Many things influence where we travel. Some people follow their stomachs, seeking out sumptuous cuisines, while others prefer to stray off the beaten track to discover awe-inspiring landscapes. But, if you’re a book lover, you might prefer to visit places with rich literary cultures.
Luckily, with Europe on our doorstep, bookworms with the travel bug are spoilt for choice here in the UK. From Italian Renaissance poetry to experimental Modernism in France, our continent has an outstanding literary pedigree stretching back thousands of years. And there are plenty of thriving contemporary scenes to immerse yourself in too.
With this in mind, we’ve put together this list of the best European cities for book lovers to visit. Whether you want to peruse bookshops, delve into the history behind classic novels, or simply walk the same streets your favourite authors once did, hopefully, there’s something here to inspire your next trip.
1. Paris
For centuries, the City of Love has been a hive of creativity and intellectualism. Over the years, scores of celebrated writers have lived and worked amongst its lively cafes and cobbled streets – from local geniuses to Lost Generation icons. Why not begin your visit by perusing the city’s famous Bouquiniestes along the Seine’s Right Bank? These dinky, green booksellers have been flogging paperbacks and other artistic treasures since the 16th century.
Next, duck into Shakespeare and Company, probably the world’s most famous independent bookshop, or visit Maison de Victor Hugo and explore the Les Misérables novelist’s apartment. Père Lachaise Cemetery is also a popular site of literary pilgrimage, where greats like Oscar Wilde, Marcel Proust, and Gertrude Stein are buried. And, in the evening, you can retire to Les Deux Magots – a popular haunt of Ernest Hemingway and Simone de Beauvoir – for an aperitif.
Pre-trip reading ideas:
- A Moveable Feast by Ernest Hemingway
- Giovanni’s Room by James Baldwin
- Les Misérables and The Hunchback of Notre-Dame by Victor Hugo
- Poems of Paris ed. by Emily Fragos
- The Ladies’ Delight by Emile Zola
- The Piano Shop on the Left Bank by Thad Carhart
2. Óbidos
An hour north of Lisbon lies the mediaeval town of Óbidos. With its rich history, sugar cube buildings, and an impressive, turreted castle, it’s popular with tourists seeking a quaint, picturesque location. At first glance, you might not guess it’s one of Portugal’s literary hotspots but it’s home to two popular literary festivals: the Folio and Latitudes, which run in autumn and spring, respectively.
That’s not all though. Walking along the charming main street, Rua Direita, and its side roads, visitors can uncover an unusual number of bookshops – including Livaria Santiago, which is housed in a centuries-old gothic church. For a truly immersive experience, why not check into the Literary Man Hotel: the largest book-themed hotel in the world? This 30-room inn (which formerly served as a convent) is filled with 80,000 tomes and other writerly decor.
Pre-trip reading ideas:
- 28 Portuguese Poets: A Bilingual Anthology ed. by Richard Zenith
- The Portuguese: A Modern History by Barry Hatton
3. Prague
From the Austro-Hungarian rule to the Communist era, Prague’s complex past has birthed some truly unique literature. Strolling through the city’s labyrinthine streets, this heritage is palpable, with curiosities for bookworms to discover down every alley. To start, you’ll surely want to check out the Franz Kafka Museum, where diaries and letters give visitors a unique glimpse into the life of the city’s most famous scribe.
Prague is also home to some truly exquisite libraries. These include the beautiful, Baroque Klementinum and the Municipal Library of Prague, where you can poke your head into a towering sculpture made of 8,000 books. And, if you’re looking for a new read, you can cross the famous Charles Bridge to discover Shakespeare & Sons in the Lesser Town district. This independent bookshop celebrates a different writer’s birthday each day.
Pre-trip reading ideas:
- Daughter of Smoke & Bone by Laini Taylor
- Metamorphosis and Other Stories by Franz Kafka
- Tales from the Little Quarter by Jan Neruda
- The Golem by Gustav Meyrink
- The Good Soldier Švejk by Jaroslav Hašek
- The Unbearable Lightness of Being by Milan Kundera
4. Verona
As the setting of Romeo and Juliet, Verona will delight and enchant bibliophiles. Though Shakespeare probably didn’t ever set foot outside of England, the city has embraced its role in the tale of the star-crossed lovers. Visitors can check out Juliet’s tomb – where the real-life inspiration for the Bard’s heroine was supposedly buried – and her balcony, where she’s said to have called down the famous words: “O Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo?”
While these two sites aren’t really connected to the play, it doesn’t put a dampener on the fun. Besotted couples attach locks to the gate of ‘Juliet’s house’, and unlucky romantics leave letters asking her for relationship advice (which are all answered by volunteers). Plus, where better to lose yourself in a fairytale fantasy than Verona’s idyllic streets, with their chattering piazzas, outdoor frescoes, and intricate architecture?
Pre-trip reading ideas:
- Cafe Flores by Holly Greene
- Letters To Juliet by Lise Friedman and Ceil Friedman
- Pictures from Italy by Charles Dickens
- Risk by Kate Fitzroy
- Romeo and Juliet and The Two Gentlemen of Verona by William Shakespeare
5. Stockholm
For fans of gritty Scandinavian noir novels, Stockholm is a must-visit – especially if you’re one of millions who loved Steig Larsson’s Millennium Trilogy (including The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo). The Millennium guided tour is an excellent way to discover the Swedish capital. Not only does it take you to notable locations from the books and places where Larsson wrote, but it also delves into the history of the city and its citizens.
However, stories of murder and deception on bleak winter streets aren’t all that can be unearthed here. Museums dedicated to children’s writer Astrid Lingren and innovative scribe August Strindberg are interesting and informative. If you’re up for braving the cold, February is a popular time for bibliophiles. This chilly month marks the beginning of a three-week-long book sale (bokrea), with shops city-wide taking part.
Pre-trip reading ideas:
- Doctor Glas by Hjalmar Söderberg
- Let The Right One In by John Ajvide Lindqvist
- Pippi Longstocking by Astrid Lindgren
- Selected Poems 1954 – 1986 by Tomas Tranströmer
- The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Steig Larsson
- The Red Room by August Strindberg
- Thy Soul Shall Bear Witness by Selma Lagerlöf
6. Dublin
As the home of James Joyce, Oscar Wilde, Sally Rooney, and many more beloved writers, there are plenty of things to see and do for literary-minded travellers in Dublin. The Museum of Literature Ireland (MoLI) and The James Joyce Centre are good starting places, where you can learn about some of the city’s most influential poets and novelists through interactive exhibitions and historical artefacts.
Dublin also has some remarkable public libraries – including Trinity College’s vaulted Long Room and Marsh’s Library, which has been preserved for 300 years. However, for an especially authentic experience, why not enjoy a whisky or Guiness at historic watering holes like Toner’s and Davy Byrne’s, where legends like Joyce and W.B. Yeats hung out? There’s even a literary pub crawl you can sign up for.
Pre-trip reading ideas:
- Dubliners and Ulysses by James Joyce
- Long Lankin by John Banville
- Normal People by Sally Rooney
- The Collected Poems of W.B. Yeats
- The Commitments by Roddy Doyle
- Three Castles Burning: A History of Dublin in Twelve Streets by Donal Fallon
7. Ljubljana
Home to fairytale castles, friendly locals, and a gorgeous riverside fringed with willows, there are plenty of reasons why more tourists are discovering Ljubljana. Yet, many don’t realise how vibrant the literary culture is here. Named an official UNESCO City of Literature in 2015, the Slovenian capital runs festivals throughout the year, including the Fabula – Literature of the World festival, which has hosted authors like Jonathan Franzen and Bernardine Evaristo.
But there’s plenty of local literature to discover here too – especially through the city’s many book-themed walking tours. You can listen to stories of Slovenian female writers and the history behind poet France Prešeren’s statue in the main square, all while seeing Ljubljana’s top sights. And, if you’re visiting in the spring or summer, you can spend the afternoon reading at a Library Under the Treetops. These free, outdoor mini-libraries are spread out in parks all around the city.
Pre-trip reading ideas:
- Forbidden Bread: A Memoir by Erica Johnson Debeljak
- Slovenology by Noah Charney
- Southern scum go home! by Goran Vojnović
- The Slovenians: An A to Z of History’s Great Slovenes by John Bills
8. Madrid
The Spanish capital is often referred to as a ‘paradise for book lovers’. Explore the famous Barrio de las Letras (Literary Quarter), where quotations from celebrated Spanish writers are literally etched onto the pavement in golden lettering. Here, you’ll also find Casa de Cervantes, where the author of Don Quixote once lived. Though his home isn’t open to the public, you can learn more about this literary legend at Casa Natal de Cervantes, a museum to the northeast.
Alternatively, you can follow in the footsteps of Ernest Hemingway, who spent lots of time in Madrid. Enjoy some traditional Spanish fare in Sobrino de Botin, which holds the Guinness World Record as the oldest restaurant in the world and is mentioned in a couple of Hemingway’s books. But no literary adventure would be complete without a visit to the National Library of Spain, the country’s largest library, which holds over 15 million books.
Pre-trip reading ideas:
- Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes
- Fortunata and Jacinta by Benito Pérez Galdós
- Leaving the Atocha Station by Ben Lerner
- Madrid: A Literary Guide for Travellers by Jules Stewart
- Selected Poems of Federico Garcia Lorca
- The Hive by Camilo José Cela
9. Reykjavík
Iceland is often praised for its unique wildlife and unspoilt natural beauty. But you might be surprised to learn that this isolated isle is brimming with literary culture. As the Guinness World Records tells us, one in 10 Icelanders will publish a book in their lifetime, which just goes to show how book-obsessed the locals are. This is especially true in Reykjavík, the country’s capital city, beating cultural heart, and a UNESCO City of Literature.
Bookshops and libraries are tucked around every corner, with many park benches and street signs named after local scribes. Some even have QR codes that you can scan to hear readings of Icelandic literature, though head to the Culture House for a deeper dive into Icelandic literary history. Spring is a great time to visit, as you might catch the bi-annual Reykjavík International Literary Festival.
Pre-trip reading ideas:
- Icelandic Folktales & Legends by Jacqueline Simpson
- Jar City by Arnaldur Indridason
- Names for the Sea: Strangers in Iceland by Sarah Moss
- The Fish Can Sing and Independent People by Halldór Laxness
- The History of Iceland by Gunnar Karlsson
- The Icelandic Sagas
- The Sorrow of Angels by Jón Kalman Stefánsson
10. Amsterdam
As the home of artists like Rembrandt and Van Gogh, Amsterdam is probably most famous for its painting pedigree. But the Dutch city’s literary culture isn’t to be overlooked. It’s home to gorgeous historic reading rooms – such as the Cuypers Library, with its sun-lit, vaulted ceilings – and plenty of places to pick up pre-loved tomes, like the 25-stall Spui Book Market. Be sure to also visit the Wall of Poets, an art installation where you can listen to readings from local works.
However, the most important stop on many people’s itineraries is the Anne Frank House, where the most famous diarist in history hid from the Nazis during World War Two. Now a museum, visitors can learn about Anne and her family’s devastating story through quotations, pictures, and objects – including her original red-checked diary. While heartbreaking, it’s an incredibly moving testament to the power of words.
Pre-trip reading ideas:
- Amsterdam Tales ed. by Helen Constantine
- ‘Hotel Oblivion’ by Geoff Dyer
- Girl With a Pearl Earring by Tracy Chevalier
- The Black Tulip by Alexandre Dumas
- The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank
- The Fall by Albert Camus
- The House of Dolls by David Hewson
Final thoughts…
From Shakespeare under Verona’s sultry summer sun to icy Nordic folktales in Reykjavík, we hope you’ve enjoyed our list of must-visit European cities for book lovers. Whether you want to learn more about your favourite writers, shop for secondhand books in picturesque locations, or expand your knowledge of world literature, there’s plenty to discover on our doorstep.
But if you don’t want to stray too far from home, the UK is also packed with experiences for bookworms. Why not read our article, 14 literary locations to visit in the UK, to find out more?
Have you visited any of these cities? Or do you have any you’d like to add to the list? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below.