Conde Naste Traveller: There’s one thing that millions of us couldn’t possibly head on an adventure without. While we’re all for stuffing the likes of travel pillows and the latest array of travel-friendly gadgets into our hand luggage, there’s one thing that sends us on a manic sprint around the airport terminal shops if we fail to remember it – a book.

The holiday read has a long history, and for many of us, the pace of modern life means the only time we really get stuck into the latest novel doing the office rounds is while spread out on a sunlounger or sipping coffee in a plaza before heading to the next attraction on our lists.

Now, however, with the rise of BookTok, digital detoxes and a desire for true escapism on our adventures, we’re increasingly looking at how books influence our choice of destination.

This could be the bookworm equivalent of jetsetting, perhaps – seeking out the places we’re taken to while flicking the pages. Or, in the case of UNESCO’s World Book Capitals, making a beeline for cities dedicated to fostering literacy, lifelong learning, copyright protection and freedom of expression.

Since 2021, UNESCO has designated one city around the world, each year, as its World Book Capital. Which city claims the title is the decision of the UNESCO World Book Capital Advisory Committee, which comprises representatives of the European and International Booksellers Federation (EIBF), the International Authors Forum (IAF), the International Federation of Library Associations (IFLA), the International Publishers Association (IPA), and UNESCO.

So, where are bibliophiles headed in 2026? None other than the Moroccan city of Rabat. It turns out the North African country’s all-too-often overlooked city is quite the book-lover’s haven, and throughout the year, the newly designated UNESCO World Book Capital will implement a wide range of activities to enhance the role of books in sustainable and inclusive development.

UNESCO reports that the city houses 54 publishing houses and a growing number of bookstores, and hosts the third-largest international book and publishing fair in Africa. Rabat has also been credited with empowering local women and youth through reading and fighting illiteracy, especially among underserved communities.

A year of celebrations across the city begins on 23 April 2026, on World Book and Copyright Day.

The Moroccan city’s claim to this year’s UNESCO World Book Capital follows the likes of Rio de Janeiro in 2025, Strasbourg in 2024 and Accra in 2023. Other previous titleholders include Guadalajara in Mexico, Tbilisi in Georgia and the capital of Slovenia, Ljubljana.

Following the announcement in autumn 2025, UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay said, “Following Rio de Janeiro in 2025, I am pleased to announce the designation of Rabat as World Book Capital for 2026. Rabat is a cultural crossroads where books help transmit knowledge and the arts in all their diversity. The growing local book industry is also playing a crucial role in advancing education. These actions resonate with UNESCO's mandate.”