40 Of The Best Coffee Table Books For Travel And Adventure

January 7, 2022
pineapples at a market stall in Thailand.

Let’s face it, good travel coffee table books are the perfect way to brighten up your abode aren’t they? And when we can’t travel, home is where we spend most of our time. These coffee table books all about travel are the perfect way to satisfy that wanderlust when we can’t be jetting away somewhere.

Covering adventures for everything epic road trips, to cool surf breaks, and from cabins in the wilderness to lively street food markets, these coffee table books about travel and adventure are the oh-so-beautiful addition you need to your home.

40 Travel Coffee Table Books You Need In Your Home

1. Poolside with Slim Aarons

Poolside

See how the other half live with a selection of colourful images from photographer Slim Aarons who was given access to some of the world’s most exclusive pools in the fifties, sixties, seventies, and eighties. The perfect travel photography book to escape into.

Buy Poolside

Price from £9.99

2. Off The Grid: Houses For Escape 

Off The Grid

Escape into the wild with an insight into how these off-grid homes connects with the world in some of the most remote locations. These houses for escape show how we can survive off renewable energy while  living in style at the same time.

Buy Off The Grid: Houses For Escape

Price from £14.35

3. Chic Stays

Chic Stays - A Travel Coffee Table Book

35 personal tales from actors, musicians, writers and models about their favourite hotel locations around the world. Some of these places might be out of reach for most of us but it’s nice to dream right?

Buy Chic Stays

Price from £45

4. Cabin Porn: Inspiration For Your Quiet Place Somewhere

Cabin Porn

From the people behind the popular tumblr site, “Cabin Porn”, this book shows a collection of incredible photographs of gorgeous cabins around the world. Slow down and let this book inspire you to live the simple life you’ve always dreamt of. 

Buy Cabin Porn: Inspiration For Your Quiet Place Somewhere

Price from £23.74

5. The Borough Market Cookbook

The Borough Market Cookbook

One of the most lively places in London, this cookbook will take you on a tour through the seasons of Borough Market. Recipes alongside beautiful photography with tips and stories from Borough Market traders, makes this a must have book for food and travel lovers. 

Buy The Borough Market Cookbook

Price from £16.74

6. Epic Hikes Of The World

Epic Hikes Of The World, a travel coffee table book by Lonely Planet

Lonely Planet have created a great hiking coffee table book in Epic Hikes Of The World. With 50 hiking routes in 30 countries, this book features one day hikes as well as mega long through-hikes. Get your walking boots on and tackle any of these for a good walk. 

Buy Epic Hikes Of The World

Price from £14.46

7. The New Camp Cookbook: Gourmet Grub For Campers Road Trippers and Adventurers

The New Camp Cookbook

A good camping trip should always involve good food and this book is ideal for adventurers wanting delicious grub in the outdoors. 

Buy The New Camp Cookbook

Price from £11.69

8. Tiny House: Live Small, Dream Big

Tiny House

250 tiny homes all over the world which will show you that having less, really is more. From remote eco cabins in Patagonia or a tree house in the wilderness of Montana, this book is perfect for those cosy indoor days by the fire. 

Buy Tiny House: Live Small, Dream Big

Price from £11.99

9. All The Buildings Of Sydney

All The Buildings of Sydney

This city captures the hearts of most of its visitors – and if you fall, you fall hook line and sinker for its charm. Sydney resident James Gulliver Hancock captures the city with his detailed drawings and tales of the city he calls home.

Buy All The Buildings Of Sydney

Price from £19.24

10. Ibiza Bohemia

Ibiza Bohemia

Ibiza is known for its hedonistic nightlife, peaceful yoga retreats, cooler than cool beach bars and its hippie lifestyle. This coffee table travel book explores the island in all its forms.

Buy Ibiza Bohemia

Price from £60

Read more: Ibiza holiday inspiration from Paper Planes + Caramel Waffles

11. Hong Kong Diner

Hong Kong Diner

Hong Kong is a city with some of the world’s most incredible food and this book captures its diverse style with over 70 recipes. From street food to bao buns, Hong Kong food is brought to life with vibrant photography and exploration of the city’s history and culture which has influenced the food scene of modern day Hong Kong. 

Buy Hong Kong Diner

Price from £11.55

12. Pretty City London: Discovering London’s Beautiful Places

Pretty City London

It’s easy to stick to London’s main hotspots when visiting the UK’s capital but if you go beyond the famous landmarks, the city will show you its secluded mews and cute coffee shops. This book will tell you exactly where to go to find the tree lined streets and quiet moments of London you might not find otherwise – perfect if you’re wanting to curate your own photo tour of the city.

Buy Pretty City London: Discovering London’s Beautiful Places

Price from £12.54

13. Pretty City New York: Discovering New York’s Beautiful Places

Pretty City New York

Hop across the pond and discover the hidden streets of New York with this New York coffee table book. You don’t often think of quiet streets when you think of the bustling city of New York but this book is full of them. Perfect for the photographers wanting to capture a different side to this city.

Buy Pretty City New York: Discovering New York’s Beautiful Places

Price from £12.54

14. Wanderlust: Hiking On Legendary Trails

Wanderlust Hiking Trails

Walking routes with practical tips, maps, and beautiful landscape photography will make you want to get outdoors asap. The question is, which of these legendary routes will you want to hike first? 

Buy Wanderlust: Hiking on Legendary Trails

Price from £27.46

15. The Best Unique Hotels and Retreats

Boutique Hotels and Retreats

Over 300 pages of boutique stays and luxurious accommodation will make you want to save up every penny. From safari lodges to ocean retreats, this travel coffee table book is the finest inspiration for that special holiday! 

Buy The Best Unique Hotels and Retreats

Price from £36.74

16. The Cities Book

The Cities Book

Lonely Planet have brought together a pile of information to celebrate 200 of the world’s most exciting cities. If you’re mad on city breaks but not sure where to go next, this one is for you. The book even breaks down cities into the best for beaches, nightlife, food and more! 

Buy The Cities Book

Price from £22.99

17. NYT: 36 Hours In Europe

NYT 36 Hours in Europe

The world’s second smallest continent sure packs a punch with the amount of cities you can explore. With 130 expert itineraries, this book is a must for travel inspiration and to help you plan your next European city break! 

Buy NYT: 36 Hours In Europe

Price from £17.98

18. Photographs From The Edge

Photographs from the Edge, a travel coffee table book that you need in your life.

With a forty year photography career, Art Wolfe talks about the stories and techniques behind capturing some of the most incredible shots from around the world where light, subject and circumstance combine to create an unforgettable image.

Buy Photographs From The Edge

Price from £18.19

19. Food Trails: 52 Perfect Weekends In The World’s Tastiest Destinations

52 Food Trails

A perfect read for those of us with limited time thanks to full time jobs or for those that are travelling somewhere for a short time but want to try all the food possible. If your main focus is food when planning your travels, this travel coffee table book is a must have with countries such as New Zealand, Vietnam and Spain all included. 

Buy Food Trails 52 Perfect Weekends In The World’s Tastiest Destinations

Price from £12.58

20. Humans Of New York

Humans of New York

Armed with just a camera and the idea to create a photographic census of New York City in the summer of 2010, Brandon Stanton inadvertently created one of the world’s most well-known Instagram accounts: Humans Of New York. This is one of the best coffee table books out there and celebrates the individuality of the city’s citizens with its personal, heartfelt stories and stunning portrait photographs. 

Buy Humans Of New York

Price from £25.84

21. Mr & Mrs Smith Presents The World’s Sexiest Bedrooms

The World's Sexiest Bedrooms

If you’re treating yourself to a special stay on holiday it can be hard to know where to start. This travel coffee table book will help you choose with its collection of 35 of the world’s sexiest hotel rooms complete with over 300 photos and insider guides on everything you need to know about your stay. 

Buy Mr and Mrs Smith Presents The World’s Sexiest Bedrooms

Price from £12.01

22. Bali Inspiration

Bali Inspired

For a sneak peak into the architechtural work of Popo Danes, this book showcases how nature and buildings can work together in harmony. Inspired by his homeland of Bali, world leading architect, Popo Danes creates inspiring villas, resorts and boutique hotels that transport you to another world. 

Buy Bali Inspiration

Price from £29.01

23. Glasshouse Greenhouse: Haarkon’s World Tour Of Amazing Botanical Spaces 

Glasshouse Greenhouse by Haarkon

What started as a self initiated adventure in Oxford’s Botanical Garden has grown into an adventure around the world searching out the palm houses, private potting sheds, tropical hothouses and green houses in Europe, Asia, America and beyond. Alongside beautiful photography you’ll find chapters divided into History, Specimen, Community, Architecture and more, showcasing the world’s most intriguing greenhouses. 

Buy Glasshouse Greenhouse: Haarkon’s World Tour Of Amazing Botanical Spaces 

Price from £13.55

24. Haarkon Adventures Japan

Japan Adventures by Haarkon

Another beautiful travel coffee table book from Haarkon, this time documenting a journey through Japan, covering Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka and the Kiso Valley. A travel photography book that will look good on your coffee table all year round!

Buy Haarkon Adventures Japan

Price from £15

25. The Bondi Book

The Bondi Book

The legendary Bondi photographer, Eugene Tan of Aquabumps, has been shooting daily on his home beach of Bondi in Sydney, Australia for over 17 years. Over that time, he’s collected hundreds of thousands of photos and the very best of Australia’s most famous beach are in this travel photography book. 

Buy The Bondi Book

Price from AUS$50

26. Vanlife Diaries: Finding Freedom On The Open Road 

Vanlife Diaries

Ever think that vanlife is the life for you? Live vicariously before you take the leap through this book inspired by the Instagram account Vanlife Diaries. Featuring over 200 photographs, vanlifers, their pets, cool van interiors, natural locations all might make you think “Hell yeah, I want to do that”. 

Buy Vanlife Diaries: Finding Freedom On The Open Road 

Price from £13.51

27. Maps

Maps, a coffee table book for travel

This visual book suitable for kids and adults alike is full of gorgeous illustrations of our world. Not only do the maps show borders and neighbouring countries but you’ll discover the geographical, historical and natural features of each region though this visual delight of a book. 

Buy Maps

Price from £9.50

28. The Vanlife Companion

The Vanlife Companion

So you said “yes” to vanlife?  This practical and inspiring guide is a must for your van’s coffee table. Taking you on a journey from choosing your very first van to the best road trips around the world, The Vanlife Companion welcomes everyone into the vanlife movement with tips from vanlife veterans on how to take your life onto the road.

Buy The Vanlife Companion

Price from £10.24

29. Where To Go When

Where To Go When from Lonely Planet

Have you ever struggled with figuring out where the best place is to go and when? This handy coffee table travel book details 30 locations around the world and when is the best time to visit. From city breaks to beach holidays, this book will tell you where to go for the best weather or wildlife watching or for budget. This book is a sure fire winner for those that want to get the most out of every adventure. 

Buy Where To Go When

Price from £11.99

30. Travel Home: Design With A Global Spirit 

Travel Home

I’m sure we’ve all done it. Gone on holiday and come back with a renewed sense of inspiration of how we want to decorate our home. This coffee table book shows you how to do that with stories of how to bring the world into your everyday life with trips from global interior designers who take inspiration from places such as Paris, Marrakech, Cuba, Portugal and Tokyo. 

Buy Travel Home: Design With A Global Spirit 

Price from £21.75

31. Seasons Of New York

Seasons of New York

The city is ever changing and with each season comes a different personality. Taking us from the peaceful ice skating rinks of winter through to the sunny summer in Central Park, this travel coffee table book is a colourful tale of New York City through the seasons.

Buy Seasons Of New York

Price from £11.50

32. The World Atlas Of Coffee: From Beans To Brewing

The World Atlas Of Coffee

From Beans To Brewing – From Bolivia to Zambia, champion barista and coffee expert James Hoffmann, explores coffee from around the world. Taking us through all the processes of harvesting and roasting, this book is for those that want to understand coffee while taking a tour around the world to learn about this wonderful drink.

Buy The World Atlas Of Coffee: From Beans To Brewing

Price from £14.05

33. Beaches

Beaches, a travel coffee table book

From photographer Gray Malin, Beaches is a collection of coastlines around the world captured from above. This visual escape is a gorgeous balance of travel and design, with each photograph oozing adventure and luxury this is the perfect piece of escapism for your coffee table. 

Buy Beaches

Price from £23.77

34. The World Atlas Of Street Food

The World Atlas of Street Food

Street food markets are one way to really get to try local food on your travels. If you’re a fan of the hustle and bustle and the delicious taste of fresh food that’s cooked right in front of you, this book is for you. With street food markets from North America, the Caribbean, Asia, Australasia and more, this colourful guide is the place to consult before travelling to street food markets around the world. 

Buy The World Atlas Of Street Food

Price from £31.01

35. Green Escapes: The Guide To Secret Urban Gardens

Green Escapes

Cities aren’t places where you’d expect a little oasis of green to appear. But, there are many urban areas with green spaces and gardens that provide busy communities with a calming area to relax and enjoy a small bit of nature. Featuring 150 places across the world, this is the perfect coffee table book for travellers seeking solace in the city. 

Buy Green Escapes: The Guide To Secret Urban Gardens

Price from £4

36. Surf Shacks: An Eclectic Compilation Of Creative Surfer’s Homes from Coast to Coast and Overseas

Surf Shacks

Envy those that live the laid back surfing lifestyle? Take a peek into the lives of those that live their days on the waves and where they spend the time in between each surf. From Hawaii to Japan, Surf Shacks takes us on a tour of the world through surfing communities living the cool life. 

Buy Surf Shacks: An Eclectic Compilation Of Creative Surfer’s Homes from Coast to Coast and Overseas

Price from £28.98

37. Ultimate Travel: Our List Of The 500 Best Places To See

Ultimate Travel

You’ll never be short of travel inspiration with this travel coffee table book. Sights and attractions around the world is a fantastic bucket list of where to visit around the world. The problem is, which place do you choose first? 

Buy Ultimate Travel: Out List Of The 500 Best Places To See

Price from £18.16

38. Incredible Waves: An Appreciation Of Perfect Surf 

Incredible Waves

The hypnotic nature of the ocean is captured through these breathtaking images from 20 surf photographers around the world. From big wave breaks such as Pipeline and Cloudbreak, photos are alongside essays about Mother Nature, the very thing that creates these magnificent images. 

Buy Incredible Waves: An Appreciation Of Perfect Surf 

Price from £27.78

39. Slow Travel: Reconnection With The World At Your Own Pace

Slow Travel

The world we live in is full of temptations to see everything quick but sometimes it’s best to go at a slower pace. This coffee table book will guide you to do just that, to explore the world on your own terms

Buy Slow Travel: Reconnection With The World At Your Own Pace

Price from £27.78

40. The New Outsiders: A Creative Life Outdoors

Do you call the outdoors your second home? The adventurers in this book are free spirits and mavericks determined to strive forward with innovative ideas and to show us that the wilderness can offer something to everyone.

Buy The New Outsiders: A Creative Life Outdoors

Price from £27.78

Here are 40 of the best travel coffee table books for your home. Each and every one will inspire wanderlust and let you travel the world from your sofa. From treehouse cabins to great road trips around the world, these travel coffee table books are something you need in your life while we're in lockdown!

What travel coffee table books do you have at home? Are there any you would recommend?

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Hey, I’m Emma!

It’s great to meet you!

This is a travel and lifestyle blog that inspires you adventurous souls to explore the world when you’re not sat behind a desk working the 9 to 5…

Having a career is great. It’s what many of us do but there’s a whole world out there that we’re eager to explore too, right?

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