11 Beautiful Places All Book Lovers Need To Visit

Books are the best and they are universal. No matter where you are in the world, there is going to be a dreamy spot where you can indulge in literary history, check out the latest in library design or just curl up a good book and let your mind wander. Here are 11 beautiful places every book lover needs to visit.

Shakespeare and Company

Paris, France

Part of Paris’ literary history since 1919, the original self-proclaimed ‘rag and bone bookshop of the heart’ had to shut due to WWII. The current bookshop was opened in the 1950’s by George Whitman and is a paradise for book lovers, having seen the likes of Allen Ginsberg and Henry Miller pass through its doors.

37 Rue de la Bûcherie, 75005 Paris, France

Libreria Acqua Alta

Bookstore

This iconic shop in Venice stores books in gondolas and bathtubs – just in case the building gets flooded.

City Lights

Bookstore, Store

One of the best independent bookshops in America, this San Fran staple was founded in 1953 by poet Lawrence Ferlinghetti and Peter D. Martin.

The Library

Hotel, Boutique Hotel, Resort

A bibliophile’s dream, this sleekly designed hotel boasts rooms with literary names and an incredible library of amazing coffee table books.

Cafe Pushkin

Cafe, Restaurant, French, Russian

Calling a breathtaking 19th-century mansion home, this French and Russian restaurant is set in a Baroque library. It might be hard to focus on your food in such a beautiful setting!

Hearst Castle

Building, Library

The Gothic library at Hearst Castle transports you back to medieval times and holds somewhere around 4,000 books.

Zhongshuge

Hangzhou, China

https://www.instagram.com/p/BWhsC84hwyR/?tagged=zhongshugebookstore

This bookstore is a designer’s dream! Created by XL Muse, the space is home to mirrored ceilings, arched shelves and books, upon books, upon books.
Shop 101 Building 4, Star Avenue, Binjiang District, Hangzhou, China

Book and Bed

Bookstore

With outlets in Kyoto and Fukuoka as well as the original in Tokyo, this bookshop allows visitors to spend the night with beds built-in throughout the space and over 3,200 books in English and Japanese.

El Ateneo Grand Splendid

Bookstore, Architectural Landmark

A cafe and bookshop housed in an old theatre, this Buenos Aires gem is possibly one of the most stunning settings for books ever!

Strand Bookstore

Bookstore, Store, Library, Park, School

This bookstore is home to 18 miles of books, and has been on the NYC literary scene since 1927.

Les Bouqinistes

Paris, France

The booksellers of these charming stalls line the streets above the riverbank, selling new and antique books, magazines, posters and more. This is why the Seine is known as ‘the only river in the world that runs between two bookshelves.’

Bordering the Seine from the Pont Marie to the quai Voltaire, 75004 Paris, France

About the author

India Irving

Social Media Editor

Born and raised in LA, India studied Drama at the University of Southern California before shifting her focus to the visual arts. After moving to London in 2013, she co-founded the iOS app ArtAttack which focused on connecting emerging artistic talent with galleries and collectors. Following that she worked at Albany Arts Communications, a boutique Art PR firm in Fitzrovia before joining Culture Trip. Aside from art and theatre, India's other passions include travel, food, books and dance.