Discover Europe’s most stunning bookstores and plan your next literary escape with these unforgettable locations.
It’s no surprise that there are so many gorgeous bookstores in Europe, considering its deep literary connections. We’ve rounded up a list of the most gorgeous ones for readers to plan their next trip around!
Livraria Lello – Porto, Portugal
We have to start this list with Livraria Lello, the bookstore that took first place in our 2023 Most Beautiful Bookstores in the World awards. Located in Porto, it immediately pulls you in with its iconic scarlet staircase, an architectural centerpiece that leads to the upper level lined with towering bookcases.
You’ll find books in multiple languages on everything from classic literature to modern fiction. Because Livraria Lello is hugely popular, it gets crowded fast. To ensure your visit goes smoothly, be sure to arrive early and get in line before the doors open, or you may end up waiting quite a while.
Address: R. das Carmelitas 144, 4050-161 Porto, Portugal
Opening hours:
– Monday to Sunday: 9AM – 7PM
Boekhandel Dominicanen – Maastricht, Netherlands
Next up is the winner of our 2025 Most Beautiful Bookstores in the World award: Boekhandel Dominicanen in Maastricht, Netherlands. It’s not every day you have the chance to browse books inside a former Dominican church, but that’s exactly what you get here. With its soaring arches and stunning frescoes, the entire building is as marvelous as its inventory.
Boekhandel Dominicanen has a wide range of titles, with plenty in English alongside many Dutch options. You’ll find both new and used books, which you can flick through at your own pace after grabbing a drink from the on-site coffee shop.
Address: Dominicanerkerkstraat 1, 6211 CZ Maastricht, Netherlands
Opening hours:
– Monday: 10AM – 6PM
– Tuesday and Wednesday: 9AM – 6PM
– Thursday: 9AM – 9PM
– Friday and Saturday: 9AM – 7PM
– Sunday: 12PM – 6PM
Shakespeare and Company – Paris, France
Anyone who’s visited Paris has heard of Shakespeare and Company. Ranked as the second most beautiful bookstore in the world, this independent shop sits right along the Seine and has been a gathering place for literature lovers since it opened in 1951.
Shakespeare and Company is an English-language bookshop with several reading rooms spread throughout the building. Photos are prohibited to preserve the atmosphere, something that’s increasingly rare today.
Address: 37 Rue de la Bûcherie, 75005 Paris, France
Opening hours:
– Monday to Saturday: 10AM – 8PM
– Sunday: 12PM – 7PM
The Gently Mad Bookshop – Edinburgh, UK
Antiquarian book lovers won’t be able to get enough of the Gently Mad Bookshop in Edinburgh, ranked as the fourth most beautiful bookstore in the world. This shop is a true hub for rare and used titles, with books stacked across every inch, giving the feeling that you’re almost being smothered in literature.
The selection is wide-ranging, especially in subjects like science, history, and architecture. Visitors also frequently praise their 19th-century mounted print options.
Address: 2 Summer Pl, Edinburgh EH3 5NR, United Kingdom
Opening hours:
– Monday to Sunday: 11AM – 5PM
Word on the Water – London, UK
There are plenty of bookstores with unique locations, but none compare to Word on the Water, a floating bookshop on a canal barge that has been hailed as the fifth most beautiful bookstore in the world. Step onto the boat, and you’ll enter a cozy, book-filled space with the calm sway of the water in the background.
Word on the Water carries both fiction and nonfiction, with a strong selection of secondhand books. Despite its small size, there’s ample seating inside, so you can settle in and read while sitting right on the canal.
Address: Regent’s Canal Towpath, London N1C 4LW, United Kingdom
Opening hours:
– Monday to Sunday: 12PM – 7PM
Daunt Books Marylebone – London, UK
Another London bookstore worth adding to your list is Daunt Books, Marylebone, the eighth most beautiful bookstore in the world. This independent shop is celebrated not only for its written material but also for its Edwardian architecture, which features oak shelving that gives it a striking look.
Whether you’re searching for a travel guide or a biography, you’ll find it here. Daunt Books’ layout is also organized by country, which makes browsing straightforward.
Address: 84 Marylebone High St, London W1U 4QW, United Kingdom
Opening hours:
– Monday to Saturday: 9AM – 8PM
– Sunday: 11AM – 6PM
Libreria Acqua Alta – Venice, Italy
If you’re someone who takes an interest in Instagram-famous bookstores, you’ve probably seen Libreria Acqua Alta in Venice on your feed. It has gained massive attention for its unusual setup, with bathtubs and gondolas overflowing with books, plus a staircase built entirely from stacked volumes.
Don’t let the quirky features distract you, though. The assortment of books at Libreria Acqua Alta is also extensive, with plenty of options on Venice, rare editions, poetry, and much more.
Address: C. Longa Santa Maria Formosa, 5176b, 30122 Venezia VE, Italy
Opening hours:
– Monday to Sunday: 9AM – 7:10PM
Carturesti Carusel – Bucharest, Romania
Carturesti Carusel is a staple in Bucharest. What began as a single shop in the Romanian capital has grown into a nationwide literary brand, yet the original location still stands out above the rest.
The space is a pleasure to explore, regardless of whether you like to read or not. Spiraling staircases lead you through multiple levels, where bright white interiors dominate.
Address: Strada Lipscani 55, București 030033, Romania
Opening hours:
– Monday to Sunday: 10AM – 10PM
Librairie Jousseaume – Paris, France
The smell of vintage books at Librairie Jousseaume is enough to draw any bibliophile inside. Hidden within Paris’s Galerie Vivienne, this shop specialises in 19th and 20th-century titles on subjects such as music, history, and more.
Outside, small display shelves invite you in, where timeworn bookcases, elegant chandeliers, and floor-to-ceiling stacks await. The owner is a true wealth of knowledge, always ready to provide his recommendations.
Address: 45-46-47 Gal Vivienne, 75002 Paris, France
Opening hours:
– Monday to Saturday: 11AM – 7PM
– Sunday: Closed
Atlantis Books E.E. – Firostefani, Greece
Atlantis Books E.E. in Firostefani needs no introduction. Their new store has become a major favorite for a reason: nowhere else on the island of Santroni offers such a mix of books in so many languages. They stock titles in Greek and English, along with Chinese, Spanish, Italian, German, and more, making it an ideal stop for holidaymakers staying on the island.
The amount of antiquarian books and first editions available at Atlantis Books E.E. is impressive, to say the least. While you browse, you’ll probably meet the shop’s cat, now one of its most recognizable features.
Address: Nomikos Conference Centre, Firostefani 847 00, Greece
Opening hours:
– Monday to Sunday: 10AM – 6PM
Barter Books – Alnwick, England
Proudly known as one of the largest used bookshops in the UK, Barter Books in Alnwick will tempt you to spend far more than planned once you see the sheer range of titles. Drama, gardening, medicine, philosophy, first editions, they stock it all.
‘Homely’ is the best word for Barter Books. Few stores let you sit by a fireplace with a cup of tea and some cookies while you read. The building was once a railway station. However, the owners have preserved many original features, such as the iron detailing and brick walls, while creating a warm environment for every visitor to enjoy.
Address: Alnwick Station, Alnwick NE66 2NP, United Kingdom
Opening hours:
– Monday to Sunday: 9AM – 7PM
Armchair Books – Edinburgh, UK
Add a few second-hand titles to your library at home with a stop at Armchair Books. This well-loved bookshop in Edinburgh is a go-to for affordable pre-owned reads. There’s no better place in the city to pick up some bargains!
Walking around Armchair Books is an adventure. Texts line every wall, with some stacked overhead as well, turning the search itself into part of the experience. The saving grace is that at least the shelves are alphabetized, providing some level of order to the madness.
Address: 72-74 West Port, Edinburgh EH1 2LE, United Kingdom
Opening hours:
– Monday to Sunday: 10AM – 6:30PM
Hatchards Piccadilly – London, England
If you’re a fan of historic bookshops, make sure to stop by Hatchards Piccadilly in London, the oldest bookstore in the city. Founded in 1797, it stretches across five floors and blends old-world charm with modern design. Clean black shelving sits alongside classic murals and ceiling paneling, adding a timeless look.
Some highlights of the catalogue include a variety of books on Churchill and a well-stocked children’s section for younger readers.
Address: 187 Piccadilly, London W1J 9LE, United Kingdom
Opening hours:
– Monday to Saturday: 9:30AM – 8PM
– Sunday: 12PM – 6PM
Waterstones Bradford – Bradford, UK
The idea of a chain bookstore might put some people off, but Waterstones Bradford is different. Situated in the city’s Victorian Gothic Wool Exchange Building, the ornate pillars, intricate wall detailing, and polished architectural touches give it a distinctive look.
Don’t miss the café on the upper level. It’s the perfect spot to take in a view of the store and appreciate its striking design.
Address: The Wool Exchange, Hustlergate, Bradford BD1 1BL, United Kingdom
Opening hours:
– Monday to Saturday: 9AM – 5:30PM
– Sunday: 10:30AM – 4:30PM
Waterstones Piccadilly – London, England
Waterstones Piccadilly is equally exceptional as the Bradford branch and absolutely worth a visit if you’re in London. It’s the largest bookstore in Europe, with more than 12.5 km of shelving, yes, really. So give yourself plenty of time to explore!
With a store this big, finding something to read is never an issue. There are dedicated sections for fiction, travel, children’s books, and even board games. It’s easy to get lost and feel overwhelmed here, so don’t hesitate to ask the staff for help if you need it.
Address: 203-206 Piccadilly, London W1J 9HD, United Kingdom
Opening hours:
– Monday to Saturday: 9AM – 9PM
– Sunday: 12PM – 6PM
Miguel Miranda Bookstore – Madrid, Spain
For rare books in Madrid, Miguel Miranda Bookstore is your go-to. Open since 1949, it still retains the allure of that era, with wooden displays, magnificent staircases, and sculptures.
You’ll find a small selection of English titles, but a lot of the books are in Spanish. The focus here is on works that are difficult to find online, so it’s an ideal place to look if you’re struggling to find a particular type of antiquarian text.
Address: C. de Lope de Vega, 19, Centro, 28014 Madrid, Spain
Opening hours:
– Monday to Friday: 11AM – 3PM and 5PM – 8PM
– Saturday and Sunday: Closed
Leakey’s Bookshop – Inverness, Scotland
Discover the largest secondhand bookshop in Scotland, located in Inverness and operating since 1979. The open-plan layout has wraparound levels, with a wood-burning stove at the center keeping the facility nice and toasty.
The sheer volume of second-hand titles here is remarkable. Alongside the books, you’ll also find a decent number of maps, prints, and other collectible items.
Address: Church St, Inverness IV1 1EY, United Kingdom
Opening hours:
– Monday to Saturday: 10AM – 5:30PM
– Sunday: Closed
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Adam Ryan
Adam is a distinguished content writer, bookworm, and full-time adventurer with a constant craving for coffee. When he's not working, he loves exploring remote corners of the world, immersing himself in different cultures, and writing about his experiences.
