In Milan, head here to find the very best views.

The Duomo di Milano is one of the most iconic buildings in Italy, a 600-year-old masterpiece of gothic architecture made of a rare pink-streaked marble found only in the Alps. Its more than 3,000 statues, intricate arches, and pointed spires are impossible to miss if you’re walking through Milan’s Centro Storico, and it’s common to see tourists craning their necks to catch all the details from the piazza below. But if you really want to appreciate this layer cake of a building up close, you’ve got to go up!

And here’s a pro tip: For those who can’t manage the lengthy climb (it’s about 250 steps to the rooftop) or don’t want to wait in line, an elevator can be accessed via a skip-the-line ticket that’s well worth the extra fee.