I don’t remember a time in my life where I didn’t have a book on the go. And while I’m travelling, I’m stil a physical book kinda person, even if it does mean leaving something else at home.
So when I’m in a new place, it’s no surprise that I am drawn towards bookish places.
There’s something special about stepping into a library or bookstore while travelling. They’re calm, thoughtful spaces that often say as much about a place as its museums or monuments.
Or is it just the dust, the unknown authors and the laughable titles that can be found in all languages? (50 Shades of Grey? DaVinci Code? I think they are in every language possible! 😂)
Over the years I’ve popped into some incredible libraries and bookstores around the world, and they’ve all added a lovely pause in between busy sightseeing days.
Here are some of my favourites, plus a few that are still on my list and absolutely deserve a mention.
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Libraries to put on your Bucket List
Here are some of the standout libraries I’ve visited on my travels.
The State Hall, Vienna
This historic library in the Austrian National Library feels like walking into a slice of Vienna’s past.
The huge wooden shelves, beautiful murals and soaring dome make the whole room feel important, and you can almost hear the whispers of the people who’ve used it over the centuries.
There’s a small entry fee here, but it’s well worth it to see the current exhibition (about the Freemasons when I was there), the beautiful old globes and the rows and rows of books.
You can buy an individual ticket on the official website or it is included free with the Vienna Pass.
Trinity College Library, Dublin
The famous Long Room is a must-see on any trip to Dublin. Its tall shelves, statues and old wooden walkways give you a real sense of the city’s academic history. Even with the crowds, it’s an easy place to wander slowly and take it all in.
When I visited this year most of the library shelves had been emptied of books while they do some restoration. It is expected to be ongoing until at least 2027.
But that did not detract from the visit at all for me. They still have four bays filled with books so that visitors can imagine what it’s like, and the art work and other displays are still in place.
After the library go on to visit the beautiful Book of Kells, which is now housed in it’s own space.
You will need to pay to visit the Long Room and see the Book of Kells. While you can find many tours including these, the only way to get stand-alone tickets is on the Trinity College website.
I do recommend booking in advance because they regularly book out – we could only get late afternoon tickets when in Dublin (although they did let us in a little early once we arrived).
Mortlock Wing, State Library of South Australia, Adelaide
Right here at home is one of the most beautiful library spaces in the country. The Mortlock Wing is full of heritage charm, with balconies stacked with books and natural light pouring in.
It’s said to remind people of the Harry Potter library with all the timber.
The bottom section of the library houses a range of historical displays which are always interesting, and at Christmas time it becomes home to a huge tress, and Christmas carols play in the background.
You can visit the Mortlock Wing for free, or you can join one of the free library tours to learn more.
State Library of Victoria, Melbourne
The La Trobe Reading Room is one of Melbourne’s most photographed spaces for good reason. From the upper balcony you can look down over the neat rows of desks and see the room’s perfect symmetry.
The library also holds several exhibitions and interesting collections worth seeing too. Last time I was there Ned Kelly’s armour was on display – to me an incredible piece of Australian history.
Entry to the State Library of Victoria is free. They do have free and paid tours if you would like to learn more.
Strahov Library, Prague
Strahov Library sits within the Strahov Monastery complex and is made up of two historic halls.
Each room has its own character, with painted ceilings, long wooden shelves and collections that include old maps, globes and manuscripts.
You can’t walk right into the halls themselves, but you view them from the doorways, which still gives you a clear look at the impressive interiors.
Along the hallway outside you’ll also see cabinets filled with curiosities collected over the centuries, including scientific instruments and natural history pieces.
It’s not a long visit – most people spend 20–30 minutes here – but it’s one of those places that gives you a real sense of Prague’s scholarly past.
It’s only about €7-8 to enter and you can pick up your tickets here.
Bookstores Worth Travelling For
And these are the bookstores that have stayed with me long after I left.
El Ateneo Grand Splendid, Buenos Aires
Once a grand theatre, this space now bursts with books instead of performances.
Many of the original features remain, including the stage and boxes, and wandering around feels like being behind the scenes of an old show.
It’s a brilliant example of how a building can be repurposed without losing its soul.
Even though pretty much everything is in Spanish, I did enjoy just browsing and taking in the space.
Cărturești Carusel, Bucharest
Often called the Carousel of Light, this bookstore is set across several flowing levels and feels open and airy.
It’s a great place to browse slowly and take in one of Bucharest’s most interesting modern spaces.
We called in here on our gap year, ad we loved the bright open spaces. They even had a section for English books
Libreria Acqua Alta, Venice
This quirky little store is famous for its unusual way of dealing with floods. You’ll find books stacked in bathtubs, gondolas and buckets, all crammed into a tiny, chaotic space that somehow works.
It’s an Instagrammer’s dream too – the courtyard has a “staircase” made from old books, and getting a photo on the stack out the back is almost a rite of passage.
It’s busy, a bit messy, and completely memorable.
Shakespeare & Company, Paris
This Paris institution has long been a favourite for English-language readers, and it’s packed with little corners to explore, creaking floors, and shelves that feel like they’ve been added one at a time over the years.
The store has a strong history of supporting writers and travellers, and you can still see that spirit in the way people linger, browse and settle in for a while.
It’s the kind of place you walk into “just for a minute” and end up staying much longer, and it’s easy to imagine coming back every time you’re in Paris – especially if you’ve run out of books to read.
A Few More for the Bucket List
These ones I’ve not been to, but I will be keeping them in mind whenever I am nearby.
Livraria Lello, Porto
This is one of the world’s best-known bookstores thanks to its impressive staircase and colourful design. It’s busy, but if you love books, you’ll be smiling the whole time.
It’s best known as the inspiration for the library in the Harry Potter books which had lead to it’s fame. You now need to pay to enter, even just to have a look.
I got very close to seeing this one for myself, I stood right outside. I was deterred though by the crazy long lines to get in, telling myself I would come back later.
When I visited there were two lines – first to get your ticket, then another to get into the bookshop. Now you can at least skip the first line by buying the ticket in advance.
Starfield Library, Seoul
Starfield Library sits right in the middle of COEX Mall, and has become a real attraction.
The floor-to-ceiling bookshelves rise through the open atrium, making it feel more like a public plaza than a library.
Locals use it as a meeting spot, travellers wander through for photos, and plenty of people simply stop to read for a while.
It’s bright, lively and easy to visit while exploring the mall or escaping the weather.
This one has been on my list for years, I was so close with my cancelled South Korea trip, but I know the moment I finally get there I’ll be stopping in my tracks, looking straight up at those shelves.
The Library of Congress, Washington D.C.
The reading room in the Library of Congress is enormous, with its domed ceiling, long wooden desks and rows of books stretching out in every direction. It gives you a real sense of the scale of knowledge held here.
Beyond the reading room, the building is filled with exhibitions, maps, documents and curiosities that tell the story of the United States in a way that feels both big-picture and very personal.
You can explore at your own pace or join one of the regular tours, which make it easy to understand the history behind the collections and the architecture.
It’s right on Capitol Hill, so it fits neatly into a day of sightseeing, and it’s the kind of place you walk out of thinking, “I’m really glad I made time for that.”
El Péndulo, Mexico City
El Péndulo is a mix of bookstore, café and leafy indoor oasis, and it’s the sort of place that makes you want to slow down for a while.
The multi-level layout is wrapped in plants, with books tucked into every corner and a relaxed buzz that makes it easy to linger over a coffee or brunch.
It often hosts live music and small events, so it’s as much a community spot as a bookstore.
I’ve had this one saved for ages, and I can already picture myself spending a good chunk of a morning here, browsing, people-watching and soaking up the atmosphere.
Ending on a Bookish Note…
For me, visiting libraries & bookstores is one of those simple travel joys that never gets old.
They’re calm spots in busy cities, full of history, community and little surprises you don’t find anywhere else.
Every time I step into one, I feel like I’m getting a small glimpse into local life, whether it’s a grand old reading room or a tiny shop tucked down a side street.
If you’re putting together your own travel bucket list, consider adding a few of these.
They don’t take long to visit, they won’t blow the budget, and they often end up being the moments you remember most.
And if you’re a booklover like me, you might also enjoy reading about how Bookcrossing has become part of my travels and how it’s taken me to even more unexpected bookish corners of the world.
TRAVEL PLANNING ESSENTIALS
Find flights – I always use Skyscanner as my starting point when searching for flights. One search will give many options including airlines I may not have thought of. This means I can find the best possible flights to suit my needs
Book accommodation – my go to is always Booking.com for the best places to stay. It’s not just hotels anymore, but hostels, apartments, B&Bs and more. I love that the bookings are usually cancellable, and that I can book now and pay later.
Hire a rental car – RentalCars.com is my go to here. It allows me to do just one search and it finds cars from many of the different supplies, so no checking multiple websites to compare.
Get travel insurance – you would have heard by now that saying “if you can’t afford travel insurance, you can’t afford to travel”. If we’ve learnt anything from the last couple of years it should be how essential travel insurance is. I use CoverMore for my insurance.
Pick up an eSIM – I tried an eSIM on my last trip and it was fantastic. I set it up before I went so it was ready as soon as I landed, and I still had access to my home number for emergencies. Get your own eSIM at Airalo.
Book activities, tours & attractions – I use a few different websites for this. Viator and Get Your Guide tend to be the first places I look. In Asia, Klook often has more options, and in Australia it’s Experience Oz.
Manage your money – the best way to manage your different currencies is with an account from Wise. You can hold money in many different currencies, and use them with the ATM card or from your phone.
