Browse the most beautiful bookstores in the world

Whether you’re on holiday or in your own city, stumbling upon a stunning bookstore or library always feels a little magical. Perhaps it’s the comfort of being surrounded by books, of the infinite worlds in which to step into as you flip through the pages, or maybe it’s the cosy environs or striking design that draw you in. From New York City to Seoul, we’ve selected some of the world’s most magnificent bookstores to pop into while you’re in town. 

1. Zhongshuge Bookstore 

Dujiangyan, Chengdu, China 

You’ll find this awe-inspiring and impressive bookstore in Dujiangyan, only a short train ride away from Chengdu. This labyrinthine space, replete with tall archways, spiral staircases, C-shaped bookshelves and columns filled with books, straddles the line between fantasy and futuristic. Mirrored ceilings and gloss-black floors contribute to the illusion of the bookshelves stretching infinitely towards the sky and the ground, each row lit up with individual strips of lighting, while the oval-shaped tables on the floor are designed to resemble boats on a lake. Shanghai-based architectural and design firm X+Living took inspiration from the landscape of Dujiangyan in creating the store, particularly its irrigation system. If you can tear yourself away from marvelling at your surreal surroundings, you can select a book from one of the shelves within reach, sit on the balcony or grab a coffee at the café on the ground floor. 

2. El Ateneo Grand Splendid 

Buenos Aires, Argentina 

El Ateneo Grand Splendid is a bibliophile’s dream come true. Over 100,000 books are packed into a historical building with all of its magnificent design meticulously preserved. Built in 1919, the building was once a theatre and a film house, before it reopened and became the flagship El Ateneo bookstore in the 2000s. There is plenty of wonder here – the domed ceiling painted by Italian-Argentine muralist Nazareno Orlandi, the theatre boxes kept in all their grandeur, the gilded balconies, and not least the auditorium filled with row after row of bookshelves. The best vantage point to take in its old-world opulence is from the stage, where the El Ateneo café now stands – stay for the live piano performances, which add an extra dash of drama to the whole experience. 

3.  Livraria Lello  

Porto, Portugal   

Livraria Lello 's signature neo-gothic façade is one of the most famous in Porto, a fitting entrance to the historic bookstore and literary institution that opened in 1906 and has stood on Rua de Carmelita for over a century. Designed by Francisco Xavier Esteves, it took two years to complete, and is renowned for its eclectic interiors. You’ll find something exceptional in every corner of the two-floor space. The grand staircase, accidentally painted crimson during renovations in 1996, adds to the splendour of the cavernous space, as does its curved bridge and archways, towering bookshelves, grand columns, intricately carved detailing and an eight-metre long stained glass skylight. You’ll find books in Portuguese and English here, including beautifully designed covers for classics that have been published in-house, and the cost of a ticket-voucher, necessary for admission, goes towards the purchase of a book. While you’re admiring the stained glass ceiling, try and see if you can spot a smiley face, added in 2018 as a cheeky nod to the current era. 

4. Arc N Book, Lotte World Tower   

Seoul, Korea 

Arc N Book is a popular Korean bookstore and lifestyle chain with a distinctly vintage look and feel, and the Jamsil location is one of its most representative. As the name suggests, you’l find plenty of arches in-store, starting with one made of books at the entrance, as well as illuminated tunnels between  the book search kiosks housed in British telephone boxes and the Art Deco font used throughout the stores are a nod to 1920s glamour. It's open till late (10.30am–10pm) to give you ample time to browse the well-stocked shelves. Our tip? Grab a seat on the soft bench by the window, with a neat view of Seokchon Lake. 

5. The Ripped Bodice 

New York, USA 

Bea and Leah Koch are sisters, romance readers and the co-owners of romance-only independent bookstore The Ripped Bodice , which has two locations in the US. Step through the pink storefront at their latest outpost in Brooklyn, New York City and it’s almost as if you’re in the pages of a period romance novel. This dreamy space is accented with plenty of enchanting details to make even the most cynical of readers swoon. Countless open books and book pages adorn the walls and ceilings, with flowers and leaves interwoven between the pages, or with window frames and birdcages affixed to them. Leah herself did the renovation, including painstakingly hand painting the intricate design onto the floor. On the shelves, you’ll find a diverse and inclusive range of romance novels, with sub-genres including contemporary, historical, young adult, classics, LGBTQI, science fiction and paranormal fiction. 

6. Gertrude & Alice 

Sydney, Australia 

Gertrude & Alice is hard to miss – if the books lining the walls don’t catch your eye, the scent of coffee and lively chatter from the café out front will definitely stop you in your tracks. This bookstore is a Bondi institution and a haven for bookworms and writers, beloved by locals and tourists alike. The store is well-stocked, with over 25,000 titles and a range of genres on offer, including fiction, non-fiction, children’s books, collectibles and classics. You could spend hours perusing the floor-to-ceiling shelves, or simply ask one of their friendly staff for a recommendation. Sink into one of their comfy armchairs, or snag a coveted table to tuck into your latest read, alongside homemade baked goods and coffee from local roasters Will & Co. And it doesn’t hurt that it’s right around the corner from the iconic Bondi Beach, either.    

7. Daunt Books Marylebone 

London, England 

It’s hard to select only one bookstore in one of the world’s best literary capitals, but if you had to see just one in London, let it be Daunt Books Marylebone , one of the city’s most famous. Housed in an Edwardian building, the space exudes plenty of charm, from the backdrop of the arched stained glass window to the oak galleries and William Morris prints. If you are looking for an all-encompassing selection of travel literature, this is the place to go, though it isn’t the store’s only forte – it also offers a broad  range of fiction and non-fiction and hosts literary events. When the weather turns, as it inevitably will in England, this spot is a great place to seek solace and while away the afternoon exploring the shelves.