The city has many bookstores where you can find rare books and antiques.
Rome’s numerous historical and literary attractions make it the best destination for those who love books and everything related to them. According to Travel and Leisure, this is evidenced by the latest ranking from Holafly, a company that provides mobile internet services for travelers.
In particular, in May, a ranking of the 50 best cities in the world was compiled across five categories, such as food, music, sports, and literature.
In the literature category, each city received a score from zero to 100 based on the number of bookstores, libraries, and available literary tours. Data from Tripadvisor and OpenStreetMap were used as the basis, among other sources.
Rome took first place with a score of 79.6 in the literature category – this is the highest figure among all cities in the ranking.
“For a city better known for its cuisine and history, its literary achievements are also quite impressive,” the Holafly team wrote in their conclusions.
Overall, Holafly’s analysis revealed 897 literary tours in Rome (the highest figure on the list), 326 bookstores, and 87 libraries, including the Biblioteca Angelica, one of the oldest public libraries in the world.
Another well‑known Roman bookshop is Antica Libreria Cascianelli. It is filled with rare books and antiques. The bookshop itself dates back to 1909 and occupies the premises of a former clothing workshop and finishing shop. It has preserved original wooden items and glass bookcases.
The city also has many bookstores dedicated to specific genres, in particular Libreria Palazzo Esposizioni, which specializes in books and magazines about art, photography, and design.
Many places throughout Rome are also associated with famous writers. Among them is the Keats‑Shelley House – a museum and memorial to John Keats, Percy Bysshe Shelley, and Lord Byron. Visitors who are looking for a more personalized experience can book a private tour with a guide from City Unscripted.
Their “Literary Heritage of Rome” tour includes visits to second‑hand bookshops and Italy’s oldest café. Travelers can also book an audio walking tour called “Rome for Readers: A Literary Tour of the Eternal City,” which takes listeners on a journey through many of the city’s literary landmarks, including the hotel where Charles Dickens stayed during his visit to Rome (Hotel de Russie) and the Terrazza del Pincho — an observation deck and park where Henry James sat and watched people.
As for other cities in the ranking, Berlin took second place with a score of 53.7. The German capital has 418 bookstores (more than Rome), 44 libraries, and 46 literary tours. London took third place, with 875 bookstores (more than any other city on the list) and about 403 literary tours. Its overall score for literary interests was 49.6.
Overall, the top 10 cities for literature lovers include:
- Rome;
- Berlin;
- London;
- Vienna;
- Barcelona;
- Paris;
- Prague;
- Lisbon;
- Amsterdam;
- Budapest.
Konstantin is an acclaimed travel writer, celebrated for transforming ordinary journeys into extraordinary narratives. With years of experience exploring diverse destinations across the globe, his work blends vivid storytelling, cultural insights, and practical advice to inspire wanderlust and guide readers toward unforgettable adventures.
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