The Duomo di Milano is one of the most visited monuments in Italy. The queues here are long and especially from spring to autumn it is good to plan your visit in advance. You’ll avoid long queues and enjoy the famous Milan Cathedral even more. Here are our handy tips and information on how to visit Duomo di Milano.
Is the Duomo di Milano worth a visit?
The Duomo in Milan is one of the most beautiful cathedrals in the world. The building represents the pinnacle of Gothic architecture with its intricate details, towers and sculptures. An architectural masterpiece that will take your breath away. At least it took us!
Walking around the terraces and roof of the cathedral was our best experience in Milan and we highly recommend it to everyone. Equally breathtaking was the interior of the cathedral, which is as impressive as the exterior of the cathedral.
How to get to the Duomo?
The Duomo is located in the historic centre of Milan. It occupies a substantial part of the Piazza del Duomo.
The cathedral is easily accessible on foot, but also by public transport.
The nearest metro station is Duomo, where lines 1 and 3 stop. The station is located next to the cathedral. Several bus and tram lines also stop near Piazza del Duomo. In particular, I recommend taking a ride on the orange tram line, which has been criss-crossing the streets of Milan for 100 years.
If you are driving your own car, be aware that it is almost impossible to park near the cathedral. It is better to park further away from the centre and take public transport to the rest.
What is the entrance fee to the Duomo di Milano?
Admission to the Duomo varies depending on what you want to visit. The most popular type of ticket is combination ticket which includes the cathedral, the terraces and roof, the archaeological site and the Duomo Museum. The price of the combined ticket varies depending on whether you take the stairs or the elevator up.
Full admission is 20 € and 10 € for children 6-17 years old. With the use of the lift, the entrance fee is 25 € and for children aged 6-17 years 12,50 €. Children under 5 years of age and disabled children with an accompanying person are admitted free of charge.
You can also visit just the cathedral itself without the terraces or, conversely, the terraces without the cathedral. But it would be a shame to miss the full tour, because the Duomo is really worth it.
How to skip the lines for the Duomo:
We were buying combined tickets in advance at 9:00. We went through the entrance on the left side of the cathedral reserved for advance reservations, where only a few people were waiting. We chose to take the stairs – the elevator is located a little further on the left side of the cathedral (everything is perfectly marked).
What are the opening hours of Milan Cathedral?
The cathedral is open daily from 9:00-19:00 (last entry at 18:10). You will choose the specific time when booking.
How does the tour work?
Entrance to the cathedral varies depending on what you plan to visit.
If you want to see the terraces, the entrance is on the left hand side of the cathedral – you will first see the entrance to the cathedral by the stairs and a little beyond that the entrance for the lift that will take you up to the terraces.
Note: If you have not booked tickets in advance, you must buy them first – the ticket office is located on the right hand side of the Cathedral in the Royal Palace. You can tell by a larger crowd or queue.
With your ticket, you will come to the entrance where a quick security check and scanning of tickets (mobile or printed) will take place.
You walk or drive out onto the terraces, which you can walk all the way around one side. Then you climb up a few steps to reach the roof.
Once you’ve seen everything, you descend the stairs down to the cathedral. Here, the staff member will scan your ticket again and let you in right away. The cathedral is also the entrance to the archaeological site.
The combined ticket includes the museum, which is located in the Royal Palace to the right of the cathedral. You just need to show your ticket to get in, there are no queues.
Allow approximately 2 hours for the complete tour.
If you plan to visit the cathedral only, the entrance is on the right side of the cathedral – it’s marked.
What to wear?
The Duomo di Milano still functions as a religious building where the dress code should be followed – covered knees and shoulders, no head coverings. It’s up to the staff to decide whether they’ll let you in with inappropriate clothing.
I also recommend choosing sturdy shoes, as marble can slip.
Practical tips for enjoying the Duomo di Milano
Here are some useful tips to help you get the most out of your visit to Milan Cathedral:
- Buy your tickets in advance: To avoid long queues, consider buying tickets online in advance.
- Dress modestly: Make sure your shoulders and knees are covered, and avoid wearing hats or sunglasses inside the cathedral.
- Explore the terraces: Don’t miss the opportunity to explore the terraces. The view of Milan from the top is stunning. Elevator access is available for an additional fee, or if you prefer to take the stairs, you can take the stairs.
- Respect the silence: Especially if you are visiting during a service, keep noise to a minimum. Silence mobile phones and avoid loud conversations.
- Make time: The cathedral and its surroundings have a lot to offer, so make sure you take plenty of time to explore it thoroughly.
- Visit the cathedral sooner or later: To avoid the crowds, plan your visit for early morning or late afternoon. What’s more, light is best in these times.
- Security checks: Prepare for security checks at the entrance. Do not bring large luggage or backpacks.
Wear comfortable shoes: The floors of the cathedral can be uneven and there are many steps if you climb up to the terraces, so wear comfortable shoes. - No eating or drinking is allowed inside the cathedral.
This was our tips and experiences to visit Duomo di Milano. Do you have a question?ce We’ll be happy to answer it in the comments below.
More information about Northern Italy
MILAN: Here’s an overview of the best places to visit in Milan. To help you plan your trip, you can use our itinerary for Milan in 3 days. Do you have less time than 3 days for Milan? Check out the itinerary for Milan in 2 days or the itinerary for 1 day in Milan.
Here is a guide to transport in Milan. In this article we share our tips on where to stay in Milan.
LOMBARDIA: Get inspired by the most beautiful places to see in Lombardy.
In Lombardy you will find other beautiful places besides Milan. Just outside Milan is the Alpine lake Lago di Como. Or check out our 15 tips on what to see in Bergamo.
Read even more tips on travelling in Italy.
Summary: Duomo di Milano FAQ
The Duomo di Milano or Milan Cathedral is a cathedral church in Milan, Italy. It is dedicated to the Nativity of the Virgin Mary and is the seat of the Archbishop of Milan. The cathedral is famous for its architectural grandeur and intricate details that represent Gothic architecture.
The Duomo di Milano is located in Piazza del Duomo, the central square of Milan, Italy.
The construction of the Duomo di Milano began in 1386 and lasted almost six centuries, with the last modifications being made in the 20th century.
Yes, there is an entrance fee to visit the cathedral and its various parts. Ticket prices may vary depending on which sections you wish to enter. I recommend opting for a combination ticket, which includes everything the cathedral has to offer, including a visit to the terraces and roof.
The Duomo di Milano is easily accessible by public transport, including metro, bus and tram. The nearest metro station is Duomo (lines 1 and 3), which is next to the cathedral
Photography inside the cathedral is generally allowed, but flash, tripods and drones are prohibited.
