“Best Bookstores in the World”: A Literary Traveler’s Guide

Last updated: November 6, 2026 · By Thomas Reed

The best bookstores worldwide are the ones that pair a carefully chosen stock with a setting that makes browsing an experience in its own right. This guide covers seven standouts across Europe, South America and North America, from Paris’s Shakespeare and Company to a former church in Maastricht. For each one, you’ll find what makes it worth the trip and what to know before you go.

Key Takeaways

• UNESCO reports that Medellín, Colombia, saw a 542% rise in bookstores over the past seven decades, and its year as World Book Capital begins on 23 April 2027.
• Buenos Aires was named a UNESCO World Book Capital in 2011, and National Geographic describes it as having more bookstores per capita than almost anywhere else in the world.
• Medellín is home to more than 110 bookshops and 25 libraries, some of them housed in buildings that once were prisons and police stations, according to Time Out.
• The World Book Capital title runs for 12 months and comes with symbolic recognition rather than a financial prize.
• Livraria Lello in Porto requires a timed-entry ticket that can be redeemed against a book purchase.

How Were These Bookstores Chosen?

These bookstores were selected for their architecture or atmosphere, their literary history, and their range of stock. The list reflects editorial judgment based on published descriptions and sources, not on personal visits. Store details such as hours, pricing and entry rules change often, so confirm them before you travel.

Best Bookstores Worldwide at a Glance

The table below summarizes the seven stores and what each one is best known for. Use it to match a shop to your travel style, whether you want history, architecture or a quirky browsing experience.

Is Shakespeare and Company Worth Visiting in Paris?

Yes. Shakespeare and Company is a legendary English-language bookstore in Paris’s Latin Quarter, known for its literary history and its welcome to writers. It hosted expatriate writers such as Ernest Hemingway and James Joyce, and it played a role in the publication of Joyce’s Ulysses.

After the store closed during World War II, George Whitman reopened it and invited “Tumbleweeds,” young writers who could stay and work in exchange for helping in the shop. The store’s worn floors and crowded shelves reflect that community spirit. Expect narrow rooms and a lot of people, so visit on a weekday morning if you want space to browse.

What Makes the Strand Bookstore Special?

The Strand is one of New York City’s best-known independent bookstores, famous for its slogan “18 Miles of Books.” It stocks new, used and rare titles, and it is the last remaining bookstore from Fourth Avenue’s historic Book Row. The store is located in the East Village and is run by the Bass family.

Visitors who collect first editions should head to the rare book room on the third floor, which holds collectible and signed copies. The store also offers “Books by the Foot,” a service that sells books by the linear foot, often used for decorating and design projects. Browse the main floors first, then climb to the rare room if you have time.

Why Is El Ateneo Grand Splendid a Must-See in Buenos Aires?

El Ateneo Grand Splendid is a bookstore in a former opera-style theater in Buenos Aires, and its interior is one of the most photographed rooms in the world of bookselling. The building’s ornate balconies and stage area give the shop a setting that feels more like a palace than a store. A café sits where the stage once stood, so you can read or rest among the shelves.

Buenos Aires holds an important place in the story of world bookselling. The city was named a UNESCO World Book Capital in 2011, and National Geographic notes that it has more bookstores per capita than almost anywhere else in the world. El Ateneo is a good place to see why that reputation exists.

Is Livraria Lello Worth the Entry Ticket?

Yes, if you are interested in architecture and want a memorable visit. Livraria Lello in Porto is known for its neo-Gothic design, its carved wood and its stained glass ceiling, and its red staircase is one of the most recognized features in bookselling. Entry is limited, so the store uses a timed-entry ticket that can be redeemed against a book purchase.

To make the most of your visit, book your entry time in advance and arrive early in the slot. Plan to buy at least one book so the ticket cost is returned in value. The shop’s range of titles in several languages, including older and rare editions, rewards a slower browse once the crowds thin.

What Makes Libreria Acqua Alta Unique?

Libreria Acqua Alta in Venice is known for storing books in gondolas, bathtubs and waterproof bins, which helps protect stock from the city’s floods. Its narrow passages, stacked piles of books and a staircase built from old volumes make it one of the most whimsical bookstores you can visit. It is a fun stop for travelers who want an unconventional shopping experience.

Plan to spend about an hour here, and expect the shop to be crowded during peak tourist hours. Look closely at the books in the gondolas and bins, since the store’s stock covers many languages and genres. The shop is a short walk from many of Venice’s best-known sights, which makes it an easy addition to a day of sightseeing.

Why Should Travelers Visit Daunt Books in London?

Daunt Books in London is a bookstore that organizes its travel literature by country, which makes it easy to find a guide or a novel set where you are headed. Its Edwardian interior, with long oak galleries and skylights, gives the store a calm and inspiring atmosphere. The shop also hosts literary events and discussions that draw both locals and visitors.

If you are building a reading list for a trip, start at the country shelves and ask staff for recommendations. For more London bookshops and literary places, see our guide to London’s best bookstores, or explore a literary tour of London through books set there.

What Is Special About Boekhandel Dominicanen?

Boekhandel Dominicanen is a bookstore in Maastricht, Netherlands, housed within a 13th-century Gothic church. Its most striking feature is a black steel bookstack that rises through the nave, and a café occupies the former choir area. The building blends historic architecture with a modern retail space that stocks books as well as vinyl records, CDs and DVDs.

The store is worth a visit for anyone interested in how old buildings can be reused for new purposes. Allow time to look up at the nave and then browse the shelves, since the layout rewards slow exploration.

Where Should You Look Beyond the Famous Names?

Look beyond the best-known shops to cities that treat bookselling as part of their cultural life. Medellín, Colombia, shows how a city can rebuild its reading culture. UNESCO has designated Medellín as a World Book Capital for 2027, and its year begins on 23 April 2027. UNESCO reports that the city saw a 542% rise in bookstores over the past seven decades.

Time Out reports that Medellín is home to more than 110 bookshops and 25 libraries, and some of these libraries occupy buildings that once served as prisons and police stations. When you travel, you can find local bookshops by checking city listings, asking at independent cafés and looking for neighborhood book fairs. For another example of a city-focused bookstore guide, see our guide to the best bookstores in Brighton.

How Do You Plan a Bookstore Trip?

Plan your route so that you can visit several shops in one city without rushing. Follow these steps to make your visit smoother:

1. Check opening hours and entry rules, especially for stores that use timed tickets.
2. Group nearby shops on the same day to save travel time.
3. Book entry slots in advance for popular sites such as Livraria Lello.
4. Bring a tote bag and a small amount of local currency for purchases.
5. Ask staff for recommendations in translated or local-language titles.

Use this checklist before you leave for a bookstore-focused trip:

• Confirm the store’s hours and any ticket requirements.
• Note which shops specialize in travel, rare books or English-language titles.
• Keep space in your luggage for purchases.
• Plan a backup stop in case a shop is closed.

For a broader view of the best bookstores worldwide, you can also read about Skylight Books in Los Angeles, a store that hosts community events.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are the best bookstores worldwide all in Europe?

No. Strong examples appear in South America, such as El Ateneo Grand Splendid in Buenos Aires, and in North America, such as the Strand in New York City. Good bookstores exist on every continent, so the best choice depends on your interests and your travel plans.

Is Livraria Lello worth the ticket?

Yes, if you want to see its neo-Gothic architecture and red staircase. The timed-entry ticket can be redeemed against a book purchase, so you can recover part of the cost. Book in advance and plan to buy something during your visit.

Can you find rare books at the Strand?

Yes. The Strand has a rare book room on its third floor with collectible and signed editions. Browse there if you collect first editions or signed copies.

What is a UNESCO World Book Capital?

A World Book Capital is a city that UNESCO recognizes for a 12-month period, running from one World Book and Copyright Day on 23 April to the next. The title carries symbolic recognition rather than a financial prize. Buenos Aires received the title in 2011, and Medellín will hold it starting in 2027.

Do I need to speak the local language to shop?

Not always. Shakespeare and Company specializes in English-language books, and many large shops stock titles in several languages. Learning a few polite phrases still helps, and staff can often recommend books in other languages.

How do I find independent bookstores in a new city?

Search for local bookstore lists, check the listings for literary events, and ask staff at cafés or libraries for suggestions. Look for shops that host readings or community events, since these often reflect a strong local reading culture.

Conclusion

The best bookstores worldwide combine great stock with a setting that makes browsing memorable. From the literary history of Shakespeare and Company to the floating shelves of Libreria Acqua Alta, each shop offers a different reason to visit. Plan your route, book any timed entries, and leave room in your bag for the books you find.