Enough Time for Milan Duomo Rooftop?

Early May should not be horribly crowded. We went on the roof on Sept 17. We spent about 1.5 hours up there. We got the tickets and went directly to the roof via the elevator (you can also walk up; everyone able-bodied walks down). That seemed more than enough. The only issue would be the arrival time, which is not always what is listed in the time-table. In addition, I'm not 100% clear how far you are from the Duomo. I think that you are some distance, so time to get to the Duomo needs to be factored in. You will have plenty of daylight at this time of year. I'd go ahead on arrival day

I think it's probably doable if your plane is on time BUT I'd watch the ticketing site as you might not need to get a ticket until right before you get there if you'll have a smartphone.

I went up in September as well and although I bought my ticket ahead of time I could have easily gotten the Fast Pass to the elevator to the roof at the time. (I asked the line attendant!)

IF it's raining I'd want to skip the roof which is another reason I'd not want to purchase until the time UNLESS it looks like it is selling out.

I did not spend as much time as Paul on the roof but I have a fear of heights and was making myself go up there, lol. I probably spent 45 minutes from the time I entered the elevator until I had walked down ALL the steps to the Duomo back entrance. That took me on the whole circuit of the roof.

When I travel I'm usually OK the next morning, but start to fade by afternoon.

I recommend you also download the TreNord train app which is the train system for Lombardy. You can buy your Malpensa Express tickets on it when you get to the airport and get to the train station level AND you can buy your ticket onward from Milan if you are going to the lakes.

If all goes well, flight on time etc you can probably be at the Duomo by 4-4:30

We spent about 30 min in the Duomo before heading back to the line for elevator to terraces
They let us in at least 30 min early
Spent a bit over an hour up there- it was a bit scary for me as I am afraid of heights too

When you descend the terraces you end up inside the Duomo where we spent another 30 min or so

I’d also advise waiting til you get to Milan to book your tickets
We were there same time as Pam and it wasn’t busy at all
If you aren’t going to get there til past 5 I’d hold off and go in the am
You won’t have time for both Duomo and terraces before they start shooing you out.

If you want to visit Last Supper on your second day- totally worth it, amazing sight- you will want to book those tickets as soon as dates available.

One comment on fear of heights: I have a bit of that as well, but the roof is about the safest higher place I have been too. To actually be in actual danger, it would take really dumb actions. You would have to climb up to go near the edge. So I didn't feel concerned up there. The view is great. You learn a lot about the construction of this massive Duomo up there.

I agree with Paul on the assessment on height fear on the roof. It's surprisingly flat up there, lol. The worst part to me was the stairway up to the top and then back down. I just waited until someone was in front of me and I could look at their back instead of looking out.

Same here Pam
That last stairway up almost did me in
No rails either

"Same here Pam
That last stairway up almost did me in
No rails either"

Yes, no hand rails on that one. I'd decided if I had to I could go down that steep set of stairs on my butt! So elegant! It was a relief to get to the enclosed circular stairwell down to the Duomo, lol.

I made myself do it in part because the old family story was that Great-grandfather who was from a town 25 miles north of Milan walked to "the big church" in Milan for services. I suspect he might have done it once or at most maybe once a year but I was channeling my Inner Grandpa Angelo to get up and down, lol!!

"Same here Pam
That last stairway up almost did me in
No rails either"

Yes, no hand rails on that one. I'd decided if I had to I could go down that steep set of stairs

Can I ask how many stairs we're talking about here? Anyone have a picture? I'm taking my Mom, she has some slight balance issues- is it open enough that she could take a bad fall?

it is possible to take the elevator down from the roof, but there are restrictions. I am not sure how you can get on the elevator, but there are guards there. Possibly a simple statement of need is enough. When you buy tickets, ask at the ticket booth.

"Can I ask how many stairs we're talking about here? Anyone have a picture? I'm taking my Mom, she has some slight balance issues- is it open enough that she could take a bad fall?"

The side of the staircase facing the Piazza is open tracery work. You could not fall thru it. The stairs are probably a double staircase length and were steep-ish. I touched the interior wall and walked down that side of the steps behind someone.

Here is a youtube video and have finally found one that shows the stairs. Look at :55 seconds into it. This is the stairway up to the very top level of the roof...and the one down is the same. I did not watch past this point so didn't see if he showed it. You can see the tracery on the right and kind of see the length of the stairway.

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=milan+duomo+stairs

I will add that I am 73. I was in poorer condition on this last trip to Italy but took my time and managed on these stairs. This was at the beginning of my trip.

I agree with Paul that you could ask about taking the elevator down BUT the elevator does not go all the way to the top are of the roof so she'd still have to do the last staircase up and back down which is the one pictured above.

That was really helpful, thank you so much!!

PQ