Planning a visit to Santa Maria delle Grazie, the historic home of Leonardo da Vinci’s renowned masterpiece The Last Supper, calls for thoughtful preparation to ensure a smooth and rewarding experience.
To help you make the most of your trip, we’ve compiled a list of 11 essential tips.
Book your tickets well in advance
The Last Supper is one of the most popular attractions in Milan, drawing thousands of visitors annually. The refectory has limited capacity and operates on a timed-entry system, making securing tickets well in advance crucial.
The tickets often sell out quickly, sometimes months in advance, particularly during peak tourist seasons.
Consider guided tours
If you’re struggling to secure individual tickets, various guided tours offer access to The Last Supper as part of their itinerary.
Guided tours offer expert commentary from knowledgeable guides, providing insights into Leonardo da Vinci’s masterpiece’s history, symbolism, and artistic techniques.
Many guided tours include skip-the-line access, allowing you to bypass the queues and maximize your time.
Explore combo tickets
Combo tickets provide access to multiple Milan attractions, including Santa Maria delle Grazie, at a reduced price.
These tickets can offer significant cost savings and streamline your sightseeing itinerary.
You can choose from a guided city tour exploring Milan’s highlights, a cultural experience including the Duomo di Milano and Teatro alla Scala, or a historical journey featuring the Duomo and the fascinating Sforza Castle.
Each combo offers a unique way to immerse yourself in Milan’s art, history, and architecture.
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Check for discounts
For all visitors aged 25 years and above, Leonardo’s Last Supper tickets are priced at €15, while for youngsters aged 18 to 25, it is €2. Children under 18 enjoy free admission to the refectory.
School teaching staff with proper certification can also enter the refectory for free.
Free entry on the first Sunday
Admission to the refectory requires an entrance fee, but it is free on the first Sunday of each month.
Paid entry or free, reservations are always required due to the limited capacity.
Tickets will be available exclusively on the official website from 12 pm on the previous Wednesday. You can acquire a maximum of five tickets.
However, this opportunity for free entry tends to attract larger crowds, so expect longer queues and potential waiting times.
Consider arriving as soon as the church opens if you aim for a less crowded visit on a free admission day.
Wear comfortable footwear as you’ll likely be doing a fair amount of walking within the complex and potentially within the surrounding area.
Allocate sufficient time
If you’re planning to explore the entire Santa Maria delle Grazie complex, including the church, convent, and refectory (where The Last Supper & Crucifixion are located), you should allocate approximately three hours.
You will need this much time to appreciate the architecture, artwork, and historical significance of each element within the complex.
Arrive early to avoid missing out
To safeguard the delicate artworks, the museum strictly limits the number of visitors allowed inside the refectory at any given time.
Since only 40 people are allowed into the refectory for a strictly enforced viewing period of 15 minutes, punctuality is important.
Plan ahead and figure out the best way to reach the church, ensuring you arrive at least 30 minutes before your scheduled entry time for a hassle-free experience.
Arriving early allows you sufficient time to complete necessary check-in procedures and pass through security checkpoints.
Choose the best time to visit
To experience fewer crowds and a more peaceful atmosphere, the best time to visit Santa Maria delle Grazie is in the late afternoon or early evening, typically between 3 pm and 4 pm.
Shoulder seasons (Spring and Autumn): Spring and autumn are ideal for visiting, offering fewer crowds and pleasant weather. Recommended months include April, May, June, September, and October, providing milder temperatures and a relaxed atmosphere for sightseeing.
Budget-friendly periods (Winter and August): For those on a budget, winter (November–February) and August are better options, with lower accommodation costs due to reduced tourist demand. However, winter can be cold and rainy, while August is typically very hot, which may affect your sightseeing experience.
Avoid peak tourist times: May-June and September-October are peak tourist seasons, characterized by large crowds, longer queues, and higher travel and accommodation costs, making these months less ideal for a visit.
Explore beyond The Last Supper
While The Last Supper undoubtedly draws the largest crowds, the Santa Maria delle Grazie complex offers a wealth of other architectural and artistic treasures worth exploring.
Church and convent: The church and convent boast beautiful architecture, intricately decorated chapels, and serene courtyards. These elements provide a glimpse into the site’s rich history and spiritual significance.
Tranquil cloisters: The cloisters, known as the Cloister of the Frogs, offer a peaceful retreat from the bustling city. Their elegant arches and slender columns surrounding a central garden create a sense of harmony and tranquility.
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Prepare for limited information
The Santa Maria delle Grazie lacks extensive written information or explanatory signage.
As a result, visitors who seek a deeper understanding of the artworks and the church’s history are left wanting more.
That’s why, to appreciate the importance of the popular tourist attractions fully, we suggest doing your research beforehand and opting for a guided tour of the premises.
Utilize convenient public transportation
We strongly advise against driving to Santa Maria delle Grazie, particularly if you’re unfamiliar with navigating Milan’s historic city center.
The area is known for its dense traffic, narrow streets, and limited (and expensive) parking options.
We suggest you use public transport – the nearest metro stations are Conciliazione and Cadorna, both served by the M1 (red) line.
From either station, it’s a short walk to the church.
Trams 18 and 24 also provide convenient access, stopping at Corso Magenta-Santa Maria delle Grazie.