Do you love the feeling of paper in your hands? Or contemplate the history of every book you hold? If yes, you’re in the right place. In this article, we showcase the best used bookstores in the world—places where you can buy true pieces of history. Interested? Read on!

The 5 Best Used Bookstores in the World

So, what bookstores should you visit if you want to purchase used books? Which ones have a unique atmosphere that will turn your visit into something more—a distinct experience? Take a look at our list below.

Shakespeare and Company, Paris, France

Shakespeare and Company is a lovely independent bookstore known for its rich collection of English literature. It offers some of the best used books you can imagine, along with new pieces of literature. Thus, it’s a great place to explore and discover new stories that you’ll spend hours reading.

Powell’s City of Books, Portland, USA

Spanning an entire city block, Powell’s City of Books is a paradise for book lovers. The store’s labyrinthine rooms house over a million new, used, and rare books, making it the largest independent bookstore in the world. Color-coded sections make browsing easier, though you might still get lost in the vast collections held by this premise. Second-hand books are seamlessly integrated alongside new titles, adding to the charm. As an added bonus, Powell’s also hosts frequent author events, turning the space into a lively cultural hub for Portland’s literary community.

The Last Bookstore, Los Angeles, USA

Housed in a grand, century-old bank building, The Last Bookstore is both a second-hand bookshop and an immersive art space. Towering shelves line the marble floors, while book tunnels and whimsical installations give the store an almost dreamlike atmosphere. Its expansive second floor offers a labyrinth of discounted second-hand books and hidden reading nooks. The aesthetic itself is what makes it one of the best used bookstores in the world, not to mention the literary works it offers.

best used bookstores in the world

Bart’s Books, Ojai, USA

Bart’s Books is a unique bookstore not only because it offers used books but also because it is the largest outdoor bookstore in the world. The store consists of shelves spilling onto sunlit patios, where you can browse at leisure or buy books (by dropping payments into an honesty box). Its collection ranges from literary classics to second-hand gems, appealing to many—you must visit it if you’re nearby.

El Ateneo Grand Splendid, Buenos Aires, Argentina

Once a grand theater, El Ateneo Grand Splendid now stands as one of the most beautiful bookstores in the world. Its decor is incomparable with any other bookstore in the world—it’s more than a world of literature, it’s a place you want to tour purely for its aesthetics. Yet, this doesn’t mean that this bookstore doesn’t have much to offer from the literary point of view; on the contrary, it’s known to have a mix of new and old books, including classics and extremely rare pieces!

Discover More Wonderful Bookstores with YouMap

Are you a bookworm, trying to find the best used bookstores in the world and visit them all? Perhaps you can collect rare editions of the classics and search for them in such stores? Nevertheless, we can help you!

In YouMap, you can connect with other fellow bookworms. The Second Hand Bookstore Map contains a list of different, excellent bookstores… and you can add more places to it. But, more importantly, the map lets you interact with other book lovers and talk about your passion or even… ask them to search for the missing pieces in your collection. It’s not just a map—it’s a community you want to be in!

The Takeaway

We’ve shown you some of the best second-hand bookstores in the world, though this is just a beginning. We’re sure there are many other hidden gems waiting for you to discover them. If you do, remember to add them to the Second Hand Bookstore Map—you want fellow bookworms to learn about these great places, don’t you?

You might also read: National Book Lovers Day 2023