15 of the Best Things To Do Near da Vinci’s “Last Supper”

The historic Basilica di Santa Maria delle Grazie is adjacent to the Dominican convent where the Last Supper is located. Many guided tours of da Vinci’s masterpiece include a stop inside this handsome Renaissance church to admire its architecture, or you can pop in independently—you don’t need to book tickets in advance to enter. Hop-on hop-off bus tours of the city typically include a stop near the church, offering the chance to combine a visit with wider city exploration.

The 15th-century Sforza Castle is home to a handful of the top museums near the Last Supper in Milan. Among these is the Rondanini Pietà Museum, which showcases Michelangelo’s unfinished Pietà sculpture. Art lovers can also visit the Pinacoteca Castello Sforzesco and the Museum of Ancient Art, plus the castle’s Sala delle Asse room, which features a fresco by da Vinci. Meanwhile, history buffs will enjoy perusing the Civic Archaeological Museum’s prehistoric and Egyptian collections, both of which are housed within the castle.

Sempione Park is Milan’s most beautiful and beloved public park, covering almost 100 acres (40 hectares) just behind Sforza Castle. It draws tourists and locals alike with its peaceful footpaths, its wide expanses of green space, and elegant monuments, including the Branca Tower and the Arch of Peace. Take a break from sightseeing on a bike tour through its lush gardens, plus pop in to visit the family-friendly Civic Aquarium or the La Triennale Museum, dedicated to contemporary architecture and design.

One of Milan’s oldest churches, the Basilica di Sant’Ambrogio is among the finest examples of Lombard Romanesque architecture still intact. Located about a 10-minute walk from the Basilica di Santa Maria delle Grazie, the complex is a must-see historic site near the Last Supper in Milan. Founded in 386 and rebuilt in the 11th century, it features a unique design, including a sweeping atrium and two mismatched bell towers. A staple stop on Milan golf cart tours, the church is decorated inside with rich Byzantine-style mosaics.

Milan’s Leonardo da Vinci Museum of Science and Technology holds the world’s most important collection of machine models based on the artist and inventor’s sketches, so it makes sense to pair a visit here with your time admiring his artistic masterpiece. You can walk to the museum from the Last Supper in just five minutes, then dive into the galleries dedicated to the luminary’s life and work. Book your ticket in advance to explore the permanent collections focusing on automotive, rail, air transportation, space, and telecommunications.

Milan’s trendy Navigli district stretches along the city’s historic canals and is known for its vibrant dining scene. Once you’ve viewed the Last Supper, walk to the nearby Cadorna metro station and hop on line 2 south to Porta Genova; in about five minutes, you’ll find yourself in the aperitivo epicenter, with locals spilling out of the bars and restaurants lining the Naviglio Grande. Join a Navigli food and drinks tour to discover the best restaurants near the Last Supper.

The Church of San Maurizio al Monastero Maggiore is home to ornate 16th-century frescoes hidden behind an unassuming exterior, making it one of the most surprising hidden gems near the Last Supper in Milan. Walk 10 minutes up busy Corso Magenta from the Basilica di Santa Maria delle Grazie to reach what some call the “Sistine Chapel of Milan,” due to the quality of its Leonardo-school paintings and unique architectural style. Book a tour that pairs the Last Supper and the Church of San Maurizio to combine two of the city’s cultural gems in less than two hours.

While the city’s prehistoric and Egyptian collections are in Sforza Castle, its ancient Greek, Etruscan, and Roman treasures are displayed in the Museo Civico Archeologico, within a former convent in the Church of San Maurizio. Here you’ll find what’s considered Milan’s most important collection of ancient art and artifacts, plus the remains of the city walls, a tower from the former Roman Circus, and fragments of a domus that were discovered when the museum was built. Visit with a guide as part of a private walking tour to gain a better understanding of the city’s ancient history.

Ticinese, one of the buzziest neighborhoods near the Last Supper, is known for its eclectic shops and boutiques. If you want to take a break from sightseeing and dedicate a few hours to shopping near the Last Supper in Milan, walk about 10 minutes to the Ambrogio metro station and take line 2 to Vetra, just steps from the shop-lined Corso di Porta Ticinese. Optimize your time by booking a shopping tour led by a local insider to discover the best vintage and independent boutiques in the city.

The Ambrosiana Museum and Library is best known for the Codex Atlanticus—the largest collection of da Vinci’s writings and drawings bound in 12 volumes. Rotating sections of the Codex are on display throughout the year in the library’s Sala Federiciana, while the museum houses paintings by da Vinci, Caravaggio, Raphael, and other Renaissance masters. To reach this cultural spot near the Last Supper, take metro line 1 from Conciliazione station and ride for five minutes to Cordusio, a short walk from the Ambrosiana. Book your admission tickets in advance to avoid waiting at the ticket office.

Milan Cathedral is at the heart of the city, and its ornate Gothic facade topped by soaring spires is a must-see. The best way to appreciate the history and architecture of this headliner is by joining an in-depth guided tour that explores the church’s exterior, interior, and panoramic rooftop terraces. Some tours include the Last Supper and the Duomo in a single itinerary, ideal if you have limited time but want to see Milan’s two most famous cultural attractions, which sit just a 6-minute metro ride from each other.

La Scala is one of the most storied and famous opera houses in the world, and you can reach this landmark theater in less than 10 minutes by metro from the Last Supper. The elegant exterior is worth a look, but the real showstopper is the gilded interior, which features red velvet seats and elaborate boxes. The only way to access the theater is by joining a guided tour that covers both the auditorium and its museum, or by booking tickets to a performance.

The elegant 19th-century steel-and-glass Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II is also called il salotto di Milano (Milan’s drawing room), since it’s where locals have been gathering to relax and socialize for more than a century. A mainstay of Milan sightseeing tours, this covered shopping and dining arcade is easy to travel to before or after viewing the Last Supper—the metro journey takes about 10 minutes. Be sure to grab a drink at the landmark Camparino in Galleria bar.

Once the residence of everyone from the Sforza rulers to Napoleon, the Royal Palace of Milan these days is one of the city’s most important exhibition spaces. Conveniently located next to the Duomo, this stately complex hosts a roster of temporary exhibits year-round, showcasing modern and contemporary artists from Italy and around the globe. Visit the palace as part of a customized private tour that covers the city’s top sights plus lesser-known spots, or stop by on your own after a tour of the Duomo.

Brera is one of the most atmospheric corners of Milan, thanks to its cobblestone streets, historic townhouses, high-end shops, and restaurants. The easiest way to reach the neighborhood from the Last Supper is by taxi, and in less than 15 minutes, you’ll be meandering along the pedestrian lanes to shop, dine, and sightsee with the city’s most discerning residents. Walking tours of Brera often include time at the excellent Brera Art Gallery (Pinacoteca), home to an impressive collection of works by artists from Botticelli to Titian—and, most famously, The Kiss by Francesco Hayez.