Welcome to another TTT! This week’s topic isn’t about books, but it’s still bookish! I love visiting unique bookstores, especially when I travel, so I thought it would be fun to do a little armchair traveling and share my list of bookstores I’d love to visit someday! Links take you to the Google Images page, where you can see pictures of the stores I’m sharing. I’m too scared of accidentally committing copyright infringement or I’d just post my favorite pics here! Sorry not sorry about all the items you’ll be adding to your bucket list with this topic!
1. Livraria Lello in Porto, Portugal
This self-proclaimed “most beautiful bookstore in the world” is stunning! There’s stained glass windows, carvings of literary figures, and a beautiful staircase.
2. Boekhandel Selexyz Dominicanen in Maastricht, Netherlands
This bookstore is located inside a 700-year-old Dominican church!
3. Libreria Acqua Alta in Venice, Italy
Instead of bookshelves, this store uses bathtubs and gondolas so when the city floods the books are safe! There’s views of the beautiful canals, and lots of friendly cats love hanging out there. Venice, books, and cats. A dream.
4. Atlantis Books in Santorini, Greece
Nobody is really sure what’s going on with this store. Sometimes it’s open, sometimes it’s not. It’s been reported that it looks abandoned but then people say they have gone inside very recently. Apparently they closed during the pandemic and hours have been spotty ever since. Hopefully someday this stunning store is fully operational again! The outside is adorable, the inside haphazardly stuffed full of books, and they are known for having very unique and rare books. Oh, and the terrace provides stunning ocean views!
5. Cook & Book in Brussels, Belgium
This place looks so cool. If the 800 books suspended from the ceiling don’t suck you in, there’s 8 different rooms filled with books and themed decor. Oh, and there’s a restaurant inside, too. Each room has a themed eating space. So you never have to leave.
6. Book and Bed in Tokyo, Japan
A book-themed hostel with thousands of books that lets you sleep in a bookshelf. IN a bookshelf. Some of the rooms have stunning views, too.
7. The Abbey Bookshop in Paris, France
I’ve been to Shakespeare & Company, but didn’t know about this place until I got home. Crap! It looks like such a cute little shop!
8. Cafebreria El Pendulo in Mexico City, Mexico
Books and plants and a cafe! It looks so pretty!
9. The Last Bookstore in Los Angeles, California
More books hanging from the ceiling, and this one has a tunnel of books, too!
10. The Bookworm in Beijing, China
So this is a library and a bookstore AND a cafe (they serve three-course meals)! There’s this cool red-draped ceiling situation with hanging lights that looks pretty magical.
Have you been to any of these?
Which bookstores would you love to visit?
Well Jana those are some AMAZING bookstores. That architecture is enough to make me drool and not notice the books! I have a feeling this week’s lists are going to be full of cool international places that will wake up my travel urge again!
Terrie @ Bookshelf Journeys
I don’t think I’ve heard of any of these, but some of them sound really interesting and like lovely places to see. :)
They look amazing! I have the first two on my list.
Have a great week!
Emily @ Budget Tales Book Blog
Wow! That’s quite a list! I stuck mostly to US ones…with a Waterstones thrown in for good measure! lol!
Here’s my Tuesday Post
Have a GREAT day!
Old Follower :)
Wow! I knew some of these, but not the one in my own country? Putting it on my travel list right away! If I ever get to visit the bookstore in the Dominican Church I’ll make you some pictured. :-)
I’ve been to the Selexyz Bookshop in Maastricht, Netherlands, it’s amazing. Even though I have been to Brussels hundreds of times, I have never been to Cook & Book. Unfortunately, it’s not exactly close to the centre.
Still, what a great way to show the shops we all would love to go to.
My TTT this week is on books about bookshops.
Book and Bed sounds unusual!
Those all sound like amazing bookstores.
I’ve been lucky enough to go to some great bookstores, but I haven’t heard of most of these! Stealing for my bucket list, especially the one in Portugal since Lisbon is already on my travel bucket list! And the one in Venice. And Brussels. And…
They all sound fabulous! Thanks for sharing.
Such exciting and unique places.
Now I have a reason to travel to all these awesome places!
What a fabulous trip around the world! :)
Books hanging from the ceiling? A book tunnel? So very cool! The only one of these shops I’ve been to is Shakespeare & Co. Unfortunately, I didn’t get to go inside since there was a very long line to get in due to COVID restrictions. I did walk past it, though.
Happy TTT!
Susan
http://www.blogginboutbooks.com
Hey Jana, can you delete my first link (4) I messed up the link.
Hi Marie, sorry for my delayed response! I had a stomach bug. I just deleted the link for you. :)
Thanks. :)
I hope you’re feeling better!
You’re welcome! And I am, thank you!