14 Best Vacation Destinations for Book Nerds

Book nerds pack your bags, here are the best places to visit that are book-centric locations. Bibliophiles will appreciate each of these destinations as an inspiration for your next book based vacation. Get lost in a good book and then get lost in a new place. Here is a list of 14 places where I’ve found unique bookshops or libraries that made my trip more memorable. With each city I’ve included a travel tip to help you start to organize your own itinerary. Plan your vacation to some of these popular destinations and then make sure to add a stop at these libraries or bookshops while you are in town!

The Library in Trinity College, Dublin Ireland

Readers will drool over the Long room & the Book of Kells, two of the things that make this Old Library famous. The Long Room has the famous floor to ceiling bookshelves, housing over 200,000 tomes. This Harry Potteresque space is a real live chamber of knowledge, with some famous literary figures having walked these halls. Want to see Irelands oldest harp? It’s located here in the Long Room,

Dublin is a fun jumping off point for an Irish vacation. Want to know what else to discover while you’re there, check out my perfect day in Dublin.

Law Library, University of Zurich Switzerland

This is basically an architecture lover and book lover’s paradise. Designed by Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava, entering the lower level of the library feels like you’ve walked into a futuristic building in space. The roof allows for natural light and the best part is riding up one of the two elevators that flank the sphered levels.

Why visit Zurich? It’s one of the most sustainable cities in the world. The capital rests around the northwestern tip of Lake Zurich so it’s as beautiful as it is environmentally friendly. It’s often found on most livable cities list or best city for expats.

Where to stay in Zurich: 25 hours Hotel Zurich Langstrasse is conveniently located within walking distance of the main train station. It has cool decor, a delicious restaurant and a busy bar filled with locals & travelers.

Atlantis Books, Oia Greece

So this is technically a bookshop, but stopping here while island hopping in Greece is a must. The book store is conveniently located in the town said to have the most beautiful sunset, so you can shop, have cocktails and watch the sun disappear into the Aegean Sea.

Travel Tip: Want access to Oia without the crowds & tourist prices? Stay in Perissa Beach, about a 30 minute drive south from Oia. It’s a quiet seaside village on the other side of the island. Best part? When you drive back up to Oia where all the action is, you pass the winery on your way.

Shakespeare & Company, Paris France

A second bookstore to appear on the list, but this is one that also comes with a famous city. The Shakespeare & Co bookstore has been around since the early 1900’s, and is arguably the most famous bookstore in the world. It’s history is a literary who’s who, with connections to James Joyce, Hemingway, Kerouac & F. Scott Fitzgerald. It’s the dream stop for artists & creatives while visiting Paris.

New York Public Library

This is one of my hidden gems when I go to the city. The NYC Public Library is a calm space amidst the chaos, and I’ve frequently recommended visitors stop into the main branch of the public library. It doesn’t hurt that the main reading room is a stunning example of Beaux Arts architecture. This place has accolades, behind the Library of Congress, it’s the second largest in the United States. It’s the third largest library in the world. It’s one of my great rainy day activities, or if you just want to sit and get away from the crowds.

Powell’s City of Books, Portland Oregon

Do you have a few days to get lost in dozens upon dozens of bookshelves? This book store is the world’s largest independent store and you could easily spend a few hours just perusing. The selection is dizzying. Much like the rest of the city, Powell’s like Portland is always unique. The flagship store takes up a full city block and it has been ranked as one of the world’s coolest bookstores.

The National Library, Vienna Austria

This place is spectacular! The country’s oldest and largest library and the biggest Baroque library in Europe. Don’t forget to look up, there is a stunning fresco painted on the ceiling in the middle of the room. Places like this and Schönbrunn Palace really give you an idea about how the Habsburgs lived. The marble statues, the antique globes, the leather bound books, it’s all royal and stately. Be sure to look out for the inner book rooms within the shelves of the library. Yes, this means the library has LITTLE LIBRARIES within it! Mind is officially blown.

Travel Tip: Check out the hours of operation before heading over, I went mid afternoon and there was a long line for tickets. If you go first thing, you’ll beat the crowds!

Diocesan Library, Nitra Slovakia

The phrase is over used in the travel world, but this place is a true gem. Just a few hours from Bratislava, in western Slovakia is Nitra, one of the oldest towns in the country. Out of all of the suggestions on this list, the Diocesan Library in Nitra would be my top choice for true book nerds.

I went to Nitra basically just to explore this library. I didn’t know if it was open to the public, where it was located exactly and any good information besides seeing a photo of it online. Upon finding the building, the door was locked. A friendly worker let me in and through a lot of hand gestures and broken English, we understood each other about what I was looking for. He found another employee who spoke better English (since I unfortunately don’t know Slovakian) and he found the librarian, who only speaks French! Thankfully I’m still fluent in French, so she and I had spent a few hours talking about the library, the books it holds and her job.

Libreria Acqua Alta, Venice Italy

Depending on how you look at it, this is the floating, or sinking library. Gondola and bath tub filled books add a whimsical yet practical touch since the building can see flooding throughout the year. The stairs of bound books have become some what of a photo op, and the inside of the store is just as quirky as the entrance. Rooms are stacked with books and it is a wonderful place to poke around and peruse. It’s been labeled the most interesting book shop in the world, for good reason.

National Library, Bhutan

Bhutan is a country that is proud to showcase their customs, and the library is no exception. The library was created to preserve certain religion documents. It’s fascinating to learning about Buddhism and the types of prayer books that they have.

Curious about the country of Bhutan? I put together a photo essay that shows a small glimpse of the beautiful country.

National Library, Prague Czech Republic

Much like the other national libraries on the list, this one is equally impressive. Ornate wooden details, rows on rows of rare editions lining the shelves. It’s one of the oldest libraries in the Czech Republic and is a great place to add to your list of stops in Old Town.

Travel Tip: Want to see Prague as a more mindful traveler? Check out my post about how to visit cities that are facing the issues of overtourism & how to be a more responsible traveler when going there yourself.

John J. King Used & Rare Books, Detroit Michigan

If you’ve ever wanted the feeling of being overwhelmed with your choice of books, look no further. John J. King Used & Rare books claim to fame is 1 MILLION books in stock. Like a treasure hunt, it is easy to spend some time here sifting through title after title. This is one of the many surprising things about Detroit. Unique, rare and larger than life. I prefer buying used books when possible, and this location has a major selection.

Livraria Lello, Porto Portugal

As if Porto could have stolen my heart even more and then I stumbled on Livraria Lello. This building reminds you of a church, for books. Two brothers opened this shop in the early 1900’s and it’s rumored that famous writers (J.K. Rowling) have graced these stacks.

Not only did I fall in love with a bookstore in Porto, but I fell in love with wine, chocolate cake, sunsets… the list could go on. Want somewhere to stay with the best view of the city? Try staying at the Yeatman and also read more about my love affair with Porto.

Morrin Center Library, Quebec City Canada

Sometimes small libraries are the best kept secrets. The Morrin Center Library is located in the cultural center and is only a few small rooms. Worried that all the works are in French? Don’t fret, this is an English only private collection, one of the few in the province. The building has an interesting history, constructed in the early 1700’s, it was originally a prison.

Looking to explore the rest of Quebec beyond the city? Make sure you go whale watching in Tadoussac, it’s one of the best places for an ethical wildlife encounter!

Books & Reading on a Global Level

In middle and high income countries, we can take for granted the access to books and literacy rates. In certain developing nations, it is common to not have access to reading materials, for books to be too expensive to own or for family members to be illiterate. Don’t forget how precious reading is! A major step to ending illiteracy is giving everyone access to libraries like these.

What ways can we all help?

Get books in the hands of those who don’t have access! Even in your own home country there are probably pockets of places where reading materials are not easily attainable. 1 in 5 people are illiterate, 2/3 of those are women. That means with over 700 million people throughout the world unable to read and write, it is an issue as a global citizen.

Words are powerful. Organizations like the Literacy Project have a mission that by 2030 no child born will be at the risk of illiteracy. The global literacy gap transcends just being able to read. 95% of illiterate adults over the world are also undernourished, impoverished and in rural areas. Access to education directly correlates with lifting people out of poverty.

Buy your books from business who care. Better World Books is an online organization that has several positive impacts. You can help the environment by purchasing used books, finding books that are being sold close to where you live AND ship with carbon offsets. Keeping books out of landfills while Better World Books simultaneously gives a book to those in need is a good thing all around.

Spread Awareness. The United Nations has World Literacy Day, a time where we can all learn more about the issues and actively promote and engage in their agenda for literacy learning alongside skills development. Go to their site and see how you can participate by donating, volunteering, sharing & learning.

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