Each day, Leonardo da Vinci's "The Last Supper (Il Cenacolo)" draws hundreds of art-loving visitors to the unassuming refectory of the Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie for just 15 minutes with the painting (Yes, it's that good). Milan's famous 15th-century wall mural may be one of the most famous (and regulated) artworks in Italy—to see it, you must book entrance tickets in advance or sign up for a guided Milan city tour.
The Basics
"The Last Supper" is incredibly popular, and it can be very difficult to get access. In order to preserve the mural, a maximum of 25 to 30 visitors are allowed to view the painting at a time, and only for 15 minutes. Fortunately, tours can help you lock in those high-demand tickets and customize your experience—spend a day touring Milan's must-see sites with an art historian tour guide, or opt for an expedited tour with skip-the-line "Last Supper" access. Most tours that visit the iconic painting also stop at Sforza Castle (Castello Sforzesco), Milan's Cathedral (Duomo), and the UNESCO-listed Santa Maria delle Grazie Church, thought to be designed by Renaissance architect Bramante. Other popular stops include the 16th-century Church of San Maurizio, the renowned Teatro La Scala opera house, and the glamorous shopping arcade of Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II.
Things to Know Before You Go- Skip the line with a priority access ticket that allows you to head right into the showroom.
- While walking tours are the most popular way to see "The Last Supper," you can also explore the city by rickshaw, bicycle, or vintage tram.
- From the church, Sforza Castle is a 15-minute walk down Corso Magenta, and Teatro alla Scala is about a 20-minute walk east on the same road.
How To Get There
The Basilica di Santa Maria delle Grazie is located on the western outskirts of central Milan between metro stations Cadorna Triennale and Conciliazione. It's a 15-minute walk or a quick taxi ride from the Duomo, but you can also choose a tour that provides round-trip transportation from your Milan hotel.
When to Get There
There are always visitors waiting their turn to see this hard-to-visit Renaissance masterpiece. Plan ahead to secure your ticket, and consider booking skip-the-line entry to walk in ahead of the queues.
