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In Paris, you’ll see dozens of well-dressed intellectual types lining up for a table outside the city’s most famous literary coffee shops – including Cafe de Flore or Les Deux Magots, which have hosted the likes of Simone de Beauvoir and Jean-Paul Sartre.
Head to Venice, and book-carrying, tote bag-wielding tourists queue for a spot at iconic watering hole, Harry’s Bar, itching to sip on a Bellini just as Ernest Hemingway once did.
On English soil, Shakespeare’s house in Stratford-upon-Avon remains one of the country’s most visited literary attractions.
Whether you’re into Dan Brown or Emily Bronte, basing a holiday around your favourite book or author has become big business.
Indeed, in Skyscanner’s Annual Trends report for 2026, the ‘Bookbound’ literature trend predicted travellers will be tracing the footsteps of literary heroes, planning slow holidays around reading retreats and tracking down the world’s best bookshops and libraries.
Almost half of all travellers have booked, or would consider, a trip inspired by literature, Skyscanner’s research found.
A study by CV Villas analysed mentions of more than 140 travel destinations in books, revealing which places with strong literary links are seeing the biggest growth.
It revealed the top 20 destinations inspired by literature, and included many unsurprising destinations – Venice, for instance, and the Amalfi Coast.
But which of these bookish destinations are actually worth a visit? And which have become tourist traps to avoid? Here’s our pick:
When you visit Paris, you’ll see dozens of well-dressed intellectual types lining up for a table outside the cafe Les Deux Magots (pictured)
Pass on Paris and frolic… in the French Riviera
Ah, Paris. Any rundown of literary travel destinations must, naturally, start here.
There’s no shortage of options if you do find yourself in the French capital – in fact, most popular tourist hotspots here will have some sort of bookish origin story.
Take the city’s famous Montmartre area, famed for housing many creatives, or the Moulin Rouge. Or perhaps you’d prefer to visit Shakespeare and Co, the city’s popular English bookshop. Even just a stroll down a street will likely see you pass a literary hotspot.
But this can be overwhelming – and, given the hoards of tourists at many of these places, it’s unlikely to give you an authentic experience.
Instead, try the dreamy shores of the Cote d’Azur. The French Riviera is, unsurprisingly, a popular setting for romantic novels, travelogues and many other books.
Tender is The Night by F Scott Fitzgerald is set in Antibes, and Not Quite Nice by Celia Imrie near Nice. Both are great options for exploring – as are beautiful nearby towns such as Villefranche-sur-Mer and Eze. A worthy alternative with fewer crowds.
The French Riviera is, unsurprisingly, a popular setting for romantic novels, travelogues and many other books – towns such as Villefranche-sur-Mer (pictured) are worth a visit
Avoid Amalfi… and make for Corfu
The Talented Mr Ripley, Patricia Highsmith’s 1955 novel, supposedly took its inspiration for the fictional resort town of Mongibello from Positano on Italy’s Amalfi Coast.
More recently, Rebecca Serle’s 2022 One Italian Summer was set here, and soared to fame on ‘BookTok’ – the social media trend making reading popular again.
The Amalfi Coast certainly has its charms – with beautiful beaches, Italian cuisine and pretty cliffside towns.
But it’s one of the places in Europe most overrun by tourists, especially during the summer season.
Of course, you can try languishing in the sun like Mr Ripley, and you’ll certainly have a fabulous holiday, but you’ll share it with the masses.
Why not try Corfu, home to the Durrell family during the 1930s and famously written about in Gerald Durrell’s Corfu trilogy?
Beaches, including Megas Choros, Cape Drastis or Glyfada, make for a glamorous sunshine-fuelled break, especially if you steer clear of the Greek island’s more touristy areas.
Instead, try Corfu, home to the Durrell family during the 1930s and made famous by Gerald Durrell’s book My Family and other Animals
La Mancha… not Madrid
You will definitely have heard of Madrid, and perhaps of its history tied up with famous writers and novels.
Of the world’s oldest restaurant, located in a prime spot in the heart of Madrid just next to the iconic Plaza Mayor, Ernest Hemingway said in The Sun Also Rises: ‘We lunched up-stairs at Botín’s. It is one of the best restaurants in the world.
‘We had roast young suckling pig and drank rioja alta. Brett did not eat much. She never ate much. I ate a very big meal and drank three bottles of rioja alta.’
Botin, established in 1725, was also visited by Charles Dickens, among many other famous faces.
Sure, there’s lots to do in Madrid; Botin is a highlight. But for a more immersive experience with an equal amount of literary influence, you’re better off heading to La Mancha and its capital city Toledo, famous for its rare blend of Christian, Jewish, and Islamic heritage – and its popular bullring.
Perhaps one of the most famous novels to come out of Spain, Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes tells the adventures a man who wanted to be a knight in La Mancha – a large region of the country known for its spacious, open plains dotted with windmills and castles, as well as its fantastic wines.
You can follow in his footsteps in this region as the Spanish tourist board had devised a Ruta de Don Quixote, to lure more visitors to La Mancha. It will feel like you’re in the middle of nowhere – and that’s exactly the point.
The Spanish capital, Madrid, is a cultural hotspot, known for its famous Prado Museum, and has literary links galore (Erin pictured outside Madrid’s Prado museum)
Swap the Big Apple…for the Big Easy
Few places are as innately tied up with modern literature than New York.
Be it classics such as The Great Gatsby and Breakfast At Tiffany’s, or newer releases including A Little Life and Sex And The City (the book version, of course!), there’s no shortage of literary inspiration and muses in the buzzing Big Apple.
With great fame, however, comes downsides – you’ll jostle for space to photograph your favourite literary haunt. For a more unique stay, head to the Deep South and try New Orleans.
A Streetcar Named Desire, Tennessee Williams’ famous 1947 play, is set here – as is The Awakening by Kate Chopin. More recently, though, it’s become a haven of jazz music and food.
Earlier this year, the 20 best cities in the world for food in 2025 were revealed and ranked by Time Out – and this year it’s New Orleans that takes the crown.
So for a more unique trip, skip the Big Apple and try the Louisiana city and its vibrant French Quarter.
Earlier this year, the 20 best cities in the world for food in 2025 were revealed and ranked by Time Out – and this year it’s New Orleans that takes the crown
Not Venice… veer towards Verona
‘Two households, both alike in dignity, In fair Verona, where we lay our scene,’ are the famous words written by Shakespeare in the opening scene of Romeo and Juliet.
If it’s good enough for the young lovers, it’s good enough for us – and it’s certainly a great alternative to overcrowded Venice.
Back in Hemingway’s day, Venice was surely a fantastic, intimate setting – but nowadays, it’s expensive and crowded.
Of course, tick the Italian city off your bucket list – our tip is to visit in winter… but Verona can feel like a less stressful alternative.
And there’s plenty to do there – you can even visit Juliet’s balcony, from which she called down to her lover: ‘O Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo?’
Or tour the city’s famous Roman amphitheatre, where performances play out year round.
So if you’re after Italian food and wine, pretty cobbled streets, gorgeous views and a pinch of romance, swap Venice for Verona – you won’t regret it.
Ernest Hemingway certainly got around – he was known for enjoying a drink in Harry’s Bar in Venice (pictured)
So if you’re after Italian food and wine, pretty cobbled streets, gorgeous views and a pinch of romance, swap Venice for Verona
Trade sprawling London…for Bath
To list all the book-inspired spots in London would take far too long.
Platform nine-and-three-quarters in London’s Kings Cross from Harry Potter, 221B Baker Street from Sherlock Holmes, most of the areas mentioned in Bridget Jones’ Diary – to name but a few.
There’s no getting around it: if you like books, London has something for you. But Bath – crowned the best city in the UK in Conde Nast’s 2025 Readers’ Choice Awards – is just as literary and a little less overwhelming.
But Bath – crowned the best city in the UK in Conde Nast’s 2025 Readers’ Choice Awards – is just as literary and far less overwhelming
The shining writer in the spotlight here? None other than Jane Austen. When the celebrated author made Bath her home from 1801 to 1806 the city was a thriving spa resort – and it still is today.
December 2025 saw the city mark Austen’s 250th birthday – meaning this month is the perfect time to schedule a visit to the Somerset city.
There’s plenty to do, as well. Visit Bath Abbey, which dates back to the 7th century, or perhaps take a trip to the Roman Baths. Lots of great restaurants and brunch spots line the honey-hued streets too.
Dodge madding crowds in Marrakech …and go back in time in Tangier
Marrakech, home to snake charmers and fake designer handbags, has been on travel bucket lists for years (Pictured: Koutoubia Mosque in Marrakech)
And if you’re after a calmer introduction to Morocco, Tangier is the way to go
Atmospheric Marrakech has been on travel bucket lists for years. It’s the most well-known Moroccan city and its famous Jemaa el-fnaa square has provided a backdrop to many a novel.
The fictional town of Agrabah from Disney’s Aladdin is often said to be inspired by Marrakech, for instance.
But to say that Marrakech is hectic is an understatement. And if you’re after a calmer introduction to Morocco, Tangier is the way to go.
Famous writers such as Ian Fleming of James Bond fame and Tennessee Williams used to frequent the city to write, and it’s easy to understand why.
Walk past the Teatro Cervantes, drink coffee in the iconic Gran Cafe de Paris, and watch artsy French movies at Cinema Rif and you’ll soon feel part of the local intelligentsia.
It’s a city that oozes art deco beauty, combined with a rustic, unkempt charm.
To pack or not to pack, that is the question…
If you’re planning a bookcation – or even just jetting off to read romance novels on a beach somewhere – there are plenty of reading accessories that will make your journey much smoother.
Here’s our guide to the best reading essentials you should pack for your next break.
Once you take the Kindle plunge, you’ll never look back – and the Colorsoft edition is even more high-tech, perfect for frequent users.
As a regular traveller, nothing is more useful than being able to bring a kindle with instead of a stack of books to read on the beach. With longer battery life and excellent display, this is a perfect travel companion that is well worth a buy.
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I love to keep track of everything I’m reading – even more so if I’m reading it in a beautiful part of the world.
This notebook is a work of art in itself, ideal if you want to jot down your reading list and note any thoughts.
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If you like to read at night, and perhaps have a partner who’d rather the lights weren’t on until the small hours, this is the nifty gadget for you.
For less than a fiver, you can enjoy hours of uninterrupted reading.
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Kindles can be expensive, and the last thing you want is to break yours.
Burga’s cases are both sturdy and stylish, making for a great and almost essential add-on if you’re part of the e-reader club.
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Headphones? Check.
Kindle charger? Check.
Plug converter? Check.
Somewhere to store it all? Um…
If you’re forever hunting for your chargers and gadgets, this cable tidy is an extremely useful purchase.
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While I love to buy cheap bookmarks as a memento when I travel, I’m always on the lookout for a more permanent option – especially if I’m near water on holiday, as no one wants their bookmark to disintegrate under wet fingers!
This option can also be personalised, making it a great gift.
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Whether you’re heading on a beach holiday or city break, if you plan on reading abroad you’ll need something to carry all your book paraphernalia.
This tote bag from The General Classification is super lightweight and spacious, perfect for books, a beach towel and more.
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There’s nothing worse than plonking yourself down on a sun lounger only to find your Kindle is out of battery.
Save yourself the hassle with this budget-friendly, powerful portable charger.
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If you need something to protect your book inside a full-to-bursting bag, this is what you need.
This is also the perfect gift for any book lovers you might now – reasonably priced and thoughtful, there are many different themes to choose from.
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