For book lovers, getting lost in a good book is one of the best feelings in the world. Now, how about getting lost in a beautiful place filled with books? Even better! Europe is home to a huge number of beautiful bookshops. In honour of World Book Day on 4 March 2022, Expat Explore has put together a list of the 15 most beautiful bookshops in Europe.
From ornate bookstores built into historic churches to quirky hidden gems nestled along the canals of Venice, these book-filled destinations are sure to impress! Some have spiral staircases and cosy cafés. Others are sprawling and full of character. Many are tiny and packed with classics, cobwebs and a secret or two…
Soon you’ll be adding these beautiful bookshops to your Europe travel bucket list! They are sure to join the breathtaking locations included on our list of the world’s most beautiful libraries. Take a look at the 15 most beautiful bookshops in Europe below:
1. Shakespeare and Company
Location: Paris, France
Paris is home to what might be the most famous bookstore in Europe! Shakespeare and Company is an English-language bookshop that opened in Paris in 1951. Located just across the Seine from Notre Dame, the well-known facade is an incredibly popular Instagram spot in Paris. While the shop is small, you can spend ages exploring the shelves in tiny rooms dotted over two storeys. In each room, you’ll find historic relics from writers who have spent time living, working and creating here!
2. Libreria Acqua Alta
Location: Venice, Italy
Wall-to-wall books, some unusual objects and a staircase made of recycled tomes make up Libreria Acqua Alta. You’ll find this quirky location nestled along Venice’s canals. Venice is known as the “floating city” and, as such, flooding can be a major worry. However, Libreria Acqua Alta has the perfect solution for protecting their books – store them all in things that float! You’ll find books stocked in buckets, bathtubs and even a gondola – it doesn’t get more Venetian than that! Out on the back porch, the whimsical feeling continues with a staircase that the owners have crafted completely out of old, unused books. Clamber to the top for a unique view of the canals!
Related: Live la dolce vita in Venice on one of our exciting Italy tours or see the country on an unforgettable Italy Rail Express tour!
3. Atlantis Books
Location: Santorini, Greece
Sunshine, salty sea air and the company of a good book – sounds like the ultimate combination! The two American friends who founded Atlantis Books in Santorini thought the same thing when they came up with the idea of opening a bookstore in the heart of Oia. Atlantis Books is located in the heart of the town famous for its blue dome roofs and spectacular sunsets. Here, you’ll find English, Greek, Spanish, German, French, Chinese and Italian books. Stroll down Oia’s main marble street to Atlantis Books and browse through literature in an idyllic location!
Related: Take a look at these fun-filled Greece, Croatia and Turkey tours.
4. Dominicanen
Location: Maastricht, Netherlands
Travel to Maastricht in the Netherlands to peruse bookshelves under the arches of a centuries-old church! This is a fantastic destination for lovers of literature and history! The Dominicanen bookshop is housed in a 13th-century Dominican church complete with multiple floors and sweeping arches. Visit to take a look at the collection of books available in Dutch, English and French and enjoy a cup of coffee in the Dominican café.
5. House of Books
Location: St. Petersburg, Russia
Ornate decor, Art Nouveau architecture and a rooftop with utterly impressive views … that’s what you can expect from the House of Books in St. Petersburg. Located in the Singer Building, the House of Books is one of the biggest bookstores in Europe! Visit to admire the massive oak doors, the gold leaf detailing and the mosaic floor. After checking out the great range of books on offer, sip on a coffee in the café on the second floor or make your way up to the viewpoint on the roof for views of the Kazan Cathedral, the Church of the Saviour on Spilled Blood and more!
Related: Visit St. Petersburg on our riveting Northern Explorer tour.
6. Livraria Lello
Location: Porto, Portugal
If you’re feeling a sense of deja vu that’s because we included Livraria Lello as a bonus spot on our list of the world’s most beautiful libraries! This popular tourist destination in Porto is a feast for the eyes! The Art Nouveau facade, Neo-Gothic architecture and famous red, curved staircase make it a must-see for travellers. In fact, rumour has it that Livraria Lello provided inspiration for parts of the Harry Potter books. While this was never proven true, there is definitely a sense of magic when you visit!
Travel tip: There is a small entrance fee required due to the bookshop’s popularity. Visit early in the morning to try and avoid the crowds.
7. Cărturești Carusel
Location: Bucharest, Romania
Add a stop in the “oldest ‘new town’ in Europe” to your next travel adventure and pay a visit to Cărturești Carusel. This beautiful Romanian bookstore opened in 2007 and is housed in a derelict warehouse that was formerly a bank in the early 1900s. The transformation is nothing short of breathtaking! Imagine high ceilings, bright open spaces and towering white columns. It truly lives up to the name Cărturești Carusel, which means “Carousel of Light” in English! Climb the spiral staircases to explore the three floors of books and 10,000+ titles (in Romanian and English), see the gallery on the fifth floor and sit down for a refreshment at the top floor café.
Related: Visit Bucharest and soak up the culture and sights on our Ukraine, Moldova & Romania group tour.
8. Leakey’s Bookshop
Location: Inverness, Scotland
The Scottish Highlands are a place of beautiful landscapes and captivating myth and legend! So it shouldn’t be surprising that you’ll find one of our picks for Europe’s most beautiful bookshops in Inverness – the unofficial capital of the Highlands. Leakey’s Bookshop is a sprawling space located in a converted Gaelic church. While it is the biggest secondhand bookshop in the country, the space is warm and welcoming – and is home to a whopping 100,000 books! Clamber up the iron spiral staircase, browse the rows and rows of books and warm up next to the huge wood-burning fireplace!
Related: Explore the magic of the Scottish highlands on a Scotland Rail Express tour.
9. Word on the Water
Location: London, England
This is perhaps the most unique entry to the list. Word on the Water is the only “bookbarge” in London. Shelves full of books cover both the outside and cosy inside area of the barge. Here, you’ll find old and new books covering a range of interests; from poetry and fiction to politics and the classics! While the barge itself might not be breathtaking in its beauty, the unique location in beautiful London and quirky appeal earn it a spot on the list! Word on the Water is now permanently docked in Regent’s Canal near Granary Square.
10. Cook & Book
Location: Brussels, Belgium
Image by Antonio Ponte CC BY-NC-SA 2.0
Brussels boasts a number of creative and artistic must-see destinations. Cook & Book should definitely be on any traveller’s list! This huge, eccentric destination is a combination of bookshop and restaurant. There are nine rooms which are each decorated to a specific theme with a dining area surrounded by stunningly arranged bookshelves. You can visit rooms with themes of travel, comics and even Great Britain! A visit is sure to be a quirky and fun experience!
11. Booth Books
Location: Hay-on-Wye, Wales
Hay-on-Wye in Wales has made a name for itself as the secondhand book capital of the world! In the centre of town is Booth Books. Housed in a historic building and surrounded by the lovely Welsh countryside, the bookshop carries various genres and is also home to a cinema and cafe. With cosy reading nooks, well-worn leather sofas and arching wooden beams, it’s easy to spend a few hours enjoying the vintage atmosphere with a good book! Hay-on-Wye also hosts the annual Hay Festival of Literature and Arts that brings readers and writers from around the world together.
12. Ler Devagar
Location: Lisbon, Portugal
Ler Devagar (meaning “read slowly” in Portuguese) is a cool, modern spot for book lovers in Lisbon! Located in Lisbon’s hip LX Factory, Ler Devagar is touted as the “coolest bookshop in the city.” The space was formerly a printing press and many relics of the machinery are dotted around the large open space. The unique decorations earn Ler Devagar its spot on this list. Visit to admire the wall to ceiling books, see the striking bicycle sculpture and enjoy one of the many cultural events that the bookshop hosts.
13. Daunt Books
Location: London, England
The original Daunt Books store in Marylebone, London is another magical spot well worth a visit! The building’s elegant Edwardian features create a special atmosphere complete with dark oak bookshelves, wraparound bannisters and a magnificent skylight. This location specialises in literature and travel books. Interestingly, the books are organised by country of origin! While London is home to a number of gorgeous bookshops, this one should definitely be near the top of any book lovers list!
14. Librarie Jousseaunie
Location: Paris, France
Looking for rare books housed in a gorgeous setting? Head to Librarie Jousseaunie in Paris! The shop was founded in 1826 as “Librarie Petit-Siroux” and over the years has flourished into its current state. This shop is quite a hidden gem, located in the heart of the Galerie Vivienne (one of the city’s beautiful historic covered passages). Browse the thousands of used books (many antique and rare!) and absorb the incredible French literary history of Librarie Jousseaunie during a visit! It is also a quieter alternative to Shakespeare and Company.
15. Hatchard’s
Location: London, England
Last but not least is London’s oldest bookshop. Hatchard’s was founded in 1897 making it just over 200 years old! The curved letters of the shop name and large bay windows beckon readers inside. The famous spot is filled with books over five floors as well as relics and memorabilia citing its long history. Many authors have visited this space; it is said to have been a favourite of Oscar Wilde who signed copies of his book at Hatchard’s in 1890! Hatchard’s is home to many rare books and first editions and also holds the title of being the Official Bookseller to the Royal Household – not too shabby for a spot that has been operating for 200 years!
Have you added these gorgeous bookshops in Europe to your must-see travel bucket list yet? Why not visit a few on your next trip to Europe. See incredible destinations across the continent on our fun, affordable and convenient group tours.