27 Awesome Travel Books as Recommended by Travel Bloggers

One of the things that really helped me get through the pandemic was reading. When I wasn’t able to travel much, I used books to help me escape into the world.

So to celebrate my love for travel and my love for reading, I’ve put together a list of our favourite travel books!

I know I’m not the only traveller who loves to read, so I reached out to some of my fellow travel bloggers to ask what their favourite travel books are and how they travel through pages when they can’t be on the road.

Check out 27 of the best travel books, as recommended by travel bloggers, to transport you all over the world! 

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning if you click through and make a purchase, I will earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thanks for your support!

Chop Suey Nation by Ann Hui

Recommended by Riana of Teaspoon of Adventure (that’s me!) 

One of my favourite travel books is Chop Suey Nation by Ann Hui. This travel memoir tells the story of Canadian-born Chinese journalist, Ann, who travels across Canada to eat at as many small town chop suey restaurants as she can find.

Along the way, she tells the stories behind the people, history and culture that make up these restaurants, as well as her own history and culture in telling her dad’s story of coming to Canada and working in a restaurant.

As a Canadian-born Chinese person who grew up in Toronto’s Chinatown, this book really hit home for me. I loved hearing about familiar places and traditions, and of course, the food descriptions were mouth watering.

This book also opened up my eyes to how big Canada is, and how much of Canada there is to discover. I’d highly recommend this travel book to lovers of road trips, Canadian history and really good Chinese food.

Leaving the Atocha Station by Ben Lerner

Recommended by Jeremy of Travel Writing World

Ben Lerner’s Leaving the Atocha Station is a loosely veiled autobiography about a young and over-educated American poet spending a year on a prestigious fellowship in Madrid.

Unreliable yet deeply concerned with the experience of art, sometimes under the influence of marijuana, the protagonist travels through notions of authenticity and fraudulence, meaning and insignificance, in this wonderful little book.

It is easily one of my top-5 works of travel writing of the last decade, though its journey is more of an interior one than it is one through the streets of Madrid.

Heady, ironic, and irreverent, this book is the perfect companion for anyone who has spent far too much time reading books and thinking about art.

Best of Ruskin Bond by Ruskin Bond

Recommended by Sinjana of Backpack & Explore

Ruskin Bond is an Indian author of British descent whose literary works are etched in the memory of every Indian who grew up in the 90s and later.

He has written some of the best books about India, in a way that will virtually transport anyone to this magical land. Most of his works are based out of Himachal Pradesh and the nearby areas – the Himalayan region of India.

Best of Ruskin Bond is a precious anthology of his short stories and poems which captivates the reader with his unique, lucid style of writing. Besides, the book also has a surprise – it includes his novella “Delhi is not far.”

This is the first book I tried on Audible and loved. It is available in paperback and Kindle versions too. Overall, it is indeed one of the best books for travel lovers.

Golden Gate Morning by Mary Vaughn Armstrong

Recommended by Priya of Glorious Sunrise

Golden Gate Morning by Mary Vaughn Armstrong is a beautiful romance set in the golden city of San Francisco, California.

I was a teenager living in India when I first read this travel book and I immediately fell in love with San Francisco. Visiting the Golden Gate Bridge was my first travel dream.

This is the book that started my lust for traveling and it did take me to San Francisco in a few years. Even after two decades, I still visit the favorite haunts mentioned in this book and discover San Franciscan treasures.

Catching a sunset with a view of the Golden Gate Bridge is a must-have experience!

The Drifters by James A. Michener

Recommended by Leyla of Offbeat France

I was a teenager when I first read The Drifters. The book was a product of the sixties, about young people in search of themselves. They searched in such wonderful parts of the world.

I don’t remember the precise descriptions of the endless white beaches of Mozambique, or the built-up buzz of Torremolinos or the scurrying about the souks of Marrakesh – what I do remember is that once I put that book down, I wouldn’t rest until I had visited Marrakesh and Mozambique.

And that’s exactly what happened. It took a few decades, but I made it to those places and understood why they had been so important to the self-discovery of six young drifters.

Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts

Recommended by Martina of PlacesofJuma

One of my favourite travel books is definitely Shantaram. In this autobiographical novel, Gregory David Roberts writes about his life on the run.

He flees from Australia to India, where a new phase of his life begins. Completely alone, he meets Prabaker, who introduces him to the beautiful, as well as the sad, sides of the country.

Eventually, however, he becomes a resident of the slums himself, where he ends up helping those in need and taking medical care of them. He makes new friends and begins to see things from a different perspective.

At that point he becomes “Shantaram,” a man of peace who fights for the poorest of the poor. But also in India, again, he is driven back into crime and does not realise until it is too late that his actions are paid for heavily.

The book fascinates me with the author’s detailed descriptions. The story is captivating and you really immerse yourself in this unknown world, with all its smells, colours and emotions.

The Geography of Bliss by Erik Weiner

Recommended by Sasha of The Alternative Travel Guide 

Before my trip to Iceland, I searched for books about Iceland to get inspired and prepare my itinerary.

In addition to traditional guidebooks, a search engine suggested to me an amazing book, The Geography of Bliss by Erik Weiner. It’s not just about Iceland, but several other countries as well.

We’ve probably all had a time in our lives when we’ve wanted to drop everything and change our lives completely, but not all of us dared to do it.

But Eric Weiner was not one of those; he went in search of his happy place on Earth, and in the end, even got his special “happy route,” which he shares in this sincere and fascinating book.

The author traveled to countries recognized as the happiest in the world – India, Switzerland, Qatar, Thailand, Holland, Iceland, and the most unhappy ones such as Moldova. Where does happiness live?

Not only did this book give me some valuable insights about Iceland that I was looking for, but it also inspired me to visit the happiest countries and those that are considered less happy. I

really enjoyed the book, and I recommend it to everyone passionate about countries, cultures, and mentalities.

Worldwalk by Steven Newman

Recommended by Paula of Australia Your Way

Have you ever wondered what it was like to travel the world before mobile phones and Wi-Fi were at your disposal? No GPS and no spur of the moment calls home for emotional support.

Well, this book lets you do just that! Worldwalk is the story of an optimistic 28 year old man from Ohio who spent four years walking around the world alone.

He left home in April 1983 with a small budget and an open mind and set off to see just how similar we are, regardless of race or culture. The walk tested his physical endurance, his mental strength and occasionally his faith in humanity.

On his inspirational “pilgrimage,” he relied on the kindness of strangers who opened their homes and their lives. With no language skills and no internet to help supply local knowledge, he traversed almost two dozen countries.

Steven finished his walk in April 1987, exactly 4 years later to the day. While the story sometimes comes across as a little privileged and naïve when reading it in the 2020s, it is hard to put down and has a lot to offer.

Dark Star Safari: Overland from Cairo to Cape Town by Paul Theroux

Recommended by De Wet of Museum of Wander

Acclaimed author and columnist, Paul Theroux, goes on an overland journey from the top of Africa all the way to the bottom using only public transportation in Dark Star Safari.

His engaging travelogue is about travel in Africa, as opposed to tourism in Africa. Never during his whole trip does he go on safari or visit any tourist sights.

Instead, he tells the story of his journey and that of Africa today through the people who he met along the way: his fellow passengers on trucks, buses, dugout canoes, and military convoys, who include a nun from Harar in Ethiopia, aid workers and old colleagues from his days in the Peace Corps.

Theroux also gives a critical and somewhat harsh look at the state of which Africa is in today, and questions aid and aid workers’ roles in Africa. Dark Star will resonate with anyone traveling in Africa.

Wild Women by Mariella Frostrup

Recommended by Jessie of Pocket Wanderings

Wild Women is the perfect book for both aspiring and experienced female adventurers. The book features a fascinating collection of travel writing by women from various different backgrounds and eras.

Many of the stories include record-breaking journeys and extraordinarily risky circumstances. It shines a light on the pitfalls and perils that women have historically faced in their search for independence and adventure.

I love this book because it offers truly inspiring first-hand accounts of travel tales – from the 1700s through to the present day. It takes you to a diverse range of countries and continents, whether it’s a solo trip to Antarctica or a horseback adventure through Siberia.

Many of the women in the book faced adversity in their pursuit of discovery, which is testament to their bravery and perseverance. This book will inspire you to plan an epic solo female travel adventure!

Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert

Recommended by Haley of HaleyBlackall.com

The classic travel novel Eat Pray Love follows Elizabeth Gilbert (played by Julia Roberts in the movie), a 34-year-old New Yorker who sets out on a self-discovery trip around the world in search of spiritual and mental change.

Starting her epic trip in Rome, the romantic capital of Italy, she peruses the winding alleyways and dines solo in the most picturesque squares of the city.

After making friends with locals, she moves on to the chaotic and colourful city of New Delhi, India, looking for serenity and peace in the local ashram.

On the last leg of her journey, Liz finds herself on the exotic and paradisical island of Bali, Indonesia, where an ancestral healer and a mysterious stranger attempt to heal her heart.

All in all, this book and movie are incredibly inspirational for any solo female traveller who wishes to live out their dreams of travelling the world and will ignite the travel bug!

Me Talk Pretty One Day by David Sedaris

Recommended by Lynn of Mad Hatters NYC

My favorite travel book is Me Talk Pretty One Day by David Sedaris. Part Deux of the book of essays captures the author’s move from New York City to Paris, and the misadventures that ensue.

As a book lover in NYC, it’s no surprise I have a soft spot for stories set in a fabulous city. But Sedaris infuses his wit into experiences that would be familiar to any traveler, like struggling to learn a new language and feeling like an outsider.

In “Jesus Shaves,” discussing the Easter holiday in a French language class becomes a hilarious exploration of cultural differences. In “Picka Pocketoni,” Sedaris humorously describes an encounter with American tourists.

Me Talk Pretty One Day is a great travel book because it reminds you that keen observation skills and a sense of humor will serve you well, no matter where you are in the world.

Born to Run by Christopher McDougall

Recommended by Mike of Your Travel Mentors

Born to Run is about the Tarahumara, a Native Mexican tribe that lives in the Copper Canyons of Mexico. The author searches for and finds the tribe, which alone is a feat, and writes about their ability to run 100+ mile races in intense heat, wearing only thin sandals.

Travel is often most meaningful when you can immerse yourself in a culture much different than your own. This book will transport you to a land far away from most civilization, where the culture is much different than anywhere on earth.

At times while reading this book, I felt as though I was running through the canyons alongside this native tribe.

Married to a Bedouin by Marguerite Van Geldermalsen

Recommended by Eva of Not Scared of the Jetlag 

I loved reading Married to a Bedouin, a book by a nurse from New Zealand, who ended up living in a cave in Petra, Jordan in the eighties.

During her travels around Jordan, she met Mohammad, a Bedouin from Jordan. They got married, had children, and lived in the small community of Bedouins in Petra.

The book describes the simple, yet amazing life they led in so many details, with the upsides and the downsides this kind of life offers.

I always wanted to experience a culture this way and the book took me on that journey. The only regret I have is not reading it before I went to Petra. Now I will have to visit again to see it through Marguerite’s eyes.

The Subtle Art of Not Giving A F*ck by Mark Manson

Recommended by Carolin of Solo Travel Story 

Travel to me is a time for reflection and a chance to find new ways of growing and learning. I’m always working on myself as a person and have enjoyed a couple of self-improvement and lifestyle advice books.

I feel these reads are even more inspiring on your travels as you are more open and motivated to make positive changes before returning home. Plus, these books have mid-size-length chapters and allow you to dip in and out without losing the main plot.

One of those reads is The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck by Mark Manson. The focus is on how to cope with any obstacles that life throws at you.

Manson doesn’t promote the toxic positivity movement but encourages the reader to embrace painful experiences and grow from them. Happiness is a by-product of being content with yourself at this given moment in time.

Manson’s advice is to let life flow and it needs to be felt. This was a motivating message for me to let go of control and during my surfing lessons in Australia, I truly got to understand the meaning of his words.

Salmon Fishing in the Yemen by Paul Torday

Recommended by Nam Cheah of Laugh Travel Eat

Salmon Fishing in the Yemen is a tale of faith, vision, and being outside your comfort zone.

A collection of emails and diary entries from Dr Jones, a fishery scientist, it spans across London, Scotland, and Yemen. Dr Jones transforms from someone who is deeply entrenched in his own life and own sense of the world to someone who has learned to believe.

The scientific lens from which the author writes also gives a wonderful insight into the world of salmon fishing, as well as the climate and landscape of Yemen.

It is the kind of book that leaves questions that stay with you and make you think, which I think makes it the best kind of travel book.

Wild by Cheryl Strayed

Recommended by Ummi of Ummi Goes Where?

If you’re a solo traveler or hiker, Wild by Cheryl Strayed is a book you must add to your reading list. This book details the author’s experience as she embarked on a solo journey across the Pacific Crest Trail, from the Mojave Desert all the way to Washington State.

The impulsive decision was made in the wake of her mother’s death and her own crumbling marriage. However, her total lack of hiking experience led to a series of amateurish blunders on the challenging 1,100-mile hike that took her three months to complete.

Funny and poignant at the same time, this tale of healing and self-discovery will surely tug at your heartstrings, whether you’re a much savvier traveler or an equally clueless beginner.

The Pilgrimage by Paolo Coelho

Recommended by Roxanne of Faraway Worlds

The Pilgrimage tells the story of Paolo Coelho’s experience walking the Camino de Santiago in 1986. Set in Northern Spain on the Camino trail, The Pilgrimage is primarily an account of a spiritual and mystical journey.

It’s very much an internal journey, describing inner reflections and conversations between the author and his guide, with the Camino trail providing a rough structure for the story.

This book is set when the Camino trail was walked by relatively few people – only 400 people did the pilgrimage in 1986 while over 347,000 completed it in 2019.

Reading the story, it’s easy to imagine walking the Camino in relative solitude, often seeing no other pilgrims on the way. I love the concept of a sacred journey and the book evokes the idea of travel being the catalyst for a personal reawakening.

There’s something about taking a physical journey, of being in the unknown, that makes you question everyday life and gain clarity about your path though the world.

Under the Tuscan Sun by Frances Mayes

Recommended by Jiayi of The Diary of a Nomad

Under the Tuscan Sun is a book that made me discover one of Europe’s best secret spots: the beautiful hilltop town of Cortona, hidden in the Tuscan countryside of Italy.

Written by Frances Mayes, this enchanting book details her inspirational journey of buying and restoring an abandoned villa in Cortona. She talks about the local traditions of Tuscany, the delicious cuisine, as well as the treasured friends she’s made along the way.

After reading this book and watching the adapted film, I actually stopped by Cortona during a trip to Italy. It turned out to be even more beautiful than she described it, and I made sure to re-read some chapters during my time there.

Adventures in Caravanastan by Greg Bearup

Recommended by Natalie of Curious Campers 

Award winning journalist Greg Bearup traded his regular reporting turf in Pakistan and Afghanistan for a car, a caravan and a one year trip around Australia in Adventures in Caravanastan.

Adventures In Caravanastan follows Bearup, his wife and their toddler as they explore the light and dark side of Australian life.

The family hit a few speed bumps adjusting to caravan park life. There are many moments in the book where you’ll relate to the challenges of travelling with children and dealing with home-sickness.

But what I most like about the book, is that it focuses on people rather than places. Caravanastan introduces us to people who live in Australia’s most iconic towns. From poets to prostitutes, Bearup paints a diverse, endearing and, at times, challenging portrait of Australia.

I love the reminder this travel book gives that you’ll learn much more about a place when you get to know the people who live there.

A Month in Siena by Hisham Matar

Recommended by Isabelle from Cultured Voyages

A Month in Siena is a memoir written by Hisham Matar, a Pulitzer prize winning author whose father was kidnapped under the Gaddafi regime in Libya and who Matar never saw again.

In the years that followed, Matar, a highly intellectual individual with a propensity for deep thinking, took to visiting art galleries, where he mulled over famous paintings and their meanings.

In particular, Matar gained a massive appreciation for the artwork of the centuries-old Sienese school.

A Month In Siena is a short but beautifully written book, which details the time Matar spent in the Italian city of Siena, where he immersed himself in the great Sienese works of art and finally gets to see some of his favourite paintings in the flesh.

It weaves the topics of grief, Italian Renaissance art and interactions with local Sienese people in a seamless way, making readers want to jump on a plane and immerse themselves in Siena too!

A thoroughly inspiring read for those who are planning trips to Tuscany.

The Beach by Alex Garland

Recommended by Victoria of Guide Your Travel

The Beach by Alex Garland is one of the best travel books to read before your next trip. The book features a young backpacker who is given a map from a hidden island where a community builds its own life between a marijuana plantation and untouched nature.

When I first came to Thailand, I came because of this book and the associated movie which is set on the island of Koh Phi Phi, as well as Bangkok and Koh Samui.

Standing on the island where Leonardo DiCaprio shot the movie was an incredible feeling.

Italian Hours by Henry James

Recommended by Terri of Female Solo Trek

Writer Henry James (1843-1916) is most famous for his novel, Portrait of a Lady. But he was also a prolific travel writer.

Since I adore Italy, I frequently reread Italian Hours. In this non-fiction work, Henry writes about Venice, Rome, Florence, and other Tuscan cities.

His descriptive powers flourish when he turns his eye to Italy’s architecture, particularly its palaces with “their peeling paint, their nudity, their dreariness.”

But he is also a romantic when he paints a portrait of Florence: “She sat in the sunshine beside her yellow river like the little treasure city she has always seemed.”

James makes you want to write a travel journal. As he wrote, “The deepest quality of a work of art will always be the quality of mind of the producer . . . No good novel will even proceed from a superficial mind.” The same is true of a travel writer.

A Concise History of the Netherlands by James C. Kennedy

Recommended by Dymphe of DymAbroad

My favorite travel book is A Concise History of the Netherlands by James C. Kennedy. This is a great book if you want to learn about the history of the Netherlands.

There is a lot that people know about the Netherlands, but most don’t know the story behind all of it. This book explains the country’s history in a very clear way that makes it easy to comprehend, and besides that, it is written in a way that makes it very interesting to read!

It makes exploring the Netherlands, and especially the capital Amsterdam, much more interesting. When you walk through the city, you know what’s behind everything, which is a very fun way to travel.

Ranger Confidential by Andrea Lankford

Recommended by Ale of Sea Salt and Fog 

If you’re ever wondered what life is like for park rangers in US National Parks, you need to read “Ranger Confidential: Living, Working, and Dying in the National Parks.” Written by Andrea Lankford, a former park ranger, the book is raw, personal, and pulls no punches.

Told in almost no particular order, the book is a collection of true stories. Rangers go on dangerous rescue missions, try to keep clueless visitors safe, and struggle to find their place in a sexist organization.

I cried when I read about a particularly emotional rescue, and could relate to the struggles of female rangers trying to make it in a man’s world. This is a must-read for anyone who loves visiting US National Parks.

Whether your favorite park is sleepy Capitol Reef, or busy Acadia, you’ll definitely be a little bit nicer to the rangers on your next visit, or at least better prepared, after reading this book.

The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon

Recommended by Mal of Raw Mal Roams

The Shadow of the Wind by the Spanish author Carlos Ruiz Zafon takes you back in time to 1945 to the beautiful European city of Barcelona where Daniel, the son of the bookshop owner, visits the Cemetary of the Forgotten Books to select one book to look after.

By reading the book, he gets involved in a real-life mystery that involves Julian Carax, the author of the book he chose. Someone sinister destroys all the books written by Julian, and Daniel has to find out why.

I love this book because every time I read it, it takes me back to all the iconic places in Barcelona, such as the archways of Plaza Real where Daniel meets Fermin, the Gothic quarters, Basilica of Santa Maria del Mar, and Els Quatre Gats, the famous meeting place of the artists.

The Rings of Saturn by WG Sebald

Recommended by Utkarsh of Journeys From Heart

The Rings of Saturn by WG Sebald is a personal account of his walks along one of the beaches of the east  coast of Suffolk, England.

The book starts like a normal travel diary, mentioning accounts of his daily mundane walk. It then slowly takes the reader to a parallel world of Sebald’s imaginations with themes of memory, loss, decay, exile and more.

Even though one may find this book has a melancholy tone, it is filled with inspiration and Sebald’s positive outlook.

The best part about the narration is that the dreams and associations that the author makes are his personal opinion and from his own research. He does not force-feed the reader towards any conclusions. I found this book hugely inspirational and thought provoking.

Wrapping up these travel blogger recommended travel books

As you can see from the suggestions above, there really is a travel book to suite every kind of reader. Whether you’re looking for something serious or humorous, modern or historic, fiction or non-fiction, travel books run the gamut!

Need even more travel book recommendations? Check out my list of the 38+ best travel books!

Or if you prefer to watch your travel content instead of read it, check out my list of 28+ travel TV shows and movies!