Veditalia · Piazza del Duomo
A Veditalia guide takes you up by lift to the terraces of Milan Cathedral and walks you among the spires to the central terrace under the Madonnina. Pick it if the roof is all you want and you'd like someone to explain what you're looking at.
Same company and same meeting point as Veditalia's Duomo and rooftop tour, minus the cathedral. You meet under the arches at Piazza del Duomo 4, get your headphones and hear the story from the piazza: almost 600 years of building, pink-veined Candoglia marble, the largest church in Italy. One guest describes meeting a host first, who then hands the group to the guide holding the tickets. Then you skip the ticket queue (not the bag check) and head for the lift.
The lift holds seven people, so expect a short wait even with a booked slot. It stops at the first level, about 31 metres up, where the walkway runs past flying buttresses and some of the 135 spires. From there it's about 75 steps to the central terrace at 45 metres, over the nave, with the gilded Madonnina on the great spire above you. On a clear day the Alps line the horizon. Guests report the tour ends up there and you walk down on your own, on stairs.
The price check: a terraces-only lift ticket from the official shop costs a little less than the €26 Duomo Pass, about €18 according to city guides. At $48 you pay roughly $25 for an hour with a guide. Want the inside as well? The Super Saver adds the guided interior for $8 more, the better deal for most first-timers. Guides in Spanish, French, German and Italian come only with the private option.
Under the arches next to 12 OZ Coffee Joint. Miss the start and there's no refund.
The story of the cathedral from the piazza while the group gathers.
Past the ticket line to the lift entrance, through security, then up seven at a time to the first level.
Buttresses, statues and gargoyles up close, then about 75 steps to the central terrace.
The tour finishes on the roof. The way down is on stairs for everyone.
★★★★★She discussed the history or the cathedral as well as the points of interest from the various points at the top of the Duomo. I would recommend this tour as something a little different than someone may think about doing when looking for a tour in Milan. Great views and photos from the top!
★★★★★It helped to have a beautiful day to visit the rooftop. Our guide, Simone, was timely, informative and enthusiastic about the sites he was showing us. He is a wonderful guide!
★★★★★I've been to Milan and it's seen the duomo a few times but never experienced the top of the Duomo. It was absolutely stunning to see the gargoyles and the view from the top. The elevator ride to the top was much appreciated and the walk down wasn't as bad as I thought it ould be.
★★★★★Up close views of the details worked into the cathedral are interesting and sometimes whimsical. [...] The guide was informative and gave interesting information about the restoration work continually being done.
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No. It covers the facade from the piazza and the terraces only. A guest wrote that the tour doesn't include church access. For both, book the Duomo and rooftop tour.
Veditalia says about 75 to reach the central terrace, and the way down is on stairs. Climbing from the ground on foot is about 250 steps.
No. Under the official rules the route is one-way and the descent is always on stairs. Take it slowly; the steps are worn marble.
If you want the roof explained, yes: you pay about $25 over a terraces lift ticket for an hour with a guide. If you just want the view, buy the official ticket and go at opening time. Our guided tour guide does the maths.
Ready to book
An hour on the terraces with a guide, lift up and stairs to the central terrace. The cheapest guided way onto the roof.
Duomo Rooftop Terrace Guided TourAbout 70 minutes on and around the roof with a licensed guide, lift up, nearly 50 steps to the highest terrace.★ 4.2 · 1 hour 10 min · from $57
Duomo & Rooftop Super Saver Guided TourThe most-booked Duomo tour: a guide inside the cathedral, then the lift to the terraces on one timed ticket.★ 4.6 · 2.5 hours · from $56
Duomo Lift Ticket with Museum & Audio AppNo guide: the lift ticket to the terraces, the cathedral, the museum and an English audio app.★ 4.2 · 2 hours · from $85