The Duomo complex includes several distinct attractions, such as the Milan Cathedral itself, the Terrace, the Duomo Museum, the Crypt of St. Charles, and the Duomo Archaeological Area, each with its separate operating hours. Understanding and navigating these separate schedules can be confusing for many visitors, so in this article, we’ve explained Duomo di Milano Hours for each attraction in a very detailed manner to help you plan your visit as easily and straightforwardly as possible.
Duomo di Milano Hours
The Duomo di Milano also known as the Milan Cathedral opens at 8 a.m. and closes at 7 p.m., with the last admission time at 6:10 p.m., Monday through Sunday.
| Days | Timings | Last Entry |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. | 6:10 p.m. |
| Tuesday | 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. | 6:10 p.m. |
| Wednesday | 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. | 6:10 p.m. |
| Thursday | 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. | 6:10 p.m. |
| Friday | 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. | 6:10 p.m. |
| Saturday | 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. | 6:10 p.m. |
| Sunday | 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. | 6:10 p.m. |
Remember that the opening hours of the terrace are the same as the cathedral’s opening hours.
Duomo Museum Hours
The Duomo Museum opens at 10 a.m. and closes at 7 p.m. daily, except Wednesdays. The Museum remains closed on Wednesdays.
| Days | Timings | Last Entry |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. | 6:10 p.m. |
| Tuesday | 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. | 6:10 p.m. |
| Wednesday | Closed | Closed |
| Thursday | 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. | 6:10 p.m. |
| Friday | 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. | 6:10 p.m. |
| Saturday | 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. | 6:10 p.m. |
| Sunday | 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. | 6:10 p.m. |
Apart from these two primary highlights, visitors also like to visit some lesser-known places in the Duomo complex, such as the Crypts of St. Charles, San Gottardo Church, Archeological Area, Santa Maria Annunciata in Camposanto Church, St. Stefano Baptistery.
Here are the timings of all these attractions in a simplified way.
Opening Hours of St. Charle’s Crypt
- Timings: 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
- Opening Days: Monday to Sunday
Opening Hours of San Gottardo Church
- Timings: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Opening Days: Monday to Sunday (Except Wednesdays)
Opening Hours of Duomo Archeological Area
- Timings: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Opening Days: Monday to Sunday
Opening Hours of Santa Maria Annunciata in Camposanto Church
- Timings: 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m.
- Opening Days: Tuesday to Friday
Opening Hours of St. Stefano Baptistery
- Timings: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Opening Days: Monday to Sunday
Opening Hours of Duomo Library and Archives
- Timings: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Opening Days: Monday to Sunday
Duomo di Milano Mass Timings
Duomo di Milano is not just a tourist attraction, but a fully functional church, and many locals as well as tourists visit this place primarily to offer their prayers or to attend the masses. There is a fixed timing for every mass, prayer, and confession. Let’s look into the details of the timings for such specific activities.
Timetable of Services (Mass Timings)
⇢ From Monday to Friday
- Eucharist mass: 7 a.m., 8 a.m., 8.30 a.m. (in the Crypt); 11 a.m., 5.30 p.m.
- Recital of the Rosary: 5 pm
⇢ Saturday
- Eucharist mass: 8.30 a.m. (in the Crypt), 9.30 a.m.
- Vigil mass (at the High Altar): 5.30 p.m.
⇢ Sundays and other holy occasions
- Celebrations of the Eucharist: 7 a.m., 8 a.m. (in the Feriale Chapel), 9.30 a.m., 11 a.m. (Capitular Eucharist in Latin), 12.30 a.m., 5.30 p.m.
- Morning Lauds: 10.30 a.m.
- Vespers and Eucharistic Blessing: 4.30 p.m.
- Please note that the hours for liturgical celebrations may vary and are subject to change.
- As mentioned earlier, The Duomo di Milano is a fully functional church, so visitors must follow a dress code to maintain its sanctity. Read our guide on the Duomo di Milano dress code to plan your outfit.
Prayer Timings and Access for Worshippers
Worshippers are welcome to pray daily at the Transept of San Giovanni Bono inside the Duomo di Milano from 6:50 a.m. to 7 p.m., with free access through specific entrances depending on the time of day. From 6:50 a.m. to 8.30 a.m. free entry is granted through the side door of the duomo. However, from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., free entry is allowed through the Facade (North Door). Please remember that the last access time for worshippers is at 6:10 p.m.
Here’s a table explaining the access times for worshippers at the Duomo di Milano in an easier way:
| Access Time | Entry Point | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6:50 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. | Side Door | Free access for worshippers |
| 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. | North Door (Facade) | Free access for worshippers |
| Last Access Time | 6:10 p.m. | Final entry for worshippers |
Please be aware that the hours of access for worshippers may be subject to change.
Timetable of Confessions
The Cathedral welcomes visitors daily who seek the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Confessions are held in the designated confessional area, situated near the altar of the Madonna dell’Albero in the left transept. From Monday to Saturday, confessions are available between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. On Sundays and holidays, the schedule is divided into two sessions: 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.
| Day | Confession Hours | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Monday to Saturday | 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. | Near the altar of the Madonna dell’Albero (Left transept) |
| Sunday and Festivities | 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. | Near the altar of the Madonna dell’Albero (Left transept) |
Best Time to Visit Duomo Di Milano
The best time to the day visit the Duomo di Milano is between 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Big Tour groups don’t usually arrive during this time frame, meaning there will be a very minimal crowd allowing you to enjoy your visit in peace. Milan Cathedral starts getting crowded after 12 and it remains the same way until 3 p.m. So if you are not able to make it during the morning hours, we suggest you visit after 3 p.m. These late afternoon hours won’t be as less crowded as the early morning hours, but it’s still better than the peak crowded time of the day.
We suggest you visit the attraction 10 minutes before it opens for the day at 9 a.m. so that you can be among the first batch of people to enter the attraction. This not only allows you to enjoy your visit without being rushed by other people, but it’ll also help you get some great pictures to memorize your visit as there’s almost zero crowd inside during the first batch visit.
Weekends are the most crowded days at Milan Cathedral, not only does it attract a large number of tourists but locals also like to enjoy their weekend holiday admiring the intricate architecture of Duomo di Milano. So, unless you’re ready to face a huge crowd on your visit, we strongly recommend planning your visit on Weekdays and avoiding weekends as much as possible.
Monday to Friday are the best days of the week to visit Duomo di Milano except Wednesdays as few of the attractions remain closed on this day including the Duomo Museum and San Gottardo Church. Except for Wednesday, if you plan you visit on any weekday, you will be able to enjoy a full visiting experience of the Duomo Complex enjoying its every highlight.
Milan enjoys four distinct seasons every year, Summer, Spring, autumn, and winter, and each of them has its charm and varying tourist activity. The summer months, from June to August, mark the peak tourist season for Milan and the Duomo di Milano, drawing large crowds due to summer holidays across Europe and nearby regions.
So, if you want to avoid such a huge crowd and have a more peaceful experience, the best time of the year to visit Duomo di Milano is during the spring months of April and May. The mild, pleasant temperatures make for a comfortable and enjoyable visit without the summer’s heat or humidity. If spring doesn’t work for you, early autumn, from September to mid-October, is also a wonderful alternative, offering fewer crowds and mild weather. The winter months, however, tend to be quite cold, with chilly breezes and brisk nights, which can make sightseeing less comfortable for some visitors.
Personal Tip: Based on our Personal experiences, the best time to visit the Milan Cathedral is on a Tuesday morning, ideally between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m., in April. Visiting at this time offers the quietest experience, allowing you to explore the Duomo with minimal crowds compared to any other day, time, or month.
How much time do you need to complete a tour of Duomo Di Milano?
If you want to have a detailed visit to the Duomo di Milano, including the Cathedral, its terrace, and the Duomo Museum, we suggest you plan your visit for at least 3 to 4 hours. If you also want to visit other highlights such as the crypt, archeological areas, and other churches, you should consider extending your visit by another 2 hours, making it a half-day experience of approximately 6 hours. Here’s a detailed breakdown:
| Attraction | Recommended Time |
|---|---|
| Cathedral | 1 hour |
| Terrace | 1 hour |
| Duomo Museum | 1 hour |
| Crypt of St. Charles | 30 minutes |
| Archaeological Area | 45 minutes |
| Church of San Gottardo | 30 minutes |
| Church of Santa Maria presso San Satiro | 30 minutes |
| Church of San Bernardino alle Ossa | 30 minutes |
This schedule allows for a comprehensive visit to the Duomo complex and nearby sites, providing time to appreciate each attraction’s unique features.
Duomo di Milano Hours FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
1. How much time do you need for the Duomo di Milano?
To have a detailed visit to the Duomo di Milano, including the Cathedral, its terrace, and the Duomo Museum, you should plan at least 3 to 4 hours. If you also wish to explore the crypt, archaeological areas, and nearby churches, you should allocate around 6 hours for a comprehensive half-day experience.
2. What is the best time of day to visit Duomo di Milano?
The best time to visit is between 9 a.m. and 12 p.m. when the crowds are minimal. Arriving around 10 minutes before opening at 9 a.m. allows you to be among the first to enter. If a morning visit isn’t possible, consider visiting after 3 p.m., as the crowds decrease slightly compared to the peak hours between 12 p.m. and 3 p.m.
3. What time can you enter the Duomo?
The Duomo di Milano opens daily at 8 a.m. The last admission time is at 6:10 p.m., and it closes at 7 p.m.
4. Is Duomo di Milano free to enter?
Only worshipers who wish to attend the mass and are there to pray can visit the Duomo di Milano for free. However, to visit the terrace or the museum, one must buy an entry ticket.
5. What days is the Duomo closed?
The Milan Cathedral itself is not closed on any day and operates daily. However, certain attractions within the Duomo complex, such as the Duomo Museum and the San Gottardo Church, remain closed on Wednesdays.
6. When can you visit the Milan Cathedral?
The Milan Cathedral is open every day from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. The best times to visit are weekday mornings for a peaceful experience, avoiding weekends due to large crowds.
7. When can you visit Milan Cathedral for free?
You can visit the Milan Cathedral for free if you’re a worshipper attending prayer or Mass. Free access is available:
- 6:50 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. via the side door.
- 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. via the North Door.
Visitors seeking free access to attend Mass should note that free entrance is restricted only to worship areas, not the entire Cathedral complex. To visit the museum or terrace of Milan Cathedral, you need to purchase a separate admission ticket.