How to Get to the Monumental Cemetery of Milan

The Monumental Cemetery of Milan (Cimitero Monumentale di Milano) is located in Piazzale Cimitero Monumentale, in the Porta Volta / Garibaldi area.
It’s easy to reach by metro, tram, bus, taxi or on foot from Porta Garibaldi station, Chinatown (Via Paolo Sarpi) and even from Milan’s historic centre.

Below you’ll find the most practical ways to get there, plus essential visitor tips for tickets, contactless payment and parking.

Arriving by Metro (Subway) – Recommended!

The closest metro stop is Monumentale on Line M5 (purple line). From the station it’s only a 3–5 minute walk to the main entrance of the cemetery.

Remember, you can travel on ATM public transport (metro, trams and buses) by simply tapping a contactless credit or debit card, or even your phone / smartwatch with Apple Pay / Google Pay. You don’t need to buy a paper ticket first (see below for details)

From Porta Garibaldi:

Porta Garibaldi is directly connected to Line M5.
Take M5 towards “Monumentale / San Siro” and get off at Monumentale.
It’s just a couple of stops.

From Milano Centrale (Central Station):

Take the green line (M2) from Centrale to Garibaldi FS, then switch to the purple line (M5) to Monumentale.
Total travel time is usually around 15–20 minutes with a normal city ticket.

From the Duomo area:

Travel on M1 (red) or M3 (yellow) toward an interchange, then move to M5 at Garibaldi.
This is often faster than walking the full distance.

Good to know:
The M5 “Monumentale” station has elevators and modern access, which is helpful if you’re travelling with luggage, stroller or reduced mobility

Arriving by Tram

Milan’s historic trams are a scenic way to reach the Monumental Cemetery.

Several tram lines stop a short walk from the main gate in Piazzale Cimitero Monumentale, including Tram 10, 12 and 14.

From the city centre / Duomo – Cordusio area:
Tram Line 14 goes toward Monumentale in about 15–20 minutes, using a normal urban ticket.
From Chinatown (Via Paolo Sarpi):
Chinatown is right next door. Trams 12 and 14 run in this area and drop you close to the cemetery entrance.

Arriving by Bus

Several city buses serve the area around the Monumental Cemetery, stopping within a few minutes’ walk (typically along Via Farini / Piazzale Cimitero Monumentale / Viale Stelvio). Lines such as 57, 70, 78 and 94 operate in this zone and connect residential neighbourhoods to Porta Volta and Garibaldi.

Buses are useful if:

You prefer boarding at street level instead of taking stairs/escalators.
You’re staying in a hotel or apartment outside the historic centre.
You don’t want to change metro lines.

Walking to the Monumental Cemetery

You can easily walk to the cemetery from several popular districts:

From Porta Garibaldi / Piazza Gae Aulenti

Porta Garibaldi train + metro hub and the modern Gae Aulenti business district (Unicredit Tower) are about 10–15 minutes on foot from the cemetery. Walk north-west toward Via Farini / Piazzale Cimitero Monumentale. It’s a straight, urban walk through the Isola / Porta Volta area.

From Chinatown (Via Paolo Sarpi)

Milan’s Chinatown is extremely close: around a 10-minute walk heading north. This makes it easy to combine street food in Via Paolo Sarpi with a cultural visit to the Monumental Cemetery.

From the Duomo / historic centre

From the Duomo, it’s about 30 minutes on foot (roughly 2.5–3 km) heading north-west via Brera and Porta Volta.

If you don’t like long city walks, tram 14 from the centre to the Monumental Cemetery is more comfortable

Public Transport Tips (Tickets, Payment, Planning)

In Milan you can travel on ATM public transport (metro, trams and buses) by simply tapping a contactless credit or debit card, or even your phone / smartwatch with Apple Pay / Google Pay. You don’t need to buy a paper ticket first

You can pay with your contactless card!

In Milan you can travel on ATM public transport (metro, trams and buses) by simply tapping a contactless credit or debit card, or even your phone / smartwatch with Apple Pay / Google Pay. You don’t need to buy a paper ticket first.

How it works:

At the metro: tap your card on the reader at the special (usually orange-marked) gate when you enter, and tap again when you exit.
On trams and buses: tap your card or device on the onboard validator.
The system automatically calculates the cheapest fare for you — daily caps apply, so you never pay more than a day pass if you ride a lot.

Important:

Contactless is valid on ATM services in Milan’s urban area; some regional / suburban rail lines are not included.
Always use the same card or same device to tap in and tap out. Don’t tap in with your physical card and tap out with your phone, or the system will think you’re two different passengers.

This is perfect for visitors because you avoid language barriers at ticket machines.

Standard ticket and passes

If you prefer a normal ticket:

Single ticket: valid 90 minutes (you can change between metro, tram and bus during that time).
1-Day ticket: valid 24 hours.
3-Day ticket: ideal for a weekend in Milan.
These cover metro lines and most city trams/buses you’ll use to reach the Monumental Cemetery.

Plan your route with ATM

Before you leave your hotel, you can plan the fastest route to “Cimitero Monumentale” using:

The official ATM Milano app (iOS / Android), which shows journey planner, waiting times and real-time service status.
The ATM website’s journey planner.
Type “Cimitero Monumentale” or “Piazzale Cimitero Monumentale” as your destination: the app will tell you which lines to take (metro M5, tram 14, etc.) and how long it will take.

This is very useful if there are temporary changes, events or weekend diversions.

Taxi and Ride Services

Taking a taxi in Milan is straightforward.
A taxi from Milano Centrale Station to the Monumental Cemetery usually takes around 5–10 minutes depending on traffic. It’s convenient if you’re carrying luggage or travelling with older relatives.

Ride-hailing style services also operate in Milan and can drop you directly in front of the main gate in Piazzale Cimitero Monumentale.

Tip: If you plan to visit more than one area (for example: Monumental Cemetery → Chinatown → Porta Garibaldi), a short taxi hop between them can save time and walking.

Arriving by Car and Parking

First of all, good luck! 😀

Anyway, you can reach the Monumental Cemetery by car. Unlike some areas of the historical centre, the cemetery area (Porta Volta / Monumentale) is outside the strict “Area C” congestion zone, so you don’t usually need to pay the city centre congestion charge just to reach the cemetery.

However, keep in mind:

On-street parking is limited. Free street spaces in the area are rare and many of the blue or white bays are reserved for residents or quickly fill up. Expect competition.
There are private / paid garages and car parks in the immediate surroundings (Porta Volta, Via Farini, Via Messina, Garibaldi). Many of them are covered, guarded 24/7 and allow you to book a space in advance.
Some garages near Porta Garibaldi and Garibaldi FS station are convenient if you want to park once and then continue by metro M5 or on foot (10–15 minutes walk).

Practical tip:
If you’re not used to Milan traffic, it’s often smarter to leave the car in a car park/garage near Porta Garibaldi or Porta Volta, then walk or take one tram stop to the cemetery. This saves you from circling streets looking for a space.

Accessibility and Comfort Tips

The main entrance of the Monumental Cemetery is wide and level.
The central avenues and the Famedio area are generally accessible, although some side paths are uneven or cobblestoned.
The M5 Monumentale metro stop has modern lifts, so metro + short walk is often the easiest option for visitors with reduced mobility.

If walking long distances is difficult, consider:

Taxi drop-off directly at the main gate, or
Metro Line M5 → Monumentale → short, flat walk.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the nearest metro stop to the Monumental Cemetery of Milan?

The nearest stop is Monumentale on Line M5 (purple), about 3–5 minutes’ walk from the main entrance

Can I pay for public transport with my credit card?

Yes. You can just tap a contactless credit/debit card, phone or smartwatch on the metro gates and tram/bus validators. No need to buy a paper ticket in advance. The system automatically calculates the best fare

Is there parking near the Monumental Cemetery?

There are private paid car parks and garages in the Monumentale / Porta Volta / Garibaldi area, some open 24/7 and bookable in advance. Street parking is limited and often reserved for residents, so don’t count on finding a free spot on arrival

How do I plan the fastest route?

Use the official ATM Milano journey planner (website or app). Also Google Maps works well. Enter “Cimitero Monumentale” as your destination: it will show you which metro, tram or bus to take in real time