12 Literary Cities Every Book Lover Must Visit

Wandering for the appreciation of books is a joy many share, and a handful of cities are perfect for just that. While London, Buenos Aires, and Istanbul always top the list, the world holds many more bookish treasures.

Let’s embark on a literary journey around the globe and show you the cities every book lover needs to visit at least once.

Edinburgh, Scotland

Edinburgh earned the title of the world’s first UNESCO City of Literature in 2004, and it wears that accolade with pride. Though the city’s storied past is linked with renowned names such as Sir Walter Scott and Muriel Spark, its love affair with bringing words to life still lives on. This is especially evident through exhibitions, most notably the Edinburgh International Book Festival, which is scheduled to take place from 9th to 24th August 2025. Over 700 exciting events are scheduled, with 641 acclaimed writers stepping up to give presentations on reading and writing.

For the bookworms unable to attend the big event, Scotland’s capital still provides a variety of other activities throughout the year. Visit the Writers’ Museum, dedicated to Edinburgh’s greatest authors, or explore the Scottish Poetry Library, which celebrates the best of Scottish poetry. The night owls can join one of the after-dark storytelling pub walks, uncovering fascinating tales of the Old Town that have been shaped by legendary figures such as Robert Louis Stevenson.

London, England

London is a place that needs no introduction to our readers. This publishing super-hub is defined by the UK’s national library, the British Library, which houses more than 170 million items available for public viewing. But it doesn’t stop there. Follow in the footsteps of greats like Charles Dickens, Virginia Woolf, and Arthur Conan Doyle’s standout creation Sherlock Holmes on literary walks through Bloomsbury. Just don’t forget to book in advance.

As you venture into London’s trendier pockets like Marylebone, independent bookshops like Daunt Books await, with its warm atmosphere and multi-level wooden shelving full of highly regarded fiction and non-fiction works.

Oxford, England

Oxford has long been a cradle for some of the most influential literary minds in history. Authors such as J.R.R. Tolkien, Lewis Carroll, and C.S. Lewis all lived, studied, or taught in the city. Many were part of close-knit literary circles like The Inklings, who famously gathered at local pubs to share drafts and exchange ideas. Today, book lovers can visit those same pubs, stroll through gardens that inspired Carroll’s Wonderland, or explore the colleges that shaped Philip Pullman’s fantastical universe through guided literary tours.

One of the highlights of any literary trip to Oxford is stepping inside the Bodleian Library, one of Europe’s oldest and most prestigious, with over 13 million printed works. At the heart of it all is the University of Oxford, often regarded as the oldest university in the English-speaking world. While exact founding date is unknown, records show teaching began as early as 1096. Beyond the libraries, Oxford’s streets are lined with beloved bookshops, including Blackwell’s, founded in 1879. And if you’re in town during spring, don’t miss the Oxford Literary Festival, a weeklong celebration that brings together acclaimed authors and public figures for a series of readings, talks, and conversations in a truly inspiring setting.

Dublin, Ireland

Most people know Dublin for its buzzing areas like Temple Bar, but for book lovers, it’s titans like James Joyce, William Butler Yeats, and Samuel Beckett, to name a few. All of these revered minds hailed from here, and nowadays, there are plenty of guided tours that follow in their footsteps, taking you to the key locations that shaped their lives and legacies. In addition, Trinity College offers a glimpse of the famed Book of Kells, while the Museum of Literature Ireland dives deeper into the stories of the nation’s greatest writers.

Just when you thought that was all from this UNESCO City of Literature, each June it hosts the Bloomsday Festival, culminating on June 16th—the day depicted in Ulysses—with a week of themed events, performances, and readings honoring James Joyce’s legacy.

New York City, USA

New York City is just as iconic as people make out: neon lights and towering skyscrapers, but beneath it all, every borough has a story waiting to be told. As the headquarters of the ‘Big Five’ publishing houses, including Penguin Random House and Macmillan, some would say it’s the beating heart of the publishing world. At the Strand Bookstore, you’ll find 18 miles of books stacked high in one of the city’s most independent shops. Then there’s the New York Public Library, guarded by its famous stone lions.

Every Saturday between 2 PM and 5 PM, actors lead the long-running Greenwich Village Literary Pub Crawl, guiding you through the neighborhood’s historic bars and cafes connected to authors like Jack Kerouac, Dylan Thomas, and Willa Cather.

Tokyo – Kanda-Jimbocho, Japan

Secluded amid the concrete jungle of Tokyo, Kanda-Jimbocho is one of the most densely packed book town on Earth. Between 170 and 200 bookstores frame the streets of this university hub, bursting with new titles, second-hand gems, and rare finds. And that’s not even counting the endless book cafes scattered on nearly every corner.

Kanda-Jimbocho invites you to lose yourself browsing vintage manga shops; there are plenty of spots to satisfy your cravings, like Yumeno Manga Bookstore. As night falls, follow fellow book nerds to the B&B in nearby Shimokitazawa for some books and beer (literally). Occupying the second story of the building just a short walk from Shimokitazawa Station, B&B’s varied collection includes modern literature, magazines, and more. Once you’ve chosen a read, grab a drink from their bar, where they’ve got beers on tap, wines, and non-alcoholic options like teas and coffee to savor alongside your book.

Paris, France

Hemingway wasn’t exaggerating when he wrote in A Moveable Feast, ‘Paris was always worth it, and you received return for whatever you brought to it.’ The same holds true for its rich literary spirit. Cafes of the Left Bank continue to radiate the creative energy he once knew, while Shakespeare & Company, just across from Notre Dame, remains a beacon for readers and writers alike.

For over 70 years, it has been a meeting point for intellectuals and has grown into one of the most well-known English-language bookstores in the city. Today, this enduring Anglophone landmark holds nightly readings where visitors can drop in and listen. They even run their own podcast, so you can tune in whenever you’re on the go.

Buenos Aires, Argentina

Holding the world record for the most bookstores per capita (25 for every 100,000 people, to be precise), Buenos Aires stands as a powerhouse of creative writing in Latin America. Its grand mix of colonial, neoclassical, and Art Nouveau architecture evokes a sense of romance even before you disappear in the city’s vast collection of written works. A highlight for many is El Ateneo Grand Splendid, a chandelier-lit theatre-turned-book-palace often dubbed one of the most beautiful bookstores in the world. A word of advice for visiting this place: pack light. You’ll likely leave with a heavier bag than you came over with; the inventory is so diverse that you’ll spend more than you initially planned.

Plan your trip with April in mind; that’s when Buenos Aires welcomes the largest book fair in Latin America, Feria Internacional del Libro. Ranked as one of the top publishing expos globally, it’s a wonderful opportunity to connect with a global network of authors.

Istanbul, Türkiye

Situated at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, our love for Istanbul will never fade. Perhaps it’s the Ottoman-style book coffeehouses or the contemporary libraries with a timeless allure, such as the Rami Library; regardless, Istanbul never disappoints. A visit isn’t complete without stopping by some of its independent bookstores. Take Minoa, for example: spread across three levels and featuring an on-site brasserie, it’s easy to get stuck in here for half the day. Another key attraction is Robinson Crusoe 389 on Istiklal Street, noted for its extensive stock of Turkish books. Even if you can’t read Turkish, you’d go there alone just to experience the trendy long-hall-style layout with floor-to-ceiling shelves.

There’s also great news for those visiting in mid-December: the 42nd International Istanbul Book Fair will be held from December 13th to 21st and is expected to attract nearly half a million visitors. Be sure to book your accommodation early, as properties are likely to sell out quickly.

Seoul, South Korea

There’s no denying it: Seoul is absolutely addicted to reading. From five-story Book Park to Hanok-style hideaways, Koreans have a knack for giving everything a literary twist. Some say the city is in the midst of a book cafe craze, but we’re not complaining. There are literally hundreds of these establishments scattered across town. And that’s before you even get to the visually pleasing libraries inside major malls; the Starfield Library is perhaps the clearest representation of this.

While Seoul may be considered South Korea’s premier destination for literary tourists, you’ll want to set aside a day to discover Paju Book City, an entire town dedicated to literature, with around 250 publishers based in one area. There are too many stops to cover in a single trip, but don’t miss the Forest of Wisdom, a stunning communal library made up of books donated by scholars and intellectuals, freely open for public use.

Hanoi, Vietnam

Vietnam has experienced something of a textual awakening in recent years, and there’s no better place to witness it than in the compact yet enchanting capital of Hanoi. Leading the charge is Tranquil Books & Coffee, with four locations scattered across the city. They’ve perfected the merge of cozy, design-forward cafes and charming, book-lined spaces.

Yet this venue merely scratches the surface of what’s waiting in the Old Quarter. Dig a little deeper, and you’ll uncover a host of unique spots, some even hosting regular poetry nights. The Traveler’s Bookshop is loved by many, particularly for its second-hand books in both Vietnamese and English.

Mexico City, Mexico

Last on our list, but first in many hearts, is Mexico City. Few places integrate calm and pages like any of Cafebrería El Péndulo’s six leafy branches, which are ideal for tucking into a nourishing breakfast over a few chapters. Before you get too comfortable, set aside some time to swing by the Biblioteca de México for a walkabout. Take a moment to admire the marvelous architecture, which blends seamlessly with the sprawling bookcases, some of which have murals morphed into them to create an artistic effect.

CDMX also runs several major literary events, most notably the Feria Internacional del Libro, which was held this year from February 21st to March 2nd. Another is the annual Zócalo Book Fair, which takes over the city every October.