hidden: historic farmhouses, marshes, herons, and—on certain June evenings— fireflies. Volunteer organizations like CSA Petrarca organize free walks (dates vary from year to year; check their channels for details). It’s the perfect spot for anyone seeking the real great outdoors, not just the usual city park with rows of benches.

Inside the 18th-century Palazzo Moriggia, in the Brera district, the story of the Unification of Italy is told through paintings, artifacts, and sculptures: a civic museum that free admission makes even more accessible, and which remains strangely undervisited compared to other museums in the city center.

The inner courtyard, even before you step into the galleries, is worth the visit on its own.

At the historic Santa Maria della Passione, one of Italy’s most important conservatories organizes free-admission concerts on special occasions and holidays (from Holocaust Remembrance Day to Christmas)—reservations are usually recommended—as well as student recitals that are often free or nearly so. There isn’t a fixed schedule, but it’s worth keeping an eye on the website: when these events happen, you get an hour of top-notch classical music at no cost, in one of the city’s most elegant venues.

The Milanese call it “la Montagnetta”: a 50-meter-high artificial hill, born from the rubble of World War II bombings and now transformed into a panoramic park that’s always open and unfenced. In the 1980s, it hosted underground rock concerts; today, it’s perfect for a run, a sunset, or a view of Milan that stretches all the way to the Alps on the clearest days.

Not exactly free, but almost: with a city bike-sharing subscription, the first 30 minutes of every ride on the yellow bikes are free (for electric bikes, the free time is reduced to 3 minutes). By planning your stops well, you can explore a good part of the city for very little or nothing at all, making it a great option for anyone who wants to get around lightly between one free stop and the next.

Every second Sunday of the month, the former tram depot—now a cultural center—opens its doors to children and parents with “Bimbi in Fabbrica”: creative workshops, animated readings, and free games, with different themes each time, ranging from woodworking to sensory experiences. Free spots are limited and reservations are required (usually by the previous Thursday), so it’s best to plan ahead. It’s one of the most popular free events in Milan among parents of young children looking for something different from the usual playground.

Let’s admit it: this is a little trick, but it works. By entering from the left side of the facade—the side reserved for those who wish to pray—you can access part of the Duomo for free without buying a ticket or waiting in the main line. You won’t see everything, but if you only have a few hours in Milan or have never been inside before, it’s an excellent compromise: just behave with discretion and respect.

Two places to note for your birthday. At QC Terme, by booking the “Wellness Birthday” package for at least two people (with a credit card as a guarantee and ID to show at the front desk), the guest of honor gets free access to the spa on their birthday or within the following 7 days, Monday through Friday, excluding holidays; the companion pays full price. At Hamerica’s, on the other hand, simply show your ID on your exact birthday to receive a free hamburger and fries. Small gifts, but they’re always appreciated.

You’ll find all the other things you get for free as a birthday gift right here.