Leonardo da Vinci’s genius cannot go unnoticed when gazing at the Last Supper. As it’s such a monumental work, everyone flocks to Milan to see it, so you have to purchase an entry ticket ahead of time to avoid missing out.
Buying tickets for the Last Supper in Milan isn’t as straightforward as you might think. From the brief ticket window available on the official site to the wealth of options from 3rd party providers, this may be a daunting task.
To make your Last Supper museum experience smooth sailing, here are all the key details to consider. By the end, you can tick off the Last Supper from your Milan itinerary.
Last Supper Tickets and Tours Quick Links
In a bit of a rush? Here are the top sites worth looking at for the Last Supper tickets:
- Cenacolo Vinciano (direct booking site) > Please note the scheduled booking dates for each season > The site can be challenging to navigate.
- Last Supper Tours on GetYourGuide (official partner site) > Easy to use and offers a great range of tickets and tours with a flexible booking policy.
- LivTours – Offer intimate very small group tours with a knowledgeable local guide > Get 5% off when using our code UNTOLDITALY.
- Walks of Italy – Provides fun small group guided tours of Milan and the Last Supper with skip-the-line access and a local guide.
- Last Supper Tickets on Tiqets (official partner site) – Fantastic booking site. Slightly pricier but easier to use with good cancellation policy.
- Viator Last Supper Tickets (official partner site) – Excellent third-party site with various options. Prices can be high.
Last Supper Tickets or Tour?
There’s no right or wrong way to enjoy a Last Supper visit, but there are perks to joining a tour of this Leonardo da Vinci masterpiece. If you book a ticket, it’s a short walkabout through the Last Supper Museum with an opportunity to view the work.
The ticket doesn’t include any real explanation or deeper insight into the work, as it’s an independent walkabout. On the other hand, a Last Supper tour is often guided by experienced tour operators who can tell you more about the artwork and the artist.
This option is pricier than just buying a ticket, but you honestly get your money’s worth. It’s a good idea to look through the recommended tour companies and book your ideal experience with one of them.
What Does Your Last Supper Ticket Include?
A ticket grants entrance into the refectory of Santa Maria Delle Grazie and the opportunity to view the Last Supper. There’s an allotted viewing time of 15 minutes per ticket. The ticket also includes access to the museum dedicated to the famous painting, its creator, and its restoration projects.
NOTE: A maximum of 35 people at a time are allowed in the small museum, which is part of the reason why tickets sell out fast, and viewings are limited to 15 minutes.
Buy Tickets on the “Official” Last Supper Site
You can get Last Supper tickets on the museum’s official site, Cenacolo Vinciano. A range of policies makes ticket prices affordable for just about everyone, but the standard ticket costs €15 per person. Each person can only book a maximum of 5 tickets at a time (twice per calendar year).
Note – processing your ticket purchased via the official site is mandatory at least 30 minutes before entry. For this reason, the ticket office opens 30 minutes before the museum opens allowing visitors to have their tickets checked and processed in advance. You must show ID with a name that matches the ticket.
- Pros of booking on Cenacolo Vinciano – You won’t find better prices anywhere else, there is no additional booking fee, and they update available tickets daily based on group tour block cancelations.
- Cons of booking on Cenacolo VInciano – The website is frustrating to use and tickets sell out almost immediately after they are released. They don’t offer rescheduling or refunds. There’s no guaranteed admission to free ticket applications as it’s based on availability.
Last Supper Tickets Via an Official Partner
Although it’s cheaper to book through the official website, it’s often the case that you can only get Last Supper tickets through an official partner.
Companies such as GetYourGuide, Tiqets, and Viator are some of the best partner sites to book through. They offer a range of tickets and tours, including skip-the-line offers.
The tours often include visiting other sights within central Milan, such as the Piazza del Duomo and Galleria Vitorio Emanuele II. GetYourGuide is the best of the bunch due to the 24-hour cancellation policy and the lowest markup fee of the tour providers.
- Pros of booking with official partners – They offer the best variety of ticket and tour options, the sites are easy to use, and the cancellation policies are far more lenient than the official site.
- Cons of booking with official partners – They are slightly more expensive as you pay extra for the convenience.
Recommended Last Supper Tours
As mentioned, tickets sell out fast on Last Supper’s official website, so booking a tour is always a great option.
With only 15 minutes to explore the Santa Maria Delle Grazie and the Last Supper, you can easily miss out on some intriguing details. This is especially true when you consider there’s no real explanation of the work in the museum.
This is why choosing the right ticket and tour provider is so important. The group size, tour length, and attractions should all be considered. Combining a Milan tour with the Last Supper also offers better value for your money.
When booking with an official partner, you can rest assured that all the tour guides have passed a thorough exam to obtain their license. So all the finer details revealed on tour are accurate and result in an unforgettable and enriching experience.
Here are some top tour recommendations:
- Last Supper tour with Walks of Italy – Explore the top places in Milan in just three hours, from the Last Supper painting to Duomo di Milano. You’ll start at Da Vinci’s Last Supper before winding through the city. The tour guide will show you through the Teatro alla Scala and the Galleria Vitorio Emanuele II.
- Semi-private tour with LivTours – For a more private affair, book this Milan Last Supper ticket and tour. With a maximum of six people per tour, expect nothing less than a fantastic experience. Other famous paintings are also on the agenda, from the wall painting in San Maurizio al Monastero Maggiore to the unique optical illusions at San Satiro Church – Get 5% off with code – UNTOLDITALY.
- Milan historic tour on GetYourGuide – Admire the Last Supper during your 15-minute time slot before strolling past iconic sights like Castello Sforzesco and Piazza dei Mercanti. This historic walking tour is the perfect opportunity to see the famous painting and Milan all in one go.
READ: Our 3-day Milan itinerary for ideas of other things to see and do in Milan.
Last Supper Tickets FAQ
Do You Need to Buy Last Supper Tickets in Advance?
In short, yes. Although Cenacolo Vinciano regularly updates the ticket status, buying tickets four months in advance is your best bet. Try to be as quick as possible if booking on the official website as tickets sell out quickly.
Otherwise, you can use GetYourGuide to book tickets for convenience and various tour options.
When Do Last Supper Tickets Go on Sale?
It may be old news now, but booking in advance is necessary. Reservation opportunities open every three months. For example, if you want to visit in November, December, or January, ticket sales for these months go live at the end of September.
The same thing applies all year round, but here’s the general breakdown of each ticket sale season:
- February, March, and April season > tickets are released from 10th – 27th of the month of December.
- May, June, and July season > tickets are released 20th – 27th of the month of March.
- August, September, and October season > tickets are released 20th – 27th of the month of June.
- November, December, and January season > tickets are released 20th – 27th of the month of September.
TOP TIP: These dates can change at the official ticketing website’s discretion, so keep up to date on the Cenacolo Vinciano booking page.
Can You Buy Last Supper Tickets on the Day?
Finding last-minute tickets is unlikely, but not impossible. Try using these partner sites if you need to find a last-minute ticket:
What Are the Last Supper Opening Hours?
Viewing times are the same throughout the year. You can visit from Tuesday to Sunday between 08:15 to 19:00, with the last admittance at 18:45. The museum is closed on Mondays, the 1st of January, and the 23rd of December.
What is the Best Time to Visit the Last Supper?
Unfortunately, there’s no being picky when visiting the Last Supper. So the best time to visit is when you can get a ticket. Although, if you do get to choose, try to avoid the morning rush.
LISTEN: To our podcast Secret Milan – a locals guide to discover more Milan treasures.
Are There Any Discounts Or Free Entry to the Last Supper?
You can apply for free tickets on the official site, but these tickets are not guaranteed due to the high number of requests. Further discounts include €2 per person tickets if you fall between 18 and 25 years old.
Entry is free for under 18s but ticket booking is mandatory for all categories of tickets, including children over a year old.
The museum also offers free Sunday tickets for the first Sunday of each month. You can only get these tickets online the Wednesday before, so you must be super quick.
Do I Need to Print My Last Supper Tickets?
Although you need to visit the ticket office before entering, printing a ticket is optional. Get the ticket sent to your phone and simply present it at the front desk before entering.
DISCOVER: What to eat for your last supper in Milan with our guide on What to eat in Milan.
Can I Stay Close to the Last Supper?
Yes, there are loads of fantastic accommodation options in Centro Storico, no more than a mile from Santa Maria Delle Grazie. Read about where to stay in Milan to discover the top recommendations.
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