The 10 Best Cities Abroad for Writing Inspiration (and Actually Finishing Your Book)

You don’t need a fancy MFA program or a billion-dollar book advance to write your novel—you just need the right city, the right view, and maybe a little coffee (or wine). As a 46-year-old Black woman, published author, writing consultant, and ghostwriter living abroad, I’ve slow-traveled through cities that either made me want to write—or made me want to throw my laptop into the sea.

So here it is: 10 cities abroad that helped me tap into my creativity, get writing done, or dream up entire worlds. You might not become the next Toni Morrison or Tolkien (though...why not?), but you’ll at least get that chapter finished.

1. Oxford, England Let’s start with the obvious. Oxford is a literary powerhouse. It’s busy. It’s crowded. But you’re walking the same cobbled streets as Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, and some of the most legendary writers in history. I wanted to visit the Eagle and Child Pub where they met (unfortunately it was closed).

Grab a table at a cafe near Radcliffe Camera, sip your overpriced tea, and soak in the atmosphere. I spent an afternoon just people-watching and pretending I was rewriting the last season of Game of Thrones—with a better ending.

Why it works: Gothic architecture, old libraries, and so much history you can taste it.

2. London, England London is big, bold, and full of distractions—and that’s exactly why it’s brilliant for writing. Head to a medieval pub, order a pint, and let your imagination run wild. This is the city of Dickens, Woolf, and yes, the Tudors.

If you’re writing anything about European royalty, war, or betrayal? Baby, the War of the Roses practically wrote Game of Thrones before George R.R. Martin lifted a pen.

Why it works: Rich architecture, centuries of layered stories, and a café or pub on every corner.

3. Dublin, Ireland Oh, Dublin. My beloved Dublin. It is my creative spirit animal. Walk into Trinity College and see the Long Room Library. Gaze at the Book of Kells. And then sit in a cafe and just...write.

There’s something about Ireland—the mist, the warmth of the people, the green. It’s not called the Emerald Isle for nothing. I swear I saw fairies dancing between raindrops. (Is that a song? It should be.)

Why it works: Literary legacy, breathtaking libraries, friendly locals, and cheaper than the UK.

When I’m telling you I love Dublin. I love Dublin. Trust me…just go…

4. Edinburgh, Scotland Let’s go dramatic. You’re in a city crowned by a literal castle. Sit down in Princes Street Gardens like the creative peasant you are, open your notebook, and write under the shadow of stone battlements.

You want inspiration for fantasy? Historical drama? Something moody and windswept? Edinburgh will feed you.

Why it works: Castles, medieval buildings, gardens, moody skies, and literary street cred for days. Go to the Writer’s Museum where they house Robert Louis Stevenson, Sir Walter Scott, and Robert Burns personal artifacts.

5. Paris, France Yes, she’s overhyped. Yes, she’s expensive (but cheaper than London). But Paris is still that girl.

There’s a certain magic to writing in a Parisian cafe. I actually wrote in Paris. The clinking glasses, the sounds of life happening in French—it hits differently. You sit at a tiny table, pretend you’re penning your next indie bestseller, while your ghostwriter (hi, that’s me) sweats in the background actually writing the thing.

Why it works: Cafe culture, beauty, and the illusion of literary chic (that sometimes becomes real).

6. Galway, Ireland A small city that feels like a poem. It has that misty, coastal vibe that makes you want to write about heartbreak or mermaids—or both. Galway gave me peace. And sometimes peace is where the words live.

Why it works: Slow pace, coastal charm, and lyrical atmosphere.

7. Bologna, Italy It’s not Rome. It’s not Milan. And that’s the point.

Bologna has food, color, and an old university-town vibe. Sit under red porticos with a notebook and a glass of wine, and suddenly you’re in your author era. It’s a quieter kind of romantic.

Why it works: University energy, great food, fewer crowds, and way more flavor.

8. Porto, Portugal Forget Lisbon. Porto is where the writers go when they want wine, waves, and wistfulness. I didn’t even realize how inspired I was until I started journaling nonstop.

Why it works: Ocean views, dramatic light, and a more grounded vibe than other cities.

9. Prague, Czech Republic Prague looks like a fairytale and writes like a thriller. The spires, the fog, the bridges. You walk here and feel like your main character is following you with a secret. I loved Prague. I also walked 20,000 steps in one day and my feet are still feeling the pain! Visit the clock, the square, the bridge…endless ideas for your book.

Why it works: Gothic architecture (inspiration for Frankenstein), mystery, and inspiration on every crooked street.

10. Amalfi Coast, Italy I’m saving the best for last. Because not only is the Amalfi Coast stupid beautiful, but I’m hosting a women’s writing retreat here this October.

October 13–20. Seven days of writing, eating, bonding, and finishing the damn book. So if you’re serious about writing, come write with me. Details here: Ink & Honey: A Writing Retreat for Women.

Why it works: Sea views, sunshine, sisterhood, and a scheduled space to actually write.

Need Help With Your Book? If you’d rather sip wine in Paris and have someone else do the writing, I got you. I’m a full-time Ghostwriter and Writing Consultant. We can get your book, brand, or story told—with clarity and style.

Final Word: The right city won’t write the book for you—but it can make the process feel magical, possible, and yours.

Writers don’t just need quiet. We need wonder. We need good lighting and better lattes. We need history, heartbreak, and castles.

Find your city. Then write your story.

Connect on Instagram and TikTok for more pictures of my travels: stephanieshephard_author

Read more at www.stephanieshephard.com