Looking for the best bookstores in Prague? Explore 11 unforgettable spots, from cozy hidden corners to grand literary landmarks every book lover must visit.
Recognized as a City of Literature by UNESCO, Prague’s sheer density of bookstores make choosing which to visit a challenge; but hey, that’s what top recommended lists are for.
Shakespeare and Sons
Though not spacious, Shakespeare and Sons is chock-full of character, with posters plastered on the walls and wine bottles lining shelves. Inside, you can find a wide range of English and French books, including fiction, nonfiction, classics, and local interest titles.
The shop is known for its homey, inviting atmosphere, complete with a comfy reading area made up of plush armchairs and a sofa arranged around a coffee table. It’s a great place to browse, relax, and simply enjoy the passage of time, surrounded by books.
Globe Bookstore and Café
Founded in 1993, Globe Bookstore and Café is one of Prague’s biggest English-language bookstores, offering a curated selection of over 10,000 books for all ages and interests. With a café serving tasty coffee and American-style brunch, it has a casual, laid-back atmosphere, the perfect recipe for a casual hangout.
As an added bonus, this book café is the playing ground for loads of fun events, like themed brunches (most recently, an Easter brunch and an ABBA brunch), quiz nights, and book signings.
Book Therapy
For peak modern design that’ll make you feel you’re floating on a cloud, head to Book Therapy. This zen space is best known for its curated selection of English books and magazines covering a bit of everything, but is best known for children’s books and topics on self-help and design. The store emphasizes quality over quantity, displaying each book face-forward for easy browsing in a minimalist white space.
Book Therapy got its name from its belief in using books as therapy, creating a relaxing atmosphere where they also serve coffee and tea.
Academia Bookshop (Knihkupectví Academia)
This spacious, bi-level bookstore is renowned for its vast array of academic works, non-fiction, and Czech literature, including a lot of translations into English. Founded in 1953 by the Czech Academy of Sciences, it serves as both a major publisher and a cultural institution.
The shop features an upstairs café with a terrace serving desserts and coffee, making it a favorite spot for reading and relaxation.
Palác knih Luxor
Standing as the largest bookstore in Prague, this bookshop spans four floors packed with books in multiple languages across all genres and topics, fiction and nonfiction alike. There are many titles in English, as well as Czech, French, and German. The store also offers a broad selection of stationery and other goods, like postcards and collectibles.
Once you’ve snagged your book (or let’s be real, books) of choice, you can kick back at the on-site café for a quiet respite.
Univerzita Karlova – Knihkupectví Karolinum
Deep in Prague’s historic Old Town is Univerzita Karlova – Knihkupectví Karolinum, the official bookstore of Charles University. It specializes in academic and scholarly publications, including textbooks, research works, and literature from the university’s Karolinum Press, with selections available in both Czech and English.
The shop is housed in a beautiful historic building and serves students as well as the public. Its central location and broad academic focus make it a magnet for intellectuals and academics across the city.
K-A-V-K-A
Artists will love this. K-A-V-K-A specializes in books and magazines on art, architecture, design, and photography with often unique and rare books. Most works are in Czech, but you can find a few titles in English, German, and Japanese.
The store has a calming, spacious interior, staffed by art enthusiasts proudly introduced on K-A-V-K-A’s website. Besides books, it also sells original works by Czech artists, mainly graphics, drawings, and occasionally paintings and sculptures. The store sometimes hosts exhibitions as well.
Knihkupectví Megabooks
A popular bookstore chain in Prague, Knihkupectví Megabooks offers a huge selection of books, including children’s literature, fiction, and educational books, plus some games (both board games and computer games). They also offer books in multiple languages as well, including English and French. It’s an especially nice place for students, who can get discounts if they provide a valid student ID.
The location on Korunni, in particular, has a lot of great reviews about helpful staff and top-notch selections.
Kant Antikvariat
This secondhand bookstore focuses on old, used, and out-of-print books, but also carries a decent assortment of vintage decorative prints, photographs, maps, and other collectibles. While most of the collection is in Czech, there are a few items in other languages here and there, though as can be expected of any secondhand store, the stock and availability fluctuate over time.
The shop is the kind that invites leisurely browsing, filled to the brim with fascinating curios. The owner is friendly and laid back, happy to answer any questions guests might have, and has a deep love of antiquarian literature.
Franz Kafka Bookstore
Not to be confused with the Franz Kafka Museum, the Franz Kafka Bookstore can be found in Prague’s Jewish Quarter. It has a curated selection of literature focused on (you guessed it) Kafka, along with works inspired by Kafka, plus Jewish heritage and art books. It offers multiple languages, primarily Czech and English, and also some nice prints and postcards.
Its black bookshelves are particularly striking, with a second level above and a ladder in between, used as a display for recommended books.
1. Podzemní antikvariát (Underground Antique Store)
This isn’t just any antiquarian bookstore. Stepping inside feels like taking a step into the past, a feeling only intensified when you descend underground and walk across the store’s old stone floor. It has a unique ambiance that is honestly worth experiencing, even if you’ve never picked up a book in your life.
As for its collection, 1. Podzemní (yes, that number 1 is intentional) has a wealth of secondhand books, prints, Czech graphic art, and other treasures. It also hosts online auctions for some of its rarer finds.
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K Lou
K. Lou is a writer born in the U.S. who found her way to Japan through a spiritual calling—or, more precisely, better access to tea. She writes about travel, culture, and the occasional creative piece, inspired by her enduring love of books. This love began in high school when K. Lou carried books around to avoid seeming odd while lost in thought. Once she started reading, she never stopped. With zero regrets, she continues to explore the written word and invites others to join her in celebrating its varied forms.
