Milan Highlights Tour: Fast Access to La Scala and the Duomo

Then, just a short stroll away, your experience continues at the Duomo di Milano, the city’s awe-inspiring Gothic cathedral. Admire its towering nave, kaleidoscopic stained-glass windows, and intricate stone carvings. Descend into the crypt to discover the tomb of Saint Charles Borromeo and ancient Christian history beneath the altar. From pagan foundations to medieval devotion, every stone tells a story. At the end of the guided tour, feel free to remain inside the Duomo to explore on your own, or ask your guide for local tips to continue your Milan adventure.

Milan Highlights Tour: Fast Access to La Scala and the Duomo

Your 2-hour tour includes:

• Professional English-speaking licensed guide

• Skip-the-line tickets to Duomo Cathedral and Scala Theatre

• 1-hour fully guided Duomo tour, including interior and underground crypt

• Insights into Milan's musical and architectural heritage

• Audio headsets for optimal listening

• Maximum group size of 20

Scala Theatre

Your journey begins outside the world-renowned La Scala Theatre, a neoclassical jewel that has stood at the center of Milan’s musical heritage since 1778. Here, as you meet your expert guide and fellow group members, take a moment to appreciate the building’s elegant symmetry, graceful archways, and sculpted stone façade—subtle clues to the splendour inside. Once through its historic doors, you’ll find yourself surrounded by timeless refinement: crimson velvet seats, gilded balconies, and a glittering chandelier that still lights the stage for some of the world’s greatest performers.

Led by your guide, you’ll explore the richly decorated auditorium and public spaces, hearing stories of the legends who defined opera and classical music—from Arturo Toscanini to Maria Callas. Learn about La Scala’s revolutionary acoustics, its turbulent history, and the cultural weight it carries today. And if luck is on your side, you may catch a glimpse of artists in rehearsal—offering a rare peek behind the curtain of this iconic venue.

Duomo Cathedral

Next, you will then be guided towards the impressive gothic Cathedral, The Duomo – one of the most iconic symbols of Milan. Skip the long lines and enjoy a guided visit inside this architectural masterpiece, accompanied by expert commentary from your local guide.

Admire the intricate façade up close, richly decorated with hundreds of spires, statues, and whimsical gargoyles. Inside, you’ll be surrounded by towering marble columns, colorful stained-glass windows that filter light into kaleidoscopic patterns, and centuries of religious and artistic heritage. Learn fascinating details about the cathedral’s construction, which spanned over 600 years, and the many legends, symbols, and curiosities hidden within its walls.

To enter the Duomo, both men and women must cover their knees and shoulders, otherwise, they have the right to refuse entry and you’ll miss out on a portion of your tour. We understand the summers in Milan can be warm, so a great alternative is to bring a shawl/scarf/sweater with you. That way you can cover your knees and shoulders when necessary.

The Crypt: A Sacred Legacy Beneath the Altar

After admiring the vast interior of the Duomo, descend into the silent and evocative crypt beneath the high altar—a sacred space that holds the tomb of Saint Charles Borromeo, one of Milan’s most venerated figures and a key figure of the Catholic Reformation. Your guide will illuminate the life and legacy of this powerful archbishop, whose incorrupt remains rest in a crystal shrine adorned with silver and gold.

The crypt itself is steeped in solemn atmosphere, with marble floors, low vaults, and devotional art that reflect the deep spirituality of Milan’s religious history. It's a moment of reflection and reverence—an intimate contrast to the grandeur of the cathedral above.

The Holy Nail: A Relic from the True Cross

High above the nave, hidden in the heart of the cathedral’s apse, lies one of Milan’s most sacred relics: the Holy Nail—believed to be from the cross of Christ. Suspended in a case within a niche called the Nivola, this ancient iron nail is revealed to the public only once a year during a special ceremony led by the Archbishop of Milan.

Your guide will share the fascinating story behind the Rite of the Nivola, a centuries-old tradition involving a mechanical lift designed by Leonardo da Vinci, still used today to retrieve the relic from above the altar. Whether you're devout or simply curious, this powerful piece of history connects Milan to the wider Christian world in a tangible, moving way.

When the guided tour concludes, inside the Duomo, feel free to continue exploring the interior at your own pace—or ask your guide for tips on where to head next.