If you’ve ever wanted to immerse yourself in a day filled with reading, visiting Hay-on-Wye, Wales, is necessary. Located in the middle of the Welsh countryside, the village has been dubbed the world’s first book town—thanks to its abundance of scattered bookstores dotting its movie scene-esque streets.
Within the same town are 25 bookshops, each stacked to the brim with hardcovers and paperbacks. Since Hay-on-Wye has a population of only around 2,000 residents, there is one bookshop for every 80 people, a remarkably high ratio.
Throughout the town, you’ll find quaint streets lined with bookshops. All are specialized to a unique category and are filled with an assortment of multi-colored books. The city also has public bookshelves lining the streets and features an open-air honesty library tucked in the outer walls of the historical castle.
In addition, Hay-on-Wye is also home to one of the most famous literature festivals in the world, dubbed the Hay Festival. Annually, for a period of 10 days spanning from May to June, book enthusiasts from around the globe gather to explore the newest releases, engage in discussions about literature, and connect with their preferred authors. It is undeniably a haven for bookworms and literature lovers alike.
Although Hay’s history spans nearly a century, the town has gained recognition in recent decades for its appeal to book lovers and Instagram-worthy attributes, making it a distinctive destination worth experiencing.
