Journeys for Book Lovers

I adore books of all kinds, old and new. I love the smell of paper and ink, and the joy of getting lost in a bookstore or a library, but here are a few special bookshops I’ve discovered over the years.

Venice, Italy
Tucked in the heart of Venice, Libreria Acqua Alta is one of the city’s most unique and imaginative bookstores. A treasure trove of new and used books spills out from gondolas, bathtubs, canoes, and even lines the walls of the courtyard. Damaged books form a  staircase that leads to a stunning canal view, making every step part of the literary experience.

Resident cats roam freely, always in search of culture and perhaps a new chapter in life. They’re permanent fixtures at the store, nestled between novels, nibbling knowledge wherever they please.

Despite its old-world charm, Libreria Acqua Alta is surprisingly young; only about a decade old. It draws book lovers, tourists, and curious minds in droves thanks to its creative setup and cozy ambiance. Books peek from shelves, boats, and corners, covering a wide array of topics: art, cuisine, local culture, fiction bestsellers, and comic books.

Just a short walk from St. Mark’s Square, this bookstore is not just a place to browse—it’s a place to explore, smile, and get lost in stories.

Porto, Portugal
Porto sits on the Atlantic coast, hosting one of the world’s magical bookstores: Livraria Lello & Irmão, known to the English as the Lello Bookshop.

This neo-Gothic and art nouveau gem opened in 1906 and is one of Portugal’s oldest bookstores. It is famous for its grand wooden central staircase with its sweeping curves and stained-glass windows, said to have inspired the magical world of Hogwarts in the Harry Potter series.

Here art, cinema, and storytelling continue their journey together.

Paris, France
Nestled beside the Seine, on the Left Bank across from Notre-Dame, Shakespeare and Company is a famous English-language bookshop loved by writers and readers alike.

Founded in 1951 by American George Whitman at 37 Rue de la Bûcherie, it occupies a 17th-century building that was once a monastery. Monasteries were the cradle of the culture, so George would famously say: “In the Middle Ages, each monastery had a frère lampier to light the lamps at nightfall. I’m the frère lampier here now. It’s the modest role I play.”

Readers and cats alike cozy up in every corner (cats love cultural events, even in Paris, not just Rome or Istanbul!). Over the decades, countless European and American writers have passed through its doors, infusing the shop with literary lore.

Just outside are the iconic bouquinistes, green bookstalls selling used books, maps, and prints along the banks of the Seine. You’ll find similar stalls in Italy, but not as famous as their Parisian counterparts.

Maastricht, Holland
Time for a short hop to Holland and the awe-inspiring Boekhandel Selexyz Dominicanen, set inside a 700-year-old Dominican church in Maastricht.

After being closed by Napoleon in 1794 (he reportedly expelled the Dominicans), this building served as a warehouse, archive, and for a time as the world’s most ornate bicycle shed! Dating back to 1294, it’s now a bookstore complete with staircases, elevators, and walkways.

The Gothic architecture remains intact, with towering bookshelves designed to preserve the space’s spiritual elegance. A charming café awaits inside, where a long cross-shaped table now sits where the choir once sang.

Books, history, and coffee: truly a divine combination.

Buenos Aires, Argentina
Now we cross continents to South America, to marvel at Librería El Ateneo Grand Splendid, a former theater transformed into one of the world’s most beautiful bookstores.

Picture books now fill the orchestra section; balconies teeming with novels; and the grand stage is reimagined as a café. The space regained the glamor of an Italian opera house after restoration in 2000 by the Grupo ILHSA.

In 2019, National Geographic named El Ateneo Grand Splendid the world’s most beautiful bookstore—and for good reason. And with that, our journey to the world’s most magical bookstores draws to a close for now. Watch this space for more!