Redu, Belgium
In a charming little village tucked away in the hills of Belgium, Redu is celebrating its 41st birthday as the second book town since 1984. This cozy spot is filled with the lovely scent of old books. Every year, they throw a big book festival with about 30 bookstores that attracts hundreds of folks who come to soak in the culture, history, stunning buildings, and beautiful nature. Just recently, Redu along with nearby towns of Lesse and Séchery made it onto the list of the “Most Beautiful Villages in Wallonia” in July 2024.
Wigtown, Scotland
Sitting on a hillside with views of the ocean and surrounded by rocky shores, woodlands, and forests, Wigtown is celebrating 20 years as Scotland’s Book Town. With over 250,000 books on offer, both old and new, Wigtown was one of the first book towns to join the first International Book Town Festival back in August 1998. The town has 16 different kinds of bookstores, many being secondhand, that join in an annual event. Spring Weekend kicks off early May and there’s a community festival in July along with a Saturday market from April to late September. Plus, there’s the yearly Wigtown Book Festival which takes place for 10 days from late September to early October, boasting over 200 events featuring music, theater, food, and arts.
Torup, Denmark
Torup is just 37 miles (60 kilometers) north of Copenhagen and is nestled between the sea and a fjord with a small population of 374. Here, locals showcase a range of quality secondhand books for sale along rural roads in ten quirky “bookshops.” These unique spots include a garage, a worker’s hut, an old stable, a shelf at a farm entrance, and even a newly refurbished train station. Some of these stands work on the honor system where customers drop their payments in a jar to grab a book. Torup Book Town Association hosts the annual Nordic Book Festival featuring author readings, short films, cultural activities and way more.
Saint-Pierre-de-Clages, Switzerland
Saint-Pierre-de-Clages is the only book village in Switzerland filled with book stalls and literary festivals throughout the year. Known as “Le Village Suisse du Livre” or “The Swiss Book Village,” it boasts a large secondhand market and hosts events with authors, themed exhibits, activities for kids, and its famous Book Festival. This festival has been happening every last weekend of August since 1993. The Association of Friends of Saint-Pierre kicked off in 1990 and held its first event in 1991, but it wasn’t until the next year that the first book festival got rolling, paving the way for the “book village.” Now, this three-day festival brings in visitors from all over French-speaking Switzerland, letting them dive into various literary roles like calligraphy and traditional printing, all while connecting writers and publishers in a fun atmosphere alongside artists’ work.
Wünsdorf-Waldstadt, Germany
Wünsdorf, an old garrison town, is often called the “book and bunker city” because of its historic sites, charming buildings, bookstores, cafes, tea rooms, and a lively cultural scene. It’s located about 12 miles (20 kilometers) south of Berlin and has lots of events all year long including readings, exhibitions, military vehicle shows, and currently features five unique attractions. bunker and guided tours. Wünsdorf joined the International Organization of Book Towns in 1998 and is famous for its three huge antiquarian bookstores that have a wide variety of literary gems, including poetry, philosophy, classical literature, and much more.