by 
I feel like I say this all the time, but I’m really not a fan of traveling.
I’m very much a homebody, and I aspire to have a career where I never even have to leave the house.
Also, I have massive motion sickness, so even being on a plane is very uncomfortable for me, no matter how short the flight is.
That said, there are several places around the world that I dream of visiting.
There are so many literary destinations that have either inspired famous authors, are the homes of legendary writers, or are iconic libraries and bookstores that I think every book lover should see at least once in their life.
Regardless of if it’s exploring a charming bookshop in Europe, visiting a historic literary landmark, or stepping inside a grand library filled with rare books, these spots are a dream for any bibliophile.
So, I’ve compiled this list of must-visit literary travel spots!
Note that I haven’t been to any of them yet, but I genuinely believe they all belong on your literary travel bucket list if you’re a book lover.
If you’re planning a trip to any continent, scroll through this post to find the best bookish places worth checking out.
And if you’ve visited any of them, let me know in the comments!
Just be prepared for me to ask a million questions because I’m a planner, not a spontaneous traveler.
Iconic Literary Travel Bucket List Locations in Africa You Need to Visit
1. Ghana’s W.E.B. Du Bois Center Library, Ghana – Visit the final resting place of this literary giant and explore the library dedicated to his works and Pan-African literature.
2. The Library of Alexandria, Egypt – While the original is long gone, the modern Bibliotheca Alexandrina is a stunning tribute to knowledge, with millions of books, reading rooms, and literary events. A must-visit for any book lover!
3. The Ake Arts and Book Festival, Nigeria – One of Africa’s biggest literary festivals, bringing together incredible authors, poets, and book lovers from around the world. If you love African literature, this is the place to be.
4. Ngugi wa Thiong’o’s Birthplace, Kenya – Take a literary pilgrimage to Limuru, Kenya, where the legendary writer was born. His works shaped post-colonial literature, and seeing his hometown brings his stories to life.
5. The Johannesburg City Library, South Africa – This historic library is a paradise for bookworms, with beautiful architecture, an extensive African literature section, and cozy reading spots.
6. The African Book Festival, Morocco – Held in Rabat, this festival brings together the best of African literature, from contemporary novels to ancient poetry.
7. Book Café, Zimbabwe – A legendary literary and cultural hub in Harare, where poets, writers, and musicians have gathered for decades. Grab a book, a drink, and soak in the creative energy.
8. The Abantu Book Festival, South Africa – A vibrant celebration of Black literature, featuring authors from across the African continent. It’s not just a festival – it’s a movement.
9. Gorée Island’s Slave House Library, Senegal – A deeply moving place, where history and literature meet. Read the works of African authors who write about the transatlantic slave trade while standing in one of its most haunting locations.
10. Sharm El Sheikh International Book Fair, Egypt – A massive book fair in a resort city by the Red Sea? Yes, please! Find rare books, meet authors, and enjoy the beach in between book shopping.
11. The National Library of Tunisia – A treasure trove of ancient manuscripts and books, perfect for history buffs and literature lovers.
12. Chimurenga Library, South Africa – A unique literary archive that documents African struggles, art, and resistance. If you love books that challenge narratives, you’ll love this space.
13. Street Book Markets of Lagos, Nigeria – If you love the thrill of finding hidden book gems, explore the book markets in Lagos. From vintage African literature to indie books, you never know what you’ll stumble upon.
14. Seychelles Book Fair, Seychelles – Books and a tropical paradise? This fair celebrates literature from across the Indian Ocean islands, making it a dreamy getaway for book lovers.
15. Cameroon’s National Museum Library, Cameroon – A hidden gem where you can find rare books and manuscripts about Cameroonian history, culture, and literature.
16. The French Institute of Madagascar Library, Madagascar – A gorgeous library filled with French and Malagasy literature, perfect for those who love Francophone African books.
17. The Storymoja Festival, Kenya – An energetic literary event in Nairobi that brings books, storytelling, and creativity to life in the most exciting ways.
18. Addis Ababa University’s Institute of Ethiopian Studies Library, Ethiopia – Home to an incredible collection of Ethiopian literature and historical texts, this library is a goldmine for book lovers.
19. The Zanzibar International Film Festival Literary Program, Tanzania – A fusion of books, storytelling, and films, set in one of the most beautiful islands in the world.
20. Maputo Book Street, Mozambique – A book lover’s dream! A whole street lined with book vendors selling everything from poetry to philosophy, all with a Mozambican twist.
Must-See Literary Travel Bucket List Destinations in USA for Every Bibliophile
1. Faulkner House Books, New Orleans, Louisiana – A tiny but magical bookstore tucked inside William Faulkner’s former home in the French Quarter. You’ll feel the literary history in every corner.
2. Walden Pond, Concord, Massachusetts – The place that inspired Henry David Thoreau’s Walden! You can take a peaceful walk around the pond and soak in the same nature that influenced his writing.
3. The American Writers Museum, Chicago, Illinois – A super interactive museum that celebrates America’s greatest writers. They even have a section where you can try your hand at writing like the pros.
4. Powell’s City of Books, Portland, Oregon – The largest independent bookstore in the world. You could literally get lost in the maze of bookshelves and wouldn’t that be the best way to spend a day?
5. The Poe Museum, Richmond, Virginia – If you love Edgar Allan Poe’s dark, eerie stories, this museum will be your thing. It’s filled with Poe memorabilia, including his writing desk and even a lock of his hair.
6. Mark Twain’s House & Museum, Hartford, Connecticut – Step into the world of Mark Twain by visiting his stunning Gothic Revival home, where he wrote The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. It’s like walking through a literary time capsule.
7. Oxford Exchange, Tampa, Florida – A dreamy bookstore-café hybrid that feels like something out of a classic novel. You can sip tea, browse books, and soak in the literary atmosphere.
8. The Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. – The biggest library in the world, with over 170 million items. You don’t need a special pass to admire the stunning architecture and massive book collection.
9. Stratford, Connecticut, Shakespeare on the Sound – A dreamy outdoor Shakespeare festival where you can watch the Bard’s plays under the stars, with the sound of waves in the background. It’s an experience that feels straight out of a novel.
10. New York Public Library, Stephen A. Schwarzman Building – The one with the iconic stone lions outside! Inside, the grand reading rooms will make you feel like you’ve stepped into a literary dream.
11. The Ernest Hemingway Home & Museum, Key West, Florida – A gorgeous Spanish colonial house where Hemingway lived and wrote. Bonus: There are six-toed cats roaming around, all descendants of Hemingway’s own feline companion.
12. Book Festival Hopping! From the National Book Festival in Washington, D.C., to the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books, there are so many book festivals across the U.S. where you can meet authors, discover new reads, and be surrounded by fellow book lovers.
13. The House of the Seven Gables, Salem, Massachusetts – This 17th-century mansion inspired Nathaniel Hawthorne’s novel The House of the Seven Gables. Salem itself is full of witchy literary history.
14. Strand Bookstore, New York City, New York – Famous for its 18 miles of books, this NYC bookstore is a paradise for book lovers. They even have rare signed editions tucked away.
15. The Lost Booksellers of Boston, Boston, Massachusetts – Boston is packed with independent bookstores and historic literary spots, making it a book lover’s dream. Take a bookshop tour and find hidden literary gems.
16. Louisa May Alcott’s Orchard House, Concord, Massachusetts – The actual home where Little Women was written! Everything inside is still set up as it was during Alcott’s time, which makes it feel like stepping into the March sisters’ world.
17. Emily Dickinson Museum, Amherst, Massachusetts – For poetry lovers, this is a must. You can explore Dickinson’s home and even stand in her writing nook, where she penned her famous poems.
18. The Morgan Library & Museum, New York City, New York – A jaw-dropping library filled with rare manuscripts, first editions, and handwritten letters from literary giants. Plus, the interiors will make any book lover’s heart race.
19. John Steinbeck’s Home & Museum, Salinas, California – A whole museum dedicated to the author of Of Mice and Men and The Grapes of Wrath. You can also visit his childhood home, where his literary journey began.
20. Sleepy Hollow, New York – Visit the legendary town from The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irving. There’s even a spooky cemetery where you can see Irving’s grave. Perfect for literary chills.
Do you think you’ll visit any of these places?
Or are there some literary destinations that have been on your travel bucket list for a while, and you’re hoping to check them off one day?
Let me know all about it in the comments below – I’d love to hear which bookish places are on your dream itinerary!
