The 10 Best Bookshops in Córdoba

This sprawling, two-storey bookshop right by Plaza San Martin carries a wide variety of books, from classic novels to new releases to academic titles. Most of the books are in Spanish, but there is a small, ever-rotating shelf of English-language selections. Walking into the shop off the busy calle feels like entering another world; it’s easy to get lost in the thrall of literature amidst the dark wood furniture and peacefulness here. Be sure to join as a member in order to rack up points with each purchase that will go towards your next book.

For independent and locally-published titles, look no further than this tight-knit little book store. Located just a block north of the city’s main east-west artery, 27 de Abril, El Espejo is unique in that it carries poetry and prose by Córdoba’s finest authors and publishing houses. Don’t see a particular title? Just ask the helpful staff, who will always try their best to discover just what it is you’re after.

Shop proprietor Rubén himself can often be found in this store, ready to help customers find the book they were looking for, plus an additional book or two that they didn’t even know they needed or wanted. Neatly organized, fairly priced, and with shelves ranging from local authors to world literature to art books, Rubén Libros is the place to go to discover that unusual, though-provoking tome to change your way of living.

Often compared to Rubén LibrosAmerindia Libros differentiates itself through its extensive collection of books on various artistic subjects, from visual arts to graphic design to architecture to photography. The employees are knowledgeable and always helpful and for local university students of art and design, as well as for art aficionados, Amerindia is the ultimate book destination. So, expect some learned company while browsing this one’s shelves!

Situated in a pedestrian walkway in the city center, Maidana Libros is always bustling. With a wide variety of books, there is something for everyone, including a large paperback section -ideal for readers on a budget and for travelers who want to keep that backpack weight to a minimum! The shop also specializes in academic texts, so be prepared to encounter some students here making their way through the aisles.

A tiny shop in size, Macaononetheless pulls its weight in terms of content, carrying everything from bestsellers to anthologies to children and young-adult books to art books. The attentive employees are happy to answer questions but otherwise leave customers to peruse books at their leisure. Macao also stocks some rare or hard-to-find titles that other bookshops may not carry.

Specializing in Latin-American tomes and volumes, this shop carries works on on South American politics, history, culture and more. The owners are highly involved in social issues and local activism, participating in el Colectivo de Jóvenes por Nuestros Derechos Humanos, or the Collective Youth for Our Rights in Córdoba. Promoting Latino writers and social values, Punto de Encuentro seeks to educate, debate and inform, not just sell books.

El Emporio is reminiscent of the bookshops of an age gone by. Though this one does also carry new releases and best-sellers, it specializes in classic literature and poetry, and sells a selection of old magazines and collectible items to boot. The shop looks unassuming from the outside, but on the inside it reveals itself to be a multi-storey treasure trove of local and global literature alike – definitely one to check out!