Visitor Guide for Santa Maria delle Grazie

Santa Maria delle Grazie tickets

Santa Maria delle Grazie in Milan is home to Leonardo da Vinci’s iconic mural, “The Last Supper.” This masterpiece, completed in 1497, resides in the church’s refectory, drawing in half a million visitors annually. This guide provides comprehensive information on tickets, prices, discounts, and other essential details to plan your visit to this must-see location.

Snapshot

Mon to Sat: 7 am–1 pm, 3 pm–7.30 pm

Sun: 7.30 am–12.30 pm, 3 pm–9 pm

Duration: 75 mins

Best time: 3 to 4 pm

Ticket cost: €59 onwards

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Is there an entrance fee?

Tickets for The Last Supper painting
A tourist shows off their entry tickets to the Cenacolo Vinciano Museum just before heading in to see The Last Supper. Image: Cenacolovinciano.org

Church: Entry to the church itself is free for everyone.

Refectory (Last Supper Museum): Accessing the refectory to view “The Last Supper” requires a timed ticket.

You can either opt for a basic entry ticket, which is very hard to get (because they get booked weeks in advance) or purchase a guided tour, which is usually readily available.

Basic Last Supper entry ticket

The basic Last Supper ticket grants timed access to the refectory, where you can view Leonardo da Vinci’s “The Last Supper.”

The standard ticket costs €15 for all visitors aged 25 years and above. Guests aged 18 to 25 can purchase a reduced fare ticket for €2. All others enter for free.

Additionally, you can select an official museum guidebook in Italian, English, French, or Spanish when purchasing your ticket.

Due to high demand, booking well in advance, potentially months ahead, is highly recommended.

Many tourists attempt to book The Last Supper tickets at the last minute, only to discover they are already sold out.

Check out the screenshots from the ticketing platform (taken on 10 December), which show that all tickets have sold off for December 2024 and January 2025.

Sold out tickets for The Last Supper

But worry not because guided tours and combo tours exist, and they are a great way to score a last-minute ticket for The Last Supper Museum.

Guided tours of The Last Supper

All guided tours to Santa Maria delle Grazie include skip-the-line access, saving you valuable time. Tours are available in two durations: 30 minutes or 60 minutes.

Some tours focus solely on the refectory, while others provide a more immersive experience, covering the entire Santa Maria delle Grazie complex, including the church, cloister, and refectory.

Typically, guided tours dedicate 15 minutes inside the refectory, with the remaining time spent exploring the church—either 15 or 45 minutes, depending on the tour’s length.

Prices for these guided experiences start at €55.

Because guided tours are also in demand, getting tickets for a specific date and time slot that perfectly aligns with your schedule can be challenging.

That’s why it’s worth exploring various guided tour options on platforms like Tiqets and GetYourGuide to secure the most convenient choice.

The other masterpiece on display: Giovanni Donato’s Crucifixion

The best way to find a guided tour that meets your needs and budget is by researching various tour providers and comparing their offerings. Consider factors such as:

Focus of the tour: Do you want a tour dedicated solely to The Last Supper or a more comprehensive exploration of the complex and other sites in Milan?

Duration: How much time do you want to spend on the tour?

Language: Is a tour available in your preferred language?

Inclusions: Does the tour include skip-the-line entry, a guidebook, or other extras?

Price: Does the tour fit within your budget?

By considering these factors and comparing different tour options, you can find the perfect guided experience to enhance your visit to Santa Maria delle Grazie.

Combo tickets

Combo tickets offer a convenient and cost-effective way to combine your visit to Santa Maria delle Grazie with other nearby attractions.

Since Duomo di Milano is just 1.8 kilometers (1.1 miles) from The Last Supper Museum, most tourists see them on the same day.

Three of the most popular combo tickets are:

Last Supper + Guided tour of Milan (€90)

Last Supper, di Milano & Teatro alla Scala (€99)

Last Supper, di Milano & Sforza Castle (€134)

Itinerary Tip: Discover why, if time allows, it’s worth visiting both Duomo di Milano and Santa Maria delle Grazie. If you’re short on time or on a budget, learn why prioritizing The Last Supper church might be the better choice. Plus, get detailed directions on how to travel from the Duomo to Santa Maria.

Steps to activate your ticket for the museum

Map of Cenacolo Vinciano
  1. Visit the ticket office: Go to the ticket office, located 10 meters (30 feet) to the left of the museum’s main entrance.
  2. Present your ID: Show your ID or passport for verification, as tickets are individually named.
  3. Activate your ticket: Complete the ticket activation process.
  4. Store your belongings: Deposit bulky bags or backpacks in the provided lockers.
  5. Arrive on time: Ensure your ticket is activated at least 30 minutes before your scheduled visit time to retain your access rights to the museum.

Important links: Opening hours, How to reach & Entrance fee

Free admission on the first Sunday

Entry to the Last Supper Museum is free on the first Sunday of each month.

Whether paid or free, reservations are mandatory due to the limited capacity.

Tickets can only be secured through the official website, starting at 12 pm on the preceding Wednesday, with a maximum of 5 tickets per person.

Remember that free admission days draw larger crowds, often resulting in longer queues and extended waiting times.

To enjoy a quieter experience, plan to arrive as soon as the church opens on a free entry day.

Did you know that the superstition about spilling salt bringing bad luck is often linked to Leonardo da Vinci’s The Last Supper? In the painting, Judas Iscariot is depicted spilling a salt cellar, a detail many believe to be the origin of this age-old belief. Many more such facts

Cancellation policy

Tickets purchased through the official website are non-refundable and cannot be rescheduled.

That’s why it is important to double-check your chosen date and time before completing your purchase.

However, tour aggregators such as Tiqets and GetYourGuide offer cancellation and rescheduling up to 24 hours before your visit.

Santa Maria delle Grazie’s dress code

Santa Maria delle Grazie’s dress code

Santa Maria delle Grazie enforces a strict dress code that all visitors – both tourists and locals – must adhere to.

Entry to the church is not permitted if your attire does not comply with the dress code, even if you hold a valid ticket.

What’s allowedWhat’s not allowed
Hats or scarves (if respectful of the setting)Sleeveless tops or tank tops
Long pants or skirtsShorts or skirts above the knee
Closed-toe shoes or sandalsBeachwear or flip-flops
Hats or scarves (if respectful to the setting)Hats worn inside the church
Religious or culturally appropriate attireClothing with offensive prints or slogans

While there is no specific dress code for footwear at the church, we recommend wearing comfortable shoes. You may need to stand in long queues and do some walking while exploring the church and its surroundings.