Explore Belgium’s top 14 literary spots, from historic libraries to glitzy, independent bookstores—perfect for any book lover’s bucket list.
Belgium is a truly multicultural haven, and its literary culture reflects that, with notable literary figures ranging from Dutch-language authors like Hugo Claus to the French-writing Nobel laureate Maurice Maeterlinck.
Brussels
Aris Grand-Place Hotel
Being located in the middle of Brussels is just one of Aris Grand-Place Hotel’s many highlights. Though the stone exterior might give an impression of aged austerity, the interior is sleek and modern, chock full of simple comfort and convenience.
What book lovers will enjoy most, though, is the on-site café/lounge on the first floor. With shelves stacked up to the ceiling along a wall colored in vivid teal adjacent to floor-to-ceiling windows that let in plenty of natural light, it’s a great place to relax and people-watch in Brussels’ historic center.
Address: 78-80 rue du Marché Aux Herbes, 1000 Bruxelles, Belgium
Opening hours:
– Check-in time: 3PM
– Check-out time: 11AM
Tropismes
For one of the most stunning independent bookstores in Brussels, head to Tropismes. Established in 1984 in a former dance school and jazz club, it features ornate stucco ceilings, gilded columns, and mirrored walls that give a surreal sense of infinity—particularly if you’re looking out over the space from the upper floors.
The collection focuses on French literature, but it also has a small selection of English and even Dutch books for travelers stopping by.
Address: 11 Galerie des Princes, 1000 Bruxelles, Belgium
Opening hours:
– Monday to Friday: 10AM – 6:30PM
– Saturday: 10:30AM – 7PM
– Sunday: 1:30PM – 6:30PM
Waterstones Brussels
This famous UK bookstore chain has locations all over Europe—including Brussels. It also happens to be the biggest English-language bookstore in the country, spanning two floors with extensive fiction, nonfiction, children’s books, and magazines. It even has a bookcase dedicated to popular British snacks.
Visitors praise its broad selection and helpful staff, as well as the cozy armchairs here and there for book browsers hoping to read a bit more extensively.
Address: Bd Adolphe Max 71/75, 1000 Bruxelles, Belgium
Opening hours:
– Monday to Saturday: 9:30AM – 7PM
– Sunday: 11AM – 5:30PM
TULITU
Looking for something a little out of the norm? TULITU specializes in feminist and LGBTQ+ literature, primarily in French. It also has a notable selection of Quebec fiction and poetry, all spread out across two floors.
TULITU greets the world with a stylish storefront, but keeps the interior straightforward and simple: no sleight of hand, just high-quality books. Founded by booksellers Ariane Herman and Dominique Janelle, it offers a bright, welcoming space for literature and various author events throughout the year.
Address: Rue de Flandre 55, 1000 Bruxelles, Belgium
Opening hours:
– Tuesday to Saturday: 11AM – 7PM
– Monday & Sunday: Closed
Le Passages des Libraires in the Bortier Gallery (La Galerie Bortier)
This covered, two-level passageway is honestly more like a shopping mall with a lot of ventilation. It was first erected in the 1840s, and it has been a place where booksellers gather to sell printed materials, from new and used books to sheet music to stationery.
Ever since the gallery became privately owned in 2023, it has taken a turn into more of a foodie hotspot despite a signed petition to the city not to sell the gallery, or at least to preserve it as a bookseller’s haven. Several bookstores in the gallery were forced to close as a result. However, some bookstores remain, and the gallery is still a beautiful and historic piece of architecture.
Address: Galerie Bortier, 1000 Bruxelles, Belgium
Opening hours:
– Many restaurants are open daily 9AM – 10PM
– Bookstores mainly open Wednesday to Saturday: 12PM – 6PM
Filigranes
You know what they say: go big or go home. As the largest independent bookstore in Belgium, Filigranes knows exactly what that means. It has multiple floors stocking over 150,000 titles in French, Dutch, and English.
Consequently, the English section is right next to an on-site café on the second floor, so it’s convenient to pop over when you need a refreshment after some heavy browsing. In addition to books, the store sells a variety of gift items, accessories, and home essentials, and hosts regular author meets and book signings.
Address: Bd de Waterloo 25, 1000 Bruxelles, Belgium
Opening hours:
– Monday to Friday: 10:30AM – 6:30PM
– Saturday: 10:30AM – 7PM
– Sunday: 10:30AM – 6PM
Librebook: European Bookshop & Cafe
Librebook is a multilingual bookshop and is proud of it. Located in the Ixelles municipality of Brussels, it stocks contemporary fiction in over 20 European languages, including lesser-known ones like Maltese and Luxembourgish. Its most prominent sections are French, English, Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch, and Italian.
In addition to its diverse lingual selection, the store sells wine and has its own café where it sometimes hosts events, like author meets and discussions.
Address: Chau. de Wavre 128, 1050 Ixelles, Belgium
Opening hours:
– Tuesday to Saturday: 12PM – 7PM
– Monday & Sunday: Closed
Tulibris
This cozy, secondhand bookstop specializes in high-quality English fiction and nonfiction. Opened in 2015, it’s the sort of place where you can slot right in and feel right at home, with wooden floors, muted orange walls, and vintage appliances.
It really has the vibe of a lived-in study rather than a sterile, generic bookseller, clearly tended to by someone who deeply cares about books. As a bonus, the prices are also very affordable, which is an especially good deal considering the high level of curation and dedicated service.
Address: Rue de la Tulipe 25, 1050 Ixelles, Belgium
Opening hours:
– Tuesday, Thursday & Saturday: 11AM – 7PM
– Monday, Wednesday, Friday & Sunday: Closed
Piola Piccola
In the Saint-Gilles part of Brussels is a book bar—more explicitly, a wine bar and Italian bookstore—called Piola Piccola. On the bookseller side of things, it carries titles in Italian, French, and English and is something of a sister shop to Piola Libri, sharing events on books, music, and even stand-up.
The café side specializes in coffee and wine, and is the space that hosts the aforementioned events that take place multiple times a month.
Address: Rue du Fort 15, 1060 Saint-Gilles, Belgium
Opening hours:
– Tuesday to Friday: 9AM – 9PM
– Saturday: 10AM – 9PM
– Sunday: 10AM – 4PM
– Monday: Closed
Leuven & Mechelen
KU Leuven University Library
KU Leuven University Library holds a notable part of Belgium’s literary history, with its beginnings traced back to the 15th century as small collections held by university professors. It grew in the centuries to come, but was unfortunately burned down twice, once during each World War. It didn’t fully reopen again until 1951, but now stands as a stunning example of neo-Renaissance design.
If you want a bit more of an informed journey through this historic library, consider trying out the audio tour, available in multiple languages (Dutch, English, and more) through the Heritage App.
Address: Monseigneur Ladeuzeplein 21, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
Opening hours:
– Monday to Friday: 9AM – 7PM
– Saturday & Sunday: 10AM – 6PM
Mechelen Public Library – Het Predikheren
This public library is housed in a restored 17th-century monastery that reopened as a library after serving its time as a military hospital. It preserves the simplicity and austerity of its roots while adding modern touches of design and convenience.
Nowadays, it has study areas, a café, and a children’s attic room with puppets sitting atop the exposed wooden beams criss-crossing the ceiling. Though it’s not decked out in gold and intricate detailing like many of the world’s most famous libraries, there is a quiet reverence in the blending of old and new that is very appealing to behold.
Address: Goswin de Stassartstraat 88, 2800 Mechelen, Belgium
Opening hours:
– Tuesday & Thursday: 10:30AM – 7:30PM
– Wednesday & Friday: 10:30AM – 5PM
– Saturday: 10AM – 4PM
– Sunday: 10AM – 12:30PM
– Monday: Closed
Antwerpen
Luddites Books & Wine
This bookstore and wine bar rejects modern technology. Wi-Fi? Why, no. E-readers? Egads, don’t even think of it. This is a space dedicated to stepping away from the digital world and immersing yourself in literary culture and human connection.
Alongside the store’s curated selection of English and Dutch fiction, nonfiction, art, and various merchandise, its bar keeps up a steady supply of wines, coffee, snacks, and cake. Overall, it has a serene atmosphere; a quiet retreat where you can disconnect from the chaos of daily life and immerse yourself in a book club, salon, or just a nice beverage.
Address: Hopland 34, 2000 Antwerpen, Belgium
Opening hours:
– Wednesday to Sunday: 11AM – 8PM
– Monday & Tuesday: Closed
Bibliotheek Permeke
Bibliotheek Permeke is Antwerp’s main public library, named after a local figure, Oscar Permeke. It features a striking modern design, with one side of the exterior encased in tinted glass and a bold postmodern interior that juxtaposes concrete with bright colors and swirling design elements.
The library offers an extensive array of books and other media in multiple languages, with study rooms and computers available for public use, and even a room set aside for non-native Dutch speakers. It also hosts plenty of community activities and programs like language courses.
Address: De Coninckplein 26, 2060 Antwerpen, Belgium
Opening hours:
– Monday to Friday: 10AM – 7PM
– Saturday & Sunday: 10AM – 4PM
Ghent
Le Bal Infernal – used book café
Night owls, never fear. Le Bal Infernal stays up late to supply you with plenty of books and plenty of cocktails. This book café/bar is great for stirring up inspiration, with a solid wall filled with volumes you’re free to either read or lend out. The primary language is Dutch, but there are some in English as well.
The food menu is limited mostly to light meals (think sandwiches and soup), but the range of drinks is very extensive, ranging from beer and cocktails to coffee, homemade lemonade, and mocktails. And since it’s open so late, you can relax and while away the hours.
Address: Kammerstraat 6, 9000 Gent, Belgium
Opening hours:
– Monday to Thursday: 11AM – 12AM
– Friday & Saturday: 11AM – 1:30AM
– Sunday: 11AM – 6:30PM
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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.
