How to Visit the Milan Duomo Rooftop

Milan's Duomo is the city's main attraction and icon. It is the largest cathedral in all of Italy and is a jaw-dropping sight. While tourists include a visit to the interior of the Duomo, few travellers are aware of the possibility to climb up 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 to take the lift or climb the 251 steps to the magnificent rooftop terrace of Milan's Duomo. Stroll along this extensive terrace and admire the city's most important monuments. Plus, with guide included

From £26 at Hellotickets

If you're thinking about what to see and do in Milan, booking tickets for Milan's Duomo, its rooftop and museum is a great place to start. It will allow you to enjoy first-hand its marvellous Gothic-style architecture: the columns topped by statues, the characteristic spires, the flying buttresses and, of course, the little Madonnina, over 100 metres high.

But the best thing about these tickets is that you won't stop there. You'll 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 don't want to be left alone with the interior image of the Duomo of Milan and you also want to discover its panoramic view from the rooftop.

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

• By lift: 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 physically fit to walk up, or who simply do not wish to do so. However, bear in mind that from where the lift drops you off, you have to climb about 50 more steps to the upper terrace of the Duomo.
• On foot: it is about 170 steps to get to the same point where the lift would leave you. Then you will have to climb another 50 steps 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 wish to visit, and there are also tickets 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 holiday.

• 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 to go up to 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 lift.
• Rooftop on foot: costs €10 and only allows you to go up to the Duomo Terrace on foot.
• Rooftop by lift: costs €14 and only allows you to go up to the Duomo Terrace bylift.
• Rooftop Evening: costs 14€ and only allows you to go up to the Duomo Terrace by lift after 7pm.

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

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 by any standards, learning about the history and characteristics of this architectural style is also well worth the effort.

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

But if you want to make a more complete visit, then seeing the inside of the Milan Cathedral is a wonderful option. You can choose to book a combined guided tour of the Duomo and the rooftop of the Cathedral.

• Price: from €72.
• Duration: about 2 and a half hours.
• 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 station, and this is where the red line and the yellow line of the Milan metro connect.

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

By tram

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

By bus

If you are arriving in Milan by plane on your holiday 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 around 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, however, 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 several sightseeing bus services in the city of Milan and all lines include the Duomo among their stops. So, 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 unparalleled Gothic style. It is also the fifth largest cathedral in the world and its details are truly amazing.

While you can enjoy its marvellous façade 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 150-metre-high views of the city of Milan. Are you going to miss it?

Traveller Tip

The golden statue of Milan's Virgin Mary is so important to the city that no building in Milan can reach higher than this.

If you are going to visit 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 won't 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 is safe for the little ones and the stairs to access the Terrace are comfortable enough for both children and adults.

Children generally 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 prams are not allowed in 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 visiting the terrace, you may do so in whatever clothing you wish.
• There is no smoking, eating or drinking.
• You are 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 in the Terrace.
• 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 may not lie on the floor as it is the roof of a religious building.
• Extended pushchairs are not allowed in the Cathedral and must be folded before entering the building.
• There are no toilets in the Cathedral. The nearest toilet is just next door and costs €1. You can pay either in cash or by credit card.