Is the Last Supper in Milan worth it?

If you’re on this page you are probably planning a trip to Milan and wondering “Is the Last Supper in Milan worth it?”.

I’ve visited it several times and even worked for a company that organized guided tours there. I know how complicated finding tickets can be and I understand you might be concerned about it being a tourist trap.

Let me assure you—if you love art, admire Leonardo da Vinci, or your faith is important to you, seeing The Last Supper is absolutely worth it. In my opinion it is the thing to do in Milan!

Trust me, there’s nothing like seeing it in person. 

In this post, I’ll explain why visiting The Last Supper is one of the most rewarding experiences Milan has to offer. Plus, I’ll give you all the tips to find the best tickets and make the visit stress-free. 

Is the Last Supper in Milan worth it?

The Last Supper is not only one of the most iconic works of the Renaissance but probably one of the most recognizable masterpieces in the entire history of humanity (it’s also a UNESCO World Heritage Site).

I’m sure you’ve seen reproductions everywhere—on postcards, t-shirts, bags, even umbrellas—but seeing it in person is a completely different experience. 

I still remember the first time I saw it. I was completely in awe! 

What makes The Last Supper so special and powerful is the emotional intensity Leonardo da Vinci conveys through the apostles because it depicts the moment when Jesus tells them one of them will betray him. 

Each of them reacts differently to the news. Objects are thrown over, there’s chaos following the revelation and every figure has expressive gestures and postures that let you truly feel their unique emotions. 

It’s a human, real and emotional scene and that’s what sets it apart from other depictions of that same scene. It really feels like you’re there with them. 

Every element, from the apostles’ positions to the composition of the space, draws your eyes back to Jesus, who is at the center of the painting. It’s not just a metaphor – his head is literally positioned in the middle of the painting, emphasizing his importance.

Part of the reason why seeing it in person is such a unique experience is that The Last Supper is not placed in a Museum like, say, the Mona Lisa. It’s painted directly on the wall of the refectory of the convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie. 

You will walk into this vast empty room with high ceilings and near-total silence and see this big paintings on the opposite walls of the room: The Last Supper on one side and The Crucifixion by Donato Montorfano on the other one.

When I say “big painting”, I mean it. The Last Supper is huge, it measures 460cm × 880cm (about 15 feet by 29 feet). 

I can guarantee you that seeing it in person is a completely different experience than seeing a reproduction so, yes, it is absolutely worth visiting in my opinion. 

I think part of it is the place and atmosphere around you. The painting is so beautiful, the setting so solemn and intimate at the same time. You’re almost alone in this big room with one of the most incredible art pieces in the world. 

If you’re into art or your faith is an important part of your life, it’s going to be a very emotional experience and something you won’t forget!

How to get tickets for the Last Supper in Milan

There are two types of tickets: the standard entry ticket or one that includes a guided tour. 

Each option has its own perks, so let’s take a look at the differences, when and how to buy them, and how you might even get free tickets, if you’re lucky!

Standard tickets or guided tours: what’s the best option?

Unless you’re an art expert who already knows all there is to know about The Last Supper, I’d highly recommend choosing the guided tour. 

If there’s only one guided tour you do in Milan, make it this one—it’s totally worth the money because The Last Supper isn’t really a museum. It’s a giant painting in the dining room of a convent, so without a guide, you won’t find much information around. 

There are a few info panels, but with only 15 minutes inside to take it all in, having a guide really makes all the difference and you’ll walk away knowing you had the best possible experience.

Trust me, you’ll enjoy it so much more with a guided tour but here’s a quick comparison between the two ticket types:

Standard Tickets:

• Cost: €15 (with some reductions available)
• Only available from the official website
• Non-refundable and you can’t change dates once booked
• Tickets sell out months in advance, so they’re very tough to get
• Very little context or explanation (there are a few info panels, but not much)

Guided Tours:

• Cost: from 65$
• Guided tours typically have more availability than standard tickets
• Available from the official website or through platforms like Viator (it costs a bit more but offers free cancellation and more flexibility)
• A guided tour gives you a complete experience with detailed explanations about The Last Supper and the other fresco in the room, The Crucifixion
• You’ll wear headphones, so you can hear your guide as you walk around and explore the painting at your own pace

When do tickets go on sale? 

• Tickets for November, December and January go on sale in September
• Tickets for February, March and April go on sale in March 
• Tickets for August, September and October go on sale in June 

Last minute tickets 

Every Wednesday at 12:00 PM, a limited number of tickets for the following week are released exclusively on the official website. 

They’re incredibly hard to get (I’ve personally never managed to get one!), so if you’re looking for last-minute tickets, I recommend booking a guided tour instead.

Here are my favorite tours:

• Best price and top reviews: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5
  Milan: Last Supper and S. Maria delle Grazie skip the line Tickets and Tour
  
• Another very good option: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5
  Last Supper and Santa Maria delle Grazie Tour
  
• Best option if you prefer a tour that also includes tickets for other highlights in Milan like the Duomo: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4.5/5
  Best of Milan Experience Including Da Vinci’s The Last Supper and Milan Duomo

Free tickets 

On the first Sunday of every month, The Last Supper offers free entry, but reservations are still required. Tickets become available the Wednesday before at 12:00 PM on the official website. 

Free tickets are also always available for European Union citizens under 18 years old, though you’ll still need to book in advance by filling out this form.

For a full list of those eligible for free tickets, check here.

What to know before visiting the Last Supper?

1. What is the Last Supper?

The Last Supper is a massive painting by Leonardo da Vinci located in the refectory of Santa Maria delle Grazie in Milan. It’s also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

It captures the exact moment when Jesus reveals to his apostles that one of them will betray him. 

It was commissioned by Leonardo’s patron, Ludovico Sforza, the Duke of Milan and painted between 1494 and 1498.

Leonardo used an unusual but very fragile technique, which has caused significant challenges for its preservation: The Last Supper isn’t a fresco, it’s a mural painting. 

What’s the difference? 

Well, with a fresco, the paint is applied directly onto wet plaster, which means the artist has to work quickly before it dries, but it also makes the painting so much more durable.

Leonardo, instead, prepped the wall with a white layer and painted on top of it once it dried. This gave him the freedom to take his time and perfect every tiny detail in the painting.

Frescos can’t be altered after the plaster dries, but Leonardo wanted the flexibility to work at his own pace and to work on the entire painting at the same time. While this resulted in incredible detail, it also made the painting far more delicate and it started to deteriorate just 20 years after it was completed.

Over the centuries many restoration attempts were made, some of which did more harm than good. A major restoration was completed in 1999 after 20 years of work to restore the painting as much as possible and to ensure it will be preserved properly from now on.

This is also why it’s so hard to get tickets to see The Last Supper today. After the renovation, the conditions inside the room—air quality, humidity, pollution—are tightly controlled, and only a limited number of people can visit at a time to avoid altering the conditions and damaging the painting further.

2. You’ll see another masterpiece in the same room

Right across the room, on the opposite wall from The Last Supper, you’ll find another massive work of art. This one is a fresco called The Crucifixion by Giovanni Donato da Montorfano. 

Unlike The Last Supper, this is a traditional fresco, so it’s almost perfectly preserved

Leonardo didn’t paint the fresco itself, but he did add figures of the Sforza family. Sadly since he used tempera for those additions, they’ve deteriorated a lot over time, just like The Last Supper.

3. You should arrive 30 minutes earlier 

If you bought your tickets from the official website, make sure to arrive at the ticket office 30 minutes early to show your payment receipt and collect the actual tickets.

If you’ve booked a guided tour, double-check the instructions they’ve provided but it’s always a smart idea to get there a little earlier, just to be safe.

Keep in mind, the timing for visiting The Last Supper is really strict. The doors have timers, and if you’re late and they’ve already closed, you won’t be allowed in!

4. Leave luggage and backpacks at the hotel 

There are a few free lockers at the ticket office but not many and you can only use them for up to 60 minutes. If you can, I recommend not bringing any bulky luggage to avoid issues.

5. You can take photos, but no videos

While videos are not allowed, you can take photos of The Last Supper. Just make sure to turn off the flash!

6. You’ll have 15 minutes in the room 

Your visit to the refectory where The Last Supper is located is limited to 15 minutes.

The group is small (about 35 people) and the room is spacious, which creates a calm, peaceful atmosphere. 

Since your time there is short, I recommend visiting with a guide to make the most of every minute.

So, is it worth going to see the last supper in Milan?

In my opinion, it’s absolutely worth it. 

Seeing it in person is an emotional experience that no reproduction can match, especially because of its massive size and the atmosphere of the room. 

You and a small group of no more than 35 people will be in this huge, solemn space, admiring this giant masterpiece. It’s going to be an emotional moment and easily one of the most memorable experiences you’ll have in Milan. No wonder it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

However, if you’re not particularly interested in art, if faith isn’t a major factor for you, or if you only have a couple of hours in Milan, you might want to skip it and explore the city instead.

If you do decide to go, I highly recommend opting for a guided tour rather than just the basic admission. It’s the best way to fully appreciate everything this masterpiece has to offer, especially since you’re only allowed 15 minutes in the room.

Read more about Milan here: 

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