The Devil Wears Prada 2 in Milan: iconic locations (and how to experience them)
After years of anticipation, the return of Miranda Priestly and the glossy world of fashion publishing brings the camera right into the heart of Italy’s style capital. Milan is not just a backdrop — it is a character, a living stage set, a statement of elegance.
For those of us at Best Italy Tour who tell the story of this city every day through tailor-made experiences, this is a unique opportunity to rediscover Milan with fresh eyes — walking the very same streets, buildings, and perspectives now seen on the big screen.
1. Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II & Milan Cathedral
Some places need no introduction.
Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II is one of them.
Glass and iron vaults, mosaic floors, historic boutiques: more than a shopping arcade, it is Milan’s living room. In The Devil Wears Prada 2, it appears unusually empty, crossed with flawless precision by Miranda Priestly. A silent, suspended Milan — filmed in the early morning hours to capture a rare, almost surreal stillness.
Just steps away, Milan Cathedral (Duomo di Milano) completes the scene with its gothic verticality. Its spires rise against the sky, creating a powerful contrast with contemporary fashion silhouettes. Monumental yet modern — just like the film itself.
How to experience it with us:
Our Milano City Walking Tour includes the Duomo, the Galleria, and the historic city center. And if you want to enjoy an even more exclusive experience, we also offer tours with access to the Terraces, where you can admire the city from above — the same cinematic perspective that makes these scenes so iconic. Click here to discover the tour.
2. Il Salumaio di Montenapoleone
credits: https://www.ilsalumaiodimontenapoleone.it
Milan is fashion, yes — but it is also ritual and gastronomy.
The Devil Wears Prada 2 features Il Salumaio di Montenapoleone, a historic restaurant founded in 1957 inside Palazzo Bagatti Valsecchi, in the heart of the Fashion District.
Stepping inside feels like traveling back in time. Elegant rooms blend with Renaissance details, while the inner courtyard offers a quiet escape from the city’s most dynamic streets.
More than a restaurant, it is part of Milan’s memory — the perfect balance between elegance and everyday life.
How to experience it with us:
We can include a curated stop here within our private Fashion District tours, combining style and Milanese cuisine.
3. Brera Academy of Fine Arts
Among cobbled streets and art galleries, the Brera Academy represents Milan’s cultural soul.
Founded in the 18th century, it is more than a school — it is a creative ecosystem. Its courtyard, framed by harmonious arcades and dominated by the statue of Napoleon, feels almost timeless.
This is where the Runway fashion show takes place in the film. Originally planned for the Duomo, the scene was moved to Brera for narrative and logistical reasons, giving it a more intimate and sophisticated atmosphere.
Discover it with us:
A walking tour through Brera reveals the Academy, artisan workshops, and hidden corners far from the tourist crowds.
4. Basilica of Santa Maria delle Grazie
Fashion and art meet at the Basilica of Santa Maria delle Grazie, home to Leonardo da Vinci’s Last Supper.
For conservation reasons, scenes set inside the refectory were recreated in studio — a faithful reconstruction by Italian set designers. However, the stunning cloister scenes were filmed on location in Milan.
How to experience it with us:
We offer guided visits to see The Last Supper, with expert explanations of its history and symbolism.
5. Palazzo Parigi
credits: https://www.palazzoparigi.com
Just steps from Brera, Palazzo Parigi embodies Milanese luxury hospitality.
Designed by architect Paola Giambelli with interiors also by Pierre-Yves Rochon, the hotel blends Milanese restraint with French elegance. Marble, soft lighting, and refined textures define its sophisticated identity.
In the film, its lobby and exterior spaces become the perfect setting for private encounters and key narrative moments.
6. Villa Balbiano, Lake Como
If Milan represents ambition and speed, Lake Como introduces stillness.
Villa Balbiano is one of the lake’s most spectacular residences, with frescoed interiors, Italian-style gardens, and cinematic views over water and mountains. Every window feels like a framed painting.
Private extension:
From Milan, we organize exclusive day trips to Lake Como with private transfers and villa visits.
7. Villa Arconati
Often called the “Italian Versailles,” Villa Arconati near Milan is pure grandeur.
French-style gardens, monumental staircases, and richly decorated halls make it a theatrical setting — no surprise it was chosen for key scenes in the film.
8. Palazzo Clerici
A short walk from La Scala reveals Palazzo Clerici, one of Milan’s most dramatic Baroque interiors.
Behind its understated façade lies the spectacular Tiepolo Hall, an explosion of frescoes that celebrates power, ambition, and spectacle — themes perfectly aligned with the world of The Devil Wears Prada 2.
Milan as a Set, Milan as an Experience
The film does not reinvent Milan.
It simply brings it into focus.
