The BookTok Guide to Travel: ACOTAR Edition
Ever wish you could step inside A Court of Thorns and Roses? From Velaris to the Summer Court, this BookTok-inspired guide brings the magic to life—no winnowing required.
Okay, let’s be honest. We are ALL obsessed with A Court of Thornes and Roses. I mean, who wouldn’t be? You’ve got adventure, romance, and literally the best book boyfriends ever written. Like this series is the BLUEPRINT for the modern fantasy renaissance. But sometimes, a book just isn’t enough. They get you so enraptured and obsessed that once done, the question in everyone’s head is, “what’s next?” Is it another book? A TV show? How can I ever fill this void?? The answer is—you go there.
So…what if you could?
I have taken it upon myself to extensively research (read: reread all the books multiple times) and map out a travel guide that takes us straight to Prythian. Spoiler alert: Switzerland.
Here’s a slightly-over-the-top breakdown of ACOTAR (Swiss themed), no magic required (but highly encouraged).
Velaris: Zermatt
This is the obvious one. Sarah J. Maas has said it herself that Velaris was heavily based on Zermatt, and it is literally identical. Nestled in the shadow of the Matterhorn (Illyrian Mountains) it’s car-free, quiet, and is a dead ringer for the night court.
You can wander cobbled streets, stop in alpine cafés, and take a cable car up to the Glacier Paradise (the closest you’ll ever get to flying Illyrian-style). I’m telling you, you will leave here thinking, “Velaris is real.”
In Zermatt:
- To get something from Feyre’s Art Gallery: Andy's Musikshop
- Rita’s IRL: Stop in to literally any bar in Zermatt and it will feel like Rita’s, but my favorite would be Alex Lounge Bar & Fumoir or the Brown Cow.
- To feel like you’re looking out from The House of Wind: Zermatt Matterhorn Viewpoint
The Summer Court: Chillon Castle + Montreux
If you’re looking for your Summer Court moment, it’s here. Chillon Castle sits right on the edge of Lake Geneva and gives little mermaid x Tarquin vibes. Walking through the castle, you can absolutely imagine what it would be like to host a Summer Court celebration here.
Just down the road is Montreux, a lakeside town with palm trees (IN SWITZERLAND???), with vintage jazz bars, and lots of sun.
The Spring Court: Meggenhorn Castle
The Spring Court has always been… interesting. But trust, there will be NO tamlins allowed. Meggenhorn Castle is a stunning castle perched above Lake Lucerne, surrounded by rose gardens and green hills. Now tell me that isn’t the Spring Court. At first glance, it’s perfect. Too perfect. EXACTLY why I picked it.
Walking around the grounds, breathing in flowers, and admiring the castle’s fairytale spires feels a little too still—like maybe there’s more going on beneath the surface. You’ll walk in here and genuinely feel like you just crossed the wall to the Spring Court.
Illyrian Mountains: Swiss Alps
The Swiss Alps are every bit the Illyrian training ground of your dreams (minus the winged warriors, sadly).
The hiking trails here have glacier-fed lakes and a world of white peaks. Fully expect to convince yourself you are seeing Azriel from the shadows, but unfortunately, he’s not there.
Bonus moments that feel so ACOTAR
- Stargazing in Zermatt: No light pollution. Just stars. So many stars. There is a reason this is the city of starlight.
- Drinking red wine by a fire in Lucerne: Cozy, very Inner Circle, very Rita’s.
- Reading in a train car as it curved through the Alps: Pages open, mountains rushing by. Only correct option…ACOMAF.
The A Court of Thorns and Roses series isn’t just one of the best BookTok books out there, it’s a cornerstone of the new age of reading. And Switzerland? Every castle, every peak, every lake feels like stepping into a world that’s just a little bit more magical than our own.
So, if you're searching for the best gift for book lovers, give them this—their favorite place, IRL. Whether it's for your next solo trip or your book club’s dream getaway, this is a journey worth taking.
Book in one hand. Passport in the other. To the stars who listen, always. (Duh.)
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