Because if you can’t get lost in a book, you might as well get lost in a bookstore: From Venice to Santorini, and Berlin to St. Petersburg, these libraries have long provided ample room to err about, provided as they are with breathtaking architecture and intricate interiors. Be inspired by our list of Europe’s 10 most beautiful examples, and, you know, by a book or something.
Located in an idyllic location in the heart of Oia’s whitewashed town on the island of Santorini, Atlantis Books is a charming independent bookshop founded by a group of friends in 2004. When in this part of the world, take the time to peruse through a generous selection of fiction and non-fiction in numerous languages, relaxing in the cool of the basement bookstore. Run by a welcoming collective of international artists and writers, the Greek villa also organizes numerous literary evening events, as well as theatre performances and open-air cinema viewings. Over the years, it has become an integral part of the Greek expat community – no wonder, as for many, the bookstore in the heart of the Mediterranean proves to be the ultimate sanctuary.
Just around the corner from Paris’s Latin Quarter and Boulevard Saint-Germaine, stands one of the most famous independent bookstores in Europe, Shakespeare & Company. Generations of notable literary patrons have frequented the early 17th century building overlooking the south side of the Notre Dame, from Voltaire to Ernest Hemingway – not to mention over 30,000 aspiring artists staying in the bookstore in exchange for manning the tills during the day. Established by Sylvia Beach in 1919, the current location was opened by George Whitman in 1951 and today, Shakespeare and Company is run by his daughter, who continues the bookstore’s tradition of providing a welcoming retreat for writers and visitors alike. Stop by in the early morning to avoid the crowds and browse through thousands of English-language titles.
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Dominicanen, Maastricht
Bookstore, Building, Church
Courtesy of Cook & Book
Maastricht in the Netherlands is home to Dominicanen, previously known as Polare, a fantastic bookstore located in the unique setting of a 700-year-old former Dominican church, boasting breath-taking gothic architecture and a minimalist interior design. Amongst the ornate frescoes, stone arches and dark vaults of the building, the bookstore offers a spectacular collection of titles, beautifully arranged on multi-story black steel shelves and counters. Not only does Dominicanen carry the largest selection of English titles in the city, but it also offers apt opportunities for relaxation and quiet reading – grab a coffee and take a seat in the accompanying café to fully acknowledge the splendor of the huge space.
Despite the name, Cook & Book does not only specialize in cookery titles but is in fact a wonderfully innovative concept merging the delights of reading and food. Within its extensive complex of nine rooms, diverse selections of literature are intertwined with restaurants serving various cuisines. Undoubtedly, this is a revolutionary approach to book retailing – whether dropping by for an afternoon meal with friends, or simply to pick up a new title, Cook & Book is sure to offer a very memorable experience and will dramatically transform the way you view your average bookstore.
Located in an original Edwardian building, Daunt Books is largely considered to be one of the best and most beautiful travel specialist bookstores in London. Browse through thousands of titles in an outstanding interior, complete with oak balconies, classic wooden counters, a skylight ceiling and intricate stained-glass windows. For avid travelers, this place is a dream and offers a plethora of guidebooks, maps, language aids and travelogues organized by country, as well as hundreds of titles on history and politics. Naturally, there is also a wide-ranging selection of fiction, biography, crime, poetry and short stories on hand. With the atmosphere of an old-fashioned library, Daunt Books is a hidden gem in the center of the capital.
Alexandra Book Café, Budapest
Bookstore, Store
Just off of Budapest’s luxurious Andrassy shopping street, the Alexandra Book Café occupies a large space on the second floor of the former Paris department store. Adorned with glistening chandeliers, stunning frescoes and numerous paintings by Károly Lotz, this is most certainly a very grandiose set-up for a bookstore. Amidst the art nouveau design of the café, located within a large ballroom, read to your heart’s content whilst savoring the surprisingly well-priced selection of pastries and sipping on a coffee. For a glimpse of what Budapest looked like a century ago and to experience its old-world splendor, look no further.
The Singer House is an impressive building located at the intersection of the Nevsky Prospekt and the Griboyedov Canal. Whilst the historical landmark offers a spectacular view of the Kazan Cathedral from its wide windows, this object of Russian cultural heritage is also home to the renowned House of Books, or Dom Knigi. Belonging to the Petrograd State Publishing House, the store began operating in 1939 and remained functioning during the Leningrad Blockage until November 1942. Upon reopening in 1948, the House of Books has continued to be one of the largest bookstores in St. Petersburg, catering to all tastes with over three floors of bookshelves, spanning all subjects from fiction to travel writing. When you have finished purchasing and browning, plant yourself by the windows in the Café Singer on the second floor and take in the breathtaking view of the Prospekt and the Cathedral.
Originally born in Moscow, Varia moved to London at a young age before re-locating to historic Edinburgh to complete her MA in English Literature and German, enabling her to speak three languages fluently by the age of 21. Today, she lives in Berlin, embracing the fast-paced lifestyle and the whirlwind of activities that the sleepless city has to offer. Having worked for international publications such as the BBC, The Moscow Times and for various content platforms, she is grateful for her editorial role at The Culture Trip for fueling her passion for travel and the discovery of new things to eat, see and do. For a glimpse of what she's up to these days, take a look at her Instagram.
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