Five Amazing, English-Language Bookstores in Europe
Where do you find books in English in Europe?
This post is for the expats, the digital nomads, and the travelers who respect and love being immersed in foreign cultures, but still want to know where to find English-language bookshops in Europe. Let’s face it, reading is comforting. Snuggling up with a book by your favorite author can cure a bout of homesickness. And for some of us, a bookstore is where we go for socializing and finding community.
I got you boo.
Every time I travel to a new country, or a new city in Europe, I’m always looking for a really good English-language bookstore. Bonus and a gold star if they have a nice selection of books by BIPoC authors. Here are five of my favorites so far that meet those criteria. (Leave me a message in the comments with your favorite English-language bookstores in Europe.)
My Five Favorite English Language Bookstores in Western Europe
Spain
Let me start by saying that I understand it’s grossly unfair for me to expect other countries to have well-stocked, independent English language bookstores for me and all of my expat friends to enjoy. But just because I understand it, doesn’t mean I’m not always keeping my fingers crossed for just such a store to open in my adopted city of Malaga, Spain. While I’m waiting, there are two English language bookstores in Spain that I love, and they just happen to be in the two biggest cities in Spain.
Come In Bookstore in Barcelona.
When I first visited Come In bookstore, I wept. There were just so many books. All in English. Every category was represented, including a delightful offering of children’s books. I bought so many books while I was there, I got a free tote bag with Chimamanda Adichie’s face on it (And it’s still my favorite book bag.).
What I love about Come In, besides the friendly staff and the sheer magnitude of books, was that their diversity of offerings was beyond what I would expect for an English-language bookstore in Spain. They didn’t just have books off the bestsellers list or popular fiction titles. Their selection - both fiction and nonfiction - was really expansive, thoughtful and they had plenty of BIPoC authors represented from the US, UK, Africa and beyond.
The Secret Kingdoms Bookstore in Madrid.
The Secret Kingdoms bookstore is relatively new and is not as large as Come In, but they have a really good, curated selection of both fiction and nonfiction titles for adults and Young Adults. They’ll also ship books anywhere in Spain. Their kids’ selection is not very robust, but they have a really nice community of book lovers, and they host book clubs and other events on a regular basis. The owner is also really kind, and an obvious book lover who opened The Secret Kingdoms as a passion project/second career in 2022.
Portugal
I’m just going to admit this right now, one of the reasons I love Salted Books so much, is because I deeply admire the owner, Alex Holder who is also a writer. Originally from the UK, Alex runs Salted Books like a shrine to the written word, displaying her books like saints on altars, ready to be adored. It’s a small space but she manages to pack so many books in her shop, without making it feel crowded. And even though I don’t live in Lisbon, I have friends who do, who attend the writing classes and co-writing sessions that take place at Salted on a regular basis, and they swear they are the reason they are still writing. In a word, Salted is a vibe, and more than anything, I love the slogan on their bags, “Buy books from bookstores not billionaires.” I couldn’t agree more.
France
Shakespeare & Company in Paris
I think every book lover in the world has heard about Shakespeare & Company, but if you haven’t ever set foot in the legendary store, it’s worth the trip. Steeped in literary history and located across the street from the famous Notre-Dame cathedral, Shakespeare & Company is like a museum of literary history. The store itself was officially opened in 1951, but the building it lives in was constructed in the 17th century, giving the store a truly historic feel. Complete with black and white photos of some of our favorite authors, antique typewriters, and oh so many amazing books, this is exactly what you want from an English-language bookstore in Paris.
With multiple nooks and crannies crammed with books of every genre and type, including a collection of rare and used books that are only for reading in the store, Shakespeare & Company has something for every book lover, including special events and a cafe. Suffice it to say, it is such a popular bookstore, there is usually a line to enter and cell phones and cameras are not allowed.
The Netherlands
The American Book Center (Amsterdam and The Hague)
Lori with her lovely ABC tote bag that holds a lot of books!
I am going to be honest, I have only been to The American Book Center in The Hague (multiple times), but I love it so much I’m going to assume I would love their flagship store in Amsterdam just as much. (They also have a shop in Leidshendem). Part of the reason I love The American Book Center is because of their history. From their website; “This family-owned bookstore, opened in 1972, has been quirky, friendly and knowledgeable from the start.” Quirky, friendly, and knowledgeable gets my business all day, every day, and that’s exactly the energy I’ve experienced every time I shop at The American Book Center (ABC).
Also, at ABC they have an ah-mazing selection of magazines, and in their Amsterdam location, they have a machine where you can turn any book manuscript into a paperback book while you wait. It’s like self-publishing express…and you can sell your book on the ABC website! How cool is that?!
My tote bag from The American Book Center says ‘Book Lover’ in big red letters, and it’s obvious that all the people who work and run this store are genuine book lovers too.
Honorable Mention
For all of my expat and nomadic book-loving friends who don’t live near any of these amazing English-language bookstores in Europe, I don’t want to leave you without options to satisfy your bookish cravings. I have recently discovered Blackwell’s bookstore based in the UK. They were able to ship me copies of my books, Hair Story: Untangling the Roots of Black Hair in America and Kinky Gazpacho: Life, Love, & Spain to Spain without a problem. Originally based in Oxford, England, they now have several in-person stores scattered throughout the UK, but for the purposes of this article, we just want to highlight their extensive selection of books, and their ability to ship all over Europe. They are truly a book lover’s lifesaver. Check them out with any of your bookish needs.
Happy Reading and Happy Traveling.