Duomo Milan is one of the oldest, most incredible, and most popular tourist attractions in Milan, Italy. Here are a few reasons why you should take a Duomo Milan tour.

A Duomo Milan tour is the best way to explore this breathtaking architectural masterpiece and learn more about its history and significance.
Your guided tour will include a skip the line feature that allows you to access the site on priority. You will not have to wait in a queue for hours.
You have the opportunity to gain knowledge about the attraction from an expert guide, which enhances the experience of your visit.
The Cathedral is expansive and quite a complex structure to navigate all by yourself. Therefore, we suggest booking a Duomo Milan tour because it is the most effective way to explore the Cathedral.
The Duomo Milan Cathedral is one of the most popular tourist attractions in not just Italy but also the world, which is why it usually sees huge crowds every day. A guided tour will ensure smooth, quick, and hassle-free access to the site.

Highlights Covered on Your Duomo Milan Tour

The Door of Cathedral and Other Entrances

Constructed between 1896 and 1965, Duomo Milan has five bronze doors that lead to the Cathedral square. They illustrate stories from the Bible and the history of the Cathedral. Out of the five, the central door is the largest and depicts stories from the life of Virgin Mary. It was carved by Lodovico Pogliaghi in 1906 and portrays different aspects like the Nativity of Virgin Mary, the Marriage of the Virgin, the Crucifixion, the Nativity of Jesus, the Visitation, the Annunciation, the Cross, Jesus bidding farewell to his Mother, Christ carrying the Cross, and the Flagellation of Christ.

Madonnina

An important religious and civic symbol for Milan, Madonnina is a massive statue of the Virgin Mary and the centerpiece of the Cathedral. Also known as the Lantern Spire, Madonnina is the main spire of the Duomo Cathedral made of gilded copper plates that represent Milan’s rich culture and heritage. It was designed by Francesco Croce and erected in 1762 at a height of 108.5 meters.

Duomo Archaeological Complex

The Duomo Archaeological Complex is home to several ancient and antique churches and historical sites. A few popular ones include an age-old center of the Christian religion, the Basilica Vetus, the Baptistery of Santa Stefano alle Fonti, Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore, and Basilica di Santa Tecla, among others. A visit to the complex is a must when you’re at the Cathedral.

Church of St. Gottardo

Established in 1336, the Church of St. Gottardo was designed by Francesco Percorari and originally built as a Ducal chapel by Azzone Visconti. It is situated close to the Piazza Duomo and boasts an octagonal bell tower, the first example of a public clock during a time when sundials were in use. The architecture is a beautiful blend of Lombard Gothic, Baroque, and Neoclassical styles while the interiors house some popular works of art by artists like Stefano, Puccio Capanna, and others.

Statue of St. Bartholomew Flayed Alive

One of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus Christ, Saint Bartholomew was skinned alive and beheaded for converting the king to Christianity. Also known as Saint Bartholomew Flayed, the sculpture stands on the left of the altar at the Cathedral and is considered one of the best and most notable pieces of art in Milan. The statue depicts a skeletal man holding his flayed skin. All his bones, tendons, muscles, and veins are exposed.

Rooftop Terrace

The rooftop terrace of the Duomo Milan Cathedral is one that you just cannot miss! It offers spectacular views of the city of Milan and the 135 spires rising above the Cathedral. The roof is massive and is adorned with several statues, gargoyles, spires, and stone carvings. Every nook and corner offers incredible views making the terrace a photographer’s paradise. Visit later in the day for breathtaking visuals of the sunset.

Guided Tours vs Non-Guided Tours

Guided Tours

An expert tour guide will accompany you on your Duomo Milan tour and provide you with all the information and knowledge you need about the site.
The skip the line feature on your guided tour ticket allows you priority access to the Cathedral. This means that you will not have to wait in line to enter the attraction.
Your Duomo Milan tour has a fixed itinerary that includes all the major points of interest you should visit within the attraction. It helps get around a site as big and complex as Duomo Milan.
Guided tours include small groups of people to allow for a more interactive and intimate experience.

Non-Guided Tours

A regular Duomo Milan ticket will allow you to explore the Cathedral at your own pace.
We recommend getting an audio guide for more information about this unique attraction to further enhance the experience of your visit.
You will not be allowed to skip the line to enter the attraction with a general admission ticket. So you might have to wait in line anywhere between 30 minutes to 2 hours to access the site.

What to Expect on a Duomo Milan Tour?

The Duomo Milan Cathedral can be a little overwhelming and difficult to navigate by yourself. Therefore, to help you explore the place more efficiently, we suggest that you opt for a Duomo Milan guided tour because it includes an expert who knows the Cathedral in and out. They will be able to provide you with all the relevant information and everything else that you need to know for a more enriching experience.

After you meet your tour guide at the designated point, you will be taken inside the Cathedral and given a tour of all the interesting and major sections of the site. These include the five entrances including the central door, the Church of St. Gottardo, Madonnina’s statue, the Duomo Archaeological Complex, the Statue of Saint Bartholomew Flayed Alive, and the rooftop terrace that offers awe-inspiring views of the Cathedral and the city of Milan. The Duomo Milan Cathedral is one of the most famous tourist attractions frequented by people from across the world. Booking a Duomo Milan tour will only better your experience of this architectural marvel.

Visitor Tips

Book your tickets early on to secure a spot.
Wear comfortable footwear because there will be a lot of walking to do inside the Cathedral.
Read up about the Duomo Milan Cathedral if you’re not taking a guided tour.
The Cathedral provides locker room facilities for a small fee.
The best time to visit the museum is on weekdays in the early hours when the attraction opens or in the evening for Instagram-worthy views from the rooftop terrace.
There are no restrooms inside the premises.
Stop by the Duomo Shop for souvenirs after your visit.
Visit the rooftop terrace in the evening for astonishing sunset views.
The Cathedral is accessible to people with reduced mobility. They also provide wheelchairs and elevator services for the disabled. Washrooms for the disabled are also available on site.
You will be required to dress appropriately. Shorts, mini-skirts, bareback or low-cut clothes are not allowed.

Plan Your Visit to Duomo Milan

Frequently Asked Questions About Duomo MIlan Tours

Q. Can I book a Duomo Milan tour?

A. Yes. Duomo Milan tours are available for booking.

Q. How can I book a Duomo Milan tour?

A. You can book a Duomo Milan tour online.

Q. How much does a Duomo Milan tour cost?

A. Duomo Milan tours start at €29.

Q. What are the different types of Duomo Milan tours?

A. There are four types of Duomo Milan tours available – fast-Track Duomo Milan Cathedral and Terraces Guided Tour, Milan Half-Day Guided Tour with Access to Duomo Cathedral, La Scala Museum & Theatre, Best of Milan Duomo Cathedral & Da Vinci’s ‘Last Supper’ Semi-Private Tour, and Milan in One Day – with Duomo, Last Supper and Downtown Tour.

Q. What is included in Duomo Milan tours?

A. Duomo Milan tours include access to all sections that are open to the public like the Duomo Archaeological Complex, Church of St. Gottardo, Statue of Saint Bartholomew Flayed Alive, Madonnina’s statue, the rooftop terrace, and more.

Q. In what languages are the Duomo Milan guided tours available?

A. The Duomo Milan guided tours are available in five languages – English, French, German, Portuguese, and Spanish.

Q. What does the Duomo Milan guided tour cover?

A. The Duomo Milan guided tour covers all the major points of interest including the Door of the Cathedral, Duomo Archaeological Complex, Church of St. Gottardo, Statue of Saint Bartholomew Flayed Alive, Madonnina’s statue, the rooftop terrace, and more.

Q. How many people can go on a Duomo Milan tour?

A. The number of visitors allowed inside the Cathedral at a time has been limited to 15 to ensure social distancing.

Q. Is a Duomo Milan tour worth it?

A. Yes. The Duomo Milan tour is worth it because it’s one of the most popular tourist attractions in the world. The Cathedral is rooted in history and is an architectural masterpiece that you must visit once in your lifetime. It is one of the largest Gothic cathedrals in the world offering spellbinding views of the city of Milan.

Q. Do the Duomo Milan tours include skip the line access?

A. Yes. The Duomo Milan tours include a skip the line feature.

Q. Can I cancel a booked Duomo Milan tour?

A. Yes. It depends on the type of Duomo Milan tour you book. Please check the cancellation policy before booking your tickets.

Q. How long is the Duomo Milan guided tour?

A. The Duomo Milan guided tours can be anywhere between 1 hour and 30 minutes to 6 hours long.

Q. Are there any discounted tickets for the Duomo Milan tours?

A. Yes. Infants between 0 to 3 years of age can enter the Cathedral for free while children between 4 to 11 years of age enjoy reduced ticket rates. Please carry a valid photo ID. Other guests can get up to 5% off on their Duomo Milan tour tickets.