Alfa Romeo Museum in Arese: La Macchina del Tempo near Milan
Over 100 years of automotive history across three levels: the Museo Storico Alfa Romeo is a must for anyone who loves beautiful cars
Museo Storico Alfa Romeo (Arese/IT)
About 1¼ hours from Lakeview Cannobio, in Arese northwest of Milan, the Museo Storico Alfa Romeo tells the story of one of the world’s most famous car brands. The museum is nicknamed “La Macchina del Tempo”—the time machine—and that’s exactly what a visit feels like: across three exhibition levels, you’ll find 69 of the most important models in Alfa Romeo’s history, from the brand’s very first car to modern sports cars. The museum is open daily except Tuesdays from 10 AM to 6 PM and is located right next to the Il Centro shopping mall. An ideal destination for car fans, but also for anyone who loves Italian design.
Alfa Romeo Museum at a glance
- Location: Viale Alfa Romeo, Arese near Milan (Lombardy, Italy)
- From Cannobio: about 1¼ hours by car, motorway exit Lainate/Arese on the A8
- Open: daily except Tuesdays, 10 AM to 6 PM
- Admission (as of 2026): €15, teens 13–18 €8, children 6–12 €5, free up to age 5
- Exhibition: 69 vehicles across three levels, plus Cinema 4D, café, and store
- Parking: free on the museum grounds
- Combo tip: Il Centro shopping mall right next door, Milan and Aero Gravity very close by
A museum with history
Alfa Romeo was founded in Milan on June 24, 1910, initially as A.L.F.A. The first model, the 24 HP, was built at the plant in the Portello district of Milan. In the 1960s, one of the brand’s major plants was built in Arese, where cars were produced until 2000.
The museum itself has existed since December 18, 1976. It was initiated by Giuseppe Luraghi and opened by the then Alfa Romeo president Gaetano Cortesi. For a long time it could only be visited by appointment, and in 2009 it was closed. For the relaunch, architect Benedetto Camerana redesigned the building; the construction work took twelve months. On June 24, 2015—exactly the brand’s 105th anniversary—the museum reopened, together with the premiere of the new Giulia. Since June 30, 2015, it has been open to all visitors. You can spot the hallmark of the renovation from the motorway: a structure in bright Alfa red that stretches from the entrance canopy into the exhibition.
The exhibition: Timeline, Bellezza, Velocità
The exhibition follows three guiding ideas, with one dedicated to each level. Timeline tells the brand’s story as a journey through time via the models, from the 24 HP—the first car from the Portello plant—to the 8C Competizione. Bellezza, meaning beauty, focuses on style and design. Velocità, speed, showcases engineering and racing history, with its victories and defeats.
Highlights of the collection include the 6C 1750 Gran Sport, raced by Tazio Nuvolari; Juan Manuel Fangio’s Alfetta 159; the 8C with bodies by Touring; the legendary Type 33 race cars; the Carabo design study; and the Nuvola concept car. There are also classics many people still remember from the road: the 1950s Giulietta, the Duetto, and the Alfasud.
There are also special sections: “Alfa in divisa” shows six vehicles from the Carabinieri collection. You’ll also see engines, technical components, models, and trophies. The documentation center stores documents, photos, and technical drawings dating back to 1910. Interactive stations and video installations make the tour engaging even for visitors who aren’t car experts.
Cinema 4D, café, and store
A family highlight is the Cinema 4D: with virtual reality and 4D effects, you experience Alfa Romeo up close. After the tour, the Alfa Romeo Café, with its modern design, invites you to enjoy coffee, lunch, or a break. In the Alfa Romeo Store with bookshop, you’ll find books, models, and gifts related to the brand. The museum grounds also include an 880 m test track where historic vehicles do laps during events.
Guided tours
If you’d like to learn more, book a guided tour. Every Saturday at 4 PM there is an open tour lasting around 90 minutes; it costs an additional €8 on top of admission and must be reserved in advance. Private tours are also available in German and cost €80 plus admission. On Sundays at 3 PM, small groups can even take a look into the storage areas by prior arrangement, where additional vehicles from the collection are kept.
Admission
Admission is €15 (as of 2026). Discounted tickets include €12 for visitors aged 65 and over, €10 for students, €8 for teens aged 13 to 18, and €5 for children aged 6 to 12. Children up to age 5, as well as people with disabilities and their companion, have free admission. Guided tours should be reserved in advance.
Getting there from Cannobio and parking
By car, you drive along the lake via Verbania to Gravellona Toce, and from there take the A26 and A8 motorways toward Milan to the Lainate/Arese exit. The museum is very close to the exit, and the drive takes about 1¼ hours. Parking is free on the museum grounds.
Without a car, getting there is more involved: take the train from Verbania toward Milan to Rho Fiera; from there, bus 561 stops daily right in front of the museum. There is also a shuttle bus from Milan Central Station to the Il Centro shopping mall, which is only a few hundred meters from the museum.
Combining your trip
The museum is so conveniently located that it’s easy to combine your visit with other destinations:
- Il Centro: Right next door, on the former factory site, is one of Europe’s largest shopping malls, with over 200 stores. While some look at cars, others go shopping, and at lunchtime you meet up at one of the 35 restaurants. Find all the details in our article about the Il Centro shopping mall in Arese.
- Milan: If you’d like a taste of the city after the museum, continue on to Milan. You’ll find tips for the Duomo, the Galleria, and the Navigli in our article on a day trip to Milan.
- Aero Gravity: Just a few kilometers away, in Pero next to the Rho exhibition grounds, is one of the world’s largest vertical wind tunnels. After all that speed in the museum, indoor skydiving at Aero Gravity is the perfect addition—even for kids aged 4 and up.
How to Plan Your Day
We recommend planning at least two hours for the museum—a bit more if you include Cinema 4D and the café. If you leave Cannobio in the morning, you’ll arrive shortly after opening at 10 AM, can visit the museum at a relaxed pace in the morning, and switch to Il Centro in the afternoon or fly at Aero Gravity. Keep in mind that the museum is closed on Tuesdays.
Our Conclusion
The Museo Storico Alfa Romeo is far more than a car exhibition. It tells over 100 years of Italian industrial, design, and racing history, is modern and interactive, and delights even visitors who don’t usually have much to do with cars. Together with Il Centro next door, it makes for a varied day trip that also works well in the rain. You can find current exhibitions, events, and tickets directly on the Museo Storico Alfa Romeo website.
After your day trip, the lake will be waiting for you again in about 1¼ hours. Here in Cannobio, you can stay in a mobile home on Lake Maggiore, a holiday apartment in Cannobio, or on a pitch on Lake Maggiore.
Insider tips from locals
To make your trip extra special:
- We recommend combining your museum visit with the Il Centro shopping mall next door. That way, everyone in the family gets something out of it.
- Tip: The cappuccino at the café up on the rooftop terrace is excellent, and the sweet treats are as delicious as the Alfas are beautiful.
- If you want to dive deeper, book a private guided tour in German.
- With kids, we recommend the Cinema 4D and, to finish, a flight at Aero Gravity.
Questions and answers
The official museum of the Alfa Romeo car brand in Arese near Milan. Under the name “La Macchina del Tempo,” it showcases 69 of the most important vehicles in the brand’s history.