10 BOOKSTORES IN MADRID EVERY BIBLIOPHILE MUST VISIT

As you guys know, over the summer I was able to travel Spain for three months. It was one of the most incredible journeys of my life, and I learnt so much about so many things (cue classic “girl discovers her true self abroad” plot). I truly believe that Madrid holds my heart, and I will forever yearn to return. Within this city, I found the magical allure of their bookstores – quaint, homely little places, filled with everything a bibliophile longs for. I devised my own book tour, and thus, am here to share with you guys the best bookstores in Madrid. To my fellow book nerds and españolizars – you’re welcome.

librería perez galdos

I’m going to start off the list strong with Librería Perez Galdos – quite possibly one of my favourite spaces in the whole city. Like any good bookstore should be, it features old novels and vintage National Geographics haphazardly stacked to the ceiling, and it honestly feels like an Ollivander’s but for, well, books. The owner is incredibly lovely, and helped me with my Spanish when I refused to indulge my first language. It’s pretty much how I want my future house library to be, as it all comes together to feel like a slightly enchanted space – like the sort you’d read about in a book (gingerbread and witches ensued). It’s honestly just pure perfection, and I adore it.

desperate literature

Desperate Literature looks entirely out of place on the street of which it is situated. Amongst high-class fashion boutiques and name brand labels, you’ll stumble upon what is essentially just this little cave of books. There are wooden signs dotted around the space with bookish quotes painted upon them, and handwritten notes are placed in front of books the staff suggest. You could easily whittle away the days sat back on a chair, listening to the indie music on the speakers, either indulging yourself with a gorgeous novel or tapping away at their typewriter. It’s all lit by some dilapidated lamps, and amongst the cul-de-sac of novels it’s way too easy to lose yourself.

librería san ginés

This place was unlike anything I’d ever seen before – a tiny shed attached to an old church, featuring what was pretty much just a large pasting table stacked with books. The whole thing is apparently nearly 400 years old, and honestly when you see it you won’t doubt it. The stalls spill out onto the street, winding along the church wall, with old postcards decorating the decks. A mixture of rock and roll and jazz music plays, and each time I visited the man running it would be leaning against a chair or a wall, mumbling along as a fat cigar dangled from his lips. It’s a bit of a discombobulating time warp, but I can guarantee you’ll love the whole thing.

librería mujeres

Apparently, in 1978 rights for women were few and far between in this contemporary capital. There were massive problems with free speech, divorce, and abortion rights, and on the whole it was just an absolute mess. That’s where the founders of this gorgeous little bookstore came in – they started up this bookstore to fill it with empowering female literature, bunting, an abundance of clocks, and old lamps. The decorations and style of the store represent the era flawlessly, and the whole place is just gorgeous, empowering, and honestly a little overwhelming. Good luck trying to hold back a reaction as you walk in.

librería desnivel

Librería Desnivel definitely tripped me out. It’s absolutely tiny from the outside, but when you walk in through the stained glass doors (with ice picks as the handles no less), it opens up to this massive maze of books. The floorboards creak as you wander the halls, and the endless rows of books dictate foreign lands and guides on mountaineering and exploring. I didn’t realise that a bookstore could be so perfect, but as I walked through it I quickly realised that it’s a real Travellers’ haven. The walls are even signed with quotes from famous explorers! There’s campfire music playing in the background, and everywhere you look is dowsed in maps and autobiographies by beloved adventurers. It’s the most inspiring bookstore I’ve ever visited, and I can’t deny that I now own a ridiculous amount of Levison Wood novels (I even interviewed him!).

the cómic co

Located in quite possibly the prettiest neighbourhood in the whole of Madrid (It’s Malasaña, before you ask), the cómic co is the most visually contemporary out of all these stores. Each wall is either pristine white plaster or exposed orange brick, with books layered across the front of them. They sell quirky (and sometimes eccentric) illustrated books and comics, resulting in me spending a ridiculous amount of time just pawing at the pages as the temptation of using up all my wages right there was exceedingly strong. The staff are always really lovely, and it seems that they all live for the casual banter in the store. It’s like the Spanish twin to the classic science fiction store Forbidden Planet, although less musty.

Honourable mentions:

Arrebato Libros – An adorable store featuring antique novels and yellowbacks – some of which still containing cute little notes from their owners back in the 1800s. A gorgeous mess of a place, it’s strangely enticing.

Pasajes Librería – Featuring a real abundance of books in a relatively small space, you could spend hours upon hours rummaging through their products. One of the best things is that they offer a wide selection of multi-lingual books, something of which a large majority of Madrid bookstores actually lack.

Librería Letras – So many of these books are on sale, it really did not help my attempts at budgeting. The owner is exceedingly helpful when you’re as indecisive as I am, and some of the books are quite noir and super interesting. The majority of books I bought from my trip were purchased from here – so if you have a weight limit for your suitcase, you may want to be careful.

El Olor de la Lluvia – Translated to “the smell of rain,” this place is quaint and cute and I love it. It features a little reading nook and rows upon rows of self-help books, rendering it the perfect place to take time out and fix yourself.

Madrid is quite possibly the most vibrant, exuberant place I’ve ever had the pleasure of living, and I already miss traipsing daily around the bookstores. I met some deeply lovely people between the towers of books, and I think that if you were to search for the very heart of the capital, you would find yourself in one of these librerías. These cosy little nooks really capture the whole essence of Madrid life – something we call “comodidad.” If you want to feel like you’ve finally come home, you’ve got to fall in love with the hidden bookstores of Madrid. As a warning though: when you leave, the estrangement will break your heart.

Have you guys been to any of these bookstores, or have any recommendations for stores I should check out? If so, let me know in the comments below!

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