When it comes to the most beautiful bookstores in the world, there are a few heavy hitters. There's El Ateneo Grand Splendid in Buenos Aires, which used to be a theater, and Shakespeare & Co., in Paris, where aspiring writers can sleep among the shelves. And, let's not forget The Last Bookstore in LA, which went viral for its inventive displays.
However all those stores pale in comparison to the most beautiful bookstore in the world. Don't just take our word for it! Using more than 200,000 votes, the people at 1000 Libraries compiled a list of the 10 most beautiful bookstores in the world.
The competition was intense. 19 bookstores were nominated but just over half of them made the cut after two months of cutthroat voting. Counterintuitive as it may seem, votes were cast based not only on looks but on how well the stores keep the magic of reading alive.
In a world where independent stores and authors are being pushed to bankruptcy by the convenience of Amazon, brick-and-mortar bookstores are more important than ever. Bookstores, like libraries, act as third spaces between personal and professional lives. Readers can browse to their hearts' content all while supporting local artists and independent authors.
Now, without further adieu, let's see which bookstore topped the list!
Heaven For Bookworms
The 2025 most beautiful bookstore in the world is Boekhandel Dominicanen in Maastricht, Netherlands. We'll forgive you if you've never heard of this one, the name doesn't exactly roll off the tongue unless you're a Dutch speaker. However, one look at the interior of this store and you'll quickly understand how it won.
A lot of stores and libraries strive to be cathedrals of reading, but Boekhandel Dominicanen takes things to the next level. Set inside a 13th-century Gothic church, this bookstore makes a love of reading feel like something sacred. Even if you're not a big reader, you'll be unable to resist browsing the shelves of these hallowed halls.
Boekhandel Dominicanen has been around for a long time in many different forms. As we said, it used to be a Medieval church. However, there were a few bumps in the road before it became the world's most beautiful bookstore.
Constructed somewhere between 1231 and 1261, the church survived more than 700 centuries of war, siege, and foreign occupation. It was de-consecrated in 1795 and had quiet the revolving door of professions. Among others, it housed a slaughterhouse, boxing arena, and carnival venue inside its' once-sacred halls.
In 2006, the Dominican church was given a new lease on life as a bookstore. However, substantial restoration work was needed before the transformation could be completed. The owners wanted to make the most of their space without compromising the building's artistic and historical integrity.
A New Lease On The Afterlife
Bert Kaufmann @ Flickr, from Roermond, Netherlands on Wikimedia
So, the designers got creative. Overheard lighting made this formerly gloomy cathedral bright and welcoming; a three-story steel bookcase makes great use of the literal cathedral ceilings. An unexpected bonus of this unique design is that patrons can get up close and personal with gorgeous medieval frescoes and architecture.
While most of the books are in Dutch, you'll find the largest selection of English (and French) books in the city. Both new and used offerings are on sale here. The first floor also has a ton of DVDs, CDs, and vinyl.
Perhaps the most charming aspect of Boekhandel Dominicanen is its cafe. Nestled around the former altar, you can enjoy a heavenly cappuccino in front of gorgeous stained glass. If you're feeling social, there's a communal table shaped like—what else—a cross?
In addition to shopping, Boekhandel Dominicanen is also an important community hub. There are your typical events such as lectures and author readings, as well as concerts. If you'll pardon the pun, we bet the acoustics are divine.
