10 Charming Books Set in Italy
To help inspire you before you travel!
Italy is home to some of the most beautiful places on earth. Italy’s history, romance, and culture provide the perfect setting for stories old and new. Whether you’re planning a trip, working to recapture that magical feeling of being in Italy, or just looking for a dreamy literary escape, here’s my list of books that will set you right in the town and keep you longing for La Dolce Vita.
Get ready to curl up in your armchair with your favorite blanket and hot drink (or glass of vino!) and escape to the wonderful world of Italy!
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1.) Italy by Rick Steves
-Travel Guide Book
Rick Steves Italy is the ultimate guide book for all things Italy. Prior to deciding where you plan to go and creating your itinerary, be sure to grab the latest copy.
Each section in the book details the regions in Italy; from the northern Dolomites to the Amalfi Coast, and every where in between.
This is a fantastic guide book to introduce future travelers where to go, when to go and how to plan.
When planning your first trip to Italy, this book is a great place to start!
→ Related Post: Start Planning Your Trip to Italy
2.) Our Italian Summer by Jennifer Probst
-Set across Italy - Rome, Tuscany, Amalfi
Our Italian Summer is a beautiful story of 3 generations of women from the United States trying to discover themselves while still trying to come together as a family. A joyful and easy read, it’s a story of a mother’s love, and understanding what her family needs to grow. By learning to lean on each other, the three women rediscover their passion for life to find their own paths.
Plus, you’ll get a mini tour guide through Italy while the women make their way through Rome, Umbria, Tuscany and Amalfi!
→ Related Post: 5 Days in Rome
3.) One Italian Summer by Rebecca Serle
-Set in Positano
One Italian Summer is a wonderfully strange story with beautiful Positano as the backdrop that explores feelings of grief, self-discovery, and the enduring bond between mother and daughter.
The main character, who’s mother has recently passed, decides to travel solo to Positano to try and recapture one of her mom’s favorite memories from her 20’s. In modern day, she ends up meeting her mother during this same time period in her youth.
The setting is in modern day Positano. The restaurants and locations described are very real places. In fact, much of the setting takes place at Hotel Poseidon in Positano. The author does such an amazing job describing the hotel and other shops/restaurants in Positano. She even worked closely with the hotel owners on the book details.
One Italian Summer is a surrealist book, so there’s a heavy mixture of reality combined with imagination. Typically, this is not a genre I would be interested in. But I absolutely fell in love with Positano because of this book. After reading, I rearranged our entire trip to Italy because I HAD to experience the magic of Positano. And yep…we stayed at Hotel Poseidon and it was absolutely perfect!
→ Related Post: Ultimate Guide to Positano
4.) Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walter
-Set in Cinque Terre
Beautiful Ruins is a captivating and engaging novel that starts in a small Italian coastal village on the Cinque Terre in 1962. A young innkeeper named Pasquale meets a beautiful American actress, Dee Moray, who arrives with a mysterious illness. Her arrival is connected to the chaotic filming of "Cleopatra" and the legendary Richard Burton.
The story jumps back and forth between this charming historical setting and modern-day Hollywood, where a washed-up film producer, Michael Deane, is trying to get his career back on track. The novel explores the highs and lows of love, the passage of time, and the often-blurry line between dreams and reality. It's a beautifully written, funny, and touching story about how people's lives intertwine in unexpected ways.
5.) The Little Italian Hotel by Phaedra Patrick
-Set in Bologna with travel to Florence and Venice
The Little Italian Hotel is a heartwarming novel about love, friendship, and finding oneself in the most unexpected places. It follows the story of a group of strangers who come together at a charming hotel outside Bologna, Italy. Each guest has their own personal struggles and reasons for being there, but the beautiful setting and the warm hospitality of the hotel start to work their magic.
Amidst the picturesque scenery, delicious food, and the simple pleasures of Italian life, the guests begin to form unlikely friendships and find the courage to confront their pasts and embrace new beginnings. It’s a feel-good read that captures the essence of Italy and the healing power of connection and kindness.
→ Related Post: Discover Orvieto: The Quintessential Italian Hill Town
6.) 24 Hours in Italy by Roi Moondi
-Set on Amalfi Coast
24 Hours in Italy is a delightful and breezy read that follows the adventures of two ex’s as they explore Italy in a whirlwind trip for their mutual friends’ destination wedding. Packed into a single day, their journey is filled with spontaneous decisions, breathtaking sights, shared memories, and some awkward laughs.
As they journey through beautiful towns and savor delicious Italian food on the Amalfi Coast, the two encounter quirky locals and unexpected detours. The book captures the joy of travel, the beauty of Italy, and the deep bond of friendship. It’s a fun, fast-paced story that will make you want to pack your bags and embark on your own Italian adventure.
→ Related Post: Ultimate Guide to Positano
7.) Palazzo by Danielle Steel
-Set in Venice
Palazzo is a captivating novel set against the backdrop of a grand Italian palazzo in Venice. The story revolves around a strong-willed woman who inherits a stunning but crumbling estate in Italy. Determined to restore the palazzo to its former glory, she embarks on a journey filled with challenges and surprises.
As she navigates the complexities of renovation and the intrigues of her new life, she uncovers family secrets and forms unexpected relationships. The novel beautifully captures the charm of Italy, the allure of historical estates, and the resilience needed to turn dreams into reality. It’s a compelling and heartwarming tale of legacy, love, and the magic of starting over.
8.) Love and Gelato by Jenna Evans Welch
-Set in Florence
Love and Gelato is a sweet and heartwarming YA novel about a girl named Lina who spends the summer in Italy to fulfill her mother's last wish. While staying at a charming villa in Tuscany, she discovers her mother's old journal, which leads her on an adventure filled with romance, mystery, and self-discovery.
As Lina explores the scenic landscapes, tastes delicious gelato, and follows clues in the journal, she uncovers secrets about her mother's past and finds herself falling for a local boy. It’s a delightful read that captures the magic of Italy, the joy of young love, and the importance of family and finding one's own path.
9.) Angels and Demons by Dan Brown
-Set in Rome
Angels and Demons is a fast-paced thriller, part of the Robert Langdon series, that follows the main character as he races to prevent a deadly plot against the Vatican. The story begins with the murder of a physicist, leading Langdon to uncover a secret society known as the Illuminati.
The novel is set in Rome, where Langdon and a scientist named Vittoria follow a trail of ancient symbols hidden in the city’s art and architecture. Their quest takes them to iconic landmarks like the Pantheon, St. Peter’s Basilica, and the Piazza Navona. The artwork and sculptures in these sites hold clues that are crucial to solving the mystery and stopping the Illuminati’s plan.
Dan Brown intricately ties the rich history and stunning artwork of Rome into the plot, making the city itself a central character in the story. The novel blends historical and artistic details with a gripping narrative, offering readers a thrilling ride through one of the world’s most beautiful cities.
→ Related Post: 5 Days in Rome
10.) Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert
-Set across Italy, India, and Bali
Eat, Pray, Love is a memoir that chronicles the author’s journey of self-discovery across three countries. After a difficult divorce, Elizabeth decides to take a year off to travel and find herself. She spends four months in Italy, indulging in the pleasures of eating and enjoying life’s simple joys. Next, she heads to an ashram in India for four months of spiritual exploration and intense meditation. Finally, she travels to Bali, Indonesia, where she seeks a balance between worldly enjoyment and spiritual fulfillment.
The book is a heartfelt and relatable exploration of healing and transformation, filled with vivid descriptions of the food, culture, and people Gilbert encounters. It’s an inspiring read that encourages embracing life’s adventures and finding joy in the journey.
→ Related Post: 5 Days in Rome
Inspired to plan a trip to Italy now?
Read More → Plan a Trip to Italy in 5 Easy Steps
“The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.”
