Visiting the Duomo Milan Rooftop Terrace was undoubtedly one of our highlights during our city trip to Milan.
In this guide, we give you all the necessary information and tips for having a great time exploring the Duomo di Milano roof including great views of the city.
Exploring the rooftop and cathedral is not just an item on your Milan itinerary.
It’s one of the best things to do in Milan!
This attraction is extremely popular, so planning is crucial to ensuring you’re having a memorable visit to the Duomo Milan Roof like we had.
Everything You Need To Know Before Visiting The Duomo di Milano Roof
A ticket is required to visit the cathedral’s roof. It’s not possible for you to simply show up and buy one.
The tickets are often sold out in advance and you have to choose a day and a time slot to enter the rooftop terrace.
Where To Buy Tickets for the Duomo Milan Roof
To secure your spot for the cathedral rooftop, purchasing tickets online in advance is crucial.
This allows you to choose your preferred day and time without having to wait in front of long lines or the disappointment of sold-out slots.
We found that early mornings or later in the day are ideal for a visit, as they offer cooler temperatures and fewer crowds, enhancing your overall experience.
When booking, you’ll be advised to wear a modest outfit to respect the cathedral’s guidelines.
This means no short skirts or dresses are allowed. The best is to cover your shoulders and knees.
We secured our tickets online for the Cathedral rooftop, which also grants access to the Cathedral interior, the underground excavations, and the Duomo museum.
Upon booking, you’ll receive your ticket along with all necessary information, including a list of items prohibited inside the church.
Dogs are not allowed, masks, among other (strange) items.
So make sure to check the requirements before you go to the cathedral.
You can book a ticket on the Milan Cathedral website as well, but we found it more convenient to purchase the ticket with GetYourGuide.
How To Get To The Milan Cathedral Rooftop Terraces Entrance
Finding the entrance can be tricky. It’s located on the left side of the Duomo when facing it from Piazza del Duomo, opposite the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II.
A barricade marks the spot, and you should be there about 15 minutes before your slot.
Options include climbing the narrow, stone stairs or taking an elevator.
We booked the ticket for the staircases. There are 256 stairs until you are at the terraces.
The entrance for using the elevator is at a different place.
You find it at the back of the Milan Duomo.
How To Make the Most of Your Milan Duomo Rooftop Visit
Despite our visit during the rain, the experience was still great.
Be sure to take an umbrella or rain jacket with you, as there’s no cover from the rain on the rooftop terrace.
In case you’re experiencing the same, we recommend reading our article about the best things to do in Milan in the rain.
The rooftop not only offers a panoramic view of Milan including a view of the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II and the Piazza del Duomo, but possibly even the Alps.
⛰ Travel Tip: Want to see the Alps? We recommend a day trip from Milan to enjoy the Italian Alps and the Alps in Switzerland.
Of course, we didn’t see them during the rain.
To fully appreciate the Gothic architecture of the Milan Cathedral and the Duomo terraces, allocate around 2 hours.
This allows you to explore the rooftop terraces, the cathedral interior, and the underground excavations without feeling rushed.
We enjoyed the underground excavations a lot. It’s also on our list in the Milan hidden gems article.
You will see remnants of a former church and a baptismal font.
The entrance is inside the Milan Cathedral and is included in the online ticket.
After we visited the Duomo di Milano, we headed over across the Piazza del Duomo to visit the Duomo Museum.
The entrance to the museum is included in the ticket as well.
We saw a golden statue of the Virgin Mary and Jesus, as well as some intricately carved statues and gargoyles.
There is also an impressive wooden model of the Milan Cathedral inside the museum.
Visiting the Milan Cathedral and the Duomo Museum was apart from visiting The Last Supper our highlight in Milan, and one of the reasons why Milan is worth visiting.
Guided Tour Options
For an enriched visit you can consider a guided tour.
They are available with advance ticket purchases. These guided tours give you an insight into the cathedral’s history and architecture.
They also offer insights into hidden details and stories.
This option is ideal if you’re looking for a deeper connection with this impressive church.
BOOK A GUIDED DUOMO DI MILANO TOUR HERE
Why We Enjoyed A Walk On The Duomo Roof
Our walk on the Duomo Roof was a highlight of our Milanese adventure.
It doesn’t matter if you explore Milan as a solo traveler or with company, it’s one of the most impressive things to see in the city.
Exploring the rooftop at our own pace was a unique aspect of our visit, enabling us to enjoy the breathtaking views and architectural wonders.
Wandering the Duomo’s rooftop on your own lets you see the spires, gargoyles, statues, and carvings in a more personal manner.
More than three thousand sculptures and spires can be seen up close only on the terraces and roof.
This is one of the reasons why the Duomo Milan roof and terraces are a must-visit.
We included this top attraction in our Milan in one-day itinerary, our two days in Milan itinerary, and the 3 days in Milan itinerary. We recommend checking them out.
If you choose the entrance via the staircases, a different set of stairs leads you directly inside the Milan Cathedral.
The majestic cathedral is one of the largest cathedrals in the world.
You can enjoy the artwork, the stained glass windows, the impressive altar, and the chapels.
The light coming through the stained glass casts a kaleidoscope of colors across the marble floors.
It creates an almost unreal atmosphere.
After exploring the area of the cathedral, don’t miss out on the underground archeological excavations.
Here, you’re transported back in time. You can discover the remnants of a former, small church and a baptismal font.
This comprehensive experience, from the rooftop down to the underground excavations, shows why our walk on the Duomo Roof was so enjoyable.
It’s not just about the views or the architecture. It’s also about the journey through time.
Final Thoughts On The Duomo Milan Rooftop Terraces
Visiting the Duomo Milan Rooftop was one of our highlights during our Milan trip.
Taking your time to explore this unique attraction will definitely enrich your Milan trip.
The Duomo di Milano is one of the reasons why so many tourists visit Milan, which is one of the most popular Italian cities. So make sure to book the tickets in advance.
If you need more tips for your perfect Milan city trip, and where to stay in Milan, check out our articles on our Milan travel blog, and our Milan itineraries.
