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The best month to visit Milan and the Castello

Best month
From April to June and from September to October, for the mild weather. December is great for the lights and Christmas markets. August is hot and half the city is closed. For Castello Sforzesco, the month matters less than the day: afternoons from Tuesday to Thursday are quiet, late Saturday mornings and the first Sunday of the month are busy, and museums are closed on Monday.
Best weatherApr–Jun, Sep–Oct
For the lightsDecember
To avoidAugust
Quiet dayWed–Thu afternoon
Busy dayLate Saturday morning
Museums closedMonday

Spring and early autumn

These are the months for walking Milan, and this is a city best explored on foot: Duomo, Galleria, Brera, Castello Sforzesco, Parco Sempione, all within a short radius. At the castle, the brick Piazza d’Armi has no shade, and crossing it in April or October is a pleasure; in July at noon, not so much. The park behind the walls is the perfect lunch spot these months. The park behind the castle.

December

The city center lights and Christmas markets are worth the visit, and the castle has an advantage in the cold: the courtyards are less crowded and the museums are heated. Note that on December 25th and January 1st, the museums are closed, and at 17:30 the rooms close when it’s already dark outside. Opening hours and closures.

August

Hot, and half the city is closed. The castle stays open, but the Piazza d’Armi at noon is best crossed quickly, and the museums are the only cool spots inside the walls. If you must visit in August, come at 10:00 and end in the park.

Tip

For the castle, choose the day before the start of the month: a Tuesday or Thursday afternoon, buy your ticket at the counter, and see the Pietà Rondanini first. The first Sunday of the month is free, and that’s the day you’ll find the longest queue in front of the Pietà.

The best day for the castle

Courtyards open daily from 7:00 to 19:30; museums from Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00 to 17:30, closed Mondays. The Merlate panoramiche are only open Friday to Sunday. Free days—the first Sunday for everyone and the second Tuesday for under 25s—are also the busiest. Small-group guided tours can be booked for a set time and are the best way to keep a steady pace even on crowded days. What’s free and when.

Milan: Castello Sforzesco and Michelangelo’s Pietà Rondanini tourSmall group · 5 languages

Milan: Castello Sforzesco and Michelangelo’s Pietà Rondanini tour

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1 hour and 30 minutes
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A timed visit, any month

A 90-minute small-group tour with a certified guide, from the Pietà Rondanini to the courtyards, ticket included, free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance.

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Frequently asked questions

What’s the best month to visit Milan?

From April to June and from September to October; December for the lights. What to see in a day.

What’s the best day to visit Castello Sforzesco?

An afternoon from Tuesday to Thursday. Museums are closed on Monday. The opening hours.

Is Milan worth it in August?

It’s hot and many activities are closed; the castle and its museums stay open, except on Monday. What to expect from the visit.