Milan Duomo Rooftop Tour: City Center Highlights

Explore Milan’s iconic landmarks with priority access. Climb Duomo rooftops, visit the cathedral, and stroll through historic sites with an expert guide.

Duration: 3 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Duomo di Milano - We will step directly into the cathedral, which is an absolute masterpiece, a stunning architecture that took centuries to complete. In 1386, the first duke of Milan, Gian Galeazzo Visconti, commissioned the construction of this cathedral upon the ruins of two previous churches, Santa Maria Maggiore and Santa Tecla.

Today the Duomo is the biggest church in Italy and the sixth biggest church globally.

Since its inception, the cathedral was dedicated to Santa Maria Nascente and designed as gothic architecture. Numerous changes intervened throughout the centuries, and it was finally thanks to Napoleon that the Duomo got completed. You’ll explore a place filled with history, art and faith, admiring fantastic stained glass, outstanding artworks, worshiped relics and unparalleled architectural solutions. Did you know that precious Candoglia marbles were transported from their quarries (near Lake Maggiore) to the city center thanks to artificial canals?

  • Duomo Rooftops - Our tour will start observing the cathedral apse and the facade.
    Immediately after, we’ll climb approximately 200 steps to reach a breath-taking roof terrace of about 8,000 square meters. There, you’ll be able to admire 135 spires, pinnacles, flying buttresses and many statues.

It is almost impossible to believe it, but the Duomo features about 3,400 statues! Designed and carved throughout the centuries, they portray a vast range of biblical and historical figures, gargoyles, animals, little monsters, dragons, faces, and puzzling silhouettes.
And if you think that the Duomo is now complete, you’re wrong! New statues have been carved and installed in recent times to represent the city’s contemporary history.
We’ll also pay homage to Milan’s most venerated statue: La Madonnina. Completed in 1774 and installed on the cathedral’s highest spire, the gold plated statue of the Virgin has been protecting the city ever since. Even our Milanese unofficial anthem is dedicated to her!

  • Piazza del Duomo - Start your walking tour admiring the renowned and monumental Piazza del Duomo, the city’s beating heart. The square is house to the city’s most famous landmarks, including the Duomo, which took centuries to complete. Featuring 135 spires, 3.400 statues and a golden statue of the Virgin Mary on top, it’ll be a feast for your eyes!
  • Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II - Follow our guide through the crowds and immerse yourself in the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele. Its imposing glass dome and luxury fashion boutiques will leave you speechless while the tragic story of its architect and the legends deriving from his mysterious death will make you see the Galleria with different eyes.
  • Piazza della Scala - Admire Piazza della Scala, home to the world’s most famous opera house, the city town hall, museums, and monuments. On our way to the Sforza Castle, marvel at the enchanting and ancient Piazza Mercanti, one of the most suggestive places in Milan. The hidden piazza will surely seduce you while also letting you discover more about the city’s multi-layered past.
  • Castello Sforzesco - Stroll through Milan’s scenic streets and reach the Sforza Castle, a superb monument encompassing the city’s history like no other. Indeed, the castle has accompanied the city throughout centuries and stands as one of its most representative symbols.
  • Sempione Park - Discover Parco Sempione, the biggest park in town, expanding right at the back of the Sforza castle. Surrounded by plants and trees, you’ll finally be able to enjoy some much-deserved rest!
What's Included
  • Professional licensed Milanese guide
Additional Information

Embark on a memorable exploration of Milan’s cultural gems with our guide. Ascend the Duomo Rooftops, venture within the cathedral, and stroll among the renowned city center edifices that lead you to the imposing Sforza Castle.

  • Accompany our English-speaking guide on a thrilling city center tour

  • Bypass the lengthy queues with priority access to Duomo Rooftops and Cathedral

  • Uncover the Duomo’s centuries-old history and marvel at its splendid architecture

  • Experience spectacular views and gaze upon the city from a heightened vantage point

  • Saunter through globally recognized buildings and monuments in the city center

  • After the elevator 50 more steps are necessary to reach the top of the terraces
  • Entrance tickets to Duomo cathedral and rooftops are included
  • We recommend you to dress properly (legs and shoulders covered)
Location
P.za del Duomo, 4
Piazza del Duomo
You will meet your giuide 15 minutes in advance in front of Street Coffee 12oz (Piazza del Duomo 4). Your guide will wear a yellow lanyard by Milanoguida.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.9
(93 Ratings)
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Marianne_g
Jul 30, 2024
Touring the Milan Duomo - Our tour guide was excellent!! The knowledge that he shared during our entire tour made it very meaningful and I could appreciate the Milan Duomo with a deeper understanding. He took time to answer questions and asked some himself. It was a rich experience!!
Review provided by Viator
Loresauand
Jun 15, 2024
Amazing - It was wonderful and very well explained. A little longer than I expected, but very nice. I fully recommend it to anyone visiting Milan.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Ken
Jun 12, 2024
Duomo Cathedral Visit - A very informative tour. The guide was great and very friendly. A magnificent cathedral. Lost of very interesting facts and heaps of information. The history of the cathedral is fascinating.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Sharyn_b
May 5, 2024
Milano and its beauty - Our guide was great very informative, great sense of humour and gave us plenty of time to take photos kept us safe would recommend highly, Thankyou for a fantastic experience
Review provided by Viator
Evinael
Apr 9, 2024
Why.. Why did I enjoy the tour so much? - Our guide, Daniele, was such a delight, combining humour with history of the Duomo. He delivered and helped us discover insight on the hows & whys in the Duomo. It was a truly remarkable & thought-provoking experience for me. You can’t go wrong with Daniele and the guided walking tour of the cathedral & its rooftop. Thank you, Milano Guida!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Nathalinel2015
Dec 3, 2023
A roof that is the view - It is not the first time we visit the Duomo but it is the first time we join a tour and go to the rooftop. We absolutely enjoyed the time we spent with our guide, Eddy, who is very knowledgeable and engaging in the tour. The duomo is even more magnificent after we learned how the roofs were constructed. And the view on the rooftop was magnicent!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Lorraine_g
Oct 31, 2023
Excellent Tour - Eddie was a fantastic guide. He was very passionate and knowledgeable. Provided insight in to how the cathedral was constructed. Well worth taking the tour as we learned far more than the guidebook’s explanation.
Review provided by Viator
11samuelw
Oct 29, 2023
Spectacular tour of a truly incredible building - I was not expecting to have such complete access to this amazing building, and the guide was excellent. The interior of the Duomo is certainly impressive, although it is only partially restored at present. However, the real highlight of this tour is the visit to the roof. The detail of the carving is unlike anything I have seen elsewhere, and the tour takes you around the full perimeter of the building (seeing the statues and flying buttresses) before going onto the top of the nave. If you are visiting Milan, I strongly recommend that you book this tour.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Solarad
Oct 27, 2023
Excellent tour and guide - Despite the foggy weather, my husband and I had a fabulous group tour of the Duomo, including the rooftops, guided by Eddie. He was excellent! He presented lots of historical facts in an interesting, and often humourous way. The Duomo is magnificent and it certainly enhanced our appreciation of this incredible structure to have Eddie discuss its evolution. Highly recommend!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Sonia_d
Oct 26, 2023
Excellent Tour and Guide - Our tour guide, Eddie, made this a memorable experience. He gave us a lot of interesting historical information, and sprinkled it liberally with a good sense of humor. He kept us, his tour group, engaged by involving us with questions and keeping us apprised of the process as we moved through the tour.
Review provided by Viator
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