Some stories make you want to read into the night. Others make you want to pack a bag and chase the setting across the globe. Books have a special power — they introduce us to people we’ve never met and places we never imagined visiting. But with a little planning, you can actually go there. Travel through literature takes your favorite novels off the page and brings them to life in cobbled alleys, quiet cafés, and iconic landscapes that once inspired great authors.

Rather than visiting landmarks at random, literary travel offers a richer connection to place. You see cities not just as a tourist but as a reader retracing the emotional footprints of beloved characters. Below are a few unforgettable destinations where fiction and reality intertwine — and where you can literally walk in the footsteps of literary legends.

Bath, England – Jane Austen’s Georgian Playground

Jane Austen’s novels may be rooted in social critique, but the city of Bath gives them a sense of elegance and flair. While living here from 1801 to 1806, Austen absorbed the atmosphere that would later become the backdrop of Northanger Abbey and Persuasion. Today, you can stroll the Royal Crescent, tour the Jane Austen Centre, or dress up in Regency style during the Jane Austen Festival each September.

The entire city feels like a time capsule — refined and romantic. Even walking through the Assembly Rooms or sipping tea at a Georgian café adds depth to the literary experience. Bath makes it easy to travel through literature with charm and historical accuracy.

Edinburgh, Scotland – The Birthplace of Harry Potter

J.K. Rowling began the Harry Potter journey in the heart of Edinburgh. She wrote early drafts in cafés like The Elephant House and Nicolsons, often gazing at Edinburgh Castle — a likely influence on Hogwarts. You can stroll down Victoria Street , which many believe inspired Diagon Alley, or visit Greyfriars Kirkyard to spot names that made their way into the books.

Whether you’re a diehard fan or simply intrigued by literary history, this city’s gothic charm is spellbinding. For more literary stops, explore cityofliterature.com and plan your wizard-worthy walking tour.

Dublin, Ireland – James Joyce’s Literary Labyrinth

If ever a city lived inside a book, it’s Dublin in James Joyce’s Ulysses. Nearly every street corner, pub, and park in the novel can be traced to real-world locations. Each year on June 16, the city hosts Bloomsday, celebrating Leopold Bloom’s fictional day-long journey with readings, costume parades, and guided tours.

Visit the James Joyce Centre or explore other literary greats like Oscar Wilde and W.B. Yeats. Dublin isn’t just one of the world’s top reading cities — it’s a walking novel in itself.

Prince Edward Island, Canada – The World of Anne of Green Gables

Red clay roads, whispering pines, and the charm of a bygone era — L.M. Montgomery’s beloved Anne of Green Gables brings Prince Edward Island to life in a way few books can. You can visit the real Green Gables farmhouse in Cavendish, walk Lovers’ Lane, or gaze at the Lake of Shining Waters. For fans of Anne Shirley, this is the ultimate storybook escape.

PEI is not only picturesque but deeply personal. Literary tourism here is peaceful, nostalgic, and immersive. Discover more at tourismpei.com.

Key West, Florida – Hemingway’s Island Retreat

Few authors are as connected to a destination as Ernest Hemingway is to Key West. His former home — now the Hemingway House & Museum — remains much as he left it, including his writing studio and colony of six-toed cats. The relaxed yet rugged spirit of the island fed into his works like To Have and Have Not.

Explore his favorite haunts like Sloppy Joe’s Bar or head out for a fishing tour in the Gulf. It’s easy to see why Key West was Hemingway’s creative sanctuary and remains a haven for writers today.

Paris, France – A Novel in Every Café

Paris is more than a setting — it’s a muse. Writers like Hemingway, Fitzgerald, Baldwin, and Gertrude Stein found inspiration here, often while scribbling notes at cafés like Les Deux Magots and Café de Flore. A visit to Shakespeare and Company, the legendary English-language bookstore, is practically a pilgrimage for book lovers.

You can also explore the homes of Victor Hugo and Honoré de Balzac, or just sit along the Seine with a book in hand. For routes and literary stops, check paris.fr.

Tokyo, Japan – Murakami’s Quiet Magic

Haruki Murakami’s Tokyo isn’t flashy — it’s quiet, haunting, and dreamlike. His novels often unfold in understated settings: jazz bars, libraries, dim alleys, and nighttime train rides. Areas like Koenji, Waseda, and Nakano offer subtle glimpses into his world. Fans won’t find plaques or guided tours, but they’ll feel the atmosphere between the lines.

Rather than chase specific landmarks, soak in the tone. Let the city’s quiet rhythm mirror the introspection in Murakami’s pages. It’s a form of travel through literature that rewards the observant and the open-hearted.

Great books take us far beyond the page — into cities, landscapes, and cultures we’ve never seen. Through literary travel, readers can experience those settings firsthand. Instead of just imagining scenes from a beloved novel, you step into the author’s world and see what inspired their words by travel through literature.

Additionally, exploring destinations tied to literature adds meaning to your journey. You’re not only sightseeing; you’re connecting emotionally with stories that have shaped lives and cultures. Even a quiet walk through an author’s hometown becomes rich with context and charm.

Have you followed a book into the real world? Maybe you’ve wandered the streets of Paris with Hemingway in mind or traced Harry Potter’s origins in Edinburgh. If so, tell us in the comments! We’d love to hear your favorite book-inspired destinations. And don’t forget to follow us or visit WentWorld.com for more story-driven travel guides that help you explore the world one novel at a time.