How to Visit the Milan Duomo Rooftop

The Duomo of Milan is the great icon and main attraction of the city. It is the largest cathedral in Italy and leaves all visitors speechless. While tourists include a visit to the interior of the Duomo, few travelers know the possibility to climb to its terrace and admire the spectacular views it has to offer.

The best option

Duomo di Milano, Rooftops and Museum Tickets

Be amazed by the panoramic views from the terrace.

Choose the elevator or climb the 251 steps that will take you to the magnificent rooftop terrace of Milan's Duomo. Stroll along this extensive terrace and admire from there the most important monuments of the city. In addition, with guide included

From $32 at Hellotickets

If you are thinking about what to see and do in Milan, booking tickets for Milan's Duomo, its rooftop and museum is a perfect place to start. It will allow you to enjoy first-hand its marvelous Gothic-style architecture: its columns crowned by statues, the characteristic spires, the flying buttresses and, of course, the little Madonnina, more than 100 meters high.

But the best thing about these tickets is that you will not stop there, you will also have access to its museum and one of its most hidden gems: its rooftop terrace with unimaginable views of the city. Of course, admission to the Church of San Gottardo and the Archaeological Area is also included.

Recommended if... You do not want to stay only with the interior image of the Duomo of Milan and want to discover also its panoramic view from the roof.

To reach the top of the Milan Cathedral, you have two options:

• By elevator: this option is the most comfortable. Although there is a difference in price, this alternative is ideal for adults, seniors or children who do not consider themselves in physical condition to climb on foot, or simply do not want to. In any case, keep in mind that from where the elevator drops you off, you must climb about 50 more steps to the upper terrace of the Duomo.
• On foot: it is about 170 steps to reach the same point where the elevator would leave you. Then you will have to do another 50 steps up to the belvedere, although if you are in good shape the stairs of the Cathedral will not be an obstacle.

There are different types of tickets for the Duomo according to the attractions you want to visit, and there are also for its Terrace. In Hellotickets you can book a complete ticket to the Duomo with which you have access to the interior of the Duomo of Milan, the roof, the museum, the Church of San Gottardo and the Archaeological Area.

Otherwise, I leave you a detail of all the other alternatives, so you can choose the one that best suits your vacation.

• Access to the Cathedral: it costs 5€ and allows you to visit only the interior of the Duomo building.
• Access to the Cathedral Museum: costs 5€ and allows you to visit only the Cathedral Museum.
• Cultural Pass: costs 10€ and allows you to visit the interior of the Cathedral, the Cathedral Museum and the archaeological area.
• Duomo Pass Stairs: costs 15€ and allows you to visit the interior of the Cathedral, the Cathedral Museum, the archaeological area and climb the Duomo Terrace by stairs.
• Duomo Pass Lift: costs 20€ and allows you to visit the interior of the Cathedral, the Cathedral Museum, the archaeological area and go up to the Duomo Terrace by elevator.
• Rooftop on foot: costs 10€ and allows you only to go up to the Duomo Terrace on foot.
• Rooftop by lift: costs 14€ and allows you to go up to the Duomo Terrace byelevator only.
• Rooftop Evening: costs 14€ and only allows you to go up to the Duomo Terrace by elevator after 7 pm.

Each of the sectors of the Duomo of Milan has a different timetable which is detailed below:

• Access to the Terraces (on foot and by elevator): every day from 9am to 7pm. Last access at 6 pm.
• Access to the Terraces with the Rooftop Evening pass: Thursdays, from 6pm to 10pm. Last access at 9pm.
• Cathedral: daily from 8 am to 7 pm.
• Museum: from Thursday to Tuesday from 10 am to 6 pm.
• Baptistery: daily from 9 am to 6 pm.
• Archaeological area: every day from 8 am to 7 pm.

Yes, you can book a guided tour of the Duomo Terrace and, in addition to admiring the views and the spectacular statues and details, you will have the possibility to complement the visit with the explanation of a professional guide.

While the Terrace is beautiful everywhere you look, learning about the history and characteristics of this architectural style is also very worthwhile.

• Price: from 47€.
• Duration: about 1 hour.
• Recommended if... You have already visited the Duomo and you only need to see the roof.

But if you want to make a more complete visit, also visit the interior of the Milan Cathedral will be a wonderful option. You can choose to book a combined guided tour of the Duomo and the roof of the Cathedral.

• Price: from 72€.
• Duration: about 2 hours and a half.
• Recommended if... You don't know the Duomo yet and you are only interested in its interior and rooftop, as well as its history.

Besides the Duomo itself , there are many things to see and do in Milan's Piazza del Duomo, so getting here is very easy.

By Metro

If you want to get to the Milan Cathedral by metro, the Duomo station is the closest one, and this is where the red line and the yellow line of the Milan metro connect.

You can also take the metro to the Cordusio and Missori stations, on the red and yellow lines respectively. They are relatively close and within reasonable walking distance.

By streetcar

The streetcar is another possibility to visit the Duomo. You can reach the Torino, Mazzini and Dogana stations, and then walk a few meters. The lines have the following numbers: 2 - 3 - 4 - 12 - 14 - 19 - 20 - 24 - 27. As you will see, there are several options.

By bus

If you arrive in Milan by plane on your vacation or you are simply on a stopover and want to make the most of it, there is a fast train service from Malpensa airport. The Malpensa Express arrives at Cardona Station in about 40 minutes from Terminal 1.

You can also take the Malpensa Bus Express, a bus that runs from Terminal 1 to Milan Central Station.

If you want to get to the Duomo by bus instead, there are plenty of bus services that run from both terminals to Milan Central Bus Station. There are also lines to Linate, Sesto and Torino airports.

By tourist bus

There are different tourist bus services in the city of Milan and all lines include the Duomo among their stops. Therefore, if you have one of the passes, you don't have to worry about how to get there.

The Milan Cathedral is an architectural jewel of incomparable Gothic style. It is also the fifth largest cathedral in the world and its details are truly amazing.

While you can enjoy its wonderful facade and interior, visiting the Duomo Terrace will give you another perspective and allow you to admire certain points more closely such as the Madonnina spire that culminates with a golden statue of the Virgin Mary.

In addition, you will be able to observe its 135 pinnacles that reach the sky from up close and its marble-covered bricks. All this, with a 150 meters high view of the city of Milan. Are you going to miss it?

Traveller Tip

The golden statue of the Virgin Mary of Milan is so important for the city that no building in Milan can exceed that height.

If you are going to do a visit of the interior of the Duomo and the terraces, I recommend you to reserve at least 2 hours of the day.

Keep in mind that the last access to the Cathedral and the terrace is one hour before closing time, and even then you will not have time to visit the Cathedral with the calm and attention it deserves. Besides, you will probably want to take a lot of pictures in this magnificent setting.

Going up to the Duomo Terrace as a family is one of the best things to do in Milan with children. The building has no danger for the little ones and the stairs to access the Terrace are comfortable enough for both children and adults.

Children usually love this plan because they can see the city from above, including places they have previously visited, but from the heights.

What you should keep in mind is that baby strollers are not allowed to enter the building, but you can use the Cathedral's lockers free of charge.

• You should cover your shoulders and, if you are wearing a skirt, it should be at least knee-length.
• At the Duomo ticket office they sell paper kimonos for 2€ for those who need them.
• If you are only going to visit the terrace, you can do so in the clothing of your choice.
• No smoking, eating or drinking.
• It is not allowed to fly drones or use a tripod for photos taken on the Terrace.
• Children must always be accompanied by an adult.
• Dogs are not allowed to enter.
• No luggage, helmets, masks, scooters, laser pointers, knives, glass or balloons.
• You can use the lockers to store your belongings. The duration of the service is only 60 minutes.
• Heels are not allowed in the building.
• You cannot lie on the floor as it is the roof of a religious building.
• You cannot enter with extended strollers, so you must fold them before entering the building.
• There are no restrooms in the Cathedral. The nearest restroom is right next door and costs 1€. You can pay in cash or by credit card.