Estimated reading time: 12 minutes
I have been writing about the literary destinations worldwide, but my focus, inadvertently, has been on Europe. Why? Well, it’s not that I have any prejudice or that I produce these articles as part of a paid partnership with European Union; it’s just that these literary sanctuaries – bookshops or libraries – stand apart from the rest of the world in terms of their grandeur and aesthetics.
After all, until reading in a library offers something different from reading at home, why would you even go there?
UNESCO’s Cities of Literature program does something rare. It tells you exactly where the literary fountain sprouts at its best.
For the uninitiated, this initiative was launched in 2004. Today it’s a global network of 53 cities across 6 continents, dedicated to promoting cultural diversity and literary richness.
What follows is a list of ten European cities that have turned reading into a form of travel. In each one of these places, literature shapes the rhythm of everyday life.
1. Edinburgh, Scotland
Edinburgh was chosen as the world’s first UNESCO City of Literature in 2004. Home to Robert Burns, Sir Walter Scott, Robert Louis Stevenson and the early writing life of J.K. Rowling, Edinburgh has spent centuries treating literature as a civic identity.
Few cities in the world carry so many ghosts of writers who shaped English storytelling. Writers are as foundational to the city’s heritage as the centuries-old architecture.
Why Edinburgh is a must-visit for bibliophiles
Edinburgh teems with libraries. For a population of 550,000 people, 28 public libraries feel like a great civic investment…and that’s before you count hundreds of bookshops dotting the city landscape. If you are on a literary wanderlust, Edinburgh should be your first destination.
Where to go
- The Writers’ Museum, tucked inside Lady Stair’s House.
- National Library of Scotland, with its spectacular manuscript collection.
- Armchair Books, a beautiful chaos of second-hand finds.
- Edinburgh International Book Festival (August) — one of the world’s premier literary gatherings.
2. Dublin, Ireland
Dublin became UNESCO’s city of literature in 2010. The city is home to four Nobel prize laureates – William Butler Yeats, George Bernard Shaw, Samuel Beckett and Seamus Heaney. Plus, the most famous literary character, Dracula, was born in Dublin, in the imagination of Bram Stoker.
The fact that several bridges and streets are named after authors tells you volumes about how Dublin respects its literary heritage.
Why Dublin is a must-visit for bibliophiles
The Dublin city proper brims with astonishing libraries and bookshops. The core public library system for the city is Dublin City Public Libraries. As of late 2023, the city operates a vast network of 21 branch libraries. As far as the bookstores go, there are approx. 30-35 new, indie and the secondhand bookstores.
Where to go
- The Long Room at Trinity College, still one of the planet’s most astonishing libraries.
- MoLI — Museum of Literature Ireland.
- Hodges Figgis, selling books since 1768.
- Dublin Book Festival (November) and International Literature Festival Dublin (May).
3. Reykjavik, Iceland
Reykjavik is a small city, but it has a volcanic imagination. A population of barely 140,000 reads more books per capita than almost anywhere in the world. Books are the most popular Christmas gift. So, it wasn’t a surprise when, in 2011, UNESCO chose the city as a part of its network. The city is also the home of Halldór Laxness, who was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1955.
Why Reykjavik is a must-visit for bibliophiles
The Reykjavík City Library operates 8 distinct branch libraries across the city, hosting cultural events and providing various community services. The largest library in Reykjavik and the whole country, however, is the National and University Library of Iceland. It is also the one mandated with the legal deposit. In Reykjavik, you can count at least 15 to 20 significant bookshops within the city center and surrounding areas.
Where to go
- The Culture House, home to exquisite manuscripts.
- Mál og Menning – book store, pub, live entertainment all in one
- Reykjavík International Literary Festival (biennial).
- Jólabókaflóð – the famed “Christmas Book Flood.”
4. Kraków, Poland
Kraków is undoubtedly one of the best literary cities in Europe. The birthplace of two of Poland’s greatest literary minds and Nobel Prize winners: Wisława Szymborska and Czesław Miłosz, Kraków has housed centuries of humanists, poets and dissidents.
For centuries, the city has served as a central hub for Polish intellectual and cultural life, making its literary heritage as solid as its medieval architecture. Today it hosts one of Europe’s largest literary festivals, the Conrad Festival.
Why Kraków is a must-visit for bibliophiles
The city’s main public library system, Biblioteka Kraków, manages 57 branches throughout the city, giving it one of the largest networks of municipal libraries in Poland. This doesn’t include the jaw-dropping Jagiellonian Library which is also among Poland’s largest, holding 6.7 million volumes. The city is also home to nearly 80 bookstores including Massolit Books & Cafe, located in the heart of its beautiful old town – it’s one of the few places in Poland dedicated to English books.
Where to go
- The Writers’ House: Located on Krupnicza Street, the de-facto address for both Wisława Szymborska and Czesław Miłosz. It’s a key monument to modern Polish literature..
- Empik – the oldest functioning bookstore (now a chain) in Europe.
- Miłosz festival (May) in addition to Conrad Festival (October) – two of Europe’s best curated lit-fests.
- Szymborska’s home exhibitions.
5. Heidelberg, Germany
Designated a city of literature in 2014, Heidelberg has a literary history that is deeply tied to its famous University, which is the oldest in Germany (founded in 1386). Its beauty captivated generations of major writers – some came to study and some stayed. A few notable names that come to mind are Goethe, Mark Twain and the Russian poet Ossip Mandelstam.
Today, the city remains a hive of literary activity hosting the International Literature Festival and the Expedition Poetry.
Why Heidelberg is a must-visit for bibliophiles
In his book A Tramp Abroad, Mark Twain calls Heidelberg the ‘last possibility of the beautiful’. He was enamored with the city’s beauty and its intellectual life. With over 50+ bookstores and vast library system, Heidelberg is a literary magnet for bibliophiles.
The University Library at the University of Heidelberg is an exquisite expanse of books and ideas. The scenic path across the Neckar river offers stunning views and takes its name from the philosophers and professors who walked there, thus aptly name Philosophenweg (the Philosopher’s Walk).
Where to go
- Heidelberg University Library, centuries old and effortlessly stately.
- Stadtbibliothek Heidelberg.
- Carl Bosch Museum for intellectual crossovers.
- Heidelberg Literature Days (late spring).
6. Barcelona, Spain
Barcelona was officially designated a UNESCO City of Literature in December 2015. The city is the undisputed publishing capital for the Spanish language (and the capital for Catalan literature). It’s a huge economic and cultural hub for the entire Spanish-speaking world. Barcelona is also the literary home of major Catalan authors, including Mercè Rodoreda (The Time of the Doves) and poet Jacint Verdaguer.
Why Barcelona is a must-visit for Bibliophiles
For devotees of Spanish literature, Barcelona is nothing less than heaven. But even if you’re only a casual bibliophile, the city’s charm is utterly irresistible. I was there in 2017 on a short trip and I still haven’t gotten over it. The city is saturated with books, boasting around 300 bookshops and over 40 public libraries. You can spend days just browsing the sheer variety.
Where to go
- Biblioteca de Catalunya, Located in a stunning 15th-century former hospital, this library is a masterpiece of Gothic architecture.
- Libreria Altaïr, Europe’s largest travel bookstore.
- Mercat de Sant Antoni – Visit on a Sunday morning. A centuries-old tradition, where you can hunt for rare books, old magazines, and Catalan comics
- Sant Jordi (April 23) – streets overflowing with roses and books.
- Kosmopolis Festival (biennial).
7. Ljubljana, Slovenia
In December 2015, UNESCO, in an expansionary move inducted several cities to its prestigious list of Cities of Literature. Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia was one of those selected in that wave along with Barcelona. You might ask: why Ljubljana? Does it truly boast the same literary heritage as its more illustrious neighbors? Well, it does, but it’s a different kind of heritage.
While cities like Barcelona are centers of publishing empires, Ljubljana’s heritage is one of survival and language. This is why the city’s heart is named Preseren Square, after the national poet whose lyrics now serve as the country’s national anthem.
Why Ljubljana is a must-visit for Bibliophiles
You’d be surprised that for a small capital, Ljubljana has an incredible library network. The “Library under the Treetops“ (outdoor reading rooms in parks) became a global symbol for the city’s creative approach to reading.
Over 25% of the city’s population are active members of the public library system – one of the highest rates in the world. There are over 180 physical library locations across the city. As of late 2025, there are 59 registered bookstores in Ljubljana
Where to go
- Ljubljana City Library and its modern reading rooms.
- Trubar House of Literature.
- Vodnik Homestead, Slovenia’s first literary address.
- Fabula Festival (February/March) – Slovenia’s premier literary festival.
8. Tartu, Estonia
The small Baltic city with a disproportionately large intellect was also inducted into the Cities of Literature list in 2015 along with Barcelona and Ljubljana. Home to the 17th century university, the city has been a hub for scholars and writers for centuries. Similar to Ljubljana, Tartu is the guardian of a small tongue – the Estonian language.
The Estonian Literary Society founded in Tartu in 1907 shaped the Estonian literature. The city is also the land of literary giants like Friedrich Reinhold Kreutzwald, author of the national epic Kalevipoeg and Lydia Koidula, the beloved “Nightingale of the Dawn” and a pioneer of Estonian poetry.
Why Tartu is a must-visit for Bibliophiles
The University Library is the titan here, but the Tartu City Library also has several branches. Combined with the National Museum and archives, there are roughly 20-25 major library sites for a city of just 100,000 people. There are about 10-12 key bookstores in Tartu, but all of them are exceptionally high quality.
Where to go
- Werner Café. It’s been the meeting spot for Tartu’s writers and poets for over 125 years.
- Aparaaditehas (The Widget Factory) district, a trendy creative hub where you can visit independent print shops
- Prima Vista Literary Festival (May)
- Tartu Rahva Raamat, the best bookstore in Tartu
9. Utrecht, Netherlands
Utrecht joined the UNESCO “Class of Literature” in October 2017, becoming the first city in the Netherlands to receive the honor. Utrecht’s history with books is deep and surprisingly pioneering. In 1473, the first book in the Northern Netherlands was printed here.
Belle van Zuylen, an 18th-century Enlightenment writer and feminist who challenged the social norms of her time was born here. Because of its academic climate, legends like Descartes, Locke, and Hegel were all drawn to Utrecht to study or debate.
Why Utrecht is a must-visit for Bibliophiles
Utrecht has an incredible density of bookstores (over 50 across the city). You shouldn’t miss Broese, located in a massive, historic canal-side building. The Neude Library, often called one of the most beautiful libraries in Europe. With its vaulted ceilings and Art Deco architecture, it feels more like a cathedral than a public building. It’s the crown jewel of the city’s 13 public library branches.
Where to go
- The Neude Library and the Utrecht University Library (the modern wing is stunning).
- The House of Literature Utrecht for contemporary events.
- Boekhandel Bijleveld – one of the finest curated bookstores in The Netherlands.
- ILFU – International Literature Festival Utrecht (September).
10. Milan, Italy
Milan officially joined the UNESCO Creative Cities Network as a City of Literature on October 31, 2017. You might be surprised as to how a city known for high-fashion also doubled up as a city of literature. But the facts might surprise you. Over 51% of Italian publishing houses are headquartered in Milan. The “Father of the Italian Language” Alessandro Manzoni lived here. The city is also home to Umberto Eco, who wrote and taught here. Also the terrain of Primo Levi’s readership, the futurists and modern Italian fiction.
Why Milan is a must-visit for Bibliophiles
If you are visiting Milan, step into the breathtaking Biblioteca Braidense with its 18th-century chandeliers or the Ambrosiana, home to Leonardo da Vinci’s Codex Atlanticus. You can also lose yourself in Libreria Hoepli, a six-story “department store” of books. If you want to mingle with other bibliophiles, November is the month. This is the time when BookCity Milano transforms the city into a massive open-air library with over 1,500 events.
Where to go
- The Ambrosiana Library – Founded in 1609, it was one of the first public libraries in the world.
- Libreria Bocca, one of the oldest art bookshops in Europe.
- Casa Manzoni – visit the writer’s home, which has been preserved exactly as it was.
- BookCity Milano (November) – 1,500+ free literary events across the city.
Why these cities matter?
So why does all this matter? Why should a reader care whether a city is UNESCO-certified or not? Plainly, speaking, these cities not only guard their literary heritage, but they are also the magnets for modern thought. They run festivals. They treat writers as cultural assets. In a world inundated with polarity and screen-obsession, these cities are our lighthouses, our most resilient bridges.
If you’re someone who feels more alive inside a library or a bookshop than inside a nightclub, these cities are your natural habitat. So, get that passport stamped. Whether it’s the candlelit archives of Milan or the secret wharfs of Utrecht, your next great chapter is waiting to be discovered.
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