Literary travel is a way to plan a trip around books: the places where writers lived, settings that inspired fiction, bookshops, libraries, literary trails, or reading-focused events. Skyscanner’s 2026 trend reporting points to growing interest, but its figures measure traveler responses and use of its own platform—not proof that literary travel is about to dominate tourism.
What is literary travel?
There is no single format. A literary trip might follow an author’s life, explore a novel’s real-world setting, visit independent bookshops and libraries, or join a festival or guided tour. It can also be as simple as choosing a destination where you can make time to read.
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Visit Portugal describes itineraries that connect writers and their work with places and book-focused attractions. UNESCO’s account of KwaZulu-Natal, meanwhile, describes literary trails linked to more than 100 writers with connections to the region, with both guided and self-guided options.
Why is literary travel attracting attention?
Skyscanner’s Travel Trends 2026 release says 57% of surveyed travellers had booked or would consider a trip inspired by literature. That combines reported past behavior with future consideration; it is not a count of completed bookings. The same release reports a 70% year-over-year increase in global use of Skyscanner’s hotel “library” filter. That reflects activity on Skyscanner, not overall hotel demand.
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In Skyscanner’s US Travel Trends 2026 survey snapshot, 22% of American travelers said they planned to lose themselves in a good book while traveling in 2026. The distinction matters: reading on a trip and traveling specifically because of a book are related interests, but they are not the same behavior.
Skyscanner CEO Bryan Batista described the broader trend as “Creating trips that feel less like an escape and more like an expression of self.” That is the company’s interpretation of its trend reporting, rather than an independent forecast of the tourism market.
Where can book lovers travel?
Portugal: literary routes across several destinations
Portugal’s official tourism site highlights literary tours and itineraries, with book-related experiences in places including Óbidos, Lisbon, Porto, and the Azores. The right choice depends on whether you want an author connection, a bookshop-focused day, or a broader route. Check current local listings before building a trip around a specific tour or event.
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Medellín: a UNESCO World Book Capital
UNESCO designated Medellín World Book Capital for 2027. Its 2026 announcement reports that the city has more than 110 bookstores and 25 libraries. The annual designation is part of an initiative UNESCO launched in 2001; its stated aims include promoting literacy, lifelong learning, copyright protection, and freedom of expression.
Coimbra: literary places mapped digitally
UNESCO describes Coimbra’s Lettered project as a digital map of literary places intended to diversify cultural tourism and encourage visitors to explore beyond the city’s pressured historic areas. The UNESCO page describes a project expected to run from 2020 to 2025, so check whether the map and related services are still operating before relying on them for current trip planning.
KwaZulu-Natal: trails tied to writers
UNESCO’s monitoring report documents literary trails across KwaZulu-Natal and names The Literary Guide to Kwa-Zulu Natal as a companion publication. The report is historical; it does not establish whether trail services or copies of the guide are currently available. Confirm details with local providers before setting out.
How to plan a literary trip that fits you
- Choose your starting point. Begin with an author, a book, a genre, or a reading goal. A writer’s biography calls for different stops than a quiet reading retreat or a route through fictional settings.
- Check the connection. Look for a clear link between the destination and the writer or work. Some trips focus on documented real-life places; others are themed around fiction or the book culture of a city.
- Decide between guided and self-guided access. A guide can provide context and structure; a self-guided trail allows a more flexible pace. Check what is currently offered rather than assuming a route is open or staffed.
- Map book-related stops and practical travel. Combine trails or literary sites with nearby bookshops, libraries, and events where useful. Compare travel time and accessibility so the itinerary does not become a string of distant stops.
- Verify dates, entry conditions, and availability. Tour schedules, events, access rules, and digital resources can change. Confirm them directly with the local organizer or official destination source before booking.
The cited sources document a variety of literary experiences, but they do not provide a complete current comparison of prices, access conditions, or event calendars. Those details need to be checked locally.
Is literary travel really the next big thing?
It is more accurate to call literary travel an emerging interest than a proven tourism boom. Skyscanner’s figures show that some travelers report book-inspired trip intentions or use its library filter more often. They do not establish the size of the literary-tourism market or prove that the trend will become dominant.
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For book lovers, that uncertainty does not make the idea less useful: a literary trip can be planned around a specific interest, with the destination and format chosen to suit it. The practical test is whether the places, tours, and events you want are accessible and current on your travel dates.
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