Milan tours and tickets
Milan has one booking that matters more than any other, The Last Supper, which sells out two to three months ahead. La Scala performances need a similar lead time, and the Duomo terraces are easy in a few days. The Galleria, the Navigli and Brera need nothing. Lake Como and Bergamo are simple by train.
Book these first
- The Last Supper
- 2 to 3 months ahead. Entry is by named, timed ticket for 40 people at a time, and tickets are released in blocks, with a few extra each Wednesday at noon for the following week.
- A performance at La Scala
- 2 to 3 months ahead. Sales for each performance open about two to three months before it, and tickets are registered in your name.
- Your hotel in a fair week
- 3 to 6 months ahead. Milan Design Week and the Salone del Mobile run 13 to 18 April 2027, and women's Fashion Week runs 23 February to 1 March 2027, when rooms are scarce and dear.
- The Duomo terraces
- A few days ahead in summer. Tickets are for set time slots, and the cathedral recommends buying online to avoid queues at its ticket office.
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Museums and galleries
The Last Supper
Leonardo's mural in the former refectory of Santa Maria delle Grazie. Entry is limited to small groups every fifteen minutes, and tickets sell out months ahead. A visit lasts 15 minutes.
Which to pick. Book the moment your dates open. If it is sold out, a guided tour that includes it is an alternative.
2 to 3 months aheadVisitor guideOfficial siteTours and tickets on ViatorPinacoteca di Brera
A painting gallery in a palace, with works by Mantegna, Raphael and Caravaggio. The free first Sunday of the month has long queues, so a normal day is better.
Which to pick. Buy at the door or online, and go on a weekday morning. A guide is optional, since the rooms follow a clear route.
On the day is fineVisitor guideOfficial siteTours and tickets on ViatorPinacoteca Ambrosiana
A smaller gallery with Leonardo's Portrait of a Musician, a Caravaggio still life and the Codex Atlanticus, Leonardo's notebooks, which are shown in selections.
Which to pick. Buy at the door. It is a quiet choice for a rainy afternoon, and the visit takes about an hour.
On the day is fineVisitor guideOfficial siteTours and tickets on Viator
Churches and palaces
Duomo and its terraces
A large Gothic cathedral with a roof walk, a museum and archaeological area. Tickets are sold by route, with lift or stairs.
Which to pick. Buy the terraces ticket online with a time slot, and choose lift or stairs. Go near sunset for the light on the spires.
A few days ahead in summerOfficial siteTours and tickets on ViatorTeatro alla Scala
The famous opera house, with performances through most of the year and a museum that is open on most days. Popular performances sell out months ahead.
Which to pick. Book performance seats as early as possible. If they are gone, the museum is a good fallback, and standing places sometimes appear on the day.
2 to 3 months aheadOfficial siteTours and tickets on ViatorBasilica di Sant'Ambrogio
A Romanesque basilica with a calm arcaded atrium, a golden altar and the remains of the city's patron saint. It is free to enter, and a small museum charges a fee.
Which to pick. Walk in and cover your shoulders and knees. No tickets are needed, and it is a quiet stop away from the crowds at the Duomo.
On the day is fineTours and tickets on Viator
Guided walks and tours
Old Milan walking tour
A walk from the Duomo through the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele to La Scala and Brera, covering the main sights and the stories of the city, usually over about two hours.
Which to pick. Take a morning tour to get your bearings. You can also do the route alone, since the sights are close together.
On the day is fineTours and tickets on Viator
Day trips
Lake Como
A lake of villas and mountain views, about an hour by train. Ferries link the towns, and a day pass is sold.
Which to pick. Take the train and buy a ferry day pass on the spot. A tour handles the logistics.
A few days ahead in summerOfficial siteTours and tickets on ViatorBergamo
A walled upper town on a hill, about an hour from Milan by train, reached from the lower city by funicular. It has medieval streets, a main square and a basilica.
Which to pick. Go by train and take the funicular up. No tickets are needed in advance, and half a day is enough.
On the day is fineOfficial siteTours and tickets on ViatorCertosa di Pavia
A Renaissance monastery near Pavia, with a richly decorated church and cloisters, visited with a guided tour at set times. It is reached by train and a short bus ride.
Which to pick. Check the opening and tour times on the official site first. Go by train and bus, and allow half a day.
A few days aheadOfficial siteTours and tickets on Viator
Booking tours and tickets in Milan
How do I get Last Supper tickets?
Book through the official site when the slots release. If sold out, check again for cancellations or take a guided tour that includes entry.
Is the Duomo free to enter?
The cathedral requires a ticket, and the terraces and museum are extra. Dress rules apply: cover shoulders and knees.
Can I get La Scala tickets on the day?
Rarely. Check the official site for returns or standing places, or visit the museum, which is easier to get into on the day.
Is a guide worth it in Milan?
For the Duomo and The Last Supper, yes. For Brera and the Navigli, a map is enough.
Is Lake Como a day trip?
Yes, by train. Allow a full day, and avoid weekends in summer when the boats and trains are crowded.
What can wait until I arrive?
The Galleria, Brera, the Navigli, Sant'Ambrogio and Bergamo can all be done on the day. Book The Last Supper, La Scala and the Duomo terraces first.