I don’t know how many of you know this, but the Last Supper, the original painting, is located inside a dining hall of a convent in Milan, Italy. As someone who is a fan of Dan Brown novels (Tom Hanks movies), I have developed an interest in theological history, and as soon as I learned this fact, it added itself to my travel bucket list.
Fast forward to 2024, here we are planning our first-ever Europe trip, and I learned it is not so easy to see this da Vinci masterpiece. But after a lot of research, planning and a 3 am alarm call, we were able to secure our tickets from the official vendor. And that’s what I’m sharing with you today.
While we were there, everything went pretty smoothly, and it definitely is something I’d recommend to anyone who wants to see this worldly art. However, we saw many, & I really mean MANY tourists, who were disappointed to learn that they can’t buy tickets in person, and that it was fully booked for weeks in advance.
So, Why It’s So Tricky to Book
Only 35 people are allowed inside every 15 minutes, and visits are capped at 15 minutes per group. That means tickets are limited and sell out months (sometimes as soon as they are released) in advance—especially during peak travel seasons.
Tickets are released quarterly, and they go on sale approximately 30 days before the start of that quarter. For instance, tickets for Nov, Dec 2025 and Jan 2026 went on sale on 30 September 2025, and it is completely sold out at the time of writing(Nov 1 2025)
How Did I buy the tickets?
Before I explain the general steps, let’s see how we got our ticket to see the Last Supper Painting in Milano. Luckily, we planned our trip about 4.5 months in advance. We went in late May, and had our flight tickets booked in January of the same year. This allowed us to research, plan & secure our slot.
The next step was learning when the tickets would go on sale for your intended day of visit. This is very important as tickets are realease months in advance and gets sold out fairly quickly.
I browsed their official website’s News Section and learned that they announce the release date usually about 5 days in advance, so I kept checking the website regularly for that date. The announcement also stated the exact time when the tickets would be released, which is noon Italy time, or 3 am for us here in British Columbia, Canada.
I also researched what the booking process would look like, and made sure to register for an account on the official seller vivaticket.it (https://cenacolovinciano.vivaticket.it/). You cannot purchase without an account.
How to Reserve Your Tickets?
Option 1 – Through the official website (Recommended but difficult)
- Go to Cenacolo Vinciano’s ticket portal
- Choose your date and time slot
- On the day of your visit, reach the location at least 15 – 30 minutes early
- Head to the Ticket Office, which is located outside the museum, and collect your actual ticket. (According to their website, you must do this 30 minutes before your reserved time slot. )
Tickets cost:
- €15 full fare
- €2 reduced fare (EU citizens 18–25)
- Free for kids under 18 (must be booked with a paid ticket)
Heads up: No changes or refunds once booked!
Weekly Ticket Releases (Your Secret Weapon!)
Here’s the part most people don’t know: if you missed out on your preferred date, additional tickets are released every Wednesday at 12:00 pm (local Milan time) for the following week【edge_current_page_context】.
- These extra tickets are only available through the official online platform
- Limit: up to 5 tickets per person
- They’re for individual visitors only (no groups or guided tours allowed)
- They disappear fast, so set a reminder and be ready to book right at noon
This weekly drop is a fantastic second chance—especially if you’re booking last-minute or your travel dates are already locked in.
Option 2 – Guided Tours (Best for Sold-Out Dates or Extra Insight)
If the official site is sold out, check third-party providers like GetYourGuide. This is a very common option as it is way more convenient and you are paying a bit extra for the time, effort that you saved not worrying about booking through the official channels.
Pro Tips for a Smooth Visit
- Arrive at least an hour early (arriving 30 minutes before your entry time is required to collect your actual ticket from the ticket office)
- Collect your ticket as soon as you arrive at the museum, and once you have your ticket, store it safely, and go enjoy a gelato or a Caffè from the nearby cafe while you wait for your entry time.
- If you are day-tripping in Milan, make sure to store your luggage ahead of time.
If you’re planning a trip to Milan, seeing Leonardo da Vinci’s The Last Supper is probably high on your list—and for good reason. It’s one of the most iconic works of art in the world, tucked inside the humble refectory of Santa Maria delle Grazie. But here’s the catch: getting tickets is a bit of a game. Don’t worry—we’ve cracked the code so you don’t have to.
Seeing The Last Supper in person is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. With a little planning (and maybe a backup tour option), you’ll be standing in front of da Vinci’s masterpiece before you know it—no stress, no scrambling.
Want help booking or pairing it with other Milan must-sees? Drop us a message or subscribe for our Italy travel tips!
