European Night of Museums 2026: key information

On Saturday 23 May 2026, numerous Italian museums join the European Night of Museums with evening openings and, in most cases, a symbolic entrance fee of €1. The initiative promotes access to artistic and historical heritage during unusual evening hours; institutions that are permanently free are typically excluded.

Times and tickets

Opening hours differ by city and museum. Examples include:

• Rome: many venues open from 20:00 and remain accessible until 02:00 the next day;
• Milan: evening openings at galleries and civic museums; delicate sites often require advance booking (for example the Last Supper/Cenacolo Vinciano to protect the fresco);
• Other locations: check each museum’s announcements for precise times and offers.

Where to go: recommended stops

To plan your evening, here are suggested destinations showcasing a mix of major attractions and lesser-known sites:

• Rome – Capitoline Museums, Centrale Montemartini, Trajan’s Markets, Ara Pacis, Casina delle Civette and Villa Torlonia complexes, Palazzo Braschi, Napoleonic Museum and the Gallery of Modern Art;
• Milan – Pinacoteca di Brera, Last Supper (Cenacolo Vinciano, evening access by reservation), Ambrosiana, Sforza Castle, PAC and Museo del Novecento;
• Bologna – Civic Archaeological Museum with themed events such as the musical program "Cantami o Musa";
• Veneto – National Archaeological Museum of Verona and sites with Roman and prehistoric collections;
• Piedmont – Turin Planetarium with evening science-and-culture sessions;
• Abruzzo – Antiquarium of Martinsicuro and local museums joining the event;
• Naples and Campania – National Archaeological Museum of Naples and the Royal Palace of Caserta offering evening tours;
• Puglia – Swabian Castle of Bari and MarTA in Taranto opening for the night;
• Sicily and Sardinia – Salinas Regional Archaeological Museum in Palermo and the National Archaeological Museum of Cagliari (home of the Giants of Mont’e Prama).

Practical tips

• Check the museum website for exact hours and booking rules: some sites operate by timed entry or advance reservation.
• Arrive early at popular venues to avoid long queues.
• Use public transport in large cities: parking and traffic can be heavy during evening events.
• Look for special events (guided tours, concerts, temporary exhibits) to make the most of the night.

The European Night of Museums is an occasion to rediscover permanent collections and hidden gems. Plan ahead to take advantage of extended hours and the symbolic €1 ticket.