Exploring the World’s Best Travel Book Stores

​We think there isn’t all that much better in life than getting lost in a good book. For all the travel book lovers out there, what could be more inspirational than finding a great travel bookstore? As such, we are happy to share our opinions on some of the best travel bookstores around the world. From charming boutiques to sprawling megastores, these travel bookstores are definitely worth a visit!

​Strand Book Store (New York, USA) – This legendary bookstore has been in operation since 1927 and contains over 18 miles of books. Walking in can be overwhelming, but in a good way.  Strand specializes in art and photography books but also has an impressive selection of travel literature. It's a great place to find unique souvenirs that will last longer than a t-shirt or trinket. The staff is incredibly knowledgeable, and the atmosphere is cozy yet bustling. It's the perfect spot for an afternoon spent browsing through bookshelves full of titles from all over the world.

​Daunt Books (London, England) - Daunt Books in London is a travel lover's dream! This bookstore was founded in 1990 to specialize in travel books, although they now offer a broader selection.  Not only is there a large travel book selection with books about every corner of the globe, but they also have maps from around the world, albums of travel photos, and even famous travel journals.  The Marylebone High Street location is probably the most famous of their locations, with an amazing internal gallery that just begs for a photo.  

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No list of great travel bookstores is complete without Stanfords.  Also located in London, this is a must visit for travel lovers.  The knowledgeable staff is of course passionate about travel, and they have a generous selection of vintage travel books, maps and travel accessories.  Visitors can even special order hard-to-find titles or specific items they'd like to take home as a remembrance of their trip.

Shakespeare & Company (Paris, France) – This small iconic bookshop opened its doors in 1951 as a tribute to its namesake store from 1922 that was frequented by Ernest Hemingway, James Joyce, and other literary luminaries. Located in the Left Bank, its walls are lined with books in several languages, including a remarkable selection of English-language literature about Paris and France itself. The shop’s interior is absolutely divine and makes it one of the most romantic places to browse through piles of gorgeous books. 

​Livraria Lello (Porto, Portugal) – This one-of-a-kind bookstore opened in 1906 and is widely considered one of the most beautiful bookstores in the world. Its stunning art nouveau facade features two large stained-glass windows depicting Portuguese literature figures Camoes and Bocage while its interior showcases intricate woodwork ceilings with carved angels holding up ornate lamps that light up rows upon rows of shelves filled with books from across Europe.  Absolutely a must-see in our opinion for those lucky of enough to be visiting Porto.  We actually have not yet gotten to go, has anyone reading this actually been there?

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Our other favorite bookstores include the famous Powell’s Books in Portland, City Lights in San Francisco, Moon Palace Books in Minneapolis, Black Pearl Books in Austin, Changing Hands in Phoenix, and the quirky not-to-be-missed The Last Book Store in Los Angeles.  No matter where your travels take you, there is almost certainly a great bookstore waiting to be discovered.  Whether your tastes lean towards classic travel literature, local insights or funny travel books, these stores have something for everyone looking to explore new places through reading.

Help us - what great bookstores did we miss?

Happy traveling!
​Alan
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Photo Credits:
Strand Book Store, NYC:  Postdlf, CC BY-SA 3.0 <http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/>, via Wikimedia Commons
Daunts, London: CVB, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
Livraria Lello, Porto:  A_nostalgia_na_Lello.jpg: Alegna13A_Livraria_Lello_e_Irmão.jpg: Alegna13A_ponte_de_encanto.jpg: Alegna13derivative work: Morray, CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
Powells, Portland: Adam Jones, Ph.D., CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
The Last Book Store, Los Angeles: vagueonthehow from Tadcaster, York, England, CC BY 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons