Milan Cathedral, the Duomo, is one of the largest churches in the world: a forest of white marble with some 3,400 statues and 135 spires, topped by the golden Madonnina. The highlight is walking on its rooftop terraces among the pinnacles. According to the Veneranda Fabbrica del Duomo’s published prices, the cathedral and museum cost €10, the terraces €16 on foot or €18 by lift, and combined tickets €22 or €26. It is open daily from 9:00 to 19:00, with last entry at 18:00. Cover shoulders and knees, expect airport-style security, and book on duomomilano.it in busy months.
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Tickets and tours for Milan Cathedral
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Why the Duomo matters
Gian Galeazzo Visconti, lord of Milan, started the cathedral in 1386 and wanted something to rival the great Gothic churches north of the Alps. He gave it marble from the Candoglia quarries near Lake Maggiore, still owned by the Veneranda Fabbrica del Duomo, the body founded to build the cathedral and that still looks after it today. Construction went on for nearly six centuries: Napoleon had the façade finished in the early 1800s, and the last bronze doors were set in place in the 1960s. The Madonnina, a gilded copper statue of the Virgin, has stood on the highest spire since 1774, and by tradition no building in Milan was supposed to stand higher.
What you’ll see
- The interior: five aisles separated by 52 giant pillars, some of the largest stained-glass windows in the world, and the startling statue of St. Bartholomew carrying his own flayed skin.
- The rooftop terraces: you walk on the marble roof between flying buttresses and spires, right up to the ridge below the Madonnina, with the city below and, on clear days, the Alps on the horizon.
- The archaeological area: under the square, the remains of the early Christian baptistery of San Giovanni alle Fonti.
- The Duomo Museum: in the Royal Palace next door, original statues, gargoyles and stained glass removed from the cathedral, and the wooden model of the building.
Tickets and how to visit
Prices published by the Veneranda Fabbrica del Duomo (in force since April 2025 and still listed in October 2026; check when you book):
- Cathedral and museum (€10, reduced €5): €8 on Wednesdays, when the museum is closed.
- Terraces on foot (€16, reduced €8) or by lift (€18, reduced €9): the lift goes only to the first level; the upper terrace and the way down are by stairs.
- Combo Stairs (€22) or Combo Lift (€26): the cathedral, terraces, museum and archaeological area, valid for two days (the chosen day and the next).
- Fast Track with lift (€32): priority entry to the terraces and the rest of the complex.
- Booking: on the official site, duomomilano.it, or at the ticket offices next to the cathedral, which sell their last tickets at 17:50. The online shop sometimes uses a virtual queue at busy times. There are no longer booking fees.
- Hours: cathedral and terraces daily 9:00–19:00, last entry 18:00; museum 10:00–19:00, closed Wednesdays. The terraces can close in storms or bad weather, and summer evenings bring later openings.
- Security and bags: everyone passes a security check. Large suitcases, bags and backpacks are not allowed, nor glass objects, drones or anything sharp.
- Dress code: no sleeveless or low-cut tops, shorts, miniskirts or hats inside the cathedral; wear comfortable, flat shoes with grip for the terraces.
How long to allow and when to go
Allow about an hour for the cathedral, another hour for the terraces and 45 minutes for the museum. Go up first thing, when queues are short and the marble is still cool, or late in the afternoon when the sun turns the stone gold.
Accessibility
Visitors with a disability and their companion enter free with documentation. Wheelchair users enter the cathedral by a ramp at the front doors, and a manual wheelchair can be borrowed free at the Duomo Info Point (Piazza del Duomo 14/A, against ID). The terraces are reachable by wheelchair only as far as the first terrace behind the choir, by the south lift, daily from 10:00 to 17:00, and a companion is required.
Getting there
The Duomo stands in Piazza del Duomo, at the Duomo stop of metro lines M1 and M3. From Linate airport, metro M4 reaches San Babila, a 5-minute walk away, in about 12 minutes.
Combine it with
Walk through the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II to La Scala, then take the metro to Leonardo’s Last Supper at Santa Maria delle Grazie, if you have a booking. Plan your stay with our Milan travel guide, add a day at Lake Como, and see our city sightseeing guide.
Milan Cathedral FAQ
How much does it cost to go up the Milan Duomo?
According to the latest published prices, €16 for the terraces on foot or €18 by lift, or €22 and €26 for combined tickets that also include the cathedral, museum and archaeological area.
Is the Duomo rooftop worth it, and should I take the stairs or the lift?
Yes, it is the highlight of Milan. The lift saves the climb but goes only to the first level, so you will still use stairs for the top and on the way down. Take the stairs if you are fit and want to save €2.
Is there a dress code for Milan Cathedral?
Yes. Sleeveless or low-cut tops, shorts, miniskirts and hats are not allowed inside the cathedral, so cover shoulders and knees.
What are the Milan Duomo opening hours?
The cathedral and terraces are open daily from 9:00 to 19:00, with last entry at 18:00. The museum opens 10:00–19:00 and is closed on Wednesdays.
Can I bring a backpack to the Milan Duomo?
Small bags are checked at security; large backpacks, suitcases and bulky bags are not allowed, so leave them at your hotel or a luggage store.
Do I need to book the Duomo terraces?
It is not compulsory, but booking online on duomomilano.it saves time in busy months and weekends. Combined tickets are valid for two days.