Italian cities to visit for book lovers There is no need to go to the Nile or Moscow to find the settings of our favorite works
Ah, summer. Some people wait all year to finally enjoy a well-deserved break after months and months of hard work. Then there are those who’ve spent the entire year nose-deep in a good book, and would love to spend their holidays in the very places they’ve underlined in their favorite novel. But is it really that hard to find the perfect vacation spot if you're a book lover? And more importantly… do you have to go far, maybe to South Korea or Northern Europe, to enjoy a vacation dedicated to reading worthy of the name? From hidden bookstores tucked into alleys to cities that inspired literary masterpieces (and even a few #BookTok hits), Italy is a paradise for anyone who lives for stories, on paper or an e-reader. And no, you don’t need a passport to enjoy a day or two with a novel in your bag. All you need is a comfy pair of shoes and a desire to explore. So here are the Italian cities you absolutely must visit if you’re a book lover… and looking for inspiration for your next read.
What to see in Turin
Turin has for centuries been considered one of the world’s capitals of esotericism, at the center of two energetic triangles: one of white magic (along with Lyon and Prague) and one of black magic (with London and San Francisco). Its squares, like Piazza Statuto and Piazza Castello, are steeped in symbolism, occult stories, and architecture filled with hidden meanings. It’s a city where rationality and mystery live side by side, a perfect place for anyone who loves dark, magical novels full of witches and demons. Walking under the arcades with Segreti che sussurriamo alle ombre by Sara Simoni (set in Turin in 1898), or Sotto il sole a pendolo by Jeannette Ng, and getting lost among the streets leading to the Mole Antonelliana or the Egyptian Museum hits differently here.
Venice
Venice is a city suspended between water and stone, where every calle seems to conceal ancient secrets and echoes of the Doges’ former glory. It’s also the setting of Stelle e Ottone by Jude Archer, where the protagonist discovers that magic quite literally flows through the canals. The Libreria Acqua Alta feels like it was plucked from the cavern of a book-collecting mermaid. It might just be where you find your next great read if you forgot to pack one. Reading on the Rialto Bridge might be a bit of a challenge, but we bet that somewhere near Ca’ Foscari University you’ll find a bench where you can sit and watch the lagoon (just be careful not to drop your book in the water!).
Florence
Florence is the perfect city to fall in love with a book… or to fall in love for real. It reads like a novel itself, with breathtaking views from every balcony, an abundance of cloisters, domes (Brunelleschi’s above all), and cobbled streets steeped in history. It’s also a place where you can step into a bookstore and end up watching a movie, like at the Giunti Odeon. Who knows, maybe you’ll even meet the love of your life in those velvet chairs. Florence is also the setting of Love and Gelato by Jenna Evans Welch, in which Lina arrives in the city in search of the father she’s never met, and finds love along the way. After all, this is the city where Dante met Beatrice, and where Lorenzo the Magnificent wrote that “of tomorrow, there is no certainty,” right?
Naples
Naples is a city ablaze with stories, where every alley holds a piece of memory and every uphill climb is a page from a novel. It’s vibrant, full of contradictions, bright and dark all at once, ideal for those who look for that dizzying feeling only the most powerful stories can evoke. Elena Ferrante turned Naples into a literary landmark with the Neapolitan Novels, transforming the Rione into an emotional microcosm that’s captivated readers worldwide. Naples is a world that pulls you in, wraps itself around you, and sweeps you into its soul, just like the very best books. From the Spanish Quarters to Piazza dei Martiri, every corner is drenched in stories, both real and imagined, nestled between Mount Vesuvius and the sea. Here, reading feels like hearing a voice that whispers loud and never lets you go.
What to see in Palermo in a day
Palermo is a city that embodies history, myth, and mystery. Since the time of Frederick II, it’s been a cultural capital, the birthplace of vernacular literature and the sonnet, and it’s also the backdrop for one of Kerri Maniscalco’s most beloved series, which begins with Kingdom of the Wicked (and continues with sequels and spin-offs). The entire island, in fact, is often the setting for true literary mysteries: from The Day of the Owl by Leonardo Sciascia to Inspector Montalbano by Andrea Camilleri, and Vanina Guarrasi by Cristina Cassar Scali, Sicily is the home of the crime novel. Whether you’re reading a mystery in front of the Fountain of Shame or a romantasy in the shadow of the Cathedral, we’re sure Palermo will capture the soul of every thriller lover and maybe even win over someone who still believes in the city’s magic.
