Subscribe
- Sanskaar 101
- Spotlight
- Wedding Diaries
- Fashion & Beauty
- Trends & Culture
- Astrology
AI generated summary, newsroom reviewed
Book lovers live in a different world altogether. They have a universe of their own filled with books and fictional characters. And when these book lovers find love with each other, it turns into a fairytale after all. And when they travel together, they don’t come back with fridge magnets as their souvenirs, instead they come back with a suitcase full of books.
So, if your perfect date involves wandering through towering bookshelves, recommending your favourite novels to each other or spending hours reading in a cosy corner, these bookstores deserve a spot on your bucket list. They’re not just beautiful; they’ve got fascinating stories too. Some were once churches and theatres, while another exists because a group of friends decided to turn a holiday idea into reality.
Walking into Leakey’s feels like stepping into another world. The bookstore sits inside an 18th-century old Gaelic church that was transformed into a second-hand bookshop in 1979 by Charles Leakey. The original stone walls, stained-glass windows and giant wood-burning stove are still part of the experience, giving it a warm, cosy feel. It’s easy to lose track of time here, especially if both of you love hunting for hidden literary treasures across the 100,000 tomes. One of the most intriguing features of the bookstore is the wood-burning fire that keeps the locals and tourists hooked.
Few bookstores are as famous as Livraria Lello. Opened in 1906 by the Lello brothers, it quickly became one of Portugal’s most loved literary spaces. The bookstore-slash-coffee shop with its dramatic staircase, colourful stained-glass ceiling and beautiful woodwork, feels like something straight out of a storybook. It’s busy almost every day, but it’s still worth visiting.
Only Venice could have a bookstore where books are stored inside gondolas, boats and even bathtubs. Owner Luigi Frizzo came up with the idea because flooding is a regular part of life in Venice, and traditional bookshelves just weren’t practical. It is often regarded as the most beautiful bookstore in the world and is one of the city’s most photographed spots, complete with resident cats, endless stacks of books and a staircase made entirely from old novels overlooking a canal.
It’s hard to believe this stunning bookstore was once an abandoned building. Originally built in the 19th century, it stood empty for years before being beautifully restored and reopening in 2015. Today, it spans six floors and features around 10,000 books. Its bright white interiors, curved balconies and sun-filled spaces have earned it the nickname “Carousel of Light,” and it’s easily one of Europe’s prettiest bookstores.
This isn’t just a bookstore, it’s an old theatre with a second life. Built in May 1919, the building first welcomed audiences for theatre performances and later became a cinema before reopening as a bookstore in December 2000. Thankfully, almost everything stayed the same. The grand balconies, painted ceiling and red stage curtains are still there, while the stage itself has been turned into a café where visitors can enjoy a coffee with their latest reading.
Half bookstore, half café and filled with lush greenery, Cafebrería el Péndulo feels more like someone’s dream living room than a bookstore. Since opening in the early 1990s, it’s become a favourite hangout for readers, artists and students. There are regular book launches, live music performances and plenty of quiet corners where you can settle in with a coffee.
Atlantis Books began with a holiday conversation. In 2004, a group of friends visiting Santorini realised the island didn’t have a proper bookstore. Instead of letting the idea fade away, they came back two years later and opened one themselves. Today, this tiny independent bookstore overlooking the Aegean Sea has become a favourite stop for readers from around the world, thanks to its cosy shelves, literary events and unbeatable sunset views.
The name means “Read Slowly,” and that’s pretty much the vibe here. Located inside Lisbon’s creative LX Factory, which was once an industrial complex, the bookstore is known for its huge shelves, industrial interiors and the giant flying bicycle hanging from the ceiling. It’s one of those places where you go in to browse for ten minutes and somehow leave two hours later.
Not every great bookstore has to be massive. Tucked away in Notting Hill, Lutyens & Rubinstein has built a loyal following since opening in 2009 in Kensington, London. The shelves are carefully curated, the recommendations are spot on and the cosy atmosphere makes you want to keep coming back. It’s the kind of neighbourhood bookstore every reader dreams of finding.
