Some travelers chase Michelin star restaurants, some look for the most Instagrammable views, while the truly enlightened ones long to visit the most beautiful bookstores in the world. The features of some bookstores are stunning edifices in terms of architecture, design, and execution.
These famous bookstore chains don’t shout for attention. They are humble and graceful, where they breathe books. From repurposed theaters to dreamy modern hideaways, these 15 bookstores are so stunning, you will forget you came in for just one novel. Here, architecture meets literature, turning bookstores into a haven. After checking out this list, you are going to draw out a dreamy sigh and hope to check out these places in person at least once in your life. Get your passport ready!
1. Shakespeare & Co (Paris, France)
Founded in 1951 by George Whitman
“I created this bookstore like a man would write a novel, building each room like a chapter, and I like people to open the door the way they open a book, a book that leads into a magic world in their imaginations.” – George Whitman”
Nestled along the banks of the Seine, opposite Notre-Dame, it is impossible not to fall in love with this place. It was started by George Whitman with just 1,000 books from his personal collection.
This bookshop is known for its cozy atmosphere and wooden floors, and it is perhaps the best bookstore in the world. As someone who explores famous bookstore chains wherever I travel, visiting Shakespeare & Co is at the top of my bucket list. Today, this amazing bookshop is run by daughter, Sylvia Whitman.
2. Dujiangyan Zhongshuge (Chengdu, China)
Opened in 2020 by Shanghai Zhongshu Industrial Co., Ltd.
Dujiangyan Zhongshuge bookshop screams luxury. It’s a mesmerizing fusion of architecture and literature where you can buy books amid stunning views. Designed by X+Living to feel like a dream, this three-story bookshop uses curved shelves, mirrored ceilings, and quiet lighting to create a magical, endless world of books.
The interiors have 400,000 custom-designed bricks throughout the bookstore, and all of them are astoundingly gorgeous. The bookstore houses around 80,000 books across more than 20,000 categories. With unique C-shaped bookshelves, this place is a temple for bibliophiles.
3. El Ateneo Grand Splendid (Buenos Aires, Argentina)
Built in 2000 by Ilhsa Group
According to The Guardian, El Ateneo in Buenos Aires is the second best bookstore in the world but National Geographic names it the most beautiful one in the world. It is built upon the remains of a grand theater and retains its original charm by still keeping its interiors as it is. It once hosted many commendable performances. Today, it has around 120,000 books.
The basement is for children’s books, and the upper floor is used for exhibitions and displays. From ornate balconies to a frescoed ceiling by Nazareno Orlandi and velvet curtains, this aesthetic bookstore also has a cafe where you can have coffee and a pastry while enjoying your favorite book. Also, Argentina is known as the bookshop capital of the world due to its high density of bookstores1.
4. Livraria Lello e Irmao (Porto, Portugal)
Founded in 1881, later acquired by Lionesa Group in 2023
Housed in a Neo-Gothic building designed by Francisco Xavier Esteves, this is one among the most beautiful bookstores in the world. It is a masterpiece of architectural elegance and literary history. It perfectly blends together the combination of Art Deco and Art Nouveau, featuring a grand staircase that swirls upward, rich crimson stairs, and a stained glass ceiling, a kaleidoscope of colors, with the words “Decus in Labore (“Dignity in Work”).
There’s a rumor that J.K. Rowling took inspiration from this bookstore, which helped her create the famous Hogwarts’ grand staircases and library. Designed by engineer Francisco Xavier Esteves around 1906, it is undoubtedly one of the visually arresting bookstores in the world.
5. Libreria Acqua Alta, (Venice, Italy)
Founded in 2002 by Luigi Frizzo
There are many bookstores with unique concepts, but have you ever heard of a bookstore that embraces the high tides? Libreria Acqua Alta’s owner is known to be a marketing strategist. He was warned beforehand that the property he is planning to lease might lie in a flood zone due to its closeness to the water and the rising sea levels in Venice. This didn’t affect his decision to open a bookstore. Instead, he named the bookstore Acqua Alta, meaning “High Tide.”
Every corner of this bookshop is food for your inner soul, especially if you are someone who loves nature and books equally. Here, books are stored in bathtubs, gondolas, and waterproof bins, creating a poetic dance between literature and the lagoon. This bookshop is messy, magical, and unforgettable—a love letter to books, chaos, and survival.
6. Leakey’s Bookshop (Inverness, Scotland)
Founded in 1979 by Charles Leaky
If you want to visit the best secondhand bookshops, then Leaky’s Bookshop is a haven for bibliomaniacs and romantics alike. From rare literary gems to forgotten novels and signed first copies, it’s a sanctuary for book lovers.
The bookstore is set inside a converted Gaelic church, which was established in 1793, and its original ecclesiastical features have been preserved. The high ceilings, arched windows, and towering stone walls make this grand place a must-visit for bookworms.
7. Atlantis Books (Fira, Greece)
Founded in 2002 by author Craig Walzer
Tucked beneath the iconic white-and-blue facades of Oia, Atlantis Books is another worthy addition in the most beautiful bookstores in the world category. It’s a small bookshop in Greece that is every bibliophile’s dream.
It is a cultural landmark and over the years, it has hosted a vibrant array of events, from literary festivals and poetry readings to film screenings under the stars. With domed ceilings and thin stucco walls, the bookstore cools off naturally. Inside the shop, there are handwritten signs, posters, and vibrant artwork.
8. The Last Bookstore (Los Angeles, California)
Founded in 2005 by Josh Spencer
Due to its innovative design that transforms literature into immersive art, The Last Bookstore is a literary treasure trove. With over half a million rare, used, and new books along with music records and vinyls, it’s a one-stop shop for all. Also, the most fascinating thing about this place is that it houses tunnels made entirely of books.
The store has been transformed from a bank to a bookshop with soaring ceilings and marbled pillars. Old bank vaults have been repurposed into moody reading nooks and genre-specific alcoves. It’s the perfect place for both book and design lovers. If you are looking for a place to go on a date, then you can bring your book-loving partner to this bookshop and just walk around hand in hand, exploring not just books but also a huge collection of DVDs, vinyl, and music records.
9. Word on the Water – The London Bookbarge (London, England)
Founded in 2011 by Paddy Screech and Jonathan Privett
Ever heard of a floating bookshop? Cute, right? Word on the Water is a one-of-a-kind bookstore that’s housed in a hundred-year-old barge. It’s not just beautiful for its picturesque setting, but for its welcoming soul. For the way it makes you feel calm the moment you step inside. You forget the troubles of the world and get lost in the books placed inside the built-in bookshelves, vintage armchairs, and an open sky inside the barge.
There is even a wood-burning stove to make tea and add warmth during the winter season. It’s not a grand place but an intimate one where you can spend calm evenings. It rocks with the rhythm of the canal as it floats, and it’s honestly the most poetic bookstore you will ever visit.
10. Cărturești Carusel (Bucharest, Romania)
Founded in 2000 by Nicoleta and Șerban
Located in the heart of Bucharest, this 19th-century building, which was once a bank, is a treat for sore eyes and a great hangout spot for book lovers. This shop has earned its rightful place among the most beautiful bookstores in the world for its imaginative and artful design, for its breathtaking blend of neoclassical architecture, luminous white interiors, and the poetic elegance of a 19th-century palace, which is reimagined as a temple for book lovers.
Talking about its interiors, the place has spiral staircases and ornate balconies that evoke a sense of movement. Hence, it is named “Carousel of Light”. It is perhaps the most Instagrammable bookstore in the world. Cărturești Carusel is a cultural retreat for readers and travelers alike. Beyond the shelves of beautifully curated books, this bookstore hosts eco-friendly gifts, fine wines, and great food. On the top floor, there is a beautiful café where you can sip your coffee while reading a book.
11. Faqir Chand Bookstore (New Delhi, India)
Established in 1951 by Faqir Chand
The world of Indian Twitter and Instagram is full of people posing outside Faqir Chand Bookstore. Nestled in the upscale Khan Market, this is one among the bookshops that has stood the test of time. It is a testament to resilience, tradition, and Faqir Chand’s love for literature, who moved to Peshawar, Pakistan, after the partition.
The shop’s beauty lies in its old-world, nostalgic charm with modest interiors and seasonal flowers. Inside, there are wooden shelves, old furniture, and a narrow passage that transports you back in time. Today, this place is managed by his great-grandson, which makes this store a fourth-generation family business. Amidst the digital this, this poetic bookstore will ignite the poet inside you.
12. Boekhandel Dominicanen (Maastricht, Netherlands)
Founded in 2006 by Ton Harmes
Dutch architects Merkx + Girod have an immense reputation for being brilliant designers. In fact, they have won prestigious awards like the Lensvelt de Architect Interior Prize 2007 for Boekhandel Dominicanen or Book Store Dominicanen. Built inside a 13th-century Gothic cathedral, it is one of the oldest and prettiest bookshops in the world.
There’s a cafe beneath the old altar where musical performances, events, and lectures are held. Furthermore, the views of that bookstore are majestic with centuries-old vaults and Latin inscriptions on the wall. This place deserves to be on the list for its stunning fusion of medieval architecture and modern design.
13. Kitab Khana (Mumbai, India)
Founded in 2011 by Samir Somaiya
Kitab Khana perfectly captures the essence of the colonial-era architecture along with a modern literary ambiance. The building, belonging to the Somaiya family, is 150 years old. When you enter the bookstore, you will be greeted by high ceilings, mezzanine floors, Corinthian columns, and polished wooden shelves to resemble the old world aesthetics.
Natural light filters through large arched windows, illuminating the curated collection of books in English, Hindi, Marathi, Urdu, and more. Apart from its architecture and heritage, the bookshop also houses a vegetarian cafe named “Food for Thought”. It is hands down one among the most beautiful bookshops in India, and you need to visit this place for its architectural elegance, literary richness, and cultural significance.l
14. Gertrude & Alice (Sydney, Australia)
Founded in 2001 by Jane Turner and Katerina Cosgrove
Take a short walk from the famous Bondi Beach and you’ll find yourself inside a cherished literary bookstore named Gertrude & Alice that exudes a mellow, second-hand bookstore charm.
Like many other bookshops, even this one has a cozy café where visitors can have a sip of their signature chai tea, freshly brewed coffee, and lip-smacking homemade treats. It’s a harmonious blend of literature, good food, and a relaxing atmosphere.
15. Wuguan Books (Kaohsiung, Taiwan)
Founded in 2018 by Chu Chih-Kang
Wuguan Books in Taiwan is perhaps the coolest bookshop you will ever visit. It is a literary marvel that stands apart from traditional bookstores. It’s a revitalized warehouse exuding mystery and intrigue where, instead of relying on daylight or bright interiors, Wuguan is cloaked in near-total darkness.
There are no lights in this bookstore, only small, focused lamps casting light on individual books. The rest of the space fades into darkness. There are lamps illuminating each book title, and while it may not offer the most comfortable setting for extended reading, the design compels you to focus entirely on the book in your hands without any distraction.
Conclusion
These are the most beautiful bookstores in the world, and they are more than just shelves and benches. They are portals into different worlds. From neo-Gothic cathedrals to sunlit domes and sea-facing locations, these bookstores celebrate culture and creativity. Visiting them isn’t just about buying a book. It is about stepping into a story of place, passion, and possibility. So if you are ever nearby, step inside and have an experience of a lifetime.
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