The World's Most Iconic Bookshops: 10 Must-Visit Literary Havens for Travelers
Bookshops are every traveler's ideal companion: offering shelter from inclement weather, essential maps, notebooks, and guides, plus cultural events like author readings. They're perfect for restocking your reading material mid-journey. Drawn from Lonely Planet's Best in Travel 2011, these are our top picks for browsing, buying, and immersing yourself in literary worlds—where you can connect with fellow book enthusiasts.
1. City Lights Books, San Francisco, USA
Founded nearly 60 years ago by Lawrence Ferlinghetti, City Lights Books remains one of the world's coolest bookstores. A historic hub for Beat Generation icons like Jack Kerouac and Allen Ginsberg, it continues to anchor San Francisco's vibrant literary scene. Explore three floors of books, including City Lights' own publications, and attend weekly readings and events. Feel the bohemian spirit that inspired cross-country road trips to the Bay Area—far more immersive than the nearby Beat Museum.
Visit www.citylights.com for event details, accessible across Wi-Fi-covered San Francisco.
2. Librería El Ateneo Grand Splendid, Buenos Aires, Argentina
This grand 1920s theater-turned-bookshop in downtown Buenos Aires rivals any for sheer beauty. Original opulent features—like the frescoed ceiling and spectator balconies lined with shelves—create a breathtaking space. Former theater boxes now serve as cozy reading nooks, while a cafe occupies the stage amid red velvet curtains. Open around the clock for nonstop literary indulgence.
Find it on the south side of Ave Santa Fe, 50m west of Ave Callao.
3. Livraria Lello, Porto, Portugal
This over 100-year-old Art Nouveau masterpiece in Porto stands among the world's most stunning shops. Neo-Gothic shelves carved with Portuguese literary figures compete with the books for attention. A red staircase spirals like an exotic bloom to the upper floor, where a cafe sits under a stained-glass skylight. English titles available alongside Portuguese.
Extend your Art Nouveau adventure at Café Majestic and Rua Galeria de Paris.
4. Shakespeare & Company, Paris, France
In Paris's Latin Quarter, near Notre Dame, this iconic shop drew Beat poets for smokes and deep talks. Opened in 1951 by George Whitman, it's now led by his daughter, preserving its creative chaos. Stock up on paperbacks, mingle with literati amid packed shelves, wooden beams, and poetic posters.
Near St-Michel (metro line 4) and St-Michel Notre Dame (RER B/C). See https://shakespeareandcompany.com.
5. Daunt Books, London, England
London excels in travel bookstores like Stanford's, but Daunt Books tops our list. Books—from biographies to fiction—are organized by country for easy discovery. The flagship Marylebone store in an Edwardian building features oak galleries, skylights, and William Morris prints for serene browsing. Other branches in upscale neighborhoods.
Locations: 83 Marylebone High St, Chelsea, Holland Park, Hampstead, Belsize Park. Open daily; www.dauntbooks.co.uk.
6. Another Country, Berlin, Germany
This Kreuzberg gem serves expats, indie bands, and book lovers with 20,000 titles. Functioning as a library, buy a book, return it read, and reclaim your money minus €1.50. Enjoy events like Tuesday film club, Thursday TV nights, and Friday dinners. It champions creativity with shop stories and comics online.
At Riemannstrasse 7; Tue-Fri 11am-8pm, weekends noon-4pm. Events from 8pm/9pm; www.anothercountry.de.
7. The Bookworm, Beijing, China
More than a bookstore, The Bookworm promotes literature with branches in Suzhou and Chengdu. Access banned titles, a 16,000+ book lending library, gigs, and an annual festival. Features a whisky bar and wine club.
International Literary Festival: mid-March in Beijing, Suzhou, Chengdu; www.chinabookworm.com.
8. Selexyz Dominicanen, Maastricht, The Netherlands
Housed in a 13th-century Dominican church, this award-winning space features a towering steel bookstack preserving the nave's grandeur while maximizing 1,200 sqm of shelves. Climb to view 14th-century ceiling art; cafe on the altar. A serene haven near Liège, Aachen, and Amsterdam (220km by train).
9. Bookàbar, Rome, Italy
Inside Palazzo delle Esposizioni, this sleek, white space brims with art books, catalogs, CDs, DVDs, and more—like a futuristic library. Curvy ceilings and smooth shelves enhance the vibe. Adjoining cafe draws from current exhibitions.
Near Via Nazionale and Via Milano; ongoing art shows.
10. Atlantis Books, Santorini, Greece
Founded by international graduates in a cliff-top villa basement, this indie haven bucks trends. Overlooking the Aegean, it hosts events amid cult novels and quality reads in a communal artist space.
Santorini links to Athens via Blue Star Ferries, Hellas Flying Dolphins, Olympic Air, Aegean Airlines.
Also check out:
- European bookstore guide by Gadling.com
- Book events and readings as a travel pursuit by Gadling.com
