Milan is often overlooked in favor of Florence, Rome, and Venice, and while I can agree that it might not be as unique as these other Italian destinations, it definitely deserves a visit and a spot in your Italy itinerary.
Maybe you’re on a packed Northern Italy road trip or a 2-week in Italy itinerary, or perhaps you only have a single day in Milan between travels. Whatever the case, I highly recommend making the Milan Duomo your first priority.
If you can also squeeze in La Scala Theater and Leonardo Da Vinci’s The Last Supper… well, you’d have an utterly successful day in the fashion capital, capping it off with aperitivo in the Navigli area. Voilà – you’ve got a mini Milan itinerary ready!
In this article, however, we’ll be detailing everything you need to know about visiting the Milan Duomo. Regardless of how long you’re in the city, there are a few things you must take into account for an enjoyable and worthwhile visit (such as skipping hours-long queues!)
Below you’ll discover how to plan your visit, and what are the best tours and tickets to the Milan Duomo so you’re in and out in a flash, and spend all of your time admiring its beauty.
Psst. Did you know you can even climb to its roof? Read on to find out more!
Table of Contents
A Short Introduction to the Duomo in Milan
Fun fact: many people believe that St. Peter’s in Rome is the largest church in Italy, and while yes, the Vatican is very much part of Italy, it’s technically not on Italian grounds, so the record goes to… the Duomo of Milan! The Milan Cathedral is in fact imposing.
But that’s not the only record of this Cathedral. Just to give you some numbers: the Duomo Cathedral is the third-largest church in Europe after St. Peter’s Basilica and the Cathedral in Seville, and the 4th largest in the entire world! Plus, it’s the largest Gothic church in the world.
One last fun fact, as I don’t want to bore you: the Milano Cathedral features more statues (3400+) than any other building in the world, and it has more gargoyles (135) than Notre Dame in Paris!
Construction of the Milan Cathedral in Italy started as early as 1386, commissioned by the Duke of Milan Gian Galeazzo Visconti. But it took over 600 (!!) years for the construction to be finished – it was Napoleon who finally finished the facade in the 19th century.
The church is definitely Gothic, but you can see various styles mixed together as it took so many years for the Cathedral to be built. The Cathedral is made of white and pinkish marble, which becomes even more beautiful at sunset time.
When you visit the Duomo, you’ll want to admire the facade from the outside, see the stunning Milan Cathedral interior, and – my favorite part – climb up to the top of the Duomo rooftop where you’ll be able to walk surrounded by gargoyles and pinnacles. Incredible.
Before Visiting Milan Duomo
Duomo Milan Opening Hours
The Duomo Cathedral is open daily from 9 AM to 7 PM, with the last admission one hour before closing time.
I highly suggest visiting the Cathedral right when it opens, so you’ll be able to line up for the Terraces very early and be one of the first ones to go up.
How to Get to the Duomo in Milan
The metro station Duomo is serviced by the 1 and 3 metro lines and the trains arrive and depart very regularly.
There are also several tram lines that go to the nearby stops of Torino (Duomo), serviced by trams 2,3,14, and Dogana (Duomo), serviced by tram 24.
Is it Free to Visit the Duomo of Milan?
This is pretty confusing for a ton of visitors, as some websites will list that the Duomo Milan is free to visit. It used to be free, but things have changed over the last few years.
Technically, the Cathedral is free as a place of worship. If you are going to the Duomo to pray or attend a mass, you won’t need to buy an entrance ticket.
However, if you’re planning to visit as a tourist and you want to take pictures, you’ll have to buy an entrance ticket. If you are looking to visit the Duomo Terraces, you’ll have to buy another ticket or a combo ticket that grants access to both.
The Best Milan Duomo Tickets & Tours
I want to spend hours of my precious vacation time queuing up… said no one ever. Milan might not be as popular as Florence, Rome, or Venice, but that doesn’t mean you won’t have to wait in line at the Duomo unless you plan your visit in advance!
Especially if you’re visiting Milan during high season or on the weekend, you might find pretty long queues at the ticket booth.
But luckily you can wave bye-bye to everyone waiting in line and go straight to the entrance if you buy your tickets or book a Milan Duomo tour in advance.
I personally use GetYourGuide whenever I want to book a tour or ticket anywhere in the world rather than using the official sites.
This platform not only lists very high-quality tours and activities but also offers a 24-hour cancellation policy (you can cancel up to 24 hours before the tour).
These below are in my opinion the 3 best options, but let’s see them in detail.
Duomo di Milano Tickets (Self- Guided Visit)
It is possible to buy Duomo Milan tickets directly at the ticket booth, but I don’t recommend it because of the queues. You can easily skip the line by buying your entrance tickets in advance.
➤ You can buy your Cathedral and Duomo’s Terraces Entrance Ticket here. It also includes access to the Church of St. Gottardo and the Archaeological area, and an audio guide if you select that option when you book your ticket.➥ BOOK IT HERE
➤ If you’re only interested in visiting the Terraces, you can buy a Milan Cathedral: Duomo Terraces Ticket (No Church Access). If you have time though, I recommend visiting both the Cathedral and the Duomo di Milano roof – you won’t regret it! ➥ BOOK IT HERE
Best Tours to the Milan Duomo
➤ The Fast-Track Milan Cathedral and Terraces Guided Tour is the highest-rated tour on Get Your Guide and a really safe choice. On this tour, you’ll get to skip the ticket lines and visit the Cathedral led by an expert guide, before heading to the Terraces by elevator. Finish the experience by visiting the Duomo Museum and the Archaeological area. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
➤ If you prefer a private tour, check out this Milan: Cathedral & Terraces Private Tour w/ Fast Track Line. You’ll skip the lines to access the Duomo and its terraces with a dedicated guide for your group. Entrance to the museum and the San Gottardo Church is included. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
➤ If you have limited time, you can also check out the Milan Duomo Cathedral Tour or the Skip-the-Line Tour of the Rooftop of the Duomo. Both tours allow you to skip the lines which will save you considerable time. If you have to choose, I would honestly choose to visit the terraces, but of course, it’s up to personal taste.
Combo Tickets: Milan Duomo + Other Milan Attractions
Unless you have just a short layover in Milan, I’m pretty sure you’ll want to see more than just the Milan Duomo while you’re in town. Am I right?
If that’s your case, you might want to look into a combo ticket or a full-day Milan tour that includes access to multiple of the city’s main attractions.
➤ The Duomo and the Last Supper Skip-the-Line Guided Tour is a small group tour that includes fast-track access for both Milan Duomo and Da Vinci’s ‘Last Supper’. You’ll even get a 15-minute private viewing of that masterpiece! It includes access to the Duomo Cathedral but not the Terraces. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
Save Time & Money with the 48-Hour Milan Pass
Spending two days in Milan or more? Then you should check out this 48-hour Milan Pass.
This pass includes access to a multitude of attractions and activities for a one-time fee, and if you plan your visit well and take advantage of the pass, you can save a ton of money.
Included in the pass you’ll find some of the most important attractions such as:
- Access to the Duomo Cathedral Rooftop terraces (by lift)
- La Scala Museum and Theatre
- Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Bus Ticket
- 48-hour ATM public transport ticket & more.
What to Visit at Duomo Milan
The Duomo of Milan is not your regular church, as there are different areas you can (and should!) visit. Let’s see them.
Visit the Milan Cathedral – Inside & Facade
First of all, stop outside the Duomo and admire its stunning facade with its pinnacles and spires. If you know a little bit about art, you’ll be able to see that while the lower part is built in Renaissance style, the upper part, which was built later on, is in Gothic style.
The Milan Cathedral doors were sculpted in the 19th century and feature stories from the life of Mary.
It’s hard not to be left with your mouth hanging open when you enter the Duomo Cathedral in Milan. The Cathedral is massive, and this feeling of grandeur inside the Duomo is exacerbated by the extremely high ceilings and the 5 long naves.
The Duomo Milan interior is elegant, with its stained glass windows and large marble columns. On the walls, you’ll find paintings depicting Christian scenes and statues. Make sure to also look for the statue of St. Bartholomew the Apostle.
When you enter from the main entrance, look down. On the floor, you’ll find a sundial, which works with a ray of sunlight coming from a hole in the opposite wall. It’s incredibly precise, so it’s the right occasion to set your watch.
In the dome behind the altar, look for a red light bulb that marks the spot where one of the nails used for the Crucifixion of Christ was placed.
You won’t be able to see the nail itself, though, as it’s only displayed once a year in September with an intricate ceremony.
Visit the Milan Duomo Rooftop Terraces
Visiting the Duomo Terraces was the highlight of my visit to Milan, and I’ve heard many other travelers saying the same thing. It’s just a completely different experience!
You’ll find yourself walking surrounded by pinnacles, spires, gargoyles, and some incredibly elaborate stone carvings. There are over 3000 sculptures and spires decorating the terraces!
You can go up to the rooftop terraces either by taking the stairs or the elevator. Keep this in mind when buying your ticket since going up by elevator costs a little bit more and you’ll have to buy a different ticket.
The stairs are made of 250 steps, and it’s a pretty nice climb. On your way up you’ll already enjoy some great views, which allows you to take a break and a photo or two before you keep going up.
I’d say that the climb isn’t very challenging but if you are claustrophobic or have difficulties walking, you should take the elevator.
From the top, you’ll find great views over the Piazza del Duomo, one of the most stunning squares in Italy. And when the sky is clear, you can even see the Alps with their snow-capped cones in the distance. How beautiful!
When you’re up here, make sure to also check the Madonnina, a golden statue of the Virgin Mary which is the symbol of Milan and is popularly known as the protector of the city. It’s placed on the highest spire of Milan Duomo, and the best place to see it is from the Terraces.
This 4-meter tall statue used to be the highest point in Milan, but then buildings higher than the Duomo were built in Milan and it has since lost this record.
That’s why a replica of the Madonnina has been built on the top of a few skyscrapers in Milan so that the Virgin Mary can keep protecting the city.
Duomo Museum & Archaeological Area
Once you’re done visiting the Cathedral and the Terraces, don’t leave yet. If you’ve bought a combo ticket, you’ll also have access to the Duomo Museum, the Archaeological Area, and the Church of San Gottardo in Corte.
The Duomo Museum in Milan, located right in front of the Duomo, is where you can learn more about the history of the Duomo. Here you’ll find over 200 pieces such as statues, terracotta models, paintings, and tapestries.
You’ll also find an Archaeological Area underneath the Cathedral itself. In fact, as you can imagine, quite a few buildings had to be demolished in order to start the construction of this enormous church.
Visiting the archaeological area will give you a fascinating insight into the past of the city of 600+ years ago.
The Church of San Gottardo in Corte is right next to the Museum and deserves a quick visit if you have time. Its bell tower is beautiful!
Tips for Visiting the Duomo Milan
Accessibility
The Duomo is accessible to wheelchair users, although some areas inside the Cathedral cannot be accessed due to stairs. The Terraces are generally accessible to wheelchair users via elevator only up to the first terrace, but they’re currently not accessible due to renovation works.
Visiting Duomo Milan with Children
Kids will generally love a visit to the terraces of the Duomo. Walking on the rooftop and seeing the gargoyles is pretty exciting! However, I would definitely try and skip the lines so they don’t get bored, and buy a ticket with access via elevator.
The stairs are narrow and can be dangerous for small children. Keep in mind also that accessing the Terraces with push-chairs is only allowed if folded.
Duomo Milan Dress Code
Please remember that the Duomo is first of all a place of worship. Modest attire is mandatory to be able to enter the Cathedral, which means shoulders and thighs have to be covered. No shorts are allowed, although bermuda shorts are generally ok.
If you’re visiting during the summer, bring a scarf so you can cover yourself. I’ve been told that there’s no dress code if you just want to visit the Duomo Milan terrace, but I would err on the side of caution and bring a light scarf anyway.
Please also wear appropriate footwear if you’re visiting the Terraces as the ground can be slippery.
Best Time to Visit the Duomo in Milan
If you haven’t bought a skip-the-line Duomo Milan ticket in advance, you should try and visit as early as possible in the morning in order to avoid the queues.
Especially if you want to visit the Terraces, try and queue at the entrance before 9 AM. The queue goes pretty slow so you really want to make sure you are one of the first ones to get in.
If you’re into photography, though, I recommend visiting right before sunset where the warm light colors everything orange and pink. Really photogenic!
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