World Cultures Museums in Italy
Ethnological collections and museums about cultures from around the world.
Sicily (6)
Trentino-South Tyrol (5)
Emilia-Romagna (4)
Lombardy (4)
Piedmont (4)
Sardinia (4)
Tuscany (3)
Lazio (2)
Liguria (2)
Veneto (2)
Apulia (1)
Friuli-Venezia Giulia (1)
Umbria (1)
World Cultures Museums in Italy: Overview & Tips
Our guide lists 39 world cultures and ethnology museums in Italy, spread across 13 regions and 29 towns and cities. Most of them are in Sicily (6), Trentino-South Tyrol (5), and Emilia-Romagna (4).
At the city level, Palermo (4), Florence (2), and Genoa (2) lead the way – ideal if you want to see several world cultures and ethnology museums in a single day.
1 museum is free to visit. For the others with a published price, a regular adult ticket costs €8 at the median, and the middle half charge between €5 and €10.
6 museums are fully wheelchair accessible, 14 offer dedicated programs for families, and 3 have a café or restaurant. These figures come from our ongoing research – museums whose details we haven’t verified yet aren’t included in the counts.
Top 10 world cultures and ethnology museums in Italy
The best-known world cultures and ethnology museums in Italy
Museo Egizio di TorinoArchaeology · Turin
Castello della ZisaCastles & Palaces · Palermo
MAO Museo d'Arte OrientaleWorld cultures · Turin
Palazzina CineseCastles & Palaces · Palermo
Museo Ebraico di RomaHistory · Rome
Sinagoga e Museo ebraico di SienaHistory · Siena
Museum GherdëinaWorld cultures · Ortisei
MEIS – Museo nazionale dell'ebraismo italiano e della ShoahMemorial · Ferrara
Museo archeologico nazionale dell’UmbriaArchaeology · Perugia
Museo d'arte orientale Edoardo ChiossoneWorld cultures · Genoa
World cultures and ethnology museums in Italy with programs for families
- Museo Egizio di TorinoArchaeology · Turin
- MAO Museo d'Arte OrientaleWorld cultures · Turin
- Museo Ebraico di RomaHistory · Rome
- Museum GherdëinaWorld cultures · Ortisei
- Museo d'arte orientale Edoardo ChiossoneWorld cultures · Genoa
Museo internazionale delle marionette Antonio PasqualinoWorld cultures · Palermo
Museo delle CiviltàWorld cultures · Rome
Museo di Archeologia dell’Università di PaviaArchaeology · Pavia
Museo d'arte e scienzaArt · Milan
Museo della Marineria di CesenaticoWorld cultures · Cesenatico
Wheelchair-accessible world cultures and ethnology museums in Italy
- Museo Egizio di TorinoArchaeology · Turin
- MAO Museo d'Arte OrientaleWorld cultures · Turin
- MEIS – Museo nazionale dell'ebraismo italiano e della ShoahMemorial · Ferrara
- Museo delle CiviltàWorld cultures · Rome
Museo di Antropologia e EtnologiaWorld cultures · Florence
Castello D'Albertis – Museo delle Culture del MondoWorld cultures · Genoa
World cultures and ethnology museums in Italy with the highest published visitor numbers
- Museo Egizio di TorinoArchaeology · Turin
MUDEC - Museo delle CultureWorld cultures · Milan- MAO Museo d'Arte OrientaleWorld cultures · Turin
- Museo Ebraico di RomaHistory · Rome
Museo Ebraico di VeneziaHistory · Venice
Museo ebraico di FirenzeHistory · Florence- Museo delle CiviltàWorld cultures · Rome
- MEIS – Museo nazionale dell'ebraismo italiano e della ShoahMemorial · Ferrara
Museo del CostumeRegional · Nuoro- Castello D'Albertis – Museo delle Culture del MondoWorld cultures · Genoa
By region
Cities with the most museums
Good to know
Frequently asked questions
How many world cultures and ethnology museums are there in Italy?
Our directory currently lists 39 world cultures and ethnology museums in Italy across 29 towns and cities.
What are the best-known world cultures and ethnology museums in Italy?
Some of the best known are Museo Egizio di Torino, Castello della Zisa, MAO Museo d'Arte Orientale, Palazzina Cinese, and Museo Ebraico di Roma.
Which world cultures and ethnology museums in Italy offer free admission?
1 museum is free to visit – for example Villaggio preistorico di Capo Graziano e Museo di Filicudi.
Which world cultures and ethnology museums in Italy are open on Mondays?
Many museums are closed on Mondays, but according to their regular hours 15 are open, such as Museo Egizio di Torino, Museo Ebraico di Roma, and Sinagoga e Museo ebraico di Siena.
Which world cultures and ethnology museums in Italy are wheelchair accessible?
6 museums are fully wheelchair accessible, including Museo Egizio di Torino, MAO Museo d'Arte Orientale, and MEIS – Museo nazionale dell'ebraismo italiano e della Shoah. Others are partially accessible – you’ll find the details on each museum’s page.
How much does it cost to visit world cultures and ethnology museums in Italy?
A regular adult ticket costs €8 at the median, with prices ranging from €3 to €18. Children, students and families usually pay less.
Other categories: Art & Design · History & Cultural History · Natural History · Science & Technology · Archaeology & Antiquity · Memorials · Castles, Palaces & Monasteries · Open-Air Museums · City & Regional Museums · People & Literature · Special-Interest Museums