How to Visit Sforza Castle: Tickets, Tours & Tips

It might not be as famous as the Duomo or Leonardo’s Last Supper, but Milan’s Sforza Castle has more history and masterpieces than most travelers realize. What looks like a medieval fortress is actually one of Europe’s largest museum complexes, and trying to figure out how to see it all can feel like a second job. Luckily, you don’t have to. Here’s how to visit the Castello Sforzesco like a local.

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Visiting Sforza Castle in Milan

You’re standing in front of a 15th-century fortress that once stumped invaders. Now it’s your turn to waltz in. With six museums tucked behind its walls, knowing where to go (and what to skip) is the key to unlocking Milan’s Renaissance secrets.

Here are the most important things you need to know about visiting Sforza Castle.

Sforza Castle Tickets & Hours

So, how much does it cost to see Sforza Castle? Here are the hours and prices.

👉 No tickets left on the official Sforza Castle website? We reserve a limited number of timed-entry tickets ahead of time just for this reason.

Where Is Sforza Castle & How Do You Get There?

It’s smack in the center of Milan, but the medieval walls make it tricky to find the main entrance on your first try.

• On Foot: 10 minutes due north of the Duomo via Via Dante; 5 minutes from Piazza Cordusio.
  
  
• Metro: Take M1 (red) or M2 (green) to Cairoli Castello or Cadorna FN.
  
  
• Tram: Lines 1, 2, 4, 12, 14, 27 stop at Cairoli or Piazza Castello.
  
  
• Bus: Lines 50, 57, 58, 61, 94 all loop around the walls.
  
  
• Taxi: From the fashion district (Quadrilatero) it’s under €10—tell the driver “Torre Filarete, Castello Sforzesco.”

👉Our Milan Private Walking Tour scoops you up at your hotel and ends just outside the castle walls.

Best Guided Tours of Sforza Castle

For your time, budget, and interests.

👉 Still window shopping? Explore all Milan tours.

Mistakes to Avoid at Sforza Castle

Here’s what to watch out for:

• Trying to see every museum: Pick 2–3 highlights, or you’ll burn out fast.
  
  
• Visiting without a guide: You’ll miss the genius behind da Vinci’s Sala delle Asse and the details in Michelangelo’s Pietà.
  
  
• Underestimating the walk: The grounds are massive, plan for time in the courtyards and Parco Sempione too.
  
  
• Showing up Monday: The museums are closed—only the grounds are open.
  
  
• Bringing large bags: You’ll be turned away or forced to pay for lockers.

Secret Tip For Visiting Sforza Castle

Admire Michelangelo’s Pietà from the side:

Most visitors stare straight at Michelangelo’s final sculpture, but you’ll see its full emotional weight if you move to the right side of the room. From this angle, Christ’s body slumps across Mary and the mystery figure like a cascade of unfinished stone.

👉 On our Duomo and Sforza Castle Tour, you’ll get context that makes this quiet corner unforgettable.

How Long Does a Sforza Castle Tour Take?

Most guided castle-only tours last around 2 hours, while combo tours that include the Duomo or Last Supper are between 3 and 4 hours. If you’re going on your own, set aside at least 2 hours. Add another hour if you’re keen to climb the ramparts or linger in Parco Sempione.

👉 Short on time? Our Historical Guided Tour of Milan takes you through the Duomo and Sforza Castle in 3 hours.

What to See at Sforza Castle

One ticket unlocks six museums and a millennium of art. Don’t wander in without a plan.

• Filarete Tower & Piazza d’Armi: The photogenic main gate and vast parade ground.
  
  
• Sala delle Asse: A vaulted forest of intertwined mulberry trees—Leonardo’s only surviving fresco cycle in Milan.
  
  
• Pietà Rondanini Museum: Michelangelo’s haunting unfinished masterpiece.
  
  
• Museum of Ancient Art: From 4th-century sarcophagi to the equestrian tomb of Bernabò Visconti.
  
  
• Pinacoteca: 1,500 paintings—highlights include Mantegna’s Trivulzio Madonna and Bramantino’s Noli Me Tangere.
  
  
• Museum of Musical Instruments: Stradivari violins to 19th-century hurdy-gurdies.
  
  
• Parco Sempione Ramparts: Climb the battlements for skyline views that sweep from the Duomo spires to the Alps on clear days.
  

Interessante Fact: Napoleon once drained the moat and turned the castle into army barracks—then Milan nearly tore it down in 1884.

Top Hotels in Milan

Where to Eat Near Sforza Castle

Here’s where our guides go:

• Meucci | €€ | Tiny, throwback pizzeria just off Via San Giovanni sul Muro.
  
  
• Farinella | €€ | Naples-style pies with a fountain-side castle view on Piazza Cairoli.
  
  
• Nero 9 | €€€ | Dry-aged bistecca and craft cocktails on Via Anfiteatro.

👉 For more ideas, check our local-approved list of the 11 Best Restaurants in Milan.

Attractions Near Sforza Castle

These are all within walking distance of Sforza Castle and make a great addition to your Milan itinerary.

• Parco Sempione: Milan’s answer to Central Park, with Alpine views from the ramparts.
  
  
• Arco della Pace: A triumphal arch Napoleon never finished, 10 minutes northwest.
  
  
• Santa Maria delle Grazie: Leonardo’s Last Supper is a 15-minute walk (book months ahead).
  
  
• Brera District: Artsy cafés and the Pinacoteca di Brera (Milan’s top painting gallery).

Frequently Asked Questions About Sforza Castle

Final Thoughts

Sforza Castle is a deep dive into Milan’s rise, fall, and Renaissance revival. Book a tour, lock in your ticket, or time your free Tuesday slot, but do carve out time to wander its courts and climb its towers.

Need help plotting the rest of your Milan trip?

All Milan Tours

Where to Stay in Milan

How to Visit the Milan Duomo

How to See The Last Supper