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Top 5 charming bookstores in Bucharest: places to get lost among books

Top 5 charming bookstores in Bucharest: places to get lost among books

By Bucharest Team

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Bucharest has a special charm for book lovers. From cozy bookstores with wooden shelves to true temples of reading, the capital offers dreamy places where you can browse pages in a relaxed atmosphere. If you love getting lost among book titles and savoring the smell of printed paper, here are some of the most beautiful bookstores in the city.

1. Cărturești Carusel – The gem of the Old Town

📍 Strada Lipscani 55, Sector 3
A true paradise for readers, Cărturești Carusel is perhaps the most spectacular bookstore in Bucharest. Located in a beautifully restored historical building, it boasts an elegant design with white balconies and a central staircase that looks like something out of a fairytale. Besides books, you’ll find teas, vinyl records, and a bistro on the top floor where you can enjoy a coffee with a good read.

2. Humanitas Cișmigiu – Classic and elegant

📍 Bulevardul Regina Elisabeta 38, Sector 5
Located across from Cișmigiu Park, this place offers a quiet and refined atmosphere, perfect for discovering new books. Humanitas Cișmigiu has a generous selection of Romanian and international literature, as well as art albums and philosophy books. The interior is classic, featuring warm wooden tones and soft lighting, making it an ideal spot to get lost among the shelves.

3. Seneca Anticafe – A bookstore and study hub

📍 Strada Arhitect Ion Mincu 1, Sector 1
A unique concept in Bucharest, Seneca Anticafe is more than just a bookstore. Here, you pay for the time you spend, not for what you consume, and in return, you get access to tea, coffee, snacks, and an impressive collection of books on personal development, philosophy, and ecology. The peaceful atmosphere makes it the perfect place to read, study, or work.

4. Cărturești Verona – A storybook nook with a secret garden

📍 Strada Pictor Arthur Verona 13-15, Sector 1
If you're looking for a bookstore where you can spend hours without getting bored, Cărturești Verona is the ideal place. Besides books, you'll find board games, design accessories, and a bistro with a gorgeous garden hidden between old walls. It’s perfect for sunny days when you want to enjoy a good book outdoors.

5. Kyralina – A paradise for French literature lovers

📍 Strada Biserica Amzei 10, Sector 1
For those passionate about French culture and literature, Kyralina is a hidden treasure. It’s a small but charming bookstore with a selection of books in French, including classic literature, graphic novels, and children’s books. It feels like a tiny Parisian bookstore right in the heart of Bucharest.

Whether you're looking for a grand bookstore like Cărturești Carusel, a quiet place like Humanitas Cișmigiu, or a bohemian garden at Cărturești Verona, Bucharest has something for every reader. Next time you want to escape the city's hustle and bustle, pick one of these bookstores and let yourself be carried away by the pages of a great story!

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