12 Most Beautiful Bookstores in the World

Let’s be honest: nothing beats the smell of a good bookstore – that thick scent of ink, paper, and endless possibilities. Bookstores have this magical, universal appeal that transcends the boundary of just about every culture. Our customs may differ, but getting lost in a book is something we all share.

Whether wandering through a busy side alley store in Buenos Aires or a quiet nook in Wales, bookstores are little havens of human connection. Without saying a word to anyone, I almost feel at home among the shelves and fellow readers immersed in their own stories.

From sleek modern libraries to creaky vintage shops, these are some of the world’s most beautiful bookstores:

12. Carturesti Carusel, Bucharest, Romania

Having visited my fair share of libraries and bookstores (guilty book lover here), Carturesti Carusel in Bucharest looks more like an impressive library than a bookstore at all. It was originally built as a bank in 1903, and has since operated as a general store, fallen into communist hands, and was then left totally abandoned.


After years of restoration, the bookstore features a central atrium with rounded balconies and soft light, giving it the name ‘The Carousel of Light.’ There’s a little cafe on the top floor, perfect for sipping a coffee while skimming through your next read.

11. Brattle Book Shop, Boston, Massachusetts

Brattle Book Shop is one of North America’s oldest and largest second-hand book shops. It’s one of those places where history and ‘whimsical’ meet. The shop is tucked away in an alley in Boston, which is lined with bookshelves. Yes, as long as it’s not raining, these bookshelves are outside!

The first two floors are packed floor to ceiling with used books, while the third floor houses rare and antique books. Here, you’ll find treasures like old maps, rare editions, and crumbling books that seem to whisper their age-old stories.

10. Shakespeare & Company, Paris, France

This was one of Ernest Hemingway and Fitzgerald’s favorite Parisian haunts. One look at Shakespeare & Company, and it all makes sense. Just around the corner from the Seine, this historic shop has been welcoming readers, writers, and the odd dreamer, since 1951.

It’s one of the few English bookstores in the city. It was constructed in an old monastery that had stood in its place since the 17th century. The shop itself is a labyrinth of passages and reading nooks—all crammed with novels, poems, keepsakes, and the odd cat lounging on a windowsill.

9. Daunt Books, London, England

Walking into Daunt Books in London is a little like wandering into Diagon Alley from Harry Potter. And the books it holds inside are just as magical. The shop specializes in travel literature and is designed for explorers and world wanderers. Shelves are arranged by country, which makes it possible to go on a little geographical expedition without ever leaving the store.

It’s set in an Edwardian building in the heart of London. The long gallery hall has a stunning stained-glass window that lets in just the right amount of light.

8. Cafebreria El Pendulo, Mexico City, Mexico

Nan Palmero / Flickr

Books and brunch, anyone? As the name suggests, Cafebreria El Pendulo isn’t only a bookstore. It also houses a cafe, which is spread over two stories and serves delicious coffees, teas, and pastries.

The store itself is large and very open, with a spacious central atrium surrounded by two levels of bookshelves. Jungle plants sit on the shelves and hang over the books, which includes everything from quirky comics to Latin American classics. It’s a bit like Mexico City itself – busy, wonderful, and a little bit wild.

7. Addyman Books, Hay-on-Wye, Wales

Luke McKernan / Flickr

Hay-on-Wye is a small Welsh town home to more than 20 bookshops. Naturally, it’s on just about every literary lover’s bucket list. And while it’s hard to choose, Addyman Books might be the most beautiful of them all.

The corner building opened in 1987 and is easy to spot with its blue arched doorways. Inside, it’s cozy and charming, with blue walls and books stacked in every direction. The Addyman Book Passage is like a second-hand sale haven, where you could snag a good read for just one pound.

6. Boekhandel Dominicanen, Maastricht, Netherlands

Picture a 13th-century Gothic church turned bookstore, and you’ll have a good idea of what to expect from Boekhandel in Maastricht. With towering ceilings, stained glass windows, and rows of bookshelves stacked high into the sky, it’s like a sacred temple of books.

The shelves are modern and minimalist, well-labeled, and lit with neon lighting. There is even a little cafe under the vaulted archways, perfect for those who want to spend a bit of extra time in this magnificent setting.

5. Libreria Acqua Alta, Venice, Italy

Venice is known for its canal networks, and this bookstore takes rising water levels seriously. When the tide rises, the books are kept safe in bathtubs and real gondolas on the store’s floor. The name Libreria Acqua Alta translates to ‘High Water Bookshop’. It’s no surprise it is famous for its creative shelving.

Among many rooms, my favorite is the courtyard, which has walls of books glowing in the natural light. There is even a rickety staircase made entirely out of books.

4. The Last Bookstore, Los Angeles, California

The Last Bookstore is housed in a 100-year-old bank in the heart of Los Angeles and is no doubt the city’s quirkiest bookshop. The decor and bookshelf arrangements, which include flying books, arches, and a tunnel of novels, are easy to get lost in.

And it’s not all about books here. The shop is also home to five art studios, a record shop, and a yarn shop. Since it’s such a change of beat from the rest of the city, The Last Bookstore almost feels a bit like stepping into Narnia.

3. Dujiangyan Zhongshuge Bookstore, Chengdu, China

If you’re looking for an optical illusion bookstore experience, Dujiangyan Zhongshuge in Chengdu is the place to go. It’s a modern marvel with curved bookshelves, mirrored ceilings, and neon-lit shelves illuminating every book.

Spiraling bookshelves shoot into the ceiling, which seems much higher than it is, thanks to the mirrors. The shop specializes in Chinese literature, though you will find a ton of international works, too.

2. El Ateneo Grand Splendid, Buenos Aires, Argentina

El Ateneo Grand Splendid is as over-the-top as the name suggests. Housed in an old theater in Buenos Aires that would once host the tango and opera legends of Argentina, the converted bookstore still has its red curtains, balcony boxes, and ornamental touches.

It’s as glamorous as it sounds. Today, you can browse novels on the stage or lounge in a theater box. You can really feel the history and cultural energy that is pent up in this building.

1. Livraria Lello, Porto, Portugal

With its intricate wood carvings, abstract staircases, and stained-glass ceilings, Libraria Lello in Porto totally deserves its title as the most beautiful bookstore in the world. The store is designed in a Neo-Gothic style, with arched windows, mahogany shelving, and warm lighting.

And if you want to linger in the space, there is a small cafe that serves coffee and even wine for the evening visitors. Once you visit, it’s not hard to believe that this shop supposedly inspired J.K Rowling’s Hogwarts.