travel books on italy

7 Best Travel Books About Italy


“The name of Italy has magic in its very syllables.”


According to Wisevoter, Italy is the fourth-most visited country in the world by tourists. 38.4 Million tourists visit Italy every year, and it’s clear to see why. With some of the most breathtaking scenery in Europe and a cultural and historical legacy that few other destinations can come close to matching, Italy is a country that has enticed travellers and captured our wanderlust for thousands of years now. Whether it be the food, art, architecture, landscapes, culture or the people, check out the best Italy travel books here at What We Reading


DK Eyewitness Italy – DK Eyewitness Travel

Italy is a stunning collection of regions and experiences that are able to entice travellers of all kinds. Eyewitness Travel to Italy aims to capture all of the stunning array of destinations available to explore across the country.

Packed full of stunning photographs, illustrations and maps, all shades of the country are covered in this comprehensive travel guide. From where to eat, shop or just unwind after a day of doing either of the two, Eyewitness Travel’s Italy guide is updated annually and takes readers across every region across the country. 

Let us know your favourite travel books on Italy

Italy Travel Guide – Francesco Umbria

For thousands of years, Italy has enticed travellers to its shores. And in his Italy Travel Guide, Francesco Umbria explores what makes this country so magical, and how visitors can see it in its fullest during their stay.

One of the best Italy travel books specifically designed for first-timers in the country, Umbria takes readers from the heart of Rome, through Milan, Lombardy, Venice, Florence and Tuscany and the picturesque stretches of Sicily. A combination of all the must-see sights as well as some of the lesser-known jewels hidden inside the country, it is an invaluable guide for those looking to make their first journey across Italy a magical one. 

Glam Italia! How to Travel Italy: Secrets To Glamorous Travel – Corinna Cooke

Italy is one of the most stylish countries in the world. Whether it be the food, fashion or people, Italy is a destination where travellers constantly feel like they are living a life of glitz and glamour. In Glam Italia! How to Travel Italy: Secrets To Glamorous Travel, Corinna Cooke whisks readers through the best low-cost, stress-free strategies to make any trip across the country as fabulous as possible.

Cooke is an expert in taking the anxiety away from travel, providing walkthroughs on planning your trip, tips for booking flights and activities to save hundreds of dollars, as well as some useful guides around staying safe and happy throughout your journey! 

Four Seasons In Rome – Anthony Doerr

Anthony Doerr is the bestselling author of The Shell Collector, All The Light We Cannot See and About Grace, and offers a breathtaking memoir in the heart of Italy’s capital city in Four Seasons in Rome: On Twins, Insomnia, and the Biggest Funeral in the History of the World.

An evocative and emotional story follows Doerr and his family as they navigate the day-to-day wonders that come with living and working in Rome. For capturing how daily life functions in the Eternal City, Four Seasons In Rome is one of the best Italy travel books. 

Italy Travel Guide – Alex Pitt 

Contemplating a trip to Italy? Alex Pitt’s The Ultimate Traveler’s Italy guidebook, history, tour book and everything Italian is everything you need to make your travels as magical as possible. From activities, food, and sightseeing to wine, Pitt guides readers through the histories, cuisines and cultures of all of Italy’s regions.

The added context behind some of the country’s most sought-after destinations, coupled with Pitt’s cleverly put-together guides, is sure to help any reader get the most out of their visit to this Southern European nation. From what to see to when and where you need to be, Italy Travel Guide has you covered! 

Gray Malin: Italy

New York Times bestselling author Gray Malin turns his lens onto the beaches, coastlines and landscapes that make up the nation of Italy. From the crystal clear waters of the Amalfi Coast to the coastline of the centuries-old Cinque Terre, Gray Malin: Italy is a stunning array of dreamy high-quality imagery that captures the wanderlust feelings Italy encompasses. Through his acclaimed photographic skills, Malin captures the breathtaking beauty of Italy, whilst also celebrating its heritage and history.

Featuring never-before-seen imagery taken by Malin himself, it is the ultimate guide for fuelling wanderlust and inspiring your next great trip. 

Always Italy – Frances Mayes

Frances Mayes’ Always Italy takes readers through the heartlands of Italy’s most famous regions. The New York Times travel writer and beloved author of Under the Tuscan Sun utilises National Geographic imagery alongside her vivid descriptions to guide readers through everything from the cobbled streets of Rome, and the quiet ports of the Aeolian Islands to the Renaissance architecture of Florence.

With over 350 high-quality photographs, Mayes’ Italy travel book is the perfect tour guide through all the art galleries, restaurants, spas, and hiking trails needed to fasten together a trip that will last a lifetime. 

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