Step Inside: 10 European Libraries and Bookshops Too Beautiful to Miss
Last Updated on February 21, 2025 by Ingrid
Europe is home to some of the most stunning libraries and bookshops, each offering a unique blend of history, architecture, and literary charm.
As an avid traveler and photography lover, I had these places on my bucket list for a long. I’ve gathered here the most beautiful European libraries and bookshops you will not want to miss.
While these are the most iconic, there are plenty more stunning places. For example, our public library here in Lucca, Italy. I was impressed to see it feel like stepping inside a museum.
However, if you are traveling to Paris, Venice, Bucharest, or some other countries around Europe, please continue reading!
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Table of Contents
- The most beautiful European libraries and bookshops
- Livraria Lello, Porto, Portugal
- Trinity College Library, Dublin, Ireland
- Carturesti Carusel, Bucharest, Romania
- Admont Abbey Library, Admont, Austria
- Biblioteca Marciana Venice
- Melk Library, Austria
- Metropolitan Ervin Szabó Library, Budapest
- Juristische Bibliothek im Rathaus der Stadt München
- Barockhaus Museum in Görlitz
- Libreria Acqua Alta, Venice
The most beautiful European libraries and bookshops
Livraria Lello, Porto, Portugal
Walking into Livraria Lello in Porto feels like stepping straight into a storybook.
With its grand, winding red staircase, stained glass ceiling, and intricate wood carvings, this place is more than just a bookstore – it’s pure magic.
Even if you’re not hunting for your next read, the architecture alone is worth the visit.
Rumor has it that J.K. Rowling, who lived in Porto while teaching English, found inspiration for Harry Potter here – and honestly, you can totally see why. Every corner is packed with character and charm, making it impossible not to snap a few (or a hundred) photos.
Trinity College Library, Dublin, Ireland
Walking into the Trinity College Library in Dublin feels like entering a dream for book lovers.
The Long Room, with its towering oak shelves packed with ancient books and that unmistakable old-book smell, is pure magic. It’s the kind of place that makes you want to whisper, even if no one tells you to.
The arched wooden ceiling stretches out like something from a fantasy movie, and spotting the famous Book of Kells adds an extra layer of “wow.”
Even if you’re not a book nerd, the sheer beauty of this place is worth the visit.
Carturesti Carusel, Bucharest, Romania
Carturesti Carusel in Bucharest is what bookish daydreams are made of. Housed in a beautifully restored 19th-century building, this bookstore is all white spiral staircases, elegant columns, and light streaming through a massive skylight.
It’s the kind of place where you wander in for a quick browse and suddenly lose track of time.
Beyond the books (and trust me, there are plenty), there’s a cozy café on the top floor where you can sip coffee while flipping through your finds. It’s equal parts cultural hotspot and Instagram heaven.
Admont Abbey Library, Admont, Austria
Picture this: soaring white and gold halls, intricate frescoed ceilings, and shelves lined with thousands of ancient books.
It’s the largest monastic library in the world, but honestly, it feels more like a palace designed for book lovers.
The mix of baroque architecture and those dreamy pastel paintings overhead makes it impossible not to wander around in total awe.
Even if you’re not a history buff, the sheer beauty of this place is jaw-dropping. Plus, there’s just something magical about being surrounded by centuries of stories in such an opulent setting.
Biblioteca Marciana Venice
Stepping into the Biblioteca Marciana in Venice feels like traveling back to a time when libraries were as much about art as they were about books.
Nestled right on the iconic Piazza San Marco, this place is a masterpiece inside and out.
Think grand marble halls, gilded ceilings, and walls covered in breathtaking Renaissance frescoes—it’s almost hard to focus on the books (though there are plenty of rare treasures).
The vibe is pure Venetian elegance, and wandering through feels like being in a lavish palace rather than a library.
Even if you’re just in Venice for the sights, this spot is a must—part history lesson, part art gallery, and totally unforgettable.
Melk Library, Austria
Melk Library, tucked inside Austria’s stunning Melk Abbey, is the kind of place that makes you stop in your tracks and just say, “Wow.”
With its golden shelves, sweeping frescoes, and perfectly polished wood floors, it feels more like a royal ballroom than a library.
The ceiling alone—covered in vibrant, intricate paintings—could keep you gazing upward for hours. And then there are the books: thousands of ancient volumes that give the whole place this magical, old-world vibe.
Even if you’re not usually one for libraries, this one is pure eye candy and totally worth the visit. Plus, the abbey’s views over the Danube River are just the cherry on top.
Metropolitan Ervin Szabó Library, Budapest
This library is a total hidden gem. You might expect just another library from the outside – but step inside, and it’s like entering a lavish 19th-century palace.
Think grand chandeliers, ornate ceilings, gilded details, and plush reading rooms that make you feel like you should be sipping tea in a period drama. It’s the perfect mix of history and function – you can actually sit among the opulence and read a book (or just soak in the atmosphere).
Even if you’re not there to borrow anything, wandering through this place is a treat, and honestly, it’s hard not to feel a little fancy while you’re there.
Juristische Bibliothek im Rathaus der Stadt München
This library is the kind of place that makes you believe in love at first sight – especially if you’re a book lover.
Tucked inside the city’s iconic town hall, this library feels straight out of a fairytale. Picture soaring spiral staircases, dark wood shelves filled with old books, and iron railings with intricate designs that make you want to explore every corner.
It’s so stunning it even made an appearance in the movie The Monuments Men – yep, it’s that cinematic.
Even if you’re just wandering through Munich’s Marienplatz, popping in for a peek is totally worth it. This place is proof that libraries aren’t just for studying—they can be seriously magical.
Barockhaus Museum in Görlitz
Behind its charming façade lies a library that’s pure baroque beauty -think ornate woodwork, delicate frescoes, and shelves stacked with centuries-old books that fill the air with that irresistible old-book smell.
It’s cozy yet grand, and wandering through feels like time-traveling back to the 18th century.
Plus, Görlitz itself is full of fairytale vibes, so visiting the Barockhaus is like adding another layer of magic to your trip. Whether you’re into history or architecture or just love a good tucked-away gem, this spot is a must-see.
Libreria Acqua Alta, Venice
It’s quirky, charming, and totally unlike any library you’ve ever seen – where else will you find books piled in gondolas, bathtubs, and even waterproof bins to combat the city’s famous floods?
Every corner is a treasure trove, with cats lounging on stacks of books and a back patio made entirely of old, worn volumes that doubles as a staircase overlooking a canal.
It’s the kind of place where you can get lost for hours, discovering everything from vintage postcards to rare books.
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