Timeline
16:20
Grab an aperitivo at Bar Magenta. This is the spot that helped coin the tradition, so it is best to arrive with friends as the sun begins to dip. The free appetizers usually start around 19:00, but arriving early secures your spot and a drink.
16:45
Walk to Saint Mary of the Graces. You need to be inside the church before the final rush of the day. If you have not reserved tickets months in advance, show up by 08:15 to see if canceled reservations are available, though for this plan, we assume you have secured entry for the late afternoon slot. The UNESCO-listed Cenacolo Vinciano is best viewed in the quiet before closing.
17:05
Stand in the refectory. As the sun sets toward the WSW at 17:05, the natural light that once illuminated the room is gone, but the atmosphere remains heavy with history. Take a moment to look at the figures in the painting, frozen in that single dramatic instant.
17:25
End the evening at Bar Bianco. It is a short walk from the church. This cash-only bar is where the clubbers and their companions gather. It is the perfect place to unwind after the solemnity of the Last Supper, surrounded by the energy of Milan nightlife.
Local tip
Saint Mary of the Graces closes at 17:50 on weekdays. Ensure your visit allows enough time to see the painting before the doors lock. Bar Magenta stays open until 02:00, so you can linger there after the church if you prefer a later start.
Check before you go
- Saint Mary of the Graces is open Mo-Sa 09:00-12:20, 15:00-17:50 and Su,PH 15:00-17:50.
- Bar Magenta is open Mo-Su 07:30-02:00.
- Bar Bianco is open Mo-Su 09:00-22:00.
- Bar Bianco is cash only.
Built from places in the Wikivoyage guide to Milan (CC BY-SA 4.0), with open map data from OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).