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Things to Do in Milan
Castello Sforzesco

Castello Sforzesco, Milan: Hours, Address, Castello Sforzesco Reviews: 4.5/5

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Castello Sforzesco

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See all things to do
Castello Sforzesco
4.5
13,337
#5 of 1,503 things to do in Milan
Historic Sites • Castles
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9:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 5:30 PM
About
Suggested duration
2-3 hours
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Admission tickets
from $14.51
All you need to step foot in the door.
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The area
Address
Neighborhood: Centro Storico
The pulsating core of Milan is in Centro. Duomo Square is enclosed by the gothic cathedral, the historic icon of Milan. However, shopping is what draws most crowds to this area. The classy and versatile Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II with luxury boutiques and high quality restaurants will turn any shopping or lunch expedition into a royal experience. Head to the rooftop of the flagship La Rinascente to enjoy the view of the animated square with a panorama of the Duomo. The Corso Vittorio Emanuele II is the street for high-end shopping. Brands of all kinds and street artists attract the attention of all visitors; while at Via Santa Radegonda 16, Luini Panzerotti is a much appreciated street food shop providing unimaginable culinary experiences. If shopping takes its toll on you, consider visiting Castello Sforzesco, a 15th century castle housing several museums. Those looking to relax can go to Parco Sempione, where nature provides respite from the energy of this dynamic and international city.
How to get there
  • Lanza • 4 min walk
  • Cadorna • 4 min walk
Best nearby
Restaurants
7,620 within 3 miles
La Tartina
746
0.3 mi$$ - $$$ • Italian • Cafe • Contemporary
Chiosco al Politico
316
0.1 mi$ • Quick Bites • Italian • Brew Pub
CHIOSCO SQUADRE CALCIO
417
0.1 mi$ • Italian • Bar • Fast Food
Casa Del Pane
189
0.3 mi$ • Street Food • Vegetarian Friendly
Nero 9
648
0.3 mi$$$$ • Italian • Steakhouse • Barbecue
ATMosfera
316
0.2 mi$$$$ • Italian • Vegetarian Friendly • Vegan Options
Taglieri e Bicchieri
477
0.3 mi$$ - $$$ • Italian • Brew Pub • Mediterranean
Gelato Fatto Con Amore
158
0.3 mi$$ - $$$ • Dessert • Vegetarian Friendly • Vegan Options
Tartufotto
1,307
0.3 mi$$$$ • Italian • Mediterranean • European
Ammu Cannoli Espressi Siciliani
727
0.3 mi$ • Dessert • Italian • Cafe
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Attractions
1,609 within 6 miles
Museum of Ancient Art
67
73 ftArt Museums
Musei del Castello Sforzesco
114
76 ftSpeciality Museums
Monumento a San Giovanni Nepomuceno
22
125 ftMonuments & Statues
Museo Pietà Rondanini
282
0.1 miArt Museums
Fontana di Piazza Castello
483
0.1 miFountains
Museum of Decorative Arts
66
0.1 miArt Museums
Museum of Musical Instruments
46
0.1 miSpeciality Museums
Biblioteca d'Arte
3
464 ftLibraries
Civico Museo Archeologico Sezioni Preistorica ed Egizia
32
0.1 miHistory Museums
Tram Ristorante ATMosfera
645
0.2 miScenic Railroads
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
13,337 reviews
Excellent
7,508
Very good
4,713
Average
963
Poor
103
Terrible
51
Jeanne maria Griffin
Rome, Italy36 contributions
Homage to the House of Sforza
Nov 2021 • Solo
The castle complex with its multiple courtyards was breathtaking in its scope and majesty. I particularly liked the old Visconti ruins adjacent to the main structure. I visited the enormous museum with its frescos and most complete collection of armour and weaponry I have ever seen. I would give it five stars had I not had an encounter with a security guard who was quite rude to me and embarrassed me. He was a foreigner who clearly didn't understabd how to treat a paying customer. But it is an amazing historical monument in the bustling modern city of Milan.
Written December 25, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Nik R
Varna, Bulgaria6,679 contributions
Huge and old castle
Mar 2019
The Sforza Castle is the other must-see place in Milan beside the Duomo. It is huge and houses 9 of Milan's art museums, that's why go there early and spare at least 3-4 hours. Moreover, the beautiful Parco Sempione is just next to the castle and there you can have a nice relaxing stroll after getting "overwhelmed" by art.
Beside other artists, Leonardo da Vinci and Donato Bramante were also hired to decorate the castle and they frescoed several rooms and halls. Built in the 15th century, the castle was damaged and parts of it were demolished several times. During the Spanish Occupation, the castle was turned into barracks and remained as such until and during the Austrian Occupation when the Ducal chapel was used as a stable and the valuable frescoes in the rooms were covered with plaster. Napoleon started to destroy the fortification in order to clear the grounds for building the Bonaparte Forum. And finally, during the WWII, it was heavily damaged by an allied bombing.
The visit to the Castle is free and it is open every day but the museums are closed on Mondays. It is definitely worth a visit.
Written February 11, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Dirk W
Antwerp, Belgium174 contributions
Castello Sforzesco, a castle on the outskirts of the city
Oct 2020
Castello Sforzesco, a castle on the outskirts of the city that you can visit for free. The entrance for the museums present can of course be paid, but we just don't feel like it. Instead, we take a healthy walk in the adjacent park, where we also encounter a beautiful "Arc de Triomphe" on the other side.
Written November 17, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Vanessa S
Porto Alegre, RS25 contributions
Worst museum experience I ever had
Feb 2020 • Solo
The castle has a lot of museums inside, and many of the pieces on display are beautiful. The problem is that the museums are very disorganized, and that destroyed the experience for me. First, I had to stand in two lines to get a ticket. Then, in the first three rooms there were lines to get in as well! The reason for this was that everyone had to sit and watch a video in one of the rooms, and the staff would only let one small group at a time. It took so long to get through the first museum, and when it was finally done the next group came in. Then I had to listen to the loud audio all over again while I was trying to read information about the pieces I was seeing. At this point I had been inside the museum for 1 hour and a half and I was finally done with the lines; I just wanted to appreciate what was on display. The next museums were chaotic as well. The signaling is bad and I had to keep asking where the next museums were. Another thing that bothered me is the fact that sometimes the pieces don't follow a timeline or anything close to that. In one room you are seeing pieces from the 20s, and in the next there are artifacts from the year 1000. It's impossible to find out what you would like to see in advance and not waste time there. When I gave up the museums I went to see the Michelangelo exhibition only to find out that it wasn't worth it at all. I really wish I had spend my precious time in Milan elsewhere.
Written February 16, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Meowistan
Budapest, Hungary17 contributions
Nice exhibitions and architecture
Sep 2021 • Friends
The castle can be easily found and has a nice garden. The ticket office is easy to found, but the waiting time is long, mainly due to COVID-19 restrictions. There is a student discount for all the exhibitions. The whole building with it’s museums can be visited within 2-3 hours and offers many different exhibitions, my favourite one was the one of the musical instuments! However the ‘Sala delle Asse’, a room decorated by Leonardo da Vinci, was under reconstruction and it wasn’t written anywhere, so the visitirs would discover it only in front of the room. Bring also good shoes, because there are many stairs and the different collections can be found in different parts of the building.
Written October 11, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Philip T
6 contributions
it's more than just a fortification
Feb 2021
As imposing as it is from the outside, the museums it contains make it even more worth visiting. The collections cover everything from armaments to musical instruments, primarily of the Renaissance through Baroque periods. Don't miss it. The actual date of my visit was November 2016, the autumn weather in the area is variable but my stay in the city was generally pleasant overall.
Written January 23, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Ryan S
Cardiff, UK164 contributions
Huge castle located in a great park
Jul 2020 • Couples
A fascinating castle located in Milans biggest and most well-known park (parco sempione). This is a must see attraction when visiting Milan. Located about a 10 minute walk from the cathedral. The walls of the castle are very epic and you cannot miss to walk around the castle to see all of this structural masterpiece. To walk around inside the grounds of the is free. The only thing you have to pay for is the museums that are located inside the castle grounds. I think this is the third best attraction in milan and i highly recommend.
Written August 14, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
blairkk25
New Jersey2,863 contributions
A fantastic place to walk around - maybe the second heart of Milan
Dec 2019
I visited the Castello Sforzesco several times during my visit to Milan in late December 2019 and early January 2020. Like Piazza del Duomo, the Castello Sforzesco is like another heart of Milan. I started out by visiting the Michaelangelo Pieta. It was not busy at all. I recommend starting here because the ticket you buy here also covers the other museum. It will save you from having to wait in a long line to buy your ticket. After walking around the courtyard where there are many photo opportunities. I visited the second museum. Even though I already had a ticket, I still had to wait in a line to get in. The main attraction is the Leonardo da Vinci Salle della Asse. They present a multimedia show in Italian for about 20 minutes. Since I was tired, I rushed through the rest of the museum. One end of the castle leads to a really nice fountain and via Dante. The other end leads to Parco Sempione. I found the Castello Sforzesco to be a really nice place to walk around and I enjoyed my visits there.
Written February 18, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
4historyandculture
Charlotte, NC1,495 contributions
Amazing fortress
Jul 2021
Our small tour group stopped near the castle and we had two hours to explore this beautiful medieval fortress.
We were impressed with the display posters of celebrating Leonardo d’Vinci’s 500th birthday and his inventions. I didn’t know he was the first to design the pergola.
The grounds are well kept and clean. There was a group of musicians practicing for a concert at the stage.
Just outside there is a beautiful water fountain.
The public bathrooms were well maintained.
Written August 16, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
CastelloSforzesco
🥰
Written August 23, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
ARose
Charlotte, NC912 contributions
Worth a trip
Dec 2019
This does not get as much attention as the Last Supper or the Duomo, but should be top of the list for the sights as well. Book an organized tour through the castle or on a walking tour through the city that will take you by. There are so many details that are amazing that went into the design and building of this castle. The grounds are free to wander and the museum is paid. The museum covers a lot of ground and there is so much to see, including additional Da Vinci artwork exhibits.
Written January 3, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Castello Sforzesco
Castello Sforzesco is open:
  • Tue - Sun 9:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Buy tickets in advance on Tripadvisor. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel at least 24 hours before the start date of your tour for a full refund.
Castello Sforzesco admission prices can vary. Entrance tickets currently cost $14.47, while a popular guided tour starts around $3.21 per person. See all 103 Castello Sforzesco tickets and tours on Tripadvisor
Castello Sforzesco can be crowded, so we recommend booking e-tickets ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel at least 24 hours before the start date of your tour for a full refund. See all 103 Castello Sforzesco tickets and tours on Tripadvisor