Temples & religious sites
Santa Maria delle Grazie
What it is
Santa Maria delle Grazie is a Dominican church and convent whose real draw is next door rather than inside the church itself: the refectory holds Leonardo da Vinci's mural of The Last Supper, painted on the wall rather than as a portable canvas. The church and convent complex is recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Even without the mural, the church has a brick Gothic nave and a striking Renaissance tribune added by Bramante, so it's worth a look on its own terms.
Getting there
From central Milan, it's a short metro or tram ride to the Santa Maria delle Grazie / Conciliazione area, generally under 20 minutes from the Duomo. If arriving by air, you'd first get into the city centre from Malpensa (MXP) or Linate (LIN) and continue from there.
How much time to allow
The church interior itself can be seen in 20-30 minutes. Note that The Last Supper is viewed separately in the refectory next door, with visits run in timed, limited-capacity slots — that visit adds its own dedicated block of time, typically around 15-20 minutes inside.
When to go
The church itself is usually calm to visit. The refectory next door is a different story: viewing slots for The Last Supper are limited and demand is high, so it fills up well in advance, particularly around midday and on weekends.
What to combine it with
- The Last Supper (0.1km) — effectively part of the same stop, in the adjoining refectory.
- San Maurizio al Monastero Maggiore (0.6km) — another church, known for its frescoed interior.
- Archaeological Museum of Milan (0.6km) — a compact museum housed partly in the former monastery buildings.
- Basilica of Sant'Ambrogio (0.5km) — one of Milan's oldest churches, an easy walk away.
Updated September 20, 2026 · Edited by the World by City editors
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