8 Most Enchanting Bookstores Every Book Lover Should Visit

Step into the world’s most legendary bookstores. These are addresses, according to Literary Hub, where time slows and you never want to leave...

Pic: Kind courtesy Birte Fritsch/Wikimedia Commons

The Strand, New York City

Back in 1927, Lithuanian-born Benjamin Bass opened what would become as much a New York legend as the Empire State or the Statue of Liberty. Nicknamed 18 Miles of Books, Strand has every book you could dream of.

 

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Honesty Bookshop, Hay-on-Wye

Nestled within the ancient walls of Hay Castle, Wales, is a round-the-clock open-air haven for bibliophiles. Established in the 1960s, it runs entirely on trust. No staff. No tills. Just loads of books tucked among ruins. And a letterbox where you slip in a pound for every book you take home.

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Powell’s, Portland

Hailed as the globe’s largest independent bookstore, Powell's has been an Oregon literary landmark since 1971. Its mission goes beyond selling books... It aims to create a sanctuary for readers, nurturing a love of reading.

Pic: Kind courtesy Powell's Books

Livraria Lello, Porto

Established in 1869 by Ernesto Chardron on Rua dos Clérigos, this Portugal treasure is famed for its ornate interiors and flowing staircase, making it one of the world’s most attractive bookstores.

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Libreria Acqua Alta, Venice 

Created by Luigi Frizzo in 2004, the playful Venetian bookstore has books resting in bathtubs, gondolas, plastic tubs and more. Its name translates to: High Water Bookshop.

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Shakespeare And Company, Paris

Opened in 1951 by George Whitman on Paris’s Left Bank, the iconic English-language bookstore is frequently hailed as one of the most renowned bookshops in the world.

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City Lights Books, San Francisco

In the heart of the city, the store is a unique hub where books meet bold ideas. Established in 1953 by the poet Lawrence Ferlinghetti, it's a bookstore, publishing house and a place that champions international literature, creative arts, along with forward-thinking political thought.

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Selexyz Dominicanen, Maastricht

For true book devotees, the Netherlands boekhandel is a must-see. Originally a 13th-century church, in 2005 architecture firm Merkx + Girod transformed the space into a strikingly gorgeous bookstore.

Pic: Kind courtesy Bert Kaufmann/Wikimedia Commons
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