15+ of the Coolest Bookstores to Visit Around the World

Best Bookstores Around the World

Many things may vary from city to city, but one thing is for sure: you can always count on bookshops to be treasure troves of knowledge and entertainment. Cherished both as a place to buy reading materials and as a comfy, calm, and coffee-friendly space to relax, the bookstore has become an integral part of modern life. It's no wonder architects have paid close attention to the potential of these scholastic sanctuaries. Some of the best bookstores offer unique experiences, just upon entering.

Though the sites carry like merchandise, their styles and histories are drastically dissimilar. Some of the shops have taken up residence in refurbished spaces like a spectacular old theatre and even a 13th century Gothic church. Other stores' designs are completely contemporary, featuring futuristic architecture, bright color palettes, and creative, built-in lounges. Still, some simply put a creative twist on the classic and cozy bookshop aesthetic.

Virtually visit (and curl up in) some of the world's coolest and most beloved bookstores below.

Livraria Lello in Porto, Portugal

Coolest Bookstores Around the World

Photo credit: Ullises

Coolest Bookstores Around the World

Photo credit: Vortex Mag

 

Hangzhou Zhongshuge Bookstore in Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China

Coolest Bookstores Around the World

 

Kid’s Republic in Beijing, China

Coolest Bookstores Around the World

 

Selexyz Dominicanen Maastricht in Maastrict, Holland

Coolest Bookstores Around the World

 

Shakespeare & Company in Paris, France

Shakespeare and Company Paris - Cool Book Stores

Stock Photos from Mo Wu/Shutterstock

Coolest Bookstores Around the World

Photo credit: Books Combined

 

9 3/4 Bookstore and Café in Medellín, Colombia

Coolest Bookstores Around the World

 

Libreria Acqua Alta in Venice, Italy

Coolest Bookstores Around the World

 

El Ateneo Grand Splendid in Buenos Aires, Argentina

Coolest Bookstores Around the World

Photo credit: Ryan Poole

 

Book and Bed Kyoto in Kyoto, Japan

Coolest Bookstores Around the World

 

Cafebrería El Péndulo in Mexico City, Mexico

Coolest Bookstores Around the World

Coolest Bookstores Around the World

Photo credit: Sequel Magazine

 

Cook and Book in Brussels, Belgium

Coolest Bookstores Around the World

Coolest Bookstores Around the World

Photo credit: Cook and Book

 

The Last Bookstore in Los Angeles, California

Coolest Bookstores Around the World

Coolest Bookstores Around the World

Photo credit: The Last Bookstore

 

Rizzoli Bookstore in New York City, New York

Coolest Bookstores Around the World

Coolest Bookstores Around the World

Photo credit: Rizzoli Bookstore

 

Book and Bed Tokyo in Tokyo, Japan

Coolest Bookstores Around the World

 

Assouline at the Bauer Hotel in Venice, Italy

Coolest Bookstores Around the World

 

Le Bal des Ardents in Lyon, France

Coolest Bookstores Around the World

Photo credit: biphop

Coolest Bookstores Around the World

Photo credit: Le Bal des Ardents

 

Brattle Bookshop in Boston, Massachusetts

Coolest Bookstores Around the World

Coolest Bookstores Around the World

Photo credit: Brattle Bookshop

 

Daunt Books on Marylebone High Street in London, United Kingdom

Coolest Bookstores Around the World

Photo credit: Daunt Books

Coolest Bookstores Around the World

Photo credit: Her Favourite Food

Kelly Richman-Abdou

Kelly Richman-Abdou is a Contributing Writer at My Modern Met. An art historian living in Paris, Kelly was born and raised in San Francisco and holds a BA in Art History from the University of San Francisco and an MA in Art and Museum Studies from Georgetown University. When she’s not writing, you can find Kelly wandering around Paris, whether she’s leading a tour (as a guide, she has been interviewed by BBC World News America and France 24) or simply taking a stroll with her husband and two tiny daughters.
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