I’m an avid reader and tend to move between genres depending on the season of life – or the season of travel. Leading up to a trip (or even while I’m there), I love reading books set in the places I’m exploring. There’s something special about experiencing a destination first through someone else’s words, then seeing it come alive in person. And sometimes, a book can bring you right back to a place you’ve already been.
I’ve loved Italy ever since I first set foot in the country in 2008 for a study abroad program in Orvieto. Since then, I’ve returned multiple times to revisit old favorites and explore new corners of this beautiful country and culture. I’m currently studying Italian and planning my next trip to Italy later this year. With all that anticipation, I realized how many books have shaped my experiences of Italy.
This list brings together some of my favorite reads about Italy – stories that explore solo female travel, grief and transformation, romance, and even architectural ambition. Whether you’re planning your first Italian adventure, returning for another visit, or simply dreaming from home, I hope these books inspire your journey.
Memoirs and Stories that Bring Italy to Life
Here are the best books about Italy that I have read. I hope they inspire your future travels or bring back memories of travelling to Italy.
1. Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert
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Listen: Audiobook on Audible
The first third of Eat, Pray, Love follows Liz’s journey from New York to Italy—and honestly, the “eat” portion is my favorite part of the entire book. Italy is where Liz’s journey of self-discovery begins—through new friendships, a love affair with the Italian language, and the simple, restorative joy of Italian carbs and wine.
This is one of those books that reads differently depending on the phase of life you’re in. I first picked it up in my 20s, then revisited it in my 30s, and again in my 40s—and each time, something new stood out to me. It’s a reminder that travel (and reading) has a way of meeting you exactly where you are.
If you enjoy audiobooks, this one is especially worth listening to. Elizabeth Gilbert narrates it herself, and hearing her voice—and her pronunciation of Italian words—adds another layer to the experience. It’s a beautiful companion for walks, flights, or even dreaming up your own Italian adventure.
2. One Thousand Days in Venice by Marlena de Blasi
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One Thousand Days in Venice is another memoir set in Italy, beginning with an unexpected meeting in Venice that quickly turns into a life‑altering romance. Marlena meets a mysterious Venetian man and, almost unbelievably, leaves her life in America to take a chance on love and an entirely new way of living.
When I first read this book, I remember thinking there was no way it could be a true story—it felt too romantic, too improbable. But it is a true story, which somehow makes Venice feel even more magical through her telling. Marlena shares her experiences of daily life in Venice – commuting on the vaporetto, trips to the Lido, and the slow unfolding of a new life. It is a dreamy story of leaving everything behind for an unexpected life. It’s one I may need to reread before returning to Venice.
3. Under the Tuscan Sun by Frances Mayes
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You’ve probably heard of the movie Under the Tuscan Sun that was inspired by the book, but the book itself is quite different and definitely worth a read. One of the biggest differences is that in the book, Frances is still married and the story unfolds alongside her husband. In the movie, Frances is a divorced woman starting over. I love both versions, but they are distinctly different experiences.
The book tells the story of Frances and her husband buying and renovating a Tuscan villa, focusing on the slow process of renovation and contrasts between Italian and American culture. They explore many other small towns in Italy in their search and renovation process along the way. It even includes many of the Italian recipes she cooks in her Tuscan kitchen.
4. One Italian Summer by Rebecca Serle
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Listen: Audiobook on Audible
One Italian Summer is a fictional story about a woman who travels solo to Positano after the death of her mother. As she moves through the Amalfi Coast, she retraces the stories her mother once told her about spending time in Positano when she was young, blurring the line between memory, grief, and imagination.
Serle’s descriptions of Positano are beautiful and immersive—climbing stairs, cliffside views, and the slower pace of life make it easy to picture yourself there. But at its heart, this book is about processing loss and understanding the people we love more fully, even after they’re gone.
It’s a touching, reflective read, and one that pairs emotional depth with a vivid sense of place—especially meaningful if you’re drawn to Italy not just for its beauty, but for the way travel can uncover unexpected moments of healing.
5. From Scratch by Tembi Locke
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Listen: Audiobook on Audible
From Scratch is another female memoir set partly in Italy, beginning with a young romance in Florence between an American studying abroad and a chef from Sicily. The book traces their whirlwind relationship, navigating cultural differences, family expectations, and the realities of building a life together across continents.
Much of the story unfolds after her husband dies of cancer, when Tembi returns to Italy with her daughter to reconnect with his family and the culture that shaped him. Through food, memory, language, and shared traditions, she finds a way to honor both her loss and the love that came before it.
This is a deeply emotional read—one that explores grief, resilience, and the role place can play in healing. I definitely shed a few tears while reading it.
6. Brunelleschi’s Dome by Ross King
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Listen: Audiobook on Audible
Brunelleschi’s Dome tells the story of how the famous dome atop Florence’s most recognizable cathedral was built. I originally read it as required reading for an architecture class while studying in Italy, but it turned out to be far more than educational—it’s a genuinely engaging story.
Ross King walks through the ambition, competition, and innovation behind Brunelleschi’s design, explaining how the dome was constructed using an inner and outer shell reinforced with ribs—without the use of traditional scaffolding. The book brings the engineering challenges and historical context to life in a way that’s accessible even if you don’t have an architecture background.
If you’re planning a visit to Florence, this book adds an entirely new layer to the experience. When you climb the Duomo, you’ll walk up the stairs between the ribs inside the dome itself, and having this background makes the experience even more meaningful. If you love architecture, engineering, or design‑driven stories, this is a fascinating read.
Why Reading About Italy Makes the Journey Deeper
Some places stay with you long after you leave—and for me, Italy is one of them. Each of these books captures a different facet of the country, from its food and landscapes to its people, history, and quiet moments of transformation. Some are joyful, others heavy with emotion, but all tell the story of a place that invites you to slow down, feel deeply, and return again and again.
Whether you’re planning your first trip to Italy, revisiting a favorite city, or simply traveling through stories from home, I hope these books inspire your own Italian daydreams. I’m always on the lookout for another great read to add to my list—if you have a favorite book set in Italy, I’d love to hear about it in the comments.
If you love to read about travel, check out my list of my favorite travel memoirs.
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