World's Most Beautiful Bookshops: A Literary Travel Guide
'A town isn't a town without a bookstore. It may call itself a town, but unless it's got a bookstore, it knows it's not foolin' a soul.' These words from Neil Gaiman's 2001 novel American Gods might seem nostalgic in an era of audiobooks, e-readers, and social media. Yet, far from being relics of the past, bookshops are thriving, fueled by book-inspired travel and trends like BookTok, which have sparked a resurgence in reading and sales.
Why Bookshops Matter More Than Ever
Visiting a bookshop might not top your travel itinerary, but skipping them means missing out on cultural gems. Globally, these literary hotspots offer cosy hideaways for bookworms and provide genuine insights into local communities. Often housed in architecturally stunning buildings, they rival major tourist attractions, serving as crown jewels in many cities.
With World Book Day approaching on Thursday, March 5, it's an ideal time to delve into some of the world's most glamorous, intricately designed, and ingenious bookshops. Here's our guide to the most beautiful ones, including seven easily accessible in the UK.
Livraria Lello, Porto, Portugal
Livraria Lello & Irmão, commonly known as the Lello Bookshop, is renowned for its eye-catching building, featuring an ornate staircase, stained glass windows, and golden ceilings. Built in 1906, it's packed with unique architectural details and hosts exhibitions on everything from precious jewels to rare luxury books. Often dubbed the 'prettiest bookshop in the world,' it recently became a national monument in Portugal and is set to close temporarily for preservation works.
Word on the Water, London, UK
Word on the Water, also known as the London Bookbarge, is a quirky bookshop located on a barge on Regent's Canal in King's Cross. Discovered by accident by many tourists and locals, it offers a unique browsing experience, especially in summer. Inside, quaint furnishings create arguably the cosiest spot in London, making it a must-visit for literary enthusiasts.
Cărturești Carusel, Bucharest, Romania
In Bucharest, Cărturești Carusel aims to make reading 'cool' again with its inviting space for meetings, displays, fragrant teas, music, book launches, and exhibitions. Visitors praise its storybook feel, with white spiral staircases, open balconies, and soft light. It's not just a shop but an experience, complete with a café offering views over the magical space.
Barter Books, Alnwick, UK
Set inside a former Victorian railway station in Alnwick, Northumberland, Barter Books is unique with restored station features, open fires, and a model railway running above the shelves. Perfect for browsing second-hand books, it also includes The Station Buffet and an ice cream parlour for refreshments.
Daunt Books, London, UK
Daunt Books is a household name for London bookworms, known for its popular tote bags and old-school London ambience. Founded in 1990 by a former banker, it originally specialised in travel books but now sells popular fiction and mainstream titles across its branches.
Livraria Ler Devagar, Lisbon, Portugal
Located in Lisbon's LX Factory, Livraria Ler Devagar is decorated with street art and graffiti, resembling an underground nightclub. It's a vibrant hub with rows of books, popular among young people, and also features vinyl records, vintage DVDs, and memorabilia.
Shakespeare & Co, Paris, France
Shakespeare & Co in Paris is an iconic English bookshop near Notre-Dame, often with queues of excited tourists. A meeting spot for English-speaking readers and writers, it includes an attached café for sweet treats.
Hatchards, London, UK
Founded in 1797, Hatchards is the UK's oldest bookshop, featuring beautiful historic interiors and endless floors. Located in the heart of London, it holds the credential of being the official bookseller to the royal household.
Maison Assouline, London, UK
Maison Assouline in St James's, Piccadilly, blends an upmarket cocktail bar with a bookshop, offering elegant coffee-table books, Assouline brand releases, and rare first editions. The Swans Bar provides a pricy but incomparable ambience.
El Ateneo Grand Splendid, Buenos Aires, Argentina
El Ateneo Grand Splendid in Buenos Aires is housed in a former theatre/cinema, filled with around 120,000 books. It retains original frescoed ceilings and ornate carvings, with a bar on the former stage for coffee in unique surroundings.
Boekhandel Dominicanen, Maastricht, Netherlands
Boekhandel Dominicanen is located inside a 13th-century Gothic Dominican church in Maastricht, creating a jaw-dropping impression. Voted the most beautiful bookshop in the world by TimeOut, it offers books and coffee in a magical setting.
Leakey's Bookshop, Inverness, Scotland
Leakey's Bookshop in Inverness is Scotland's largest second-hand bookstore, housed in an old church with stained glass windows and a wood-burning stove. With over 100,000 books, it's a perfect spot for literary enthusiasts.
Open Door Bookshop, Rome, Italy
Open Door Bookshop in Rome offers titles in English, Italian, and French with a quaint, vintage feel. Located in Trastevere, it's a far cry from chain bookstores and praised for its diverse range of books at reasonable prices.
The English Bookshop, Rabat, Morocco
Rabat's English Bookshop is a hidden gem on a side-street near Rabat Ville train station, with a chaotic display of books and a friendly owner. It provides cultural insights into the Moroccan capital, ideal when combined with a visit to nearby Boho Café.
Richard Booth's Bookshop, Hay-on-Wye, Wales
Located in Hay-on-Wye, the UK's first 'Book Town,' Richard Booth's Bookshop features a charming tiled exterior and inviting interior with high ceilings. It offers new and second-hand books, plus arts and crafts supplies, perfect for a tranquil break.
The Last Bookstore, Los Angeles, US
The Last Bookstore in downtown Los Angeles is California's largest new and used book and record store, housed in a former bank with a 22,000-square-foot space. With maze-like interiors and a 'book alleyway,' it's a unique must-visit spot.
From historic landmarks to modern hubs, these bookshops prove that reading and physical spaces for books are far from dead. As World Book Day approaches, consider exploring these literary treasures—time to get reading!
