My list of Wonderful Bookstores around the world will take you on a journey across the globe, discovering truly special places. If you find yourself in one of these cities, visiting its beautiful bookshop should absolutely be part of your itinerary. It will be an immersive experience in history, art, and literary culture.

Bookstores are much more than just places to buy books: they can be an oasis of tranquility, a cultural environment, and even a work of art. Bookstores are magical places where you can find hidden treasures and venture between the pages of ancient and contemporary books.

However, there are bookstores that, in addition to their precious collections, take your breath away with their beauty, grandeur, and architectural uniqueness.

On the occasion of World Book Day (April 23), let’s travel together with our imagination to some of the most Wonderful Bookstores in the world—places that often become true tourist destinations.
Each of these bookstores offers a vast collection of books, manuscripts, and historical documents, but often also a special design that makes them unique in their kind.

The list I’m offering you is the result of various research here and there, ranging from historical buildings to modern futuristic structures. Visiting one of these bookstores during a trip represents an immersive experience in history and art in places that embody boundless beauty.

Let’s discover them together.

10 Wonderful Bookstores in the World you absolutely must visit

Albertine Bookstore, New York – New York

Albertine Bookstore is a French bookstore located in the Upper East Side neighborhood of New York. It opened in 2014 and is affiliated with the Fondation Alliance Française in Paris.
The bookstore offers a wide selection of books in French, ranging from art to literature, philosophy, and cooking. It also regularly hosts events such as book presentations, concerts, readings, and debates.

The bookstore is also famous for its architecture and design, with an art deco vaulted ceiling and custom-made walnut bookshelves.
Moreover, Albertine Bookstore has a partnership with the New York Public Library, allowing customers to reserve and pick up books from the library directly in the bookstore.
The bookstore has been praised as “one of the best French bookstores outside of France” and as an important meeting place for the French-speaking community in New York.

The Royal Portuguese Cabinet of Reading, Rio de Janeiro – Brazil

This formidable library is one of the most beautiful in the world, located in Rio de Janeiro.
It is the largest public library of Portuguese culture outside of Portugal, containing over 350,000 books. It was founded in 1837 by the Portuguese community in Rio de Janeiro and is famous for its collection of Portuguese, Brazilian, and African literature, including original works by Camões and Fernando Pessoa.

Biblioteca Vasconcelos, Mexico City – Mexico

Opened in 2006, Biblioteca Vasconcelos was designed by Mexican architect Alberto Kalach, featuring modern and futuristic design. The structure is surrounded by huge glass walls that allow natural light to illuminate the interiors. The shelves, which hold over 500,000 volumes, are arranged over five floors connected by suspended walkways, creating a “library of the future” atmosphere.

Shakespeare and Company, Paris – France

Shakespeare and Company bookstore is located in the Latin Quarter of Paris and was founded in 1951 by George Whitman. It is an independent bookstore, very unique and charming, that has hosted numerous famous writers among its shelves.

The building has a medieval-style facade, and inside, the walls are covered with wooden shelves, filled with books of all kinds, although the bookstore specializes in Anglophone literature in English. It also offers a good selection of other foreign-language books.

The bookstore also offers a room for writers looking for a place to sleep, provided they commit to writing a few pages every day. This is a tradition started by George Whitman, who wanted to create a community of writers and give them a place to live and work.

Abbey Bookshop, Paris – France

Still in Paris, near Place Monge, Abbey Bookshop is a delight for those who love books in English.
The intimate and cozy atmosphere, combined with an abundance of books, provides an excellent combination for spending time reading, making it a perfect place to find inner peace.

El Ateneo Grand Splendid, Buenos Aires – Argentina

El Ateneo Grand Splendid is one of the most beautiful bookstores in the world. The former theater, located on Santa Fe Street in Buenos Aires, was converted into a bookstore, perfectly combining a theatrical atmosphere, decor, and space for reading. The stage has been transformed into a café, offering a comfortable space to relax and enjoy a good book.

Atlantis Books, Santorini – Greece

On the Greek island of Santorini, Atlantis Books sits in a mountainous area between boutiques and restaurants. This bookstore was inaugurated in 2004 by a pair of friends who wanted to create a cultural space for gatherings.
Here, you can find books in English and other languages, a garden relaxation area, and a yearly cultural activity themed around Greek mythology.

Libreria Alta Acqua, Venice – Italy

A must-visit for tourists from all over the world, Alta Acqua bookstore is located right next to a canal in the stunning lagoon city of Venice. Despite the frequent flooding typical of the city,
Alta Acqua is undoubtedly one of the most fascinating places to purchase a book. The ground floor of the bookstore is dedicated to photography and contemporary art books, while the upper floor is reserved for Italian and French literature works.

Read here how not to have your weekend in Venice ruined despite high tide

Gangnam Public Library, Seoul – South Korea 

Gangnam Public Library is located in the heart of the Gangnam district in Seoul, South Korea. The structure spans four floors and covers a total area of about 8,000 square meters.

Inaugurated in 2008, the library has an extensive collection of books, magazines, and research materials in Korean and other languages. Additionally, the library offers visitors a modern and comfortable space to study, conduct research, or simply read a book.
Gangnam Library has separate reading rooms for adults, young people, and children, composed of quiet and reserved areas where one can study and concentrate. It also provides free WIFI access, internet booths, and multimedia rooms for presentations and screenings.

The Last Bookstore, Los Angeles – California

The Last Bookstore is an independent bookstore located in downtown Los Angeles and is considered one of the most iconic places in the city.

The structure is housed in a historic building that previously hosted a bank and is a true architectural masterpiece.

Klementinum Bookshop, Prague – Czech Republic

Finally, let’s go to Prague, where Klementinum Bookshop is one of the architectural treasures of the city. Inaugurated in 1722, Klementinum is one of the oldest and largest libraries in Central Europe, with over six million volumes.

In these bookstores, the book and its house become art, and reading becomes an opportunity to discover unique and evocative atmospheres.
In conclusion, these bookstores are just some of the many architectural and cultural wonders you can find around the world. Each one has its own story, style, and unique beauty, making them exceptional places for anyone who loves books and libraries. Exploring them means immersing oneself in a world of culture and beauty, but also discovering how the passion for books and knowledge can create places that become true treasures for humanity.

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