We went to Milan four times but never knew this famous Renaissance masterpiece was here. After watching the Da Vinci Code movie (Yes, the one starring Tom Hanks!), the idea of seeing the Last Supper painting kept popping into our heads several times, but we never acted on it.
However, Leonardo da Vinci's The Last Supper was controversial long before the Da Vinci Code movie or novel even came out. Against all odds, the painting has survived for 500 years and still lingers on the wall of the convent of Santa Maria Delle Grazie church in Milan. According to CNN, it is ranked the second most famous painting in the world after the Louvre’s Monalisa.
Da Vinci began the painting in 1495 or 1496 and completed it around 1498. It depicts a famous scene from Holy Thursday, where Jesus and his apostles share a final meal before his death and resurrection. Jesus revealed to his disciples during dinner that one of them would betray him and hand him over to the authorities. It was Judas, whom da Vinci depicts as spilling salt on the table as part of a Renaissance pun.
In light of its popularity, the Museum of the Last Supper (Museo del Cenacolo Vinciano) attracts almost 1,200 visitors per day, but only 40 people are allowed to enter at any given time, making it hard to book tickets to see The Last Supper.
Almost all people believe that they can buy tickets at the venue instead of purchasing them online. However, this idea often leads to high traffic on the main website, causing long queues just to access the ticketing page. Visitors report spending considerable time waiting, only to find tickets sold out by the time they get through.
In comparison, buying Last Supper tickets online is much easier. While it has its own set of difficulties, you can solve them by making your Last Supper booking in advance once you have marked your calendar for travel dates. Typically, tickets for the Last Supper are released two months before the start of each quarter. For instance, tickets for the August to October 2024 quarter are released in June.
The Last Supper entry ticket is the easiest and cheapest way to see Leonardo Da Vinci's greatest masterpiece. With express security checks, you get skip-the-line entry to Santa Maria delle Grazie, where you can access and view the famous mural painting of The Last Supper located in the church's refectory. Plus, it comes with an expert guide to provide nitty-gritty insights about the painting.
Taking a guided tour of the Last Supper is the best way to see this Renaissance masterpiece. As you know, getting tickets for the Last Supper is tricky due to its high demand and limited capacity, so this tour can be your last-minute option. Led by an expert guide, join a small group of like-minded folks who are just as curious to see Da Vinci’s work. With these guaranteed tickets in hand, coupled with an English audio guide, you’ll have an informative and fun visit
Inclusions
Access to Leonardo’s Last Supper and the Basilica of Santa Maria Delle Grazie
If you are looking to hit Milan’s highlights in one go, then the guided last supper and doumo tour is the way to go. In just half a day, you’ll skip the lines at these iconic spots with your local guide bringing Milan’s history to life as you explore the massive Duomo Cathedral, wander through the cultural Brera District and marvel at the Last Supper at the Santa Maria Delle Grazie. P.S. Don’t forget to snap a pic of the iconic Sforza Castle along the way.
Inclusions
Live guide
Headsets with tour details
Skip the line ticket to Santa Maria delle Grazie
Reserved access to view the Last Supper
Skip the line entry to Milan Duomo (excluding terraces)
Whether you’re a solo traveler, a family guy or someone who plans to visit Milan’s top tourist places, look no further than the Milan city travel card. It comes at a significantly cheaper price compared to buying individual tickets. This 48-hour Milano pass is your gateway to free museum entries and sweet discounts all over town worth over €300. You can choose between a hop-on, hop-off bus ticket, public transport access, or go all out and get both! You'll get to hit up top spots like the Duomo rooftop, La Scala, and even Leonardo da Vinci's vineyard.
Inclusions
Public transport ticket (48 or 72 hours, if selected)
Hop-on Hop-off bus ticket (48 or 72 hours, if selected)
Skip-the-line access to top Milan attractions, including Duomo, Leonardo 3, La Scala, Ambrosiana, Casa Milan, and S&T Museum.
1 Buy your tickets online Book your tickets on the booking page by choosing your desired date and time slot.
2 Receive your ticket confirmation An e-mail will be sent to you after booking with the e-ticket. When you arrive at the gallery, present it for entry.
3 Present your E-ticket at the gate Show your e-ticket at the entrance of the Last Supper Milano and swipe it on the scanner
The Last Supper is Cool, But Have You Seen the Rest of Santa Maria delle Grazie?
Your tour begins with the Santa Maria delle Grazie complex, a UNESCO World Heritage site that has been under the care of the Dominican fathers since 1934. It's a relatively small church and only has a few places for you to explore, but one refreshes the eye just by looking around all parts of it. Constructed of brick and terracotta, the church has a unique architecture and a distinct cylindrical tower.
The real masterpiece is the refectory of the convent that holds Leonardo da Vinci's The Last Supper. If you want to see this legendary mural painting, you will need to book the Cenacolo tickets in advance; you can do this online by booking a painting tour. Be prepared for really long lines during weekends and holidays. If you coincidentally planned your visit on the first Sunday of the month, then you won't have to pay a penny to see the painting, but you still have to make a reservation with a time slot.
On entering the refectory, you will at once notice its enormous size, which is about 15 by 29 feet. The work was painted from 1494 to 1498. In the painting, Christ tells his apostles that one of them will betray him. There is a sharply controlled room climate and no flash photography is allowed as the conditions of the painting is sensitive.
After seeing the Last Supper, you'll proceed to the Cenacolo Vinciano Museum. This exposition gives a real value to da Vinci's job and its intricate history of restorations. You'll find out the seven major restorations the painting has undergone with focus on the most recent one completed in 1999.
Your visit concludes with a smaller interior courtyard directly under the church tower, which takes a moment to reflect on both artistic and historical value based on what you have just encountered. The whole visit to Santa Maria Delle Grazie—with time in the refectory, museum, and courtyard—generally runs 45 minutes to an hour.
If one is considering booking the Last Supper skip the line tour, do it. Even though one is looking at only one painting, the Cenacolo has so much complex history and hidden details that a guided experience would let out. Many tours include information about the other painting in the refectory, painted by one of Da Vinci's contemporaries in 1495.
Remember, since it is one of the most visited paintings and has limited capacity for viewers, you have to make the Last Supper reservations quite in advance. Seeing a masterpiece like that at its original location is quite noteworthy and represents the highlight of any visit to Milan.
No, it's not possible to view the painting of the Last Supper for free. You would need a ticket to observe this world-famous masterpiece in Milan. The price of an entry ticket is €15, but most of the time, it is out of stock. So, people usually book a tour that includes a skip-the-line ticket to the Last Supper, which works as a last-minute ticketing option.
On the first Sunday of every month, entrance to The Last Supper in Milan is free. You'll need to get tickets for that day in advance, and they become available online five days prior to your visit on Wednesday at 12 pm. Often, they sell out, so be sure to get them early.
The entry tickets to Leonardo da Vinci's The Last Supper start at €84, including skip-the-line entry, an expert guide, and audio headsets. The guided tour costs €59; combination tours with other Milan attractions begin at €119; or if you would like to visit several attractions in Milan, such as the Milan City Card starting from €89.
Yes, it's a necessity to pre-book tickets for The Last Supper because of the high demand and limitations on entry; it allows only 40 people at one time. Tickets often sell out weeks or even months in advance. Book 3-4 months in advance and ensure your admission—skipping the line is a plus.
Yes, it's a necessity to pre-book tickets for The Last Supper because of the high demand and limitations on entry; it allows only 40 people at one time. Tickets often sell out weeks or even months in advance. Book 3-4 months in advance and ensure your admission—skipping the line is a plus.
Tickets to the Last Supper sell out very quickly—in fact, usually within two days of opening. The official website opens tickets quarter by quarter and usually makes them available on Wednesdays at noon local time. Since it is in high demand, one shall book the ticket immediately after it gets released.
To visit The Last Supper in Milan, you should arrive at least 30 minutes before your scheduled entry time. If you’re late, you will not be allowed to enter the church of Santa Maria Delle Grazie.
Yes, children under 18 can enter The Last Supper for free, but they do need a ticket with a reservation. Reservation fees may be added on, and it is recommended to have identification to prove age.
Tickets for The Last Supper Milan cannot be modified, canceled, or refunded under any circumstances. Once your visit to the Santa Maria Delle Grazie has been confirmed, tickets cannot be modified or canceled. And in case of a no-show, they won't be refunded.
No, none of the Milan City passes, like Milan City Card, Yes Milano City Pass, or Milan Pass 48h, include entry to the Last Supper. Separate individual tickets or tours must be purchased for this attraction.
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