Book club members, avid Booktokers and generally bookish people, we see you 👀 And, so does the rest of the travel world! Bookbound is one of the hottest holiday trends predicted for this year. Remember set-jetting? AKA, visiting all the places where your fave films and TV series were shot. Well, the literary world is next. Book settings, stunning libraries and reading retreats are all influencing our travel picks now. Book-inspired travel destinations are officially in for 2026.
Maybe you’ve read something recently, loved it, and now want to go there yourself. Or, you might have a trip planned and are on the lookout for the perfect novel to go with. So, we’ve shortlisted some of our most-hyped books and matched them with a real-life destination to help you fully immerse yourself in that literary world. Do it for the plot (literally)…
India – The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy
This book stays with you. The God of Small Things is a layered, emotional family drama set in Kerala, told in a non-linear way that jumps through time and slowly reveals how one forbidden relationship causes a lifetime of consequences… You’re already hooked right? It’s not a light read, but it is beautifully written – full of tiny details and moments that creep up on you when you least expect it. Reading it in India makes total sense, especially in the south where you can really picture the kind of landscape you get in Kerala. Goa is the perfect place to turn a few pages – it’s super peaceful and much greener than the buzzing cities everyone pictures when you think of the country. Literary travel experiences are all about immersing yourself in the world of the book you’re reading. So, on this trip, sail along Goa’s backwaters on a traditional wooden rice boat and visit old colonial sites, like North Goa’s Se Cathedral of St Catherine and the Basilica of Bom Jesus.
Naples, Italy – My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante
If you’ve ever been obsessed with a messy, intense friendship, My Brilliant Friend will hook you instantly. The novel follows Elena and Lila from childhood in a rough Naples neighbourhood – think school drama, jealousy, ambition, and just the general push-and-pull that is growing up. It’s sharp, emotional and incredibly addictive – once you start, you’ll immediately want to get through the whole series (The Story of a New Name, Those Who Leave and Those Who Stay, and The Story of the Lost Child are up next). Books set in Italy are usually full of romantic escapism, and not to sound like your old English Literature lecturer, but Naples is more than just a backdrop here – a visit after reading (or while reading) feels like unlocking a second layer of the city. It’s chaotic, loud, beautiful and complicated, just like the characters. Wander the streets of Rione Sanità, explore the historic centre around Spaccanapoli, eat pizza where it was literally invented, and watch life unfold in the piazzas. You can also take the ferry to Ischia or Procida for a slower island contrast and read by the sea, literally like the characters do.
Cyprus – The Island of Missing Trees by Elif Shafak
This is a love story, but it’s also about division, displacement and how history seeps into everyday life. The Island of Missing Trees moves between Cyprus in the 1970s and London years later, following a Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot couple whose relationship is shaped and scarred by conflict. No spoilers, but there’s even a fig tree narrating parts of the story, which sounds odd but somehow works beautifully. It’s the perfect excuse for some book-based travel because the island’s history is still visible today. Walking through Nicosia, the last divided capital in Europe, and crossing the Green Line makes the book’s themes feel very real. Balance that with time in Paphos for ancient ruins and beaches, or head inland to villages surrounded by olive and fig trees, and you’ve got yourself one amazing Bookbound trip.
Croatia – Slanting Towards the Sea by Lidija Dimkovska
This is a quiet, rather introspective novel – the kind you read slowly, preferably somewhere peaceful. Enter, Croatia. Slanting Towards the Sea explores themes of exile, belonging and identity, with the Adriatic coast acting as a constant presence throughout. It’s thoughtful rather than plot-heavy, which makes Croatia’s coastline the perfect place to take it all in. Out of a lot of literary holiday destinations, travelling here is full of contrasts. You’ve got historic cities and empty coves, busy cafés and silent swims. Stay in Split or Dubrovnik if you want architecture, history and evening buzz, or visit islands like Korčula or Brač for crystal-clear water and chilled days. You can read on the stone beaches, swim between chapters, and let the slow swaying of the sea match the pace of the book.
Venice, Italy – The Glassmaker by Tracy Chevalier
If you like historical fiction set in Europe, with strong characters and craft at its heart, The Glassmaker is a great pick. Set mostly on the island of Murano, the novel follows generations of a glassmaking family, focusing on ambition, artistry and the restrictions placed on women. As a woman back in 1486, the eldest daughter, Orsola Rosso, isn’t meant to work with glass… but, of course, she has the hands for it. Venice feels especially magical through this lens – it’s not just a pretty city, but a place built on skill and tradition. The whole book shines a light on the city in its prime, as a wealthy centre for trade. So, visiting Murano is essential. Watch glassblowers at work, explore the Murano Glass Museum, and walk the quieter canals away from the crowds. Then, back in Venice, spend time in Dorsoduro or Cannaregio, where the city feels more lived-in. Reading this book beside a canal or in a quiet square makes Venice feel less like the tourist hotspot its become and evokes a real sense of appreciation for it as a working, breathing metropolis.
Kefalonia, Greece – Captain Corelli’s Mandolin by Louis de Bernières
This is one of those books that feels epic without being too heavy. Captain Corelli’s Mandolin mixes romance, humour and heartbreak, telling the story of Kefalonia during the Italian and German occupation in WWII. The island itself plays a huge role, and once you’ve read it, you’ll want to see those landscapes for yourself. Kefalonia is still relatively low-key compared to other Greek island travel destinations, which only adds to its charm. Check out the small towns of Assos or Fiskardo for postcard harbours, swim at Myrtos Beach with its dramatic cliffs, and explore quiet inland villages where time feels slower. Knowing the history while you’re there adds a depth to your trip, but the island’s beauty keeps things balanced – emotional, but never heavy.
Amsterdam – The Safekeep by Yael van der Wouden
This is a tense, unsettling novel – the kind where something feels off from the very first page – which means it was simply made for a literary city break. Set in the Netherlands after WWII, The Safekeep digs into secrets, guilt and the things people choose not to talk about… That’s all you’re getting because the suspense is simply too good. It’s subtle, psychological and quietly gripping. So, Amsterdam suits this mood perfectly. Stay in a canal-side hotel, read in cosy cafés, and wander neighbourhoods like Jordaan, where everything looks calm on the surface. You can also pair the book with visits to the Anne Frank House and the Jewish Cultural Quarter to ground the story in real history. Amsterdam’s reflective pace – cycling, walking, sitting by the water – gives you the space this book needs.
Mexico – Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
If you love gothic horror with atmosphere, drama and a strong female lead, Mexican Gothic is a must. It’s not your average book set in Mexico – in the 1950s, it follows Noemí, a glamorous socialite who travels to a remote mountain mansion after receiving a disturbing letter from her cousin. What follows is creepy, stylish and increasingly unhinged – think decaying houses, dark secrets and a constant sense of dread. Trust us, reading this in Mexico is such a vibe. Highlights like Mexico City, Tulum and the Riviera Maya are nowhere near as spooky as the book’s setting, but the colourful streets and old buildings echo the novel’s eerie beauty. Read it in courtyards, explore historic homes, and enjoy the contrast between the book’s darkness and Mexico’s vibrant culture.
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Author: Lily Owen (she/her)
Last updated:19/01/2026
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