Free and low-cost Milan, starting from the Castello
The castle, which is free
I worked at the castle ticket office and know how many people think you have to pay to enter. You don’t: you enter through the Torre del Filarete, cross the Piazza d’Armi, the Corte Ducale and the Rocchetta, and exit into Parco Sempione, every day, even on Mondays. The ticket is only for the museums, and it’s free for under 18s always, for everyone on the first Sunday of the month, and for under 25s on the second Tuesday. Free entry details.
The rest of the list
Parco Sempione, behind the castle, with the Arco della Pace at the far end. The façade of the Duomo and the Galleria, which you walk through. The churches with free entry—Milano has many. The Monumental Cemetery, with free entry. The Orto Botanico di Brera. The street art in Isola and along Corso di Porta Ticinese. A ride on tram 1, which costs a city ticket and crosses the center. And all the civic museums, not just those in the castle, on the first Sunday of the month. The ten must-see things, free or not.
The first Sunday of the month is free and crowded. If you want to see the Pietà Rondanini in peace, a Tuesday afternoon ticket is the day’s wisest expense.
Where to spend money, if you have little
On the castle museums’ ticket for the Pietà, on a Tuesday; on a tram; on a sandwich to eat in the park, since there’s no café in the museums. Online offers don’t help you save: they sell an audio guide in an app or a tour guide, i.e., extras, not a cheaper ticket. Ticket office or online, explained.
If you want to add the audio guide
Reserved entry to the museums with two audio guides in an app, for the castle and the city, in six languages; voucher at the office at Piazza Castello 1. The courtyards remain free for everyone.
Frequently asked questions
Is Castello Sforzesco free?
Courtyards every day; museums for under 18s, the first Sunday of the month and the second Tuesday for under 25s. The hours.
Which museums are free in Milan on the first Sunday?
The civic museums, including the seven in the castle. Expect queues. The castle museums.
What to do in Milan on a budget in a day?
Duomo from the outside, Galleria, Brera on foot, castle courtyards, Parco Sempione, Arco della Pace. The day, hour by hour.