It’s easy to confuse the church hours with the museum timings at Santa Maria delle Grazie, and that simple mistake can cost you your visit.
The Last Supper follows a strict timed entry, while the church stays open longer and doesn’t require tickets.
We’ve made it easy to understand when to go and how much time to plan for each part of your visit.
With this quick read, you’ll avoid the common slip-ups and make the most of your time.
Santa Maria delle Grazie church opening hours
The church operates on a traditional schedule with a long midday break. It’s open most days of the week but is completely closed on Mondays.
| Day | Morning Hours | Evening Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Tuesday to Saturday | 7 am – 1 pm | 3 pm – 7.30 pm |
| Sunday & Public Holidays | 7.30 am – 12.30 pm | 3 pm – 9 pm |
| Monday | Closed | Closed |
- The church may have restricted access during Mass times.
- Entry is usually free, and no ticket is needed just to visit the church.
Quick tip: The church and The Last Supper Museum follow separate schedules. You can enter the church for free, but The Last Supper requires a timed ticket. Don’t confuse the two!
The Last Supper Museum opening hours
The Last Supper, located inside the convent’s old refectory, follows a completely different schedule and far stricter rules.
🕗 Open: 8.15 am to 7 pm daily
🚪 Last entry: 6.45 pm
❌ Closed on Mondays
You must book a timed ticket in advance. Only 40 visitors are allowed in every 15 minutes, so even being a few minutes late could mean missing your chance.
How long does a visit take?
The duration of your visit depends on what you plan to see.
- Visiting only the church: Around 30 minutes should be enough to explore its interior calmly and appreciate the religious artworks.
- Seeing only The Last Supper: Plan for at least 1 hour, which includes time for check-in, security screening, and your 15-minute slot in front of the mural.
- Exploring both the church and museum: Give yourself 2 to 3 hours, especially if you want to soak in the atmosphere, walk through the convent, or have time between the church visit and your museum entry.
It’s best not to rush this experience. Leonardo’s masterpiece, paired with the peaceful ambiance of the church, deserves more than a quick in-and-out.
Insider tip: If you’re visiting Milan just for a day or two, try to plan your Last Supper ticket around the church’s evening reopening (3 pm to 7.30 pm). That way, you can see the painting first and enjoy the church quietly afterward, or vice versa, without long gaps between the two.
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Best time to visit: When the crowds are thinner and the mood is better
🕒 Best time of day:
- For the church: Visit between 9 am and 10.30 am or after 6 pm. These windows fall outside both local prayer times and the tourist rush.
- For The Last Supper: Try to book time slots before 10 am or after 4.30 pm. Midday (12 pm to 2 pm) is usually the busiest and most likely to feel rushed.
🕒 Best days of the week:
- Tuesday and Wednesday are ideal as fewer group tours and school visits on these days.
- Avoid Fridays and Saturdays, when weekend tourists and local visitors tend to crowd both the church and the museum.
🕒 Best months to go:
- April to early June and late September to mid-October offer a sweet spot: Fewer crowds, pleasant weather (around 18–24°C), and better photo conditions.
- Avoid August if possible: It’s peak tourist season, and many locals are on vacation, making Milan unusually crowded in tourist spots.
- Rainy days (especially off-season ones): This often means fewer walk-in visitors to the church, offering a more peaceful experience.