Travel around the world without ever leaving your armchair! Reading is one of the best ways to escape and can open your mind to different perspectives and diverse culture. Check out the best travel books of all time to add to your reading bucket list.
Discover travel-inspired fiction novels to ignite your imagination, non-fiction travel guides to inspire your next vacation, and beautiful coffee table books filled with travel photography to cure your wanderlust. Snatch up these titles for yourself, or gift them to a fellow travel lover. Happy reading!
Best Fiction Travel Books
Wild by Cheryl Strayed: In the wake of personal tragedy, a young woman sets out on a mission to find herself. With zero experience or training, she backpacks across the thousand mile long Pacific Crest Trail from California to Washington State. It’s the ultimate, inspirational story of a #solofemaletraveler. Popularized by the movie starring Reese Witherspoon, you can also find it on my list of the Best Tavel Movies of All Time.
My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante: This lovely coming of age story follows two young girls in a poor but vibrant neighborhood on the outskirts of Naples, Italy. The observant protagonist beautifully captures the essence of a neighborhood, a city, and a country in the midst of transformation. Read the whole series, then watch the drama unfold on HBO.
The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah: This adventure follows a family who moves to the unforgiving, untamed Alaskan wilderness to live off the grid. Their family begins to fracture as they face perils both within and without their remote cabin. This portrait of strength and survival is sure to linger with you long after the final page.
The Paris Wife by Paula McLain: This bestseller is based on the romance of Ernest Hemingway and his first wife. Offering a captivating look into the literary circles of Gertrude Stein, Ezra Pound and the Fitzgeralds, it pulses with the rhythm of Jazz Age Paris.
Next Year in Havana by Chanel Cleeton: This Cuban-American protagonist travels to Havana to discover her family’s roots. She not only uncovers her beloved grandmother’s revolutionary affair, but also falls for a whirlwind romance of her own. It’s the perfect beach read!
Best Non-Fiction Travel Books
36 Hours by New York Times: Plan your next getaway with this anthology of itineraries from around the world. It’s also such a perfect gift idea for travel lovers. I’ve included it in my Travel Gift Ideas for Valentine’s Day!
Destinations of a Lifetime by National Geographic: This coffee table book is brimming with beautiful, full page photographs. It also has helpful travel tips for some of the most dream-worthy destinations in the world.
The Bucket List by Kath Stathers: This beautiful book is filled with great ideas for a thousand adventures, big and small. Another one of my favorites for gifting, you can see it featured in my Holiday Gift Guide for Travelers.
The River of Doubt by Candice Millard: This thrilling read tells the true story of Theodore Roosevelt’s exploration of the uncharted Amazon. You’ll be at the edge of your seat as you follow this extraordinary expedition up a dangerous river and through treacherous rainforest.
Disclosure: some of the links in this post are affiliate. At no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.
This is such a great list, My Brilliant Friend has been on my to-read list for so long! I can’t wait to read it now!
It’s one of my all-time favorite books! Hope you enjoy!
The Next Year in Havana is totally on my list, too I’m hoping to get to it after I finish up my current book. Great suggestions and I love The Great Alone too!
Thanks, Molly! Happy reading!