28 Books Set in Italy to inspire Your Next Trip

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If you’ve ever wandered the winding streets of Rome, dreamed of vineyard sunsets in Tuscany, or simply sipped espresso and wished it was in Florence—this book list is for you.

🇮🇹📚 Whether you’re planning a trip to Italy or just need an armchair escape, these books capture the romance, drama, flavor, and dolce far niente of life in Italy.

A Selection of Our Favorite Novels Set in Italy

Let’s start with the titles that instantly transport you there—from charming Tuscan villas to moody coastal towns.

The book cover for Call Me By Your Name by André Aciman features a vivid blue sky as the backdrop, with two young men leaning their heads back-to-back, gazing upward. The title is prominently displayed in a handwritten yellow script, while the author's name appears in white capital letters below.

1. Call Me By Your Name by André Aciman

A slow-burn summer romance in the Italian Riviera that will wreck you in the best way. The peaches, the music, the heat—it’s a vibe.

For more dreamy settings worthy of a love story, check out my favorite romantic destinations in Italy.

The book cover for Under the Tuscan Sun by Frances Mayes showcases a sun-drenched Tuscan villa with warm terracotta walls and green shutters, nestled amidst lush greenery under a clear blue sky. The title appears in elegant serif font at the top, with the author's name below. This edition evokes the rustic charm and idyllic scenery of the Italian countryside.

2. Under The Tuscan Sun by Frances Mayes

The ultimate dream-home-in-Italy memoir turned fiction, filled with olive groves, renovation disasters, and self-discovery.

The book cover for Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert features the title rendered in three distinct textures:

3. Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert

Love it or roll your eyes at it, you can’t deny it gave us pasta cravings and the iconic “I’m having a relationship with my pizza” moment.

The book cover for Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walter features a picturesque coastal Italian village with colorful buildings perched on rugged cliffs overlooking the turquoise Ligurian Sea. The title is displayed in a flowing, white script across the sky, while the author's name appears below in a clean, sans-serif font. This imagery evokes the novel's romantic and cinematic themes set along the Italian Riviera.

4. Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walter

A sweeping novel that jumps between a quiet Italian coast in the ’60s and modern-day Hollywood—full of heartbreak, humor, and hope.

The book cover for My Italian Bulldozer by Alexander McCall Smith features an illustrated scene of a man driving a yellow bulldozer through a quaint, hilly Italian town. The driver waves cheerfully as he navigates narrow cobblestone streets lined with colorful buildings under a bright blue sky. The title appears in bold, playful lettering at the top, with the author's name displayed below in a classic serif font.

5. My Italian Bulldozer by Alexander McCall Smith

A food writer escapes heartbreak in Italy and somehow ends up… driving a bulldozer through Tuscany. It’s charming and quirky in all the best ways.

The book cover for That Summer in Puglia by Valeria Vescina features a black-and-white photograph of a couple holding hands, standing on a sunlit street in a historic Italian town. The image captures a sense of nostalgia and intimacy, reflecting the novel's themes of love and memory. The title appears in elegant serif font at the top, with the author's name below in a complementary style.

6. That Summer in Puglia by Valeria Vescina

A moving and lyrical tale of love and betrayal set against the sun-drenched beauty of Southern Italy.

The book cover for My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante features a photograph of a bride and groom walking along a seaside promenade, followed by three young girls dressed in white. Set against a backdrop of the Mediterranean Sea and a clear blue sky, the image evokes themes of tradition and transition. The title appears in elegant serif font at the top, with the author's name below.

7. The Neapolitan Novels by Elena Ferrante

Starting with My Brilliant Friend, this four-part series dives deep into the complexities of female friendship in gritty post-war Naples.

Elena Ferrante’s Naples is chaotic, beautiful, and unforgettable. Dive deeper into the real city with my 2 Days in Naples itinerary.

The book cover for A Thousand Days in Venice by Marlena de Blasi features a romantic illustration of a Venetian scene, with a couple strolling hand-in-hand along a sunlit canal lined with historic buildings. Warm hues of terracotta and gold dominate the palette, evoking the city's timeless charm. The title appears in elegant script at the top, with the author's name displayed below in a complementary serif font.

8. A Thousand Days in Venice by Marlena de Blasi

Real-life romance alert: an American chef falls in love with a Venetian—and Venice itself. It’s basically a love letter on every page.

Alt text: The book cover for The Enchanted April by Elizabeth von Arnim features an illustration of two women seated on a sunlit Italian terrace, surrounded by cascading wisteria in full bloom. The scene captures the warmth and tranquility of the Mediterranean spring, reflecting the novel's themes of rejuvenation and escape. The title appears in elegant serif font at the top, with the author's name displayed below.

9. The Enchanted April by Elizabeth Von Arnim

Four women escape dreary London for a month at an Italian villa—and find themselves utterly transformed.

Inspired to plan your own trip? Start with this 10-day Italy itinerary for first-timers to follow the footsteps of your favorite literary characters.

The book cover for Love & Gelato by Jenna Evans Welch features a pastel pink background with the title

10. Love & Gelato by Jenna Evans Welch

A YA novel that’s equal parts sweet romance and Tuscan treasure hunt. Italy + gelato + cute boys? Yes, please.

Classic Fiction Books Set in Italy

Want to go old-school? These literary legends penned iconic works with Italy as their muse.

The book cover for Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare features a classic painting of the two lovers embracing on a balcony, set against a backdrop of Renaissance-era Verona. The title appears in elegant serif font at the top, with the author's name displayed below. This imagery captures the timeless romance and tragedy of the play.

11. Romeo & Juliet by William Shakespeare

The original Italian romance-slash-tragedy. Verona still milks it with Juliet’s balcony, and honestly? Worth it.

Alt text: The book cover for A Room with a View by E.M. Forster features a watercolor illustration of a sunlit Italian room with a large open window framed by flowing blue curtains. A single blue armchair faces the window, which offers a serene view of a distant cityscape across a calm body of water. The title appears in elegant serif font at the top, with the author's name displayed below.

12. A Room With a View by E.M. Forster

Edwardian-era swooning in Florence. Bonus: it’s delightfully sassy for a classic.

The 1929 first edition cover of A Farewell to Arms by Ernest Hemingway, illustrated by Cleo Damianakes, features an art moderne adaptation of Botticelli's Venus and Mars. It depicts a reclining, mostly nude winged female figure with closed eyes, symbolizing Venus, and a male figure, representing Mars, wearing only a loincloth and holding a broken axle. The illustration suggests a balance between love and war, aligning with the novel's themes. The title and author's name are displayed in bold, uppercase letters at the top and bottom of the cover, respectively.

13. A Farewell to Arms by Ernest Hemingway

Love and loss during WWI in the Italian Alps. You’ll feel everything.

The book cover for The Name of the Rose by Umberto Eco features a dark, medieval illustration of a labyrinthine monastery set against a misty, mountainous backdrop. The title appears in bold, Gothic-style font at the top, with the author's name displayed below in a complementary serif font. This imagery evokes the novel's themes of mystery, knowledge, and the complexities of faith in a 14th-century Italian abbey.

14. The Name of the Rose by Umberto Eco

A murder mystery in a medieval Italian monastery. Think Dan Brown, but with more Latin and a lot more monks.

The book cover for Master and God by Lindsey Davis features a classical Roman statue of a male figure, possibly representing Emperor Domitian, set against a dark, textured background. The statue's expression is stern, evoking the themes of power and paranoia central to the novel. The title appears in bold, serif font at the top, with the author's name displayed below in a complementary style.

15. Master & God by Lindsey Davis

Dive into the decadent world of Ancient Rome during Emperor Domitian’s reign—complete with political scheming and scandal.

Non-Fiction Books About Italy

Real stories, big flavors, cultural deep dives. These titles are perfect for history buffs, foodies, and Italophiles alike.

The book cover for La Bella Figura by Beppe Severgnini features a stylized illustration of a fashionable Italian man in a sharp suit and sunglasses, confidently riding a bright red Vespa scooter. The background showcases iconic Italian architecture bathed in warm, golden hues, evoking the charm and elegance of Italy. The title appears in bold, elegant font at the top, with the author's name displayed below in a complementary style.

16. La Bella Figura by Beppe Severgnini

A cheeky field guide to understanding how Italians think, move, and flirt. Spoiler: it’s all about style.

The book cover for Pasta, Pane, Vino by Matt Goulding features a minimalist design with the title

17. Pasta, Pane, Vino by Matt Goulding

This one reads like love poetry for Italian food. Gorgeous, immersive, and drool-worthy.

The book cover for Italian Neighbors by Tim Parks features an illustration of a narrow Italian street bathed in warm sunlight, with a statue of the Virgin Mary at one end and a derelict bottle factory at the other. The scene captures the blend of tradition and modernity in a small village near Verona, reflecting the book's exploration of local life. The title appears in bold, serif font at the top, with the author's name displayed below.

18. Italian Neighbors by Tim Parks

An expat’s humorous observations on living in a small Italian town. You’ll laugh and nod in recognition if you’ve ever dreamed of la dolce vita.

The book cover for Murder in Matera by Helene Stapinski features a photograph of a renovated house in the old town of Bernalda, Italy, with warm-toned stone walls and green shutters, set against a clear blue sky. The title appears in bold, serif font at the top, with the author's name displayed below. This imagery reflects the memoir's exploration of family history and secrets in Southern Italy.

19. Murder in Matera by Helene Stapinski

A real-life mystery about family secrets in Southern Italy—and one woman’s journey to uncover the truth.

The book cover for Four Seasons in Rome by Anthony Doerr features a photograph of the Roman skyline bathed in warm, golden light, with iconic domes and rooftops silhouetted against a soft, pastel sky. The title appears in elegant serif font at the top, with the author's name displayed below. This imagery evokes the memoir's themes of exploration, parenthood, and the timeless beauty of Rome.

20. Four Seasons in Rome by Anthony Doerr

A lyrical, diary-style memoir from the All the Light We Cannot See author, written while living in Rome with his newborn twins.

Reader Favorites Set in Italy

These books have cult followings and serious page-turner energy.

The book cover for The Talented Mr. Ripley by Patricia Highsmith features a minimalist design with the title in bold, uppercase letters centered on a clean white background. The author's name appears below in a simple, sans-serif font. This design reflects the novel's exploration of identity, deception, and the psychological complexities of its protagonist.

21. The Talented Mr. Ripley by Patricia Highsmith

Glamour, murder, and an unnervingly charming anti-hero in 1950s Italy. Iconic.

Want to walk in Ripley’s footsteps across Rome and Venice? Start with my 7 Day Italy Itinerary.

The book cover for One Italian Summer by Rebecca Serle features a stylized illustration of a woman in a red swimsuit and wide-brimmed hat, standing on a balcony overlooking the picturesque cliffs and turquoise waters of Positano. The title is displayed in elegant, flowing script at the top, with the author's name below in a complementary serif font. This imagery captures the novel's themes of self-discovery, grief, and the transformative power of travel along Italy's Amalfi Coast.

22. One Italian Summer by Rebecca Serle

A grief-stricken daughter reconnects with her mother (literally?) during a dreamy summer in Positano.

The book cover for The City of Falling Angels by John Berendt features a photograph of Venice's Grand Canal at dusk, with historic buildings bathed in golden light and their reflections shimmering on the water. The title appears in elegant serif font at the top, with the author's name displayed below. This imagery evokes the city's timeless allure and sets the tone for the book's exploration of Venice's intricate social fabric and the aftermath of the La Fenice opera house fire.

23. The City of Falling Angels by John Berendt

Venice, secrets, and the aftermath of an opera house fire—told with gripping journalistic flair.

And if these books make you want to see Venice in real life, check out this quick itinerary.

The book cover for The Tuscan Child by Rhys Bowen features a sunlit Tuscan hillside village with terracotta rooftops and a winding path leading through olive groves. The title appears in elegant serif font at the top, with the author's name displayed below. This imagery evokes the novel's themes of family secrets and the enduring beauty of the Italian countryside.

24. The Tuscan Child by Rhys Bowen

A dual timeline mystery with wartime romance, hidden letters, and Tuscan hills. A cozy but rich historical fiction pick.

The book cover for The Leopard by Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa features a rich, deep red background adorned with a golden emblem of a leaping leopard, symbolizing the Salina family's noble heritage. The title appears in bold, uppercase serif font at the top, with the author's name displayed below in a complementary style. This design reflects the novel's themes of aristocratic decline and the sweeping changes of 19th-century Sicily.

25. The Leopard by Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa

A sweeping epic about Sicily’s crumbling aristocracy during Italian unification—elegant, broody, and very Italian.

The book cover for A House in Sicily by Daphne Phelps features a photograph of Casa Cuseni, a historic villa in Taormina, Sicily, bathed in golden sunlight. The villa's stone façade is adorned with lush greenery, and the surrounding gardens overlook the picturesque coastline. The title appears in elegant serif font at the top, with the author's name displayed below. This imagery reflects the memoir's themes of heritage, community, and the enchanting beauty of Sicilian life.

26. A House in Sicily by Daphne Phelps

A true tale of inherited villas, unexpected adventures, and colorful characters in post-war Sicily.

The book cover for Extra Virgin by Annie Hawes features a photograph of a sunlit stone house nestled among olive groves in the Ligurian countryside. The rustic façade, adorned with green shutters and surrounded by lush greenery, evokes the charm of rural Italy. The title appears in elegant serif font at the top, with the author's name displayed below. This imagery reflects the memoir's themes of cultural immersion and the idyllic beauty of the Italian Riviera.

27. Extra Virgin by Annie Hawes

Two sisters move to a tiny village in Liguria and dive into olive farming, local gossip, and small-town chaos. Warm and hilarious.

Books set in Italy - The book cover for Angels & Demons by Dan Brown features a dark, moody background with the title rendered as an ambigram—reading identically right-side up and upside down—in bold, stylized lettering. A faint image of St. Peter's Basilica emerges from the shadows, hinting at the novel's Vatican setting. The author's name appears at the top in uppercase serif font. This design reflects the novel's themes of religious intrigue, secret societies, and the clash between science and faith.

28. Angels & Demons by Dan Brown

A Vatican conspiracy, secret societies, and a heart-racing scavenger hunt through Rome’s most historic sites. It’s like a guided tour—if your tour guide were being chased by an assassin.

Love a good Vatican thriller? Follow in Langdon’s footsteps with my Rome Day Trip to the Vatican.

Bonus Picks for Your TBR List

Because there’s always room for just one more book set in Italy.

Are You Ready to Experience These Iconic Italian Reads?

Whether you’re craving a vicarious vacation, planning a real one, or just chasing a little amore through fiction, these books set in Italy will transport you straight into piazzas, palazzos, and pasta-fueled daydreams.

Which one will you read first? Let me know in the comments—or better yet, over an Aperol Spritz. ✨🇮🇹📖

Planning to visit the real Italy behind the stories? Start here:

Avatar for Katie Kinsley

Katie Kinsley shares guides, tips, and itineraries to inspire stress-free travel adventures worldwide.