3 Beautiful Bookshops You Must Visit in Europe

April 1, 2019
book fair market cuesta moyano madrid spain europe best beautiful bookshop cool bookstore
Being an avid reader, bookshops are always in my travel itinerary, especially if I'm traveling abroad. I could spend hours in a bookstore, they are my happy place. Sometimes, I even keep myself from entering because otherwise I'll mess up the travel plan for the day... Thanks to Instagram and Pinterest, I've discovered plenty of unique and beautiful bookstores around the world that don't appear on your average travel guide and which combine endless rows of books and incredible decor. Can we ask for more? On this post I'm sharing 3 beautiful bookshops you must visit in Europe and 3 more that I can't wait to see with my own eyes.

Without further ado, let's check out some of Europe's best bookstores.
book fair market cuesta moyano madrid spain europe best beautiful bookshop cool bookstore
MADRID - Cuesta de Moyano
Old books to buy from tiny wooden shops. It doesn't get much cooler than that, right? If you walk past the Botanic Gardens, you will find this cute vintage book market on Cuesta de Moyano. It is easy to find because it's very close to Retiro park and Atocha train station. If you like those iconic booksellers along the Seine in Paris, you are going to love this hidden gem.
This is a permanent book fair and it's open from Monday to Sunday from 10am to 6pm.
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book fair market cuesta moyano madrid spain europe best beautiful bookshop cool bookstore
Oh, and there is much more than books, there's also an impressive cacti exhibit!
book fair market cuesta moyano madrid spain europe best beautiful bookshop cool bookstore cacti exhibit
book fair market cuesta moyano madrid spain europe best beautiful bookshop cool bookstore cacti exhibit
PARIS - Shakespeare & Co.
A charming bookstore in the heart of Paris which has become one of the most famous in the world in recent years. In fact, don't be surprised if you find a queue to enter. They host readings a few times a week, so check out their event calendar to plan your visit. If you buy a book, they will stamp it with the bookstore's logo which makes it a great souvenir to get from your trip to Paris.

book shakespeare company paris europe best beautiful bookshop cool bookstore
book shakespeare company paris europe best beautiful bookshop cool bookstore
Image above via Pinterest

After visiting Shakespeare and Co., I recommend you stop by the beautiful restaurant Au Vieux Paris -pictured below- which is just 5 minutes away.

Read My Complete Travel Guide to Paris
VENICE - Libreria Acqua Alta
This is one of the most unique and unusual spots we've ever been to. It's one of those places off the beaten path you must visit in Venice. This self-proclaimed "most beautiful bookstore in the world" houses a full-size gondola inside which serves as a shelf and if you climb the "booksteps" in the backyard you get amazing views of Venice.

book libreria acqua alta venice italy europe best beautiful bookshop cool bookstore
book libreria acqua alta venice italy europe best beautiful bookshop cool bookstore
book libreria acqua alta venice italy europe best beautiful bookshop cool bookstore
book libreria acqua alta venice italy europe best beautiful bookshop cool bookstore
book libreria acqua alta venice italy europe best beautiful bookshop cool bookstore
ON MY BUCKET LIST...
  • Daunt Books, Marylebone in London, England. It's considered one of the most instagrammable bookshops in London. 
  • Livraria Lello in Porto, Portugal. This bookshop is said to have inspired J.K. Rowling when she was writing the Harry Potter series.
  • Carturesti Carusel in Bucharest, Romania. Located in a restored old bank building from the early 1900’s.
I hope you enjoyed this post and that you'll help me discover new unique bookshops too! Do you know any other ones that I should add to my list?

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50 comments

  1. What a neat idea! When we were in Tbilisi in the Republic of Georgia there were many book vendors on the streets. But I usually do not think to visit bookstores. I may need to remedy that! That bookstore in Paris looks really worth the visit!
    www.chezmireillefashiontravelmom.com

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  2. these bookstores all look really unique and special. Book stores and shops are definitely my happy place too. I'm a bookworm myself. Thanks for sharing.

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  3. I love book stores and have gone to many on my travels.

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  4. Bookstores are my favorite, especially the small, older ones. I would love to go there!

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  5. Oh I love this so much. I can spend HOURS in a used book store (or any book store really.) I love those book steps! http://www.thedarlingdahlia.com

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  6. Those places look so neat and rich in history of books. I like the colorful pics.

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  7. I could get lost in these little bookshops for hours. They really look beautiful and a must visit.

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  8. Clair Mozingo CookApril 2, 2019 at 5:20 AM

    I am obsessing over these book stores! Such a great idea!

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  9. Wow the book shop in Venice looks so unique! What fabulous and unique pieces!

    http://www.mylittlenest.org

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  10. I'm a book lover, but have mostly transitioned to e-reader books. They take up so much less space. But your photos made me feel a bit nostalgic for the smell of books in a bookstore.


    Thanks for sharing at https://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2019/04/somethings-squirrely-on-april-fools-day.html

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  11. http://ladyfi.wordpress.comApril 2, 2019 at 5:00 PM

    Fabulous! I was in Zwolle, in the Netherlands, recently and there was a lovely bookshop + restaurant in an old church.

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  12. I LOVE this! I have been to a couple but I want to see them all. I'll PIN for later - great post xx Maria
    https://www.passionfruitpawsandpeonies.com

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  13. That Venice bookshop looks so cool! Lovely shots.

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  14. I wish I had known about these places when I traveled Europe several years ago. I am a fan of reading and bookstores are a nice way to stop and slow down. My family and I are traveling to Portugal this Summer and also visiting Porto, I'll make sure to visit the bookstore you listed!

    Maureen | www.littlemisscasual.com

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  15. I love this list! I remember when I lived in Sarajevo, one of the first things I did when I moved was tried to find a place to buy books! Happy travels! Saw your blog though the blog hop :)

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  16. I considered stopping by Shakespeare & Co last time I was in Paris, but I was afraid it was a tourist trap. Glad to see another recommend. Maybe next time I go to Paris, I'll make a point of visiting. :)

    The bookshop in Venice looks really awesome. I love that book wall!

    With Love,
    Mandy

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  17. What finds, thanks so much for sharing these!

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  18. I haven't visited any of these but they are gorgeous. I'm smitten with the one in Venice. I have been to Livraria Lello which is beautiful but very busy. #farawayfiles

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  19. I have spent many a happy day wandering around Shakespeare and Co, but kicking myself I have never been to Libreria Acqua Alta. What a beauty. I can vouch for Daunt Books - it's a must-visit for booklovers in London - I also recommend Hatchards on Piccadilly and John Sandoe in Chelsea. #farawayflies

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  20. Great choices. Shakespeare & Co and Acquaria LIbrerio Acqua Alta are two of my favourites too. I'm always on the hunt for good bookshops - I could spend hours in them. Thanks for sharing on #farawayfiles

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  21. I really do wish I knew about these cute little bookshops before I visited! However I have the one in Paris on my list for sure for my next visit! Thanks for finding these little gems Cristina!

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  22. WOW! Those bookstores are amazing, especially the 2nd and 3rd one!

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  23. This is wonderful. The Venice book shop looks fabulous I'm a huge bookstore fan too and always seek them out when travelling. If you are in London I can highly recommend Daunt Books, its my absolute favourite. Hay on Wye is fun too as its absolutely full of bookstores #farawayfiles

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  24. Oh wow what awesome bookshops! They look like a great place for a browse and are so pretty in the photos too! :)

    Hope you have a good start to your week :) Thank you so much for joining the #weekdayWearLinkUp :)

    Away From The Blue

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  25. Thanks, Mireille! I'd love to visit Georgia some day.

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  26. Glad you like it, Ivana. What's your favorite book?

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  27. Any cool ones you can recommend?

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  28. Me too! I could pretty much live in a library :)

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  29. Me too, I find them so special!

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  30. I don't think I can change to e-readers. I just love the feel of books and turning pages... But I also think they are great for taking less space and being lighter!

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  31. I'd love to visit the Netherlands!

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  32. It means a lot to me that you like it, Maria!

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  33. Porto is so beautiful, Maureen! You are going to love it

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  34. Thanks for stopping by! Glad you liked the post!

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  35. There are many tourists at Shakespear and Co but it's still a nice place to visit :)

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  36. These are sooo adorable indeed! Thanks a lot for sharing dear!

    Jessica | notjessfashion.com

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  37. Thanks for the recommendations, Scarlett! I'll be sure to check them out next time I'm in London

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  38. You are very welcome! I hope you get to see them soon

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  39. Thanks for the recommendation, Angie! I will check it out.

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  40. Thanks for stopping by, Mica! Looking forward to the next linkup :)

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  41. These all look amazing! Shakespeare & Co. has always been on my list. Can't believe I still haven't made it to Paris!

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