If you munch through books like midnight snacks or just love the smell of dusty pages (no judgment, we’ve all been there), Europe’s quirky indie bookshops are calling your name.
In this piece, we’ll take a peek at the best independent bookstores in Europe that feel like cozy dens, historical goldmines, and sometimes, just gloriously odd. From Paris’s twisty lanes to London’s swanky streets, each one is spilling over with stories (and not just the ones on the shelves).
Image Credit: Getty Images, P A Thompson. Image Location: Hay Castle, Hay-on-Wye, Wales
Unusual indie bookshops in England & Wales
Honesty Bookshop at Hay Castle — Hay-on-Wye, Wales
Hay-on-Wye, known as the "Town of Books," hosts the annual Hay Literary Festival. Among its charming bookstores is the Honesty Bookshop at Hay Castle, established in the 1960s. It features open-air shelves filled with second-hand books, paid for through an honesty box. The Hay Castle Trust is now considering modernizing payment options like "tap and pay" to update this quaint tradition.
Nearest train station: Hereford
The Sanctuary Bookshop — Lyme Regis, England
A “Narnia” in Dorset, this quirky shop sprawls across four floors, each room a new adventure. The owner’s a bit of a character too — gruff but endearing, like a protagonist from a classic novel.
Nearest train station: Axminster
Daunt Books — London, England
An Edwardian marvel on Marylebone High Street, Daunt Books is a Mecca for travel literature enthusiasts. Imagine long oak galleries and skylights that would brighten even the gloomiest London day. Fun fact: Daunt Books was the first custom-built bookshop in the world. Talk about setting the bar high!
Nearest train station: Marylebone | Nearest tube station: Baker Street
Jarndyce Antiquarian Booksellers — London, England
Opposite the British Museum stands a haven for history buffs. Jarndyce specializes in 17th to 19th-century English literature and history. The shop itself is a time capsule, with a 19th-century vibe inside an 18th-century building. Step in to step back in time!
Nearest train station: Euston | Nearest tube station: Tottenham Court Road
Hatchards — London, England
Founded in 1797, Hatchards is a bookshop of royal standards (literally; it has three Royal Warrants to its name). Oscar Wilde’s favorite, this five-story wonder in Piccadilly Circus is a must-visit for anyone who enjoys a good literary pedigree.
Nearest train station: Victoria | Nearest tube station: Green Park
Word On The Water, The London Bookbarge — London, England
Word On The Water is a floating bookstore, and, yes, that’s as cool as it sounds. Anchored on Regent’s Canal in London, this barge-turned-bookshop offers a refreshing twist to your regular book-buying routine. Think books, beats, and an unbeatable London quirkiness. Grab a read, kick back to some live tunes, and let the gentle sway of the water and the vibrant city vibes work their magic.
Nearest train & tube stations: Kings Cross and St Pancras International
Read also: Where to see Shakespeare in London this year
Image Credit: Getty Images, Mercy_C_M_H. Image Location: Wigtown, Scotland
Unusual indie bookshops in Scotland
Leakey’s Bookstore — Inverness, Scotland
Housed in an old Gaelic church, Leakey’s Bookstore is like Hogwarts for book lovers — complete with a wood-burning stove to add to its already cozy atmosphere. It’s the kind of place where you walk in for a quick gander and leave with enough books to start your own library.
Nearest train station: Inverness
The Bookshop — Wigtown, Scotland
You’ll find this one in Wigtown, Scotland’s National Book Town. Calling it “large” is an understatement as it’s the nation’s largest second-hand bookshop. This gem has been serving up literary delights for over 50 years. Think of it as a grandparent’s attic but filled with books. The Bookshop is a must-visit for anyone who understands the thrill of finding that one book you didn’t know you were looking for.
Nearest train station: Stranraer
Did you know? In Wales, they’ve got a “Town of Books”. That’s what the quaint village of Hay-on-Wye is affectionately called. In this cozy market town, you can’t swing a cat without hitting a bookshop or bumping into some book festival. To get there, head to Hereford train station first, then catch a bus or taxi for the final leg.
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Bouquiniste Books — St Andrews, Scotland
Located in the university sea-side town of St Andrews (where parts of the latest season of The Crown were filmed), Bouquiniste Books is a charming second-hand book shop specializing in Arts subjects and Scottish literature. They also buy and sell antiquarian and second-hand post cards. Why not spend a day in St Andrews after visiting nearby Edinburgh (only about an hour-and-a-half long train ride from Waverley Station); and while you're there, make sure to pop by this unique, charming bookshop at the end of Market Street.
If your literary appetite won't be satiated after your visit, then walk ten minutes down Market Street and around the corner to Toppings & Company Booksellers — where you will be served a hot cup of tea to accompany your book browsing.
Nearest train station: Leuchars
Image Credit: Getty Images, Alexander Spatari. Image Location: Paris, France
Must-visit bookstores in France
Librairie Jousseaume — Paris, France
Tucked away in the picturesque Gallerie Vivienne, Librairie Jousseaume is a hidden gem that locals might whisper about. It’s like finding a secret garden, only full of books.
How to get there: Once in Paris, take the metro to Bourse station, and then it’s just a short walk.
Shakespeare & Company — Paris, France
A stone’s throw from Notre Dame, this iconic bookstore is the sort of place that makes you think, “If these walls could talk…” and, in a way, they do, through every book and hidden corner.
Shakespeare & Company is considered one of the most unusual bookshops in the world and it’s a must-visit. Also, while you’re in Paris, be sure to check out the charming and somewhat hidden Librairie Jousseaume in Galerie Vivienne.
How to get there: Access it easily by metro, getting off at Saint-Michel Notre Dame station in Paris.
Image Credit: Getty Images, Tania Calini. Image Location: Oia, Santorini, Greece
Must-visit bookstores in other parts of Europe
Atlantis Books — Oia, Santorini, Greece
Tucked away down a little staircase in Oia, Santorini, Atlantis Books is like stumbling into a secret club made by book lovers, for book lovers. Imagine cozy nooks crammed with books and walls scribbled with quotes that make you chuckle or think. It’s a quirky little gem perfect for anyone looking to duck out of the sun and into a world of stories.
How to get there: The nearest major train station is in Athens, from where you can continue your journey to Santorini by ferry.
Image Credit: Getty Images, Rafael Elias. Image Location: Amsterdam, Netherlands
Boekhandel Dominicanen — Maastricht, The Netherlands
This bookstore is mesmerizing, and not just because it’s in a converted Dominican Church. The combination of ancient frescos and endless rows of books feels utterly special, and browsing under those epic ceilings is a pretty heavenly way to find your next favorite story.
How to get there: Reach it by taking a train to Maastricht station then a short walk.
Image Credit: Getty Images, Valentina Stankovic. Image Location: Livraria Lello, Porto, Portugal
Livraria Lello — Porto, Portugal
This Neo-Gothic extravaganza, with its iconic staircase and stained-glass skylight, is often dubbed the most beautiful bookstore in the world. It’s so stunning that you might forget to actually look at the books.
How to get there: You can get there by train, getting off at São Bento station in Porto.
Image Credit: Getty Images, NataliaDeriabina. Image Location: Libreria Acqua Alta, Venice, Italy
The best bookstores in Europe: FAQs
Where is the best bookstore in Italy?
Check out the Libreria Acqua Alta in Venice, known for its quirky charm.
What is the most famous bookstore in England?
Waterstones in London, especially the one in Piccadilly Circus. It’s the flagship store known for its vast collection and grandeur.
What is the bookstore located in an old church?
That would be Boekhandel Dominicanen in Maastricht, one of the most beautiful bookstores in the Netherlands housed in a majestic 13th-century church. Books and divine architecture — what a heavenly match!
Where is the most beautiful bookstore in the world?
Livraria Lello in Porto, Portugal, often bags this title. Its neo-Gothic design with a stunning staircase and stained-glass skylight is straight out of a fairy tale.
What are the best bookstores in the world?
This list varies, but Livraria Lello (Porto), El Ateneo Grand Splendid (Buenos Aires), and Shakespeare & Company (Paris) are often top picks.
And there you have it — your very own treasure map to Europe’s coolest indie bookshops. Each one is a whole different world tucked between book covers. Start planning your next Eurotrip with the handy Trainline app — you never know what epic tales or secret spots you’ll stumble upon. Happy bookstore hopping!
Header Image Credit: Getty Images, Luis Alvarez.
