Most Beautiful Bookstores in the World
Where can you find the most beautiful bookstores in the world?
As someone whose two biggest (and basically only) hobbies in life are traveling and reading, I love finding beautiful bookstores in destinations around the world. Every time I travel somewhere new, I always make a point to check out local bookstores —and I’ve discovered some truly stunning ones over the years.
Below I’ve rounded up the most beautiful bookstores in the world, of the ones I’ve personally visited so far. I have plenty of others on my list, and I’ll continue expanding this guide as I visit new bookstores.
Here’s a look at some of the prettiest bookstores worldwide that you need to visit:
Daunt Books in London, England
Daunt Books is a place I always make sure to visit when I’m in London. The original location in Marylebone, which opened in 1990, is housed in a former Edwardian bookshop. Daunt Books originally specialized in travel books, and still has a huge selection of them, but you’ll also find books from other genres.
There are several other Daunt Books locations around London now, but the one in Marylebone is my favorite, with its period details, balconies, skylighted ceilings, and many rooms full of books.
Address: 84 Marylebone High Street, London, United Kingdom
Topping & Company in Edinburgh, Scotland
Another great bookstore in the UK is Topping & Company in Edinburgh, Scotland. This cozy bookstore has two floors filled with books, spilling off the shelves and tables into stacks on the floor.
There are rolling library ladders to help you reach the top rows of books, and there are plenty of places to sit and read. On a chilly day in Edinburgh, you can easily pass some time in this charming bookstore.
Address: 2 Blenheim Place, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
Livraria Lello in Porto, Portugal
Livraria Lello is one of the most magical bookstores in the world — and the most crowded. This ornate and whimsical bookstore is famous for having allegedly inspired J.K. Rowling when she was living in Porto and teaching English, before she moved back to the UK and started writing Harry Potter.
If you want to visit Livraria Lello, you need to book an entry ticket. I recommend buying the “priority” ticket, which gets you to the front of the line and includes a voucher for a book. You should also book the first available time slot in the morning. The crowds make it a bit less magical, but it’s still worth it!
Address: Rua das Carmelitas 144, Porto, Portugal
Carturesti Carusel in Bucharest, Romania
One of the most striking bookstores in the world is Carturesti Carusel. Located in Bucharest, this bookstore features several expansive floors of books and airy, dreamy details that will delight you.
Although most of the books here are in Romanian, there’s also a small English language section. And there are several other Carturesti locations around Bucharest that are also worth visiting. Carturesti Verona and Carturesti Modul are nearby and have very different vibes, but are also quite beautiful.
Address: Strada Lipscani 55, Bucharest, Romania
Related: Carturesti Carusel in Bucharest, Romania
Libreria Acqua Alta in Venice, Italy
One of the most unique bookstores I’ve ever been to is Libreria Acqua Alta. This used bookstore is situated canal-side in Venice, and sometimes part of it even gets flooded a few inches during the acqua alta — the phenomenon the bookstore is named for, which refers to a period of rising waters in Venice.
Books are stacked haphazardly throughout the store, including in a giant gondola in the middle of the floor. Outside, there’s a tower of old books that you can climb (it’s a popular photo op.)
Address: Calle Longa Santa Maria Formosa 5176b, Venice, Italy
Shakespeare and Company in Paris, France
Shakespeare and Company has always been one of my favorite bookstores. When I lived in Paris as a student, I used to pop into this bookstore all the time because I lived just a few minutes away. It’s gotten very popular the last few times I’ve been in Paris, and there’s now often a line to enter the bookstore.
Inside, you’ll find a series of rooms crammed with books, including an upstairs room overlooking the Seine River and Notre Dame. This bookstore has been a Paris institution for a long time. The original shop opened in 1919, and the current iteration opened in this location in 1951. It’s absolutely worth a visit!
Address: 37 Rue de la Bûcherie, Paris, France
Related: Shakespeare and Company in Paris, France
Ler Devagar in Lisbon, Portugal
I’ve already mentioned one famous and beautiful bookstore in Portugal, but another one that you shouldn’t miss is Ler Devagar in Lisbon. This bright and airy bookstore is in the LX Factory art center.
It’s a quirky bookstore in a former factory space, with two floors of wall-to-wall books. The focal point in this bookstore is the installation of a woman on a flying bicycle hanging from the ceiling.
Address: Rua Rodrigues de Faria 103 – G 0.3, Lisbon, Portugal
Barter Books in Alnwick, England
Barter Books is one of the most enchanting bookstores I’ve ever been to. Part of its charm is the fact that I stumbled upon it completely by surprise while visiting the small town of Alnwick in Northumberland. I was there to visit Alnwick Castle, and I’d never actually heard of Barter Books before.
It turns out it’s very famous, and one of the largest secondhand bookstores in the world, occupying a former Victorian train station. Despite the expansive space and endless shelves of books, it feels very cozy. There’s a cafe, plenty of comfortable seating, and model trains running all around the space.
Address: Alnwick Station, Alnwick, United Kingdom
Albertine in New York, United States
There are many beautiful bookstores in NYC, and as a native New Yorker, I’ve been to almost all of them. But if I had to choose just one favorite, it would be Albertine, located on the Upper East Side.
This gorgeous bookstore across from Central Park is operated by the Cultural Services of the French Embassy and features French language books, as well as works translated into English. The highlight of the bookstore is the second floor, where the ceiling is adorned with a mural of stars and constellations.
Address: 972 5th Avenue, New York, NY, United States
Related: 11 Best Bookstores in New York City
El Ateneo Grand Splendid in Buenos Aires, Argentina
El Ateneo Grand Splendid is an awe-inspiring bookstore in Buenos Aires. Housed in a historic theatre from 1919, this stunning bookstore has multiple floors of books and plenty of original period details.
On the stage of the theatre, there’s a cafe serving classic Argentinian dishes. Although most of the books here are Spanish language, there is a small section where you can find English language books.
Address: Avenida Santa Fe 1860, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Related: El Ateneo Grand Splendid in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Librería Más Puro Verso in Montevideo, Uruguay
Another bookstore I loved in South America is Librería Más Puro Verso in Montevideo. This is actually the sister store to Librería Puro Verso, which is also worth a visit while you’re in the city.
It’s more modern and industrial, while this secondary location is housed in a grand historic building with high ceilings and balconies. On the second floor, there’s also a lovely and delicious cafe.
Address: Sarandí 675, Montevideo, Uruguay
Most Beautiful Bookstores in the World
This guide showed you some of the most beautiful bookstores in the world.
I’ll continue to add to this list as I visit more bookstores in new destinations, but for now, these are my favorites of the places I’ve visited. Any bibliophile is sure to fall in love with these bookstores.
If you ever find yourself in one of these destinations, don’t miss these beautiful bookstores!
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