Brera Art Gallery Vs Pinacoteca Ambrosiana in Milan

Hi Kelly, I have been to both the Brera and the Ambrosiana and loved them both. The Brera though is larger and more well known. If you hustle, it would be possible to go to both in the same time, and since you are only in Milan for a day you might as well give it a try. The Brera is the larger of the two, but it is also located the most out of the way (within walking distance but on the other side of town). The Ambrosiana is sort of between the Last Supper and the Duomo. You don't say whether you are arriving my plane or train, but if you are arriving by plane I would budget an hour to get to your hotel and checked in. I believe the Brera is open until 7pm and the Ambrosiana until 6pm, so you could visit one before and one after the Last Supper. Sorry I can't be of more help, but I immensely enjoyed both museums, they both have an amazing collection-Rahpael cartoons and a Caravaggio at the Ambrosiana, and just an all-around fabulous Italian collection at the Brera. You can't go wrong either way.

Been to both. I'd probably pick the Pinocoteca. Partly because it has a nice collection of Leonardo's works and drawings, and partly because it's set in a beautiful old Palazzo. It's a smaller museum but has some fine examples of most of the major Renaissance artists. You could do both in one day. The Duomo won't take you long to see, the Galleria can be walked through in a few minutes and the rest of Milan can be walked easily as you go to and from places. I'd reserve more time for the Brera because it is larger.

Thanks to the both of you. Because I have never been to Milan before, its hard to judge what you can and can not take in, in one day. I am flying into Milan, and figured that it would take about an hour to get to hotel. I have my hopes set on seeing both, so we will see.

Kelly, re your "I am flying into Milan, and figured that it would take about an hour to get to hotel. " Because Malpensa airport is 30 miles from the Milan city center, it looks like you're under-estimating the time this will take. First, there's the usual time to get to baggage claim and wait for your baggage. Then add the time needed to get from baggage claim to the Malpensa train or bus shuttle stop (there are both) and to wait for the next train/bus to the city center. Then add about an hour for the 30 mile ride into the city center, maybe longer if you take the shuttle bus (depending on traffic and time of day). Then add the time to get from where you get off the airport shuttle train/bus to your hotel, then check in, get to your room, and hit the street. In Milan it will take longer than you think.

It kind of depends on whose paintings you want to see. Go to their websites, and see what artists/works they have. Here are my notes from our visit to Milan, where I visited both the Pinacoteca Ambrosiana and the Pinocateca di Brera. Ambrosiana: Leonardo's "The Musician" was my main goal, but there was also a bunch of Tintorettos and similar northern Italian artists. Also, in a separate, darkened room, Raphael's cartoon (sketch) for the School of Athens. This Pinocateca is in a smaller palazzo, around a delightful little courtyard. Brera: It's in a beautiful, grand palazzo with a hilarious statue in the middle exterior courtyard of Napolean as a Greek god. Rick Steves calls it Napolean with Tinkerbell – I think it's supposed to be "Italy" in his hand, not Tinkerbell. The Brera has a Caravaggio of fruit in a basket. The stars of the museum are Andrea Mantegna's amazingly foreshortened "Dead Christ," Raphael's "Betrothal of the Virgin," and Piero della Francesca's "Madonna with Saints." And many Tiepolo, Tintoretto, etc. Then, near the end, a big surprise tucked in. In a back room were some Rubens, a Rembrandt, some van Dycks, etc.

That is tough - I only know the Brera - which I thought was a fantastic museum. To get an idea of Milan, this is what I did in one day there arriving on the train: http://www.florence-on-line.com/around-florence/day-trip-to-milan.html