Leonardo da Vinci Science & Technology Museum Tickets Milan

The museum in the Olivetan monastery

The National Museum of Science and Technology Leonardo da Vinci stands on Via San Vittore, in a monastery complex built in the sixteenth century, close to Sant'Ambrogio. It opened in 1953 and is now the largest science and technology museum in Italy. If you are wondering whether the Leonardo da Vinci Museum Milan is worth visiting, consider that the historic cloisters alone are a peaceful place to rest between exhibitions.

Your ticket covers standard museum entry for the day you select. Because the collection is large, it is best to decide beforehand which sections matter to you and to allow between two and four hours.

The Leonardo da Vinci Gallery

The museum's Leonardo gallery is the largest permanent exhibition on the artist and inventor anywhere. Wooden models built from his notebooks show flying machines, water pumps, cranes, military devices and mechanisms, and let you understand designs that were centuries ahead of their time.

Display panels explain the drawings and the way Leonardo studied anatomy, optics and mechanics, so the gallery works for adults and older children who want to know how a Renaissance genius approached engineering. Look for the models that show gears and levers, which are easy to follow even without technical knowledge.

Trains, aircraft, ships and the submarine

The transport halls are a highlight for children and adults. You can walk among steam and electric locomotives and carriages, see historic aircraft and study models and full-size vessels in the maritime pavilion. In the grounds sits the Enrico Toti submarine, a real Italian navy submarine on display.

The submarine and some workshops may have separate entry arrangements or limited hours, so check on arrival if you want to go inside. Outside these halls, laboratories and displays explain energy, materials, telecommunications and the history of everyday technology, so there is always another room to explore.

Planning your visit: how to get there and how long to stay

To get to the Leonardo da Vinci Science and Technology Museum, take metro line 2 to Sant'Ambrogio and walk about five minutes. Opening hours change by season, and the museum is closed on some days, so check the time slots in the booking panel. The best time to visit is a weekday morning, when school groups are less numerous.

The ticket is entry only, with no guided tour or audio guide. It is wheelchair-accessible, and there is a museum shop on site. Bring a phone with your ticket, and wear comfortable shoes as the museum is large.