On our Northern Italy tour, Milan and thus the Milan Cathedral were practically on the way. Since the Milan Cathedral is the landmark of Milan and one of the most famous sights in the world, it was clear that we would visit the cathedral.
Considered a Gothic masterpiece, the cathedral is at the top of visitors’ must-see lists in Milan. Its richly decorated facade and sheer size make this church unique. As the largest Gothic structure in Italy and the third-largest cathedral in the world, it stands out among other iconic buildings
In addition to the interior with its relics and treasures, the opportunity to visit the roof and rooftop terraces is a definite highlight.
Choosing Milan Cathedral Tickets
For our visit to Milan Cathedral, we looked at the visiting options in advance. Visiting hours start at 9:00 a.m., with the last entry at 5:30 p.m. The roof and rooftop terraces can be visited until 6:30 p.m., with the latest access at 6:10 p.m.
Since we were on our road trip through Northern Italy, we planned to drive directly to the cathedral and park there. According to our schedule, we would arrive in Milan at 11:00 a.m., so we chose the visiting time of 12:00 p.m.
Tip: If you are also driving in Milan, make sure to look for a public parking garage before your arrival. We used a privately managed parking garage and ended up paying very high parking fees (15 euros per hour).
Milan Cathedral Ticket – 4 Different Options
The tickets mainly differ in the option to add an audio guide and the choice between taking the stairs or the elevator to the rooftop.
1. Milan Cathedral and Rooftop Ticket via Stairs
This is the most affordable ticket for visiting the cathedral. With this ticket, you can visit the interior of the cathedral. To access the rooftop terraces, you must use the stairs.
The stairs are located on the left side of the nave, practically opposite the grand shopping arcade of Galleria Vittorio Emanuele. You can book this ticket here*.
2. Milan Cathedral and Rooftop Ticket via Stairs with Audio Guide
This ticket is the second most affordable option and includes an audio guide. You can book this ticket online here*.
3. Milan Cathedral and Rooftop Ticket via Elevator
With this ticket, you can use the elevator instead of the stairs. The elevator is located on the right side of the cathedral at the rear end. You can book this ticket here*.
4. Milan Cathedral and Rooftop Ticket via Elevator with Audio Guide
This is the most expensive ticket for the visit, combining the elevator access to the rooftop with the audio guide.
We chose the Milan Cathedral and Rooftop Ticket via Stairs with Audio Guide. The reason was simple: we actually wanted to use the stairs inside the cathedral and avoid long waits at the elevator. The height to the rooftop didn’t seem particularly challenging to us.
In fact, the height of the nave is 47 meters, and the height of the facade is 56 meters. We estimated around 50 meters of height, and that seemed about right. If you are in good shape, the stairs are no problem. We booked this ticket online here.*
Important Note for Your Visit: Strict Dress Code
When we wanted to enter the cathedral, we were informed about the applicable dress code and were actually not allowed in. The issue was that our knees were not covered.
In general, both knees and shoulders must be covered for a visit to the cathedral. So, we had to go back to the parking garage and change accordingly.
Restroom Tip: On the right side of the cathedral, near the entrance, there are modern restrooms. However, the price is a bit high at 1.50 euros.
Inside the Milan Cathedral
The sheer size of the Milan Cathedral becomes truly apparent inside. The combination of the very high ceiling and numerous stained-glass windows creates a unique atmosphere.
In addition, there are numerous altars, statues, sculptures, and the famous golden statue of the Madonna crowning the altar. Moreover, the cathedral houses a series of chapels adorned with valuable paintings, mosaics, altars, and religious artifacts.
Visiting Milan Cathedral Rooftop
After the tour inside the cathedral, you exit the church through an exit to reach the entrances to the rooftop. If you choose the ticket with the elevator*, you only need to walk a few steps to the left to reach the elevator entrance.
Since we chose the stairs to the rooftop*, we had to walk a few more steps to the left side. There is a security check first before proceeding to the stairs.
The staircase itself is not particularly spectacular. It is a stone, narrow spiral staircase with a few small slits to look outside. As expected, the climb to the rooftop via the stairs was not very strenuous.
The Rooftop Terraces of the Cathedral
As soon as we emerged from the staircase, we stepped onto the first rooftop terrace. In fact, the cathedral has not just one terrace, but a variety of terraces. These include smaller terraces located on different levels.
While walking through the rooftop terraces, you practically walk along and even through the breathtaking facade. This places you right in the midst of the cathedral’s outstanding Gothic architecture. From here, you can see countless artistic sculptures, reliefs, and statues up close. The view of this ornate facade offers endless perspectives for spectacular photos and shots.
In addition to the facade, the view from up here is particularly beautiful. Depending on which side you are on, you have different views. On one hand, you can look down at the immediate surroundings of the cathedral. On the other hand, the view offers vast sights over the city and even the surrounding region. In good weather, you can see as far as the Alps.
Since we had just arrived in Milan and hadn’t seen anything of the city until then, the view over the city was doubly impressive for us. For example, from the rooftop, we saw Milan’s skyline for the first time. Until then, we hadn’t even realized that Milan has a number of office skyscrapers.
On the roof of Milan Cathedral
From the smaller rooftop terraces, another staircase leads to the large main roof. However, you are not inside a stairwell here, as the staircase is located outside. Visiting the main roof is practically the crowning finale of the tour. This is where most visitors gather, either enjoying the view or taking photos.
Note: Be careful and mindful when walking on the rooftop. We tripped over one of the many edges and ended up hurting ourselves.
Parking Garage near Milan Cathedral
There are several parking garages around the cathedral. Choose your parking garage in advance so that you don’t end up paying an overpriced fee like we did.
Tip: If you can avoid it, leave the car behind and travel by public transport. Driving in Milan is not nearly as chaotic as in Naples, but the streets are still very crowded.
The Cathedral Square and Its Surroundings
Right in front of the cathedral is the massive Cathedral Square of Milan, also known as ‘Piazza del Duomo.’ The square is considered one of the most impressive and historically significant squares in Europe.
When you arrive at the square, you will likely find a huge crowd. The square is the central spot in Milan, and every visitor to Milan ends up here sooner or later. Additionally, the square is used for cultural events.
Around the square, there are more well-known buildings and even the main train station. The Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, adjacent to the square, is world-famous and considered one of the most magnificent shopping galleries in the world. On the opposite side is the Royal Palace. The surrounding streets are home to countless shops of international fashion chains.
So, in addition to the cathedral, you can explore many other highlights in Milan on foot.
Other Top Attractions in Milan
Depending on how long your visit to the city is, there are, of course, more highlights to experience besides the cathedral. The most important additional attractions are undoubtedly the painting “The Last Supper” in the UNESCO World Heritage Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie, the Leonardo da Vinci Museum*, and the Castello Sforzesco*.
In addition, the stadium of Inter and AC Milan* is worth a visit, as well as the Teatro alla Scala, which is one of the most renowned opera houses in the world.
Conclusion: Visiting Milan Cathedral Rooftop and Inside
For us, the visit inside and on top of the cathedral was definitely worth it. Although we have visited many cathedrals on our travels, we had never had the opportunity to go up to the roof of a church.
Exploring the terraces and the roof makes visiting Milan Cathedral truly special. Accordingly, our time there was distributed as well. We spent about three times longer on the terraces than inside the cathedral.
Overall, the organization of the large number of visitors is very well managed. Since the tickets are tied to specific time slots, there are no long waiting times. However, this also means that you must buy your tickets in advance* to secure your visit.
FAQs about Visiting Milan Cathedral Inside and Rooftop
What makes Milan Cathedral special is its size, the impressive Gothic architecture, and the opportunity to visit the cathedral’s rooftop.
You need about 2 hours to visit both the interior of the cathedral and the rooftop terraces.
Inside Milan Cathedral, you can admire stained glass windows and an impressive organ. Additionally, the chapels are adorned with intricate frescoes, and there are tombs of famous individuals to see.