Wander through Edinburgh’s most charming bookstores this holiday season—from historic shops to cozy corners perfect for gifts and winter reads.
As the first-ever place to be named by UNESCO as a City of Literature, Edinburgh is home to must-visit bookstores that feel even more special during the holiday season.
Armchair Books
As you might expect from the name, Armchair Books is top-tier cozy, and the perfect place to be hugged by secondhand books on all sides. This store is a labyrinth of shelves, each doorway framed by stacks that reach overhead, making it the perfect place to browse for a bookish gift or a new read to cozy up with this holiday season. It’s as easy to get lost in here as it is in the world of your favorite novel.
The collection ranges from old to new and classics to sci-fi, so it can be a little overwhelming if you don’t know what you’re looking for. Thankfully, if you need a recommendation or just a friendly ear, the owner is a warm and welcoming person, happy to strike up a conversation with the casual customer.
Address: 72-74 West Port, Edinburgh EH1 2LE, United Kingdom
Opening hours:
– Monday to Sunday: 10AM – 6:30PM
Blackwell’s Bookshop
Easily recognizable by its striking blue storefront, Blackwell’s has three floors and is the oldest bookstore in Edinburgh, established in 1848, and has stood at its current location in South Bridge since 1853. It has quite a long, winding history. It began not as Blackwell’s, but as James Thin, a single store selling academic texts near Edinburgh University that grew into a chain with 35 branches across the UK over the course of 154 years.
Blackwell UK bought out the chain in the early 2000s, shortly after which it remodeled the original South Bridge store into its current glory. Nowadays, its focus is on new releases, literary merchandise, and stationery.
You can also explore their website’s “Books for Christmas” section, which highlights Top Picks for Perfect Gifts and Children’s & Young Adult collections with options for every age. Whether you shop online or visit in person, Blackwell’s is a welcoming place to experience Edinburgh’s literary charm this holiday season.
Address: 53-62 South Bridge, Edinburgh EH1 1YS, United Kingdom
Opening hours:
– Monday to Saturday: 9AM – 7PM
– Sunday: 10AM – 6PM
Till’s Bookshop
This secondhand bookstore has a close-knit, friendly ambiance. It’s small but contains a generous number of carefully curated books, both fiction and non-fiction. It’s not stuffed to bursting as you might find in some places, so if you like having a bit of room to breathe and relax, this will be an ideal stop. They also sell scented candles and other stationery, making it a nice spot to pick up thoughtful gifts along with your next read.
The interior has a smattering of small, tasteful decorations and paintings that give the store life and character; the small, antique stove in the fireplace, the gentle glow of round paper lanterns, and strings of seashells hung in the window. The owner updates decorations regularly, so don’t be surprised if you find something new when you step inside.
Address: 1 Hope Park Cres, Edinburgh EH8 9NA, United Kingdom
Opening hours:
– Monday to Saturday: 10AM – 6PM
– Sunday: 12PM – 6PM
McNaughtan’s Bookshop
McNaughtan’s is a discovery waiting to be made. It offers a broad range of books, from classics and poetry to Scottish history and rare finds such as signed copies and early editions. With knowledgeable staff ready to share their insights, book lovers and collectors alike will appreciate the high-quality selection.
The layout is fairly relaxed, which makes it a perfect place to browse at your own pace and discover something unexpected. Whether you’re hunting for a rare edition or a meaningful gift, McNaughtan’s offers a warm, rewarding experience for anyone who loves books.
Address: 3A, 4a Haddington Pl, Edinburgh EH7 4AE, United Kingdom
Opening hours:
– Monday to Wednesday, Friday to Sunday: 11AM – 5PM
– Thursday: 11AM – 8PM
Typewronger Books
If the picture of this store looks suspiciously similar to McNaughtan’s, there’s a reason for that. Typewronger is its sister bookshop, located right next door, with a wide selection of new titles, indie publications, and zines, making it a great spot to find something unique for your Christmas reading list or a thoughtful gift.
As McNaughtan’s sister shop, you can expect the same high caliber of books, but with its own distinctive flair.
Address: 4a Haddington Pl, Edinburgh EH7 4AE, United Kingdom
Opening hours:
– Monday to Sunday: 11AM – 9PM
Golden Hare Books
Established in 2012, Golden Hare Books presents a warm, welcoming space filled with an expansive range of literature, both fiction and non-fiction.
It has a colorful and inviting kids’ section and open, well-organized book displays. Golden Hare hosts countless events throughout the year, helping to foster a love of books in people of all ages, and also offers gift vouchers—a perfect option if you’d like to let someone choose from their ever-changing stock of books, magazines, and Golden Hare merchandise.
Address: 68 St Stephen St, Edinburgh EH3 5AQ, United Kingdom
Opening hours:
– Monday to Sunday: 10AM – 6PM
Edinburgh Books
Edinburgh Books has been a favorite spot for book lovers for more than forty years. Once known as West Port Books, it narrowly escaped being turned into a café in 2006. It’s the largest secondhand bookshop in the City of Literature and carries a wry sense of humor shaped by its decades in business, perfectly captured by the water buffalo head hanging on the wall.
Like any decent secondhand bookseller, this store is stuffed full of books of all sorts, including some old, rare, and signed copies. With its mix of old and nearly new books, from 50p bargains to valuable finds, Edinburgh Books is the kind of place where you can spend hours exploring. It’s especially worth a visit during the holidays, when the search for a one-of-a-kind gift feels as rewarding as the stories waiting to be discovered.
Address: 145-147 West Port, Edinburgh EH3 9DP, United Kingdom
Opening hours:
– Monday to Saturday: 10AM – 6PM
– Sunday: Closed
Topping & Company
Topping & Company is a bookstore chain with four branches (soon to be five) across the UK, and its biggest is in Edinburgh. Not only does it have loads of reading rooms with comfortable seating spread across its three floors, but you also get to play out your fantasies of being Belle on their rolling ladders. The store’s majestic architecture paints an impressive picture with its rounded storefront.
What really makes this Topping & Company shine, though, is its top-notch customer service. The staff are knowledgeable and friendly, which, to be fair, is not unusual for independent bookstores that are often driven by passion and a love of books. What is unusual is the complimentary tea or coffee they give to their patrons, making it the perfect cozy spot to sit back with a warm drink and take in the charm of the place during the holidays.
Address: 2 Blenheim Pl, Edinburgh EH7 5JH, United Kingdom
Opening hours:
– Monday to Sunday: 9AM – 9PM
The Portobello Bookshop
Though it opened fairly recently in 2019, this spacious bookstore has a classy but natural feel, with a distinctive character found in its art easel-like bookshelves. Customers rave about the fantastic service offered by staff, and the dedicated care put into the store’s many events.
They welcome orders, both domestic and international, and offer a range of books, tote bags, and stationery, along with plenty of great gift options.
Address: 46 Portobello High St, Edinburgh EH15 1DA, United Kingdom
Opening hours:
– Monday to Sunday: 10AM – 6PM
Waterstones Edinburgh West End
What better place to enjoy a winter afternoon than in a bookstore with a view—specifically, a view of Edinburgh Castle? That’s exactly what the Princes Street branch of Waterstones offers. The bookstore chain has four different locations across Edinburgh, but its best (and certainly its most grand and elegant) is this one, just a stone’s throw from the city’s famous castle grounds.
This particular location also has the benefit of a lovely café that serves as a perfect vantage point of the castle, all while you enjoy some cake and tea. It also makes a stunning venue for its numerous literary events.
Address: 128 Princes St., Edinburgh EH2 4AD, United Kingdom
Opening hours:
– Monday too Saturday: 9AM – 7PM
– Sunday: 10AM – 6PM
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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.
