Best Time to Visit Duomo di Milano

Duomo di Milano receives 5 million visitors annually, making it one of the most visited Cathedrals in the world. 

The best time to visit Duomo di Milano is 8 am on a weekday to avoid huge crowds.

To beat the crowds at Duomo di Milano, visit during the early opening hours, weekdays and nonfestive season. 

If you do not mind the crowd, the sunset time is undoubtedly the best hour to visit Duomo di Milano. 

Visiting the Cathedral rooftop during sunset or evening gives a mesmerizing view of the city. 

After a visit to the terrace, extend your stay until the dark to see the Cathedral glow in lights. 

If you plan your visit an hour before closing, you can enjoy a private experience of the Cathedral. 

We recommend spending some time in the Piazza in front of Duomo di Milano at night for a complete experience. 

Take advantage of the extended opening hours of Milan Cathedral Rooftops from 6 pm to 10 pm on all Thursdays of July and August. 

The Milan Cathedral shines to its fullest during the festive season. 

Guests visiting during the Christmas holidays, Easter and other popular holidays enjoy a unique experience. 

Standardizing the best time to visit Duomo di Milano is difficult and depends on the visitor’s preference.

Based on various criteria, here is a further breakdown of the best time to visit Duomo di Milano. 

[ez-toc]

Best day to visit Duomo di Milano

The best day to visit Duomo di Milano depends if you want to enjoy a calm, serene visit or with crowds and festivities.

Weekdays are less crowded and you can enjoy a private visit to the Cathedral. 

However, the Duomo Museum and San Gottarado Church are closed on Wednesday. 

During the weekdays, guests can also visit Santa Maria Annunciata in Camposanto Church, which is otherwise closed on weekends. 

If you are in Milan only for the weekend, then Saturday mornings are the best time to visit Duomo di Milano. 

On a Saturday morning, the crowd is low and every part inside the Cathedral is open for visitors. 

However, various parts of the Cathedral are closed on Sundays to tourists due to religious celebrations. 

We recommend avoiding the afternoons during the weekends as it gets too crowded in the Cathedral. 

Visiting Milan Cathedral at night

Duomo at night is undoubtedly an unforgettable experience. 

There are fewer people during the night and Duomo with all the lights, is a sight to behold. 

Take advantage of the extended opening hours of the Cathedral Terrace on Thursdays in July and August. 

After watching the sunset on the terrace, tour the Cathedral and spend the night at the Cathedral Square. 

During summers, Italians love to stay outside and enjoy the nice weather and there is no better place than the Piazza to do this. 

In the winter, the Piazza or the Cathedral Square is empty.

If you can handle the cold, visit Duomo at night and feel like the only one in the city as you stroll through Cathedral Square. 

Note: Guests can take an exclusive Milan Cathedral and Terrace after-hours tour to enjoy the Duomo during the night. 

Best season to visit Duomo Di Milano

Milan enjoys hot and sunny summers and mild winters. 

Spring (April to June) and Autumn (September to October) are the best months to visit Milan Cathedral. 

During these months, the weather is pleasant and visitors can avoid extreme heat or cold. 

In addition, the pleasant weather lets guests tour the Cathedral without fatigue for a long time. 

Best time to visit to avoid crowds

June to August is the peak tourist season in Milan and the Cathedral is always crowded. 

There is a huge increase in tourists during the Fall season, especially during Milan Fashion Week. 

Festive season and weekends also witness a surge of visitors to the Cathedral. 

Hence, if you wish to skip the crowds, try to avoid the above-mentioned months. 

Plan your visit during April and May, weekends or winters (if you do not mind the cold), to enjoy a crowd-free visit. 

Note: Tourists visiting during the peak season can skip the crowds with the help of skip the line tickets and Duomo after-hours tour tickets. 

Visiting Duomo de Milano at Christmas Time

Decorations and celebrations for Christmas start as early as November in Milan. 

However, Christmas officially starts on December 7 when the iconic 25-meter-high Christmas tree is set up outside the Milan Cathedral in the Piazza. 

This tree is adorned with Swarovski crystals and 80,000 lights and the city holds a special festival for the first lighting of the tree. 

Visiting the Piazza del Duomo is one of the must-do activities during Christmas in Milan. 

With celebrations and Italian cuisine lighting up the air, the Christmas holidays are considered one of the best times to visit Duomo di Milano.

Spending time in the Piazza after a tour of the Cathedral at night is a local favorite activity. 

The Cathedral also hosts special events during the holiday season. 

The city also offers Christmas markets and hot Italian street food. 

However, many attractions close as Christmas approaches and the climate gets cold. 

Hence, many tourists avoid visiting during the winter. 

If you can handle the cold and wish to experience the most unique Milan Christmas, this is the best time to travel to Milan. 

During this season, there is less crowd and hotels and some attractions offer discounts.

Best time to visit the Duomo’s terrace

Duomo Terrace offers the most captivating views of Milan City as the sun sets over the horizon. 

During weekdays, there is a short waiting time to take the elevator and fewer people during sunset. 

This allows all the guests to enjoy a calm sunset on the Duomo terrace. 

However, if you are visiting during peak season, you can get skip the line tickets or private tour tickets to enjoy the terrace without any crowd.

For all visitors planning to visit Duomo di Milano, here is some essential information to plan your trip: 
– Opening hours
– How to reach 
– Parking Information 
– Restaurants
– Tips for Visiting 
– History and Architecture
– Facts about Duomo Milano 

Best time to visit FAQs

Featured Image: Tiqets.com