Best Travel Pictorial Reference Books of 2025

Wilson Cook Avatar
Wilson Cook
Last Updated: May 10, 2023

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Travel pictorial reference books are an essential tool for any traveler looking to explore new destinations. These books feature stunning photographs and detailed information about the history, culture, and attractions of various cities and countries around the world. They are a great resource for planning a trip or simply learning more about a place before visiting. Whether you are interested in architecture, food, or natural landscapes, there is a travel pictorial reference book for you. These books offer a visual and informative way to experience the world and make a great addition to any travel library.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

Gray Malin: Coastal Cover#TOP 1
Gray Malin: Coastal
ftb score rating icon9.9
Destinations of a Lifetime: 225 of the World's Most Amazing Places Cover#TOP 2
Destinations of a Lifetime: 225 of the World's Most Amazing Places
ftb score rating icon9.8
Accidentally Wes Anderson Cover#TOP 3
Accidentally Wes Anderson
ftb score rating icon9.6

Top 10 Travel Pictorial Reference Books

Malin, Gray
May 9, 2023
Gray Malin: Coastal Cover
Gray Malin: Coastal
ftb score rating icon9.9
FTB Score

Gray Malin's Coastal is a breathtaking collection of aerial beach photography, featuring coastal locations from around the world. This book showcases never-before-published photographs of beaches in the United States, Hawaii, and international destinations such as Australia, New Zealand, and Thailand. Malin takes readers on a journey to the secluded, celebrated, and enchanting beaches of the world. Fans of Malin's previous book, Beaches, will love this new installment. The book is a must-have for travel photography enthusiasts and anyone who loves the beauty of beaches.

Destinations of a Lifetime: 225 of the World's Most Amazing Places

National Geographic
National Geographic
Oct 27, 2015
Destinations of a Lifetime: 225 of the World's Most Amazing Places Cover
Destinations of a Lifetime: 225 of the World's Most Amazing Places
ftb score rating icon9.8
FTB Score

The book "Destinations of a Lifetime: 225 of the World's Most Amazing Places" by National Geographic is a visual treat for travel enthusiasts. The book features stunning photographs taken by world-class photographers, showcasing both natural and man-made wonders of the world. The hard service information provided for each location, including when to go, where to eat, where to stay, and what to do, makes it a valuable reference for planning your next trip. The book's breathtaking images and practical travel information make it a must-have for armchair travelers and those looking to explore the world.

Koval, Wally
Anderson, Wes
Voracious
Oct 20, 2020
Accidentally Wes Anderson Cover
Accidentally Wes Anderson
ftb score rating icon9.6
FTB Score

The book "Accidentally Wes Anderson" is a visual journey of more than 200 stunning and unique destinations from around the world that capture the imagined worlds of the legendary filmmaker Wes Anderson. Fueled by distinctive design, stunning photography, and unexpected narratives, this book is a passport to inspiration and adventure. The author, Wally Koval, presents each location with fascinating human stories behind each façade. The book is authorized by Wes Anderson himself, making it a must-have for modern travelers and fans of Anderson's distinctive aesthetic. Overall, "Accidentally Wes Anderson" is a delightful and unique book that offers a fresh perspective on the world around us.

#TOP 4

The Travel Book: A Journey Through Every Country in the World (Lonely Planet)

Lonely Planet
Lonely Planet
Nov 30, 2021
The Travel Book: A Journey Through Every Country in the World (Lonely Planet) Cover
The Travel Book: A Journey Through Every Country in the World (Lonely Planet)
ftb score rating icon9.4
FTB Score

The Travel Book: A Journey Through Every Country in the World (Lonely Planet) is a comprehensive guide that takes readers on a journey through every country in the world. The fourth edition features all-new profiles for each country, complete with details on when to visit, what to see and do, and how to learn more about the country's culture. The book is filled with stunning photography that depicts life in each nation, accompanied by colorful and detailed mapping. This 416-page hardback package is an excellent gift for travel enthusiasts and will undoubtedly inspire wanderlust.

Malin, Gray
Abrams
May 14, 2019
Gray Malin: Italy Cover
Gray Malin: Italy
ftb score rating icon9.4
FTB Score

Gray Malin: Italy is a stunning portrayal of the Italian coastline through the lens of fine-art photographer Gray Malin. The book features never-before-seen images of the country’s famous destinations, highlighting the Riviera's luxurious lifestyle and the beauty of the beaches, coasts, and landscapes. Malin captures the essence of the Italian Dolce Vita, showcasing retro beach umbrellas, luxury motorboats, and happy beachgoers. The book is a perfect addition to any coffee table and a must-have for travel photography enthusiasts. Overall, Gray Malin: Italy is a beautiful and unique book that transports the reader to the picturesque Italian coastline.

Let's Get Lost: the world's most stunning remote locations

Beales, Finn
Nov 2, 2021
Let's Get Lost: the world's most stunning remote locations Cover
Let's Get Lost: the world's most stunning remote locations
ftb score rating icon9.4
FTB Score

Let's Get Lost is a stunning collection of landscape photography that showcases some of the most remote and breathtaking locations around the world. Curated by award-winning photographer Finn Beales, this book features over 200 captivating shots that will ignite your wanderlust and inspire you to explore off-the-beaten-path destinations. From rugged mountain landscapes to expansive wildernesses, the book captures the essence of adventure and natural beauty. The unique stories and little-known locations shared by the featured photographers make this book a must-have for all armchair travelers and photography enthusiasts.

#TOP 7

Palm Beach

Lauder, Aerin
Assouline Publishing
Sep 1, 2019
Palm Beach Cover
Palm Beach
ftb score rating icon9.4
FTB Score

Assouline Publishing's Palm Beach is a travel pictorial reference book that takes readers on a journey through the history and allure of this luxurious destination. The book explores how Palm Beach evolved from a modest community to an iconic American destination, frequented by British royalty and American movie stars. Written by Aerin Lauder, a modern-day style icon and founder of luxury lifestyle brand AERIN, the book features breathtaking photography and elegant storytelling. Overall, Palm Beach is a must-have for anyone who appreciates old-world glamour and new-world sophistication.

1,000 Places to See Before You Die (Deluxe Edition): The World as You've Never Seen It Before

Schultz, Patricia
Artisan
Oct 29, 2019
1,000 Places to See Before You Die (Deluxe Edition): The World as You've Never Seen It Before Cover
1,000 Places to See Before You Die (Deluxe Edition): The World as You've Never Seen It Before
ftb score rating icon9.4
FTB Score

The Deluxe Edition of "1,000 Places to See Before You Die" is a stunning visual journey through the world's most beautiful destinations. With over 1,000 new photographs and 544 pages, this book is a feast for the eyes. Patricia Schultz takes readers on a journey filled with joy, curiosity, awe, and inspiration. The book showcases mesmerizing photographs of spectacular places and holds just enough of Schultz's lively text to keep readers engaged. This book is perfect for every traveler, dreamer, and anyone who wants to be inspired to see the world's wonders.

Malin, Gray
Malin, Gray
Abrams
Oct 3, 2017
Escape Cover
Escape
ftb score rating icon9.2
FTB Score

Escape by Gray Malin is a collection of stunning photographs that take readers beyond the beaches and into exotic locations around the world. With over 22 destinations across 11 countries, Malin's sharp eye captures the exuberant colors and striking forms that make each location so unique. The book also includes highlights from Malin's conceptual photography, offering a comprehensive look at the photographer's desire to showcase the beauty he sees in the world. Escape is a celebration of light, shadow, and absolute bliss, inspiring every lover of travel and exploration to plan an escape of their own.

Connecticut Gardens: A Celebration of the State's Historic, Public, and Private Gardens

Davis, Caryn B.
May 1, 2023
Connecticut Gardens: A Celebration of the State's Historic, Public, and Private Gardens Cover
Connecticut Gardens: A Celebration of the State's Historic, Public, and Private Gardens
ftb score rating icon9.1
FTB Score

Connecticut Gardens is a captivating book that showcases the beauty of historic, public, and private gardens in Connecticut. The book features stunning photographs and informative text that highlights the stories, inspirations, and designs behind these breathtaking gardens. Readers will learn about notable luminaries such as Frederick Law Olmsted, Gertrude Jekyll, and Beatrix Farrand, who have contributed to Connecticut's garden landscape. With its lush photography and engaging content, Connecticut Gardens is an excellent guide for discovering new gardens to explore. Overall, this book is a must-read for anyone who appreciates the beauty of gardens and wants to learn more about Connecticut's rich garden history.

Buying Guide Image
Editor's Notes

During our travel pictorial reference book research, we found 1,000+ travel pictorial reference book products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 64,803 customer reviews through our big data system to write the travel pictorial reference books list. We found that most customers choose travel pictorial reference books with an average price of $24.24.

Written by
Wilson Cook Avatar

Wilson Cook is a talented writer who has an MFA in creative writing from Williams College and has published more than 50 books acquired by hundreds of thousands of people from various countries by now. He is an inveterate reading lover as he has read a vast amount of books since childhood.