The Best of Milan – Sunset on the rooftop of the Duomo
Updated: April 25, 2022
Milan is the One Place where you shop till you drop, take a journey through Roman ruins, meet architecture of centuries gone-by sitting next to modern skyscrapers, experience amazing mouth-watering dishes which only the Italians have the “know-how” and enjoy a cocktail or two from terraces across the spectacularly amazing Duomo – yet the Best of Milan for me was walking through what seemed like a forest of towers and spires and watching the sunset from the rooftop of the Duomo, a sight to behold and an experience not to miss. Come with me and enjoy this splendid experience.
About Milan Cathedral
The Gothic Cathedral of Milan, famously known as the Duomo, is an impressive glorious marble structure with slender pinnacles rising everywhere. This behemoth cathedral tells the story of faith , art and architecture spanning over six hundred years. Standing gallantly in the centre of Piazza del Duomo is the Milan Cathedral. It has been said that the exterior of the Duomo is decorated with 2,245 statues, 135 gargoyles and over 700 statues. Above all, it is the golden Madonnina, that stands high above over Milan which gives this iconic Cathedral its glorious and majestic beauty.
To take a close look at the compelling external architecture of the Duomo requires a walk on the rooftop. Access to the rooftop is via a flight of stairs or by an elevator. To make your visit that much more special, visit the rooftop in the evening and experience a sunset on the rooftop of the Duomo.
Recommended read: Milan Cathedral – How to make the best of your visit.
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TTS Best Tips: Book tours and tickets in advance.
1 | Best tours in Milan > Fast-track Milan Cathedral and Rooftop;
2 | Select the 48-hour Milan City Card for free entrance to museums, Duomo + Terraces, La Scala & Theatre, Leonardo’s Vineyard, transportation and so much more.
1 | The Best of Milan
Sunset on the rooftop of the Duomo
The one experience that I would highly recommend when you visit Milan is to catch the sunset from the terraces of the Duomo. I was totally lost in the moment and overcome with a sense of calmness when I exited the lift and saw the views over Milan.
The views from the top are amazing and you can see the mountains in the distance on a clear day. Below, is the Piazza del Duomo and literally the whole of Milan under your feet! This magnificent Duomo is a true wonder! We spent over an hour at the rooftop, just taking in the sights, far, near and below.
Recommended read: Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II
Play the video below to immerse in the atmosphere of the best of Milan — sunset on the rooftop of the Duomo
2 | Walking through a forest of spires and statues on the rooftop of the Duomo
We walked through a forest of one-hundred and thirty-five towers and spires, and over two-thousand decorative marble statues. The close-up of the spires was an impressive sight and will have you in awe in more times than once.
We explored the rooftop via interconnecting stairways. We walked the perimeter of the Cathedral, all four sides and further up to the highest possible point to have the closest view possible of Modonnina, the symbol of Milan. We stopped every few minutes to take in the view, and along with other tourists were in total awe, total strangers talking to each other and sharing this one love of wonderment. There were moments of silence too, for such moments need not be outwardly expressed. Each moment was remarkable as we witnessed the changing colours of the clear blue skies to yellow, gold and orange hues.
3 | The changing hues of the sunset over Milan from the Duomo
No words needed here…have a look at the video below – the changing colours over the City of Milan.
4 | Best of Milan | The velvety night sky
The rich hues of the sunset gave way to the velvety dark of night as the sun sank lower draining the light of day away. You can see the star-like lights in the distance and the bright-lights from the square. The evening landscape that surrounds the Duomo was unique as it represents the old and new combined, somehow perfectly complementing each other and not being out of place. The evening drew a slight breeze, giving a chill in the autumn evening which added to the magical moments of this sunset over Milan from the rooftop of the Duomo.
5 | Madonnina at the Duomo – Symbol of Milan
To get the closest view possible of the Madonnina, walk all around the perimeter of the roof and around a corner, there is a stairway that leads further up to the highest possible point. The stairs leads you to the highest rooftop and it is from here, where you will have the closest view possible of Modonnina – the picture below.
Georgina suggests: The rooftop is at a gradient and can be slippery. Please use appropriate footwear and take care when you climb up.
6 | Reflection of my experience on the rooftop of the Duomo
The rooftop offers spectacular views over Milan. You will be totally amazed at walking through what seems like never ending paths through a forest of spires and statues of all and every kind that makes the Duomo unique. If there be one thing you do in Milan, and you want it to be the Best of Milan, make it the Sunset on the rooftop of the Duomo.
I know what is “Best” to individuals may differ and you may not be a fan of cathedrals or rooftops, but for those who are on the same page as I, give the rooftop of the Duomo a go at sunset and return here to share your experiences or tag me on Instagram when you post your pictures. I look forward to connecting with each of you.
I was fortunate to experience this on a sunny day because the day before and day after rained cats and dogs! Plan well and choose your day. Purchase your tickets before visiting.
7 | Travel tips and Practical information when visiting the Duomo di Milano
7.1 | How to get to the rooftops of the Duomo
Access to the rooftop is around the back of the Duomo. You need a ticket.
There are two ways to get to the rooftop – by staircase or an elevator. If you do the Fast-track or the Skip-the-line option, you can take the lift. I highly recommend that you opt for this option because it saves you a lot of time. Moreover, this ticket is valid for 3-days and an audio-guide is included.
There are about 20 options or ways in which you could experience the Duomo di Milano. Have a look at the various choices you have and reserve well ahead of time so you do miss out on this amazing experience > here
You will find that there is a queue to the rooftops, regardless of whether you are on the Skip-the-line track or not. When I visited there was only one line and it was not a very long queue but I had to wait fifteen minutes or so. It was understandable under the circumstances as there is only one operable lift, taking about six people at a time.
TTS tip: Give yourself at least 1 to 1.5 hours to really enjoy the rooftop experience
7.2 | Opening hours
The Cathedral and the Rooftop is open Everyday.
Cathedral – 8 am to 7 pm | Rooftop – 9 am to 7pm | Last entry is at 6 pm
For further details on their daily activities and prayer times, please check their official website at Duomo di Milano.
Access > Accessibility information
7.3 | Getting to Milan Cathedral
From Milan Central Station:
To get to the Cathedral, you will need the Piazza del Duomo. The distance between Milan’s Central Station and Piazza del Duomo is 2 miles / 3.2 km. There are Three ways to get to Milan Cathedral from Central Station. I took a taxi and it was 10 Euros. Have a look at the following and you can decide what suits you.
If you are looking for the quickest way to get from Milan’s Central Station to Piazza del Duomo is to take a taxi. It takes 7 to 10 minutes depending on traffic. It costs around 10 Euros.
If you are considering the cheapest way to get from Milan’s Central Station to Piazza del Duomo, then it is the line 3 subway which costs 3 Euros and takes 15 min. It is located right in the Piazza del Duomo.
You can take a direct bus departing from Central Station m2 m3 and arrives at via larga. It is about 7 to 9 minutes walk to Piazza del Duomo, The bus services depart every two hours, and operate every day. The journey takes approximately 13 min. Costs 3 Euros.
7.4 | Planning your trip?
Travel resources at a Glance
Planning your dream vacation? Excellent! Here are all the Resources and Practical information you need for your self-guided or guided vacation.
1 | Legal entry/Tourist travel Visa
Check Visa requirements with iVisa, a leading independent company in the travel documentation industry.
2 | Flights
I have a few choices. Search Google flights because they offer very competitive prices. You could also try Opodo for cheap airfares. For special experiences, go to On the Beach and Jet2Holidays. My all time favourite has been Qatar Airways for long-haul flights for the comfort and their first-class service. I use British Airways as well. For all other global deals >> kiwi.com
For more choices, visit our Resources page
3 | Accommodations
My favourite website for booking hotels is booking.com – I love their flexible cancellation policy which means I’m covered till the last minute. I also like that the totals show up for the whole stay so it helps me budget better. Other favourites of mine are Millennium & Copthorne Group of Hotels and Resorts for their consistent high quality accommodations and service. You could also take a look at the Radisson Hotels chain that caters for all budget. For accommodations in UK that has a personal touch and affordable luxury, stay at Hotel du Vin.
4 | Unique experiences & tours
My all time go to resource for unique experiences and tours is Get your Guide. I am also a fan of Viator for their special deals. You shall find suggestions on recommended tours sprinkled throughout TTS on each experience I write about.
5 | Travel insurance
Never travel without travel insurance and never overpay for travel insurance! Before purchasing any any travel policy, read through the terms to ensure that the plan is right for you and your trip.
6 | Travel essentials
Never travel without these! I use and fully endorse all the products on this page but especially: High powered wireless power bank, Universal travel adapter and unlimited portable pocket wifi.
7.5 | Beautiful places to stay in Milan and in Milan’s neighbourhoods
Find the perfect hotel room in booking .com with flexible dates and last-minute cancellations. There are 3314 hotels and accommodations in Milan and I am certain you will find one to suit your needs – you can access booking. com here. Alternatively, stay at one of the 12 carefully selected beautiful places in Milan – hotels and aparthotels according to neighbourhoods.
Grab these latest deals in Milan!
Booking.com7.6 | Find great activities to do in Milan
Find great day tours for a seamless and hassle free, skip the line experiences – Get Your Guide here .
Recommended read: 19 bucket list items not to miss when visiting Milan
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Finally…what do you think?
It’s your turn – what do you think? Is this post valuable to you in planning your visits to experience the best of Milan – sunset on the rooftop of the Duomo? Have I missed something that should be added here? If so, please let me know in comments below or via Contact Form, I would love to hear from you.
Also, use the links embedded in this article and related articles to book your flights, train travel, accommodations, and activities. All of TTS’ trusted partners are reliable companies with long-standing reputation in the travel industry. You can be rest assured of good service. Using the links also means that TTS earns a commission for qualifying stays and activities completed at no cost to you at all. As always, we appreciate your support.
Have a lovely time experiencing the sunset on the rooftop of the Duomo!
Georgina xx
ESSENTIALS FOR MILAN TRAVEL
Basics for Milan Trip
1 | From Bergamo Airport to Milan City Centre — Direct Bus Transfer
2 | From Malpensa Airport to Milan Central Station
3 | Linate Airport to Milan Central Station
4 | Private transfer from Milan Airport
6 | Entry to Milan Cathedral and Rooftop
7 | Milan Hop-on Hop-off Bus Ticket
Recommended Read:
1 | City of Milan Guide: A Complete Resource for Travellers
2 | How to Get around Milan like a Local
4 | Milan Bucket List: 19 Very Best Things to do in Italy’s Fashion Capital
OUR BEST SELLING ACTIVITIES IN MILAN
1 | Fast-track Milan Cathedral and Terraces Guide Tour
2 | Day trip from Milan: Lake Como + Bellagio + Lugano
3 | Day trip from Milan: Lake Como + Bellagio + Varenna
4 | Leonardo Science & Technology Museum Entry
5 | Leonardo da Vinci Last Supper and Santa Maria delle Grazie Tour
Don’t fancy a DIY vacation? No worries! These guys are great at organising package holidays/vacations – take a look…
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The Best of Milan – Sunset on the rooftop of the Duomo first published at timelesstravelsteps.com and is regularly updated. Last update April 25, 2022
I think it is wonderful to live in Milan! There is so much to discover in this beautiful city that it will take several trips before I can say ” right! done!” 🙂 The rooftop experience was truly amazing and beautiful. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
I lived in Milan for 11 years and I really think going on top of the Duomo is such an incredible experience.
Absolutely right! A ticket good for 3 days is such good value for money – you can’t go wrong at all. You are really observant – absolutely correct that one can go around the roofline so you get to see all angles but there were some parts (the back of the Duomo) where access was restricted as there were scaffolding etc for repairs/maintenance. Hope you will visit the Duomo soon.
I am so happy that my post has inspired you to revisit Milan. The rooftop at sunset is incredible! I hope to see your photos when you post them. Thank you so much for your valuable feedback.
Thank you so very much! So happy you like the photos. It was an incredible experience to be at the rooftop during sunset. Hope you get to visit Milan and enjoy this spectacular view from the rooftop of the Duomo.
Wow! The pictures you posted are incredible! I would love to go to Milan someday!
I never made it to Milan when I was in Italy back in 2015. This post made me want to book a trip and go experience it. The sunsets look so stunning. The architecture looks so intricate and beautiful. I hope to make my way there and go to that rooftop and snap many photos.
Rooftop cocktails overlooking the city is one of my favorite things to do in a new city. This takes it to a whole new level. It looks like the stair on the roof actually follow the roofline for the best views from every angle. I can understand how you spent an hour here. Great tip to buy a skip the line ticket for the elevator and I love that the ticket is good for 3 days
Thank you so very much, Albi. Your comments are absolutely so encouraging to read and I am super happy that you enjoyed the gallery and the video. Hope you will visit the Duomo, if you haven’t already for a sunset experience. I appreciate your thoughtful comments.
You have a gorgeous pictures I especially appreciate the one with statue in the middle and the video is really nice. It brings the whole atmosphere to the sunset in place like this. Especially the music
That is so cool! You guys must have had a great time. Thank you so much for sharing. I appreciate it.
That’s awesome! So glad you are inspired by my post! It is definitely a beautiful piece of architecture which should not be missed when visiting Milan. Thank you so much for your kind and encouraging words. I appreciate it.
I am so happy that you found my post helpful and the tips useful. I hope that you will visit the Duomo one day soon. Thank you so much for your encouraging comments.
I remember me and my study abroad group practically took a nap on top of the roof! We just layed out and soaked up the sun lol
I hope you get to experience the rooftop at sunset – I can only imagine that daytime experience is different. Ahh, yes, next time I am definitely doing the stairs. Thank you for sharing.
I’ve never been to Milan, but every time I see this beautiful marble cathedral in the pictures, I have such a wow effect! A beautiful piece of architecture. All these details and sculptures. Just wonderful. I would love to see the sunset from rooftop, you inspired me to travel there!
We missed Milan during our road trip through Italy. It has been on my list for some time and these pictures just secured it’s spot! Thanks fort all the great tips!
I loved the rooftop though I wasn’t there for sunset. It must have been so much more stunning! I did rather enjoy walking up the stairs because you are right in between the structures and it’s really cool to see everything up close!
Milan is beautiful and there’s so much to see and do here – a lot more than Venice!
I loved Milan. I dont think it gets enough credit as a city in Italy compared to Rome or Venice.
Watching the sunset from the rooftop was a beautiful experience. If you are ever in Milan, watch the sunset and make it part of your rooftop experience – you will be amazed.
So glad that you feel inspired to visit Milan, Karen and I hope you do. The Duomo and the rooftop is an experience not to be missed for sure.
The rooftop of the Duomo experience is certainly one that should be high up on any visitor’s list to Milan. You will have an amazing time, for sure. Thank you for sharing your thoughts. I appreciate it.
Haha…exactly, right!. The rooftop of the Duomo is a spectacular experience not to be missed, for sure. Hope you will visit one day. Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts, Gabby. I appreciate it.
You are welcome, Ann 🙂 Glad my article got you thinking about Milan. Hope you will visit Milan soon and share your experiences.
Milan is definitely all three – beauty, fashion and high class – alongside incredible centuries old architecture. A visit here will truly be amazing. Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts.
Thank you Nina. Appreciate your thoughts on my article.
Thank you Georgina for all of the information on visiting the top of the Duomo. I can’t imagine there is anything missing here.
Beautiful photos! I’ve never been but Milan just reminds me of beauty, fashion and high class . The architecture is beautiful too!
Oh thanks for reminding me of Milan, I totally forgot about that city. For years I wanted to go, but never got around to it… and then I forgot and put a bunch of other cities on the list.
Thank you! 😀
Who would have thought that a rooftop would be a must-see destination! Your beautiful pics certainly does it justice 🙂 x
This is my kind of a place and experience! I had no idea that this was even possible and now I have to go back to Florence. Thank you for sharing this sunset gem.
We tend to avoid big cities and capitals unless we have visitors come over to see us. So we haven’t been to Milan as yet. Although your Duomo pictures look like an adventure in themselves. That antics me to go for sure. Thanks for inspiring. kx
I’ve always wondered how it looks up there on the roof. Now I know and want to see it myself, the sunset, too 🙂
You are absolutely must include them in your bucketlist. 🙂
Beautiful pictures. Must visit these places.