As a follow up to my post about the most interesting libraries around the world, I thought I'd take a look at some of the most (totally subjective) beautiful brick and mortar bookstores globally.
Bookshops can be repositories of history like Shakespeare and Company in Paris, or exist in grand architectural style like Livraria Lello in Porto, or become famous because of a specific literary tradition like City Lights in San Francisco. But what they all have in common is a love of gathering and making available treasures to hold, sift through, and cherish.
It is worth a quick stop at one of these bookstores whenever you are travelling and need a little quiet time, thumbing through a new or used books.
This list of the top 5 plus 1 most beautiful bookstores in the world is according to the wisdom of internet crowds, totally subjective, and in no particular order (obligatory disclaimer due to one um, person):
Livraria Lelo, Porto, Portugal
One of the oldest and loveliest bookstores in Portugal, with a combination neo-gothic / art-nouveau exterior and art deco interior. The staircase seen in this picture by Mark Koester is said to have inspired J.K. Rowling's moving staircases at Hogwarts in the Harry Potter series. There is an entrance fee which can be deducted from a purchase.
Leakey's Bookshop, Inverness, Scotland
Housed in an old Gaelic Church, Leakey's is Scotland's largest secondhand bookshop, complete with an open log fire and tons of books and rare items relating to the Scottish Highlands, Scotland, and so much more.
Cărturești Carusel, Bucharest, Romania
Some, erroneously, call it "Carousel of Light" in English, this is a stunning, extensively renovated bookshop. It also has a bistro on the upper floor and an art gallery on the lower for a longer browse. Whether you call it "Carousel of Light" or "Bookman's Carousel" (Romanian speakers can correct me here), it is a lovely space to spend some time in
El Ateneo Grand Splendid, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Named the Most Beautiful Bookshop in the World by National Geographic in 2019, this converted theatre still has customer seating using the original theatre boxes and maintains a grand feel. A must see when visiting Buenos Aires.
Libreria Acqa Alta, Venice, Italy
One of the coolest bookstores in the world, most books are stacked in bathtubs, rowboats and one gondola to save them from flooding. It has a beautiful feel rather than look and it will certainly appeal to bibliophiles. Yes, that is me reading by the fire exit.
And my plus 1:
Hay-on-Wye, Wales
The town of Hay-on-Wye in Wales boasts over 20 bookshops for a population of approximately 1,500 and hosts a literary festival so the whole town is like one grand bookshop.
And proving that beauty is in the eye of the beholder, the Honesty Bookshop has lots of books for one euro; just drop payment in a box, and take a memory home. Do you have a favourite independent bookshop near home or wherever your travels have taken you?