Anne Hathaway is trending today — and for the best possible reason. The Devil Wears Prada 2, the long-awaited sequel starring Hathaway, Meryl Streep, Emily Blunt, Stanley Tucci, and Lady Gaga, is generating massive search volume as the film hits screens globally. The sequel takes Andy Sachs back to the fashion world, this time with a dramatic European detour to Milan — and the film locations are sending millions of people straight to Google to search “Milan travel” and “Lake Como Italy.”
This is exactly how Hollywood drives travel. When Under the Tuscan Sun came out in 2003, Cortona saw a 40% spike in American tourists. When Letters to Juliet landed in 2010, Verona’s tourism board reported record visits. And now, with The Devil Wears Prada 2 showcasing the Brera Academy, the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, and the shimmering shores of Lake Como, Italy is about to have its biggest American travel moment in years.
At Around The World In A Rush, we live for exactly this kind of inspiration. Here is your complete travel guide to the real Italian locations from The Devil Wears Prada 2 — and why 2026 is the perfect year to go.
Milan: Fashion Capital of the World and One of Europe’s Most Underrated Travel Destinations
The film is set partly in Milan, where the fictional Runway magazine’s European fashion show unfolds. But Milan is far more than fashion week. It is a city of staggering art, extraordinary food, and a pace of life that is unmistakably Italian beneath its cosmopolitan surface.
- The Duomo di Milano — The Gothic cathedral took nearly six centuries to complete and remains one of the most breathtaking buildings on earth. Climb to the rooftop terrace for a view across the city all the way to the Alps on a clear day.
- The Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II — The stunning 19th-century shopping arcade featured in the film, with its soaring glass-and-iron roof, mosaic floors, and luxury boutiques. Spin on the bull’s mosaic for good luck — it’s a Milan tradition.
- Leonardo’s Last Supper — Housed at Santa Maria delle Grazie, featured in the film’s plot, and requiring advance reservations months ahead. Worth every effort.
- Brera District — The film’s fashion show scenes use the Brera Academy as their backdrop. The neighborhood itself is Milan’s most charming — a maze of cobblestone streets, art galleries, aperitivo bars, and flower markets.
- Navigli canals — Milan’s former industrial waterways are now lined with outdoor restaurants, vintage shops, and some of the best aperitivo culture in Italy. Go at golden hour.
Lake Como: Italy’s Most Glamorous Lakeside Escape
The film extends its European story to Lake Como, and no one is surprised. Lake Como has been the backdrop for celebrity escapes, James Bond films, and George Clooney’s Villa Oleandra for decades. It is one of the most dramatically beautiful places on earth — a deep glacial lake ringed by the Italian Alps, dotted with pastel-colored villages clinging to steep hillsides.
- Villa Balbianello — Featured in the film and one of the most photographed villas in Italy, with terraced gardens that cascade directly to the water’s edge. Accessible only by boat or a woodland trail.
- Bellagio — The jewel at the center fork of the lake, with its steep cobblestone stairways (the Salita Serbelloni), colorful geranium-draped balconies, and the Grand Hotel Villa Serbelloni looking out over the water.
- Varenna — Quieter, equally beautiful, and easier to access by ferry. The village of colored houses rising from the lake is the Italy that postcards try and fail to capture.
- The ferry network — The best way to explore Lake Como is by public ferry, hopping between villages at leisure. A day pass gives you access to all major stops and costs less than €20.
Whether you are visiting Milan for fashion week, tracking the film locations, or spending a slow week on a Lake Como balcony with an Aperol Spritz and a view of the Alps — this is Italy at its absolute finest. And when you go, you need clothing that moves between gallery visits, lakeside lunches, and evening fashion shows without missing a step. Our Motivational Travel Hoodies at Around The World In A Rush are stylish, packable, and expressive enough for even a Runway-approved European adventure.
The Odyssey Connection: More Anne Hathaway, More Italy
Hathaway’s Italy obsession in 2026 goes beyond Prada. She also stars in Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey, which filmed on the island of Favignana in Sicily’s Egadi Islands — released globally on July 16, 2026, and already one of the year’s biggest films. If you are planning an Italian itinerary inspired by Anne Hathaway’s 2026 film calendar, add Sicily to the list: Favignana’s crystal-clear water, historic tuna fishery (the Museo del ex Stabilimento Florio), and Cala Rossa bay make it one of the Mediterranean’s most spectacular island escapes.
Fly into Palermo, catch a ferry from Trapani to Favignana, and spend a week island-hopping through the Egadi Islands. It is one of the most un-touristy corners of a very touristy country — and right now, it is exactly where the whole world wants to be. Show your pride for Italy and the whole Mediterranean with our Flag & Country Pride Collection — featuring Italian-themed travel apparel for the globally-minded explorer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Where was The Devil Wears Prada 2 filmed in Italy?
The Devil Wears Prada 2 (2026) filmed in several iconic Milan locations including the Brera Academy (used for the fashion show sequence), the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, Santa Maria delle Grazie, and Lake Como — specifically Villa Balbianello on the lakefront. The New York scenes were filmed in Manhattan locations including Greenwich Village, Lenox Hill, and Cobble Hill, Brooklyn. The film was directed by David Frankel and stars Anne Hathaway, Meryl Streep, Emily Blunt, Stanley Tucci, and Lady Gaga.
Q2: How do I get from Milan to Lake Como?
The easiest route is by train from Milano Centrale to Varenna-Esino (about 1 hour, €8–12) or to Como San Giovanni (about 30–40 minutes, €5–8). From Como or Varenna, the public ferry network connects all major lakeside villages including Bellagio, Tremezzo, Menaggio, and Lenno (for Villa Balbianello). Trains run frequently throughout the day and the scenic rail journey through the Italian Alps foothills is itself worth the trip.
Q3: When is the best time to visit Milan and Lake Como?
The best times to visit are April–June and September–October. Spring brings mild temperatures, blooming gardens, and fewer tourists than the peak summer months. September is particularly magical on Lake Como — the summer crowds have thinned, the light is golden, and the water is still warm enough for swimming. Avoid August if possible as many local restaurants and shops close for Ferragosto (Italy’s summer holiday). Milan Fashion Week in February and September brings the city to life but also significantly raises hotel prices.
3 Essential Resources for Your Italy Trip
- Movie Locations: The Devil Wears Prada 2 Film Sites — Complete guide to every real location used in the sequel, with addresses and travel tips.
- Italia.it — Official Italian Tourism Board — The definitive resource for planning any Italian trip, with regional guides, visa info, and seasonal travel recommendations.
- The Odyssey Italy Filming Locations (Idealista) — A deep dive into Favignana and the Egadi Islands where Nolan shot The Odyssey with Hathaway and Matt Damon.
Conclusion
Anne Hathaway’s 2026 is a love letter to Italy, and the whole world is paying attention. From the fashion runways of Milan to the glacial perfection of Lake Como to the ancient Greek landscapes of Favignana, she is reminding us that Italy is not just a destination — it is an experience that changes you. Book the trip. Walk the cobblestones. Drink the Negroni. The world is waiting.
👉 Gear up for Italy and every destination at Around The World In A Rush.
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