Guide to Buying Tickets to See The Last Supper
The Last Supper, painted by Leonardo da Vinci, is one of his most famous and widely studied works of art in the world. This 15 x 29-foot mural depicts the moment where Jesus tells his disciples that one of them will betray him. The painting shows all the various expressions of how the disciples react to the news and is iconic to Christians and art historians/lovers around the world.
Da Vinci chose Santa Maria della Grazia, a relatively unassuming church for his mural. He painted directly onto the wall of the church which was problematic even at the time because of the medium. Fortunately, art historians and experts have carefully maintained this painting. Unfortunately, because of the paintings celebrity-status, you can’t just pop on in the Santa Maria della Grazia during your trip to see it.
Getting entrance to Santa Maria della Graziato see the mural requires planning months in advance, buying tickets from a (typically) overpriced reseller, or doing a guided tour in Milan that includes entrance tickets to see The Last Supper.
I think your best option is to buy through the Milan Tourism website (this website directs you to the site to buy).You won’t have to pay a huge mark up, but you do need to buy early. These tickets sell out fast. The Milan Tourism website will provide great information and direct you to the website to buy the tickets.
As of October 2019, the entrance fee is 10 Euros with a 2 Euro booking fee. You can add a guided tour for 3.50 Euros. If you do buy direct, it’s super important to understand that you have to arrive 20 minutes before your scheduled entrance time or your ticket will be voided and it’s not negotiable. This is not a drill. You will only have 15 minutes inside with a maximum of 30 people per visit.
Another option is to purchase a tour that includes the Santa Maria delle Grazie. Third-party tour companies offer a lot of options for guided tours of Milan that include the entrance tickets to see The Last Supper. This is one of the better websites. I’ve found that offers vendors as well as Milan-Museum and Get Your Guide, however, I have not personally done any of these tours and can’t speak to the quality of any of these group tours.
I would, however, recommend a private tour guide and that’s Giacomo from Milano Arte. First of all, he’s a licensed tour guide, AKA he had to study his butt off to pass a thorough test of this city and what it means to take people around. The cherry on top is he’s gracious, courteous, and truly passionate about his job. Check out the website to book a tour with him to see Milan and The Last Supper.
Going to Santa Maria della Grazia and seeing The Last Supper is something on most people’s bucket list when they visit Milan and for good reason. It’s definitely worth doing, you just need to make sure you plan ahead appropriately to experience this treasure.
xo,
Thea
