Sforza Castle Tickets & Tours
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Sforza Castle Entry + Self-Guided Audio Tour of Castle & Milan
- Discover the medieval Sforza Castle on this self-guided tour with a multilingual audio guide.
- This notable landmark of Milan was built in the 14th century and was one of the most magnificent residences of its time then.
- Explore the red-brick facade of this fortress castle and continue inside to the expansive courtyard. The towers of the castle are most distinctive, especially Torre del Filarete.
- The Sforza Castle is also home to several museums showcasing art, paintings, sculptures, and other works by famous artists like Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, and more.
- This ticket also allows you to go on a self-guided tour of Milan.
- Discover the iconic sights of the city such as the Duomo di Milano, Santa Maria delle Grazie, Sempione Park, and more.
Inclusions
- Reserved Entry to the Sforza Castle and the museum
- Self-guided audio tour of the Sforza Castle
- Multilingual audio commentary in English, German, French, Italian, and Spanish
- Self-guided audio tour of Milan
Exclusions
What you don’t get:
✖️ Mobile Device
✖️ Headphones
✖️ Public Transportation Tickets
- You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
Combo: Villa Necchi Campiglio + Sforza Castle Tickets
- Maximize your savings as you enter 2 of Italy’s most magnificent residences – Villa Necchi Campiglio and Sforza Castle – with an audio guide.
- Discover the massive villa and its charming gardens in which the Necchi sisters lived, and the exquisite curation of art within.
- At Sforza Castle, admire the red-brick facade of this fortress and continue inside to the expansive courtyard.
- This ticket grants you access to the Castle’s 10 museums that hold paintings, sculptures, and other artworks by Michelangelo, Da Vinci, and more.
- The audio guide can be used not just for an in-depth understanding of these landmarks, but also for a self-guided tour of Milan!
Inclusions
Villa Necchi Campiglio
- Entry to the Villa and gardens
- Audio guide in English and Italian
Sforza Castle
- Entry to the Castle and museums
- Self-guided audio tour of Sforza Castle & Milan in English, German, French, Italian, and Spanish
Exclusions
- Mobile devices
- Headsets
- Tip: To get from Villa Necchi Campiglio to Sforza Castle, you can walk 300m to Palestro metro station and board a train going toward Rho Fieramilano or Bisceglie. In just 6 minutes you will reach Cairoli metro station, from which Sforza Castle is only 180m away.
Villa Necchi Campiglio
- Tip: Villa Necchi was used as a set in the film House of Gucci, try to recall some memorable scenes as you walk through!
- Facilities: Wheelchair accessible.
- However, strollers and pushchairs will have to be left at the entrance.
- Dogs on leashes are allowed in the gardens but not inside the villa.
Sforza Castle
- Tip: For the best pictures and relatively fewer crowds, we recommend you visit during the early/opening hours.
- While the castle and the rest of the museums are wheelchair accessible, please note that Rooms XX to XXII in the Art Gallery have some steps.
- You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
Why Visit Sforza Castle?
- Largest Fortified Structure: The Sforza Castle is one of the most beautiful fortified structures in Italy, and one of the largest in Europe.
- Cultural Heritage: Originally built as a military citadel, the castle has been a site of important political events and cultural exhibitions. Today, it is one of the most prominent cultural hubs in Milan.
- Art and Architecture: Home to several museums and galleries, including the Museum of Ancient Art, the Museum of Musical Instruments, and the Egyptian Museum, the castle houses some of the most impressive works of art and architecture in Italy.
- View Michelangelo’s Last Work: Sforza Castle is home to Michelangelo’s last work-his Pietà Rondanini, which was left unfinished due to the artist’s death.
- Interactive Learning: They offer many interesting events and activities at the Sforza Castle that will teach you about the castle’s history, making it a great place for families to visit.
All Your Sforza Castle Ticket Options Explained
Entry Tickets
Duration: Flexible
- Enjoy reserved entry into the Sforza Castle.
- Explore the castle at your own pace with the help of a multilingual audio guide.
- The audio guide will also help you explore the city of Milan on your own.
Recommended Tours
Sforza Castle Entry + Self-Guided Audio Tour of Castle & Milan
Combo Tours
Duration: Flexible
- Explore Sforza Castle and other prominent attractions in the city, such as Villa Necchi Campiglio, at a budgeted rate.
- Take advantage of the audio guide on this self-guided tour to learn about the two magnificent residences as well as Milan.
Recommended Tours
Explore Sforza Castle
Pinacoteca del Castello Sforzesco
An art museum, the Pinacoteca del Castello Sforzesco houses a vast collection of Italian Renaissance and Lombard art. Some of the highlights include works by Mantegna, Bellini, and Antonello da Messina.
The Museum of Ancient Art
The museum boasts an extensive and amazing collection of sculptures from the medieval and the Italian Renaissance era, including works by Michelangelo and Donatello.
The Museum of Musical Instruments:
An ode to the musical heritage of Italy, particularly the Lombard region, you will find a collection of more than 700 musical instruments over here. This includes Stradivarius violins and harpsichords from the 16th century.
The Egyptian Museum
If you want to explore a bit of Egypt in Milan, then visiting the Egyptian Museum in the Sforza Museum Complex is a no-brainer. This museum, dedicated to ancient Egypt, houses over 1,500 artifacts, including sarcophagi, statues, and jewelry.
Applied Arts Collection
The museum showcases decorative arts and crafts from the 15th to the 20th century, including ceramics, glass, textiles, silverware, jewelry, ivories, pottery, and art glass.
The Antique Furniture & Wooden Sculpture Museum
Located on the first floor of the Sforza Castle museum complex, the museum is home to furniture and wooden sculptures from the 15th to the 19th century.
The Achille Bertarelli Print Collection
Another gem of a museum in the Sforza Castle museum, it houses a collection of over 6,000 prints, including works by Rembrandt, Goya, and Picasso. This must-visit museum is open to the public by appointment only.
The Museum of the Rondanini Pietà
One of the most famous museums in the complex, the Museum of the Rondanini Pietà houses Michelangelo’s last work the Rondanini Pietà, which depicts the body of Christ in the arms of the Virgin Mary.
The Biblioteca Trivulziana
A library that houses antique books, documents, and bindings from the 14th to 19th centuries. You will find some rare manuscripts and early printed books, here. In 1978, the Biblioteca undertook some major restoration works to preserve its collections.
The Archaeological Museum of Milan
Delve into the history of Milan, and learn about the city that is home to famous landmarks such as the Duomo, through artifacts ranging from prehistoric times to the Roman Empire.
The Medal and Numistica Collection
The museum features one of Italy's most significant numismatic collections with over 30,000 items from ancient Greece to the present day.
The Sala delle Asse
The Sala delle Asse is a room that is famous for the mural paintings created by Leonardo da Vinci. The room was commissioned by Ludovico Sforza, in the late 15th century.
The Drawing Collection
Considered one of the most important and extensive collections of drawings in Italy, with works spanning from the 14th to the 19th centuries.
Achille Bertarelli Engraving Collection
A significant collection of Italian and European prints from the 16th to the 18th century. The collection was donated to the city of Milan in 1928 by Achille Bertarelli.
Parco Sempione
Covering an area of 95 acres, Parco Sempione is one of the largest green spaces in Milan. Located behind the castle, the park was designed in the late 1800s and features a mix of natural and formal elements.
Plan your Visit to Sforza Castle
Sforza Castle
Daily, 7 AM to 7:30 PM
Castle Museums
Tuesday to Sunday, 10 AM to 5:30 PM
Closed: Mondays, 25 December, 1 January, and 1 May
Best Time to Visit
If you want to avoid the crowds and enjoy a more peaceful experience, it's best to visit early in the morning when the castle opens at 7 AM or later in the evening, closer to when it closes at 7:30 PM.
Address: Piazza Castello - 20121 Milano [Find on Maps]
Getting There
By Subway: Take the red line and get off at the Cairoli or Cadorna FN stops. You can also take the green line and get off at either Lanza or Cadorna FN stops.
By Tram: Served by lines 1, 2, 4, 12, 14, and 27.
By Bus: Served by bus numbers 50, 57, 58, 61, and 94.
The Sforza Castle has multiple entrances:
- The main entrance is located in Piazza Castello, while there are other entrances to Via Milazzo and Via Sforza.
- There are also several secondary entrances along the castle walls.
- The exact number of entrances may vary depending on how they are counted, but there are at least three main entrances and several secondary entrances.
- Glass and Opera Exhibition
3 December 2022 to 30 April 2023
It is a collective exhibition of 20 contemporary artists who were invited to create glassworks inspired by the opera. - Musical Encounters with the Baroque Orchestra
17 December 2022 to 27 May 2023
This includes 6 concerts on Saturday afternoons. - Showboat Round Trip
29 March 2023 to 25 June 2023
After 8 years, Giovanni Frangi returns to exhibit his artworks in Milan.
- Restaurants and Cafes: There are several restaurants and cafes located within the castle grounds where visitors can enjoy a meal or a coffee.
- Gift Shops: There are also several gift shops where visitors can purchase souvenirs, books, and other items related to the castle and its history.
- Toilets: Toilets are easily available throughout the Sforza Castle museum castle.
- Elevators: Elevators are installed to provide access to visitors with mobility impairments, as well as to make it easier to navigate the castle's multiple floors.
- The main entrance and all restrooms at Sforza Castle are accessible for wheelchair users.
- Elevators have also been installed in the Sforza Castle complex for the convenience of people with reduced mobility.
- You can take wheelchairs free of charge from the information desk for use during your visit to the castle.
- All the staff at Sforza Castle are trained and will be happy to help people with reduced mobility enjoy a comfortable and hassle-free visit.
- Calicantus Sforzesco (80 m away): A vegetarian restaurant with a cozy and charming ambiance, serving creative and healthy dishes made with fresh, seasonal ingredients.
- Chiosco Squadre Calcio (110 m away): A casual, outdoor kiosk serving street food and snacks, perfect for a quick bite while on the go.
- Al Politico (110 m away): A cozy, traditional Italian trattoria with a rustic atmosphere and authentic Milanese cuisine.
- Hierbas Milano (160 m away): A trendy, modern restaurant with innovative Mediterranean-inspired cuisine.
- Budget
Hotel Ritter (300 m away), Hotel Cervo Milano (500 m away)
- Mid-Range
Hotel Mentana (0.4 km away), Hotel Sanpi Milano (0.6 km away)
- Luxury
Hotel Boscolo Milano Autograph Collection (500 m away), Palazzo Parigi Hotel & Grand Spa (800 meters away)
- Plan Ahead: Book your tickets online and in advance to avoid the disappointment of tickets selling out.
- Wear Comfortable Shoes: The Sfroza Castle complex is huge and exploring it would involve a lot of walking, so it is best to wear comfortable shoes.
- Opt For a Guided Tour: Take a guided tour to learn about the Sforza Castle’s history and cultural significance..
- Follow the Rules: The Sforza Castle is home to a lot of priceless works of art, so it is imperative that you follow the rules in place. For example, flash photography is not allowed at the castle.
- La Scala Theatre: A museum showcasing the history of Italian opera through a collection of costumes, instruments, and memorabilia.
- Duomo: A massive cathedral located in the heart of Milan, known for its intricate Gothic architecture and impressive collection of artwork and sculptures.
- Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie: A church best known for housing Leonardo da Vinci's famous mural painting The Last Supper.
- Leonardo Da Vinci Museum of Science and Technology: A museum dedicated to the life and works of Leonardo da Vinci, showcasing his designs and inventions across various fields of science and technology.
Frequently Asked Questions about Sforza Castle Tickets
Sforza Castle tickets can be easily purchased online.
Since Sforza Castle is a popular attraction, we recommend booking your tickets in advance to avoid the inconvenience of tickets selling out.
Sforza Castle is a historic fortress and museum complex located in Milan, Italy. It was built in the 15th century and now houses several museums and collections.
Sforza Castle is open from 7 AM to 7:30 PM, while the museums are open from 10 AM to 5:30 PM from Tuesday to Sunday.
Sforza Castle is closed on Mondays, 25 December, 1 January, and 1 May.
There is no dress code for visiting the Sforza Castle.
It’ll take you around 1 to 2 hours to explore Sforza Castle.
Yes, there are self-guided tours of the Sforza Castle available online.
Some popular museums inside Sforza Castle include the Museum of Ancient Art, the Museum of Musical Instruments, and the Museum of the Rondanini Pietà.
Photography is allowed inside the castle and museums, but using a flash or tripod may be prohibited in some areas.
Yes, you can carry snacks and water while visiting the Sforza Castle.