Car lovers from all over the globe will know that Italy is one of the key destinations to visit over the course of your lifetime. Traditionally, Italy has produced some of the world’s favourite cars as well as some of the world’s most desirable luxury cars. As such, these companies and brands often have museums dedicated to their history and the cars that they have made and have made them famous throughout the years. You can head to the Ferrari Museum, the Lamborghini Museum, the Fiat Museum and more but, if you have found a vacation rental in Milan and are exploring the city, then the obvious choice is the Alfa Romeo Museum, located a few kilometres from the city centre of Milan, in Arese.
The Museo Storico Alfa Romeo (now called the Museo Alfa Romeo - La macchina del tempo, which literally means, “The Alfa Romeo Museum – Time Machine”) is dedicated to over 100 years of history of the Alfa Romeo brand. Alfa Romeo, while best known for their cars, has actually produced automobiles, commercial vehicles, railway locomotives, tractors, buses, trams, and marine and aircraft engines throughout the years. This museum tells the tale of the brand and all of those incredible machines that it has put out into the world over time.
The Museo Storico Alfa Romeo (now called the Museo Alfa Romeo - La macchina del tempo, which literally means, “The Alfa Romeo Museum – Time Machine”) is dedicated to over 100 years of history of the Alfa Romeo brand. Alfa Romeo, while best known for their cars, has actually produced automobiles, commercial vehicles, railway locomotives, tractors, buses, trams, and marine and aircraft engines throughout the years. This museum tells the tale of the brand and all of those incredible machines that it has put out into the world over time.
Opened on the 18th of December 1976 in Arese, an area in which a former Alfa Romeo factory was located and where production of cars continued until 2002 and production of engines continued until 2006, the Museum has been an important fixture in the area for decades. It closed in 2009 for renovations, reopened at the end of the year for the company’s 100th birthday and closed again in 2011 to continue restoration. Finally, it was reopened in 2015 as a completely renovated and state-of-the-art space.
Spread over 4,800 square metres and six floors, divided into four thematic sections - including a historical overlook of all Alfa Romeo road cars produced since 1910, Prototypes and Dream Cars, Aircraft and Aeronautical Projects, and Scale Models and Awards – the museum has a collection of over 250 cars and 150 engines. This number is made up of at least one example of each model produced, plus prototypes and racing cars but has never all been on display at any one time.
Before the remodelling, around half of the collection was on display at any given time, with much of the rest of the collection usually out on loan to other museums, to festivals, and to events such as the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, the Goodwood Festival of Speed and Mille Miglia. As of 2015 and the new exhibition opening, around 69 cars are on display at any one time in the museum. However, this does not ever feel as though you are only getting a small percentage of a full collection but, instead, packs an incredible punch. The history and amazing pieces on display are sure to wow any car enthusiasts that come to pay a visit.
The presence of the cars, engines, and other machines – while they are, undoubtedly, the certain stars of the whole show – is enhanced as a museum experience by those cutting-edge additions from the renovations, such as multimedia displays and exhibits, including the 4D cinema theatre, from which you can explore the Alfa Romeo universe in some very comfortable interactive seats.
So, what are you waiting for? If you have found a holiday rental in Milan, then be sure to come and see the iconic models on display, learn about the diverse history of the brand, discover the unexpected and surprising pieces tucked amongst the collection, and enjoy one of the best (and cheapest at 12 euro) car museums in Italy.
Alfa Romeo Museum
Viale Alfa Romeo, 20020 Arese Milan
+39 02 4442 5511
Opening Hours:
Wed-Mon, 10am-6pm
Spread over 4,800 square metres and six floors, divided into four thematic sections - including a historical overlook of all Alfa Romeo road cars produced since 1910, Prototypes and Dream Cars, Aircraft and Aeronautical Projects, and Scale Models and Awards – the museum has a collection of over 250 cars and 150 engines. This number is made up of at least one example of each model produced, plus prototypes and racing cars but has never all been on display at any one time.
Before the remodelling, around half of the collection was on display at any given time, with much of the rest of the collection usually out on loan to other museums, to festivals, and to events such as the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, the Goodwood Festival of Speed and Mille Miglia. As of 2015 and the new exhibition opening, around 69 cars are on display at any one time in the museum. However, this does not ever feel as though you are only getting a small percentage of a full collection but, instead, packs an incredible punch. The history and amazing pieces on display are sure to wow any car enthusiasts that come to pay a visit.
The presence of the cars, engines, and other machines – while they are, undoubtedly, the certain stars of the whole show – is enhanced as a museum experience by those cutting-edge additions from the renovations, such as multimedia displays and exhibits, including the 4D cinema theatre, from which you can explore the Alfa Romeo universe in some very comfortable interactive seats.
So, what are you waiting for? If you have found a holiday rental in Milan, then be sure to come and see the iconic models on display, learn about the diverse history of the brand, discover the unexpected and surprising pieces tucked amongst the collection, and enjoy one of the best (and cheapest at 12 euro) car museums in Italy.
Alfa Romeo Museum
Viale Alfa Romeo, 20020 Arese Milan
+39 02 4442 5511
Opening Hours:
Wed-Mon, 10am-6pm