Is Santa Maria delle Grazie Free to Enter?

You can visit the church of Santa Maria delle Grazie for free. No ticket needed.

But if you’re hoping to see The Last Supper, you’ll need to book a timed ticket in advance, or you’ll likely miss it.

This article explains everything clearly: what’s free, what’s not, how to get tickets, and how to make sure you don’t miss the experience.

The church entrance: always free for everyone

The main church of Santa Maria delle Grazie is “completely free” to enter during its opening hours.

You don’t need a ticket or a reservation to walk in and admire the elegant Gothic-Renaissance interiors, vaulted ceilings, or side chapels.

This is a functioning church, so entry is simple and respectful:

• No ticket required
• Open to everyone, including walk-in visitors
• Photography allowed (without flash)
• Restricted access during Mass hours

Important: The church has its own entrance, separate from the entrance used for viewing The Last Supper painting. This is a common confusion that visitors face. You cannot see the mural from the church interior.

Must Read: Tips to visit Santa Maria delle Grazie

The Last Supper: you need a ticket to see it

While the church is free, The Last Supper Museum (Cenacolo Vinciano) is ticketed.

The painting is located inside the former convent’s dining hall (refectory), and access is tightly controlled.

Here’s why:

• Only 40 people are allowed in every 15 minutes
• Viewing is strictly timed — 15 minutes per group
• Tickets must be booked in advance, often weeks ahead

If you arrive without a reservation, you’re unlikely to get in.

The Last Supper is one of the most visited artworks in Italy, and spontaneous visits almost never work out unless you’re lucky with cancellations or join a guided tour that includes tickets.

Ticket Prices

Adults (25 and above): €15
Youth (18 to 25 years): €2
Children (up to 18 years): Free entry

Buy This Ticket

Insider tip:

Entry to the refectory is free on the first Sunday of each month, but reservations are still mandatory.

EU and non-EU citizens under 18 years of age and school teaching staff with proper certification can enter the refectory for free, but advance reservation is still required.

Duomo di Milano: Since Milan Cathedral is just a 20-minute walk from Santa Maria delle Grazie, some tourists visit them on the same day. Find out how to go from Di Milano to Santa Maria. If you don’t have much time and can only visit one, find out why Santa Maria delle Grazie is a better option.