If you’re a book lover, you need to add these 15 amazing Edinburgh bookshops to your list of places to visit!
Edinburgh has been on my bucket list for a long time – old bookshops, cosy cafes and magical Harry Potter spots? Count me in!
Edinburgh is known as one of the top literary cities in the UK and is teeming with wonderful independent bookshops.
This city is an absolute haven for book lovers with many literary giants living and writing here. In fact, Edinburgh was the first city to be named a UNESCO City of Literature in 2004.
Before my trip, I had all the best Edinburgh bookshops mapped out on Google maps and couldn’t wait to actually see these shops I’d dreamed about in person.
Without further ado, here’s my guide to the best bookshops in Edinburgh:
Armchair Books
If you’re looking for second hands books, Edinburgh’s Armchair Books is a must. It’s one of my favourite bookshops in Edinburgh. Indeed, it is one of my favourite secondhand bookshops of all time!
I actually visited Armchair Books more than once during my trip to Edinburgh, the first time by myself on an early morning wander. The second as I shoved a friend through the door, insisting she needed to see it.
It’s a winding little shop with floor-to-ceiling bookshelves that are jam-packed with secondhand reads.
As soon as you enter, you’re met with the smell of old books and brown pages. It’s a smell that instantly makes a bookworm feel at home.
There are multiple copies of some of the most popular releases from the past few decades so it’s a great place to pick up a second hand edition of something you’ve had your eye on for a while.
There are, of course, also lots of classics and every other genre you can think of.
If you’re not based in Edinburgh, you can support them via AbeBooks here.
For even more second hand books, you can pop into Peter Bell Books next door, which specialises in antiquarian Scottish interest books, as well as history and philosophy books.
Address: 72-74 West Port, EH1 2LE
Opening Hours: 10am – 6:30pm every day
Website: www.armchairbooks.co.uk
Topping & Company
I was familiar with Topping & Company bookshops from a previous visit to Bath and was excited to discover that their newest branch opened in Edinburgh in 2019.
RELATED: A Guide to Bookshops in Bath
This new branch is enormous and holds around 70,000 titles over two floors. In fact, the Topping family have boasted that this is the largest independent bookshop to open in the country for decades!
It’s a beautiful, well-lit space with tall windows letting plenty of light into the store.
Of course, they’ve got their signature ladders resting against the bookshelves so you can reach those on the top shelves too. Aesthetic and practical, a book lover’s dream.
The absolute best thing about this bookshop, however, is the fact that they offer free tea for their customers to enjoy along with their new reads.
There are small round tables dotted around the store and you can enjoy a pot of freshly brewed tea here in an adorable navy and polka-dot teapot.
Address: 2 Blenheim Place, EH7 5JH
Opening Hours: 9am – 8:30pm every day
Website: www.toppingbooks.co.uk
Rare Birds Book Shop
Rare Birds Book Shop has been on my bucket list ever since it opened, and it did not disappoint. The shop is welcoming, colourful and aesthetic, but most of all I loved that its ethos is not only to help people read for fun but to promote books written by women.
Rare Birds have curated a wonderful selection of great reads – new releases, modern classics and literary gems in all genres – all by women. I wanted to take every title I picked up in this store home with me and was overwhelmed with the array of interesting fiction and non-fiction titles!
However, for lovers of the classics, I would say the books on offer are mostly contemporary reads rather than your classic Austens, Brontes etc. but there are plenty of other Edinburgh bookshops where you can find those.
In addition, there are some lovely bookish gifts on offer here – you can pick a mystery book from the ‘lucky dip’ wall or choose from candles and other bookish merchandise.
If you want to take a seat whilst you deliberate over what books to buy, there are a small number of seats dotted around too. And if you need any advice, the staff were lovely and very happy to chat about books.
If you want to support Rare Birds from afar, you can sign up to their subscription box, which delivers a new book to you every month.
This is one of my favourite bookshops in Edinburgh!
Address: 13a Raeburn Place, Edinburgh EH4 1HU
Opening Hours: 10am – 5:30pm every day (5pm close on Sundays)
Website: https://rarebirdsbooks.com/
Golden Hare Books
I have a confession.
The first time I stepped into Golden Hare Books, I was met with a feeling of… disappointment.
It was the bookshop in Edinburgh I’d heard the most about and seen people rave about but upon stepping over the threshold it just seemed rather sparse inside. It wasn’t the bookshop I had imagined it would be in my head.
BUT!
(A big but)
I began looking around the shelves to see what type of books they had on offer. And I found myself moving more and more slowly around the shop.
I was completely absorbed by each book I picked up and I wanted to take them all home with me!
Then I understood why this bookshop is so magical and I was very sorry to have misjudged it.
Golden Hare Books is an incredibly well-curated bookshop, in fact, I’d even go so far as to say this is one of the most well-curated bookshops I’ve ever had the pleasure of visiting.
It’s clear that a lot of thought has gone into which books they choose to stock on their shelves and they only have the very best recent releases.
YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE: A Literary Tour of Edinburgh
I ended up leaving with two books I’d never heard of prior to visiting but was sure I’d enjoy: Territory of Light by Yūko Tsushima and In The City of Love’s Sleep by Lavinia Greenway.
I was further stopped on my way out of the shop by the little row of books outside the store – I really didn’t want to leave!
Golden Hare Books is located in Stockbridge, so it’s a little out of the way compared to the other bookshops on this list but no visit to Edinburgh is complete without a spin around this lovely bookshop.
This bookshop in Edinburgh won Independent Bookshop of the Year in 2019, beating all other bookshops in the UK and Ireland, and it’s a very well-deserved title.
Address: 68 St Stephen Street, EH3 5AQ
Opening Hours: 10am – 6pm every day
Website: goldenharebooks.com
Argonaut Books
Argonaut Books might just be my favourite bookshop in Edinburgh.
During my latest trip, I found myself visiting it multiple times—it’s that good!
I was staying with a friend who lives just minutes away and I couldn’t help but feel envious that she has this gem of a bookshop right on her doorstep!
The selection of books here is impressive, covering pretty much every genres. I kept spotting books I wanted to take home (if only my suitcase had room for them all!).
The best thing about Argonaut Books is that it doubles up as a cosy café. It’s the perfect spot to study, work, or simply lose yourself in a good book.
They serve a range of teas and coffees, along with a small (but tempting!) selection of pastries and cakes.
I loved sitting at the window seat table with my laptop open and an iced latte in hand, watching the constant flow of people and buses outside.
This place has quickly become one of my absolute favourite bookshops, and I can’t wait to return one day!
Address: 15-17 Leith Walk, Edinburgh EH6 8LN
Opening Hours: 10am – 6pm every day (open later on Fridays and Saturdays)
Website: argonautbooks.co.uk
Lighthouse Bookshop
Lighthouse Bookshop is Edinburgh’s self-proclaimed Radical Bookshop. It’s a a queer-owned and woman led independent community bookshop that seeks to champion marginal voices and celebrate diversity.
Here you’ll find books from most genres, but in particular, you’ll find books related to politics, history, feminism, the environment and LGBT+ writing.
There are lots of great works in translation on offer here too so you’re spoilt for choice in terms of diverse reads.
What I loved most about this bookshop is the ‘Pay It Forward’ board which allows customers to pay it forwards to those less fortunate or able to purchase books. You can pay any amount to the bookshop and then write a little note to a person in need and the amount you’ve paid forward.
This board was positively stuffed with notes, which warmed my heart, but it seems that lots of people are there to give and not enough of those in need are aware of the board to take!
Address: 43-45 W Nicolson St, Newington, Edinburgh EH8 9DB
Opening Hours: 10am – 8pm Monday to Saturday, 11:30am – 5pm Sunday
Website: https://www.lighthousebookshop.com/
The Gently Mad Book Shop & Bookbinder
The Gently Mad Bookshop must be one of the most charming and romantic bookshops in Edinburgh. This vintage bookshop looks like something out of a cosy, magical novel with old books stacked from floor to ceiling and in every nook and cranny in between.
The books are reasonably priced with second hand books of recent fiction and classics, as well as valuable collectible items – Folio editions or first editions. The really valuable items are kept behind glass doors and you’ll need to ask to view these e.g. a first edition Harry Potter book.
What gives the bookshop that magical vibe is the ornaments and trinkets on the shelves and hanging from the ceilings – an old bird cage, vintage lamps, old posters, statues and more. The owner sits at a desk on a mezzanine level above the main bookshop floor and, apart from the computer, the scene looks like something from times gone by.
The stairs leading down to the bindery look like they’ll lead you straight into old times and I’d love to poke my head around there!
Address: 2 Summer Place (near the Botanic Gardens), Edinburgh, EH3 5NR
Opening Hours: 11am – 5.30pm 7 days a week
Website: https://www.thegentlymad.co.uk/
Blackwell’s Bookshop
Blackwell’s has long been a favourite of mine, with its flagship bookshop in Oxford proudly boasting the largest bookselling room in the world.
The Edinburgh bookshop holds a title of its own as Edinburgh’s oldest independent bookshop. Books have been sold on this site since 1848!
RELATED: A Guide to Bookshops in Oxford
Blackwell’s is a great place to look for new releases as soon as they come out as well as book-related merchandise and stationery.
Of course, there’s a large Harry Potter section in this Edinburgh bookshop with many different editions and other magical merchandise for Harry Potter fans in Edinburgh.
As well as a huge selection of new books, they’ve got dedicated shelves for different collections of old classics.
From Penguin Clothbounds to Everyman’s Library to Macmillan Collector’s Library, they’ve got all the most beautiful editions.
It’s also a great place to hang out on a rainy day in Edinburgh (and there are lots of those!). There are armchairs and sofas in Blackwell’s signature blue colour dotted all around the bookshop with some spaces for studying too.
The bookshop is opposite Old College at the University of Edinburgh, which is also worth a visit.
And did you know that Blackwell’s offer free delivery worldwide? It’s a great place to order from if you’re shopping online!
Address: 53-62 South Bridge, EH1 1YS
Opening Hours: 9am – 8pm every day, 12pm – 6pm Sunday
Website: blackwells.co.uk/bookshop (FREE delivery worldwide!)
Transreal
Transreal is a bookshop I stumbled upon completely by accident when seeking out some Harry Potter spots in Edinburgh.
It’s located on the same road that you’ll find Greyfriars Kirkyard, aka the Harry Potter graveyard. And it’s an appropriate place for such a bookshop as Transreal specialises in sci-fi and fantasy fiction.
RELATED: Harry Potter Graveyard in Edinburgh
I’m a huge fan of fantasy literature so I was incredibly excited to discover this hidden gem in Edinburgh.
As well as the classics you’d expect like the works by George R R Martin, J R R Tolkien and Brandon Sanderson, they also stock lots of sci-fi and fantasy fiction that you won’t find on the shelves of your local Waterstones.
There are many authors here published by book publishers that don’t operate in the UK and it was a pleasure to explore these unfamiliar titles.
In fact, it’s been said that Transreal has the biggest range of imported science fiction and fantasy titles in Scotland!
Address: 46 Candlemaker Row, EH1 2QE
Opening Hours: 11am – 6pm (Tuesday – Saturday)
Website: transreal.wordpress.com
McNaughtan’s
McNaughtan’s is an absolutely beautiful, quaint bookshop in Edinburgh that is filled with antiquarian and second-hand books.
In fact, it is the oldest second-hand and antiquarian bookshop in Scotland! Its interiors are thoroughly charming with neatly stacked books from floor to ceiling and even around the door frames.
They stock a wide variety of genres from literature to children’s, religion or philosophy. The most popular of these is literature and they have a huge range of old classics and poetry books on offer.
This is the perfect place to shop for old books as gifts or to form part of your home library collection.
As soon as you walk in, you smell the scent of old books so book lovers may want to stay awhile.
Fortunately, there’s a lovely window seat in which you can sit as you peruse some titles you may want to add to your collection.
McNaughtan’s Bookshop & Gallery is right around the corner from the new Toppings & Company and is attached to Typewronger Books (below) so a trip to all three shops should be combined.
The shop is currently closed but they are open to orders and offer free UK postage.
Address: 3a, 4a Haddington Place, EH7 4AE
Opening Hours: 11am – 5pm (Tuesday – Saturday)
Website: mcnaughtans.co.uk
Typewronger Books
Attached to McNaughton’s Bookshop & Gallery is Typewronger Books, a bookshop with a very different vibe.
They sell both books and typewriters, which make for the perfect combination. Isn’t it every writer’s dream to have a vintage typewriter?
It’s a small shop but it has such character and I loved the atmosphere. Music played softly on vinyl and the owner, Tom, is laughing with customers as he puts their order through.
They chitchat about the Extinction Rebellion and angry London commuters and I, often an angry London commuter, silently laugh with them as I browse.
There’s often tea (and sometimes wine!) on offer to browsers and it’s open until 9pm so people have time to pop by after work.
The books are all carefully selected by the owner so there’s a small but well-curated assortment of books in all genres.
It’s not the kind of place you come to pick up a specific edition but rather to browse, to run your fingers along the shelves, to have a bookish chat and pick up something unexpected.
Typewronger is the only typewriter shop in Edinburgh so it’s a must-visit if you’re looking to invest in one.
There’s even a Tweetwronger typewriter machine that is connected to Twitter. All you have to do it tweet @tweetwronger and use the hashtag #typethis – how cool is that?
If you live in Edinburgh there’s free postage/delivery to residents and reduced delivery costs to the rest of the UK.
Address: 4a Haddington Place, EH7 4AE
Opening Hours: 11am – 9pm every day
Website: www.typewronger.com
Edinburgh Books
If you love second-hand books then Edinburgh Books is a must-visit. It’s the largest secondhand bookshop in Edinburgh and has been in operation for decades.
The shelves here are positively stuffed to the brim with books stacked both vertically and horizontally to fill every space. There’s even a large basement with even more rooms full of books.
You could get lost amongst these shelves for hours at a time as they stock just about every genre under the sun.
The copies they stock are sometimes quite well-used (well-loved!) but I love finding old copies and wondering what their history is.
It’s located along the same road as Armchair Books as you walk out of the centre of the city so make sure to add both to your agenda.
Oh and don’t be alarmed by Clarence, the large water buffalo head who watches you as you shop. There are plenty of fun rumours about him so be sure to ask the owners more.
Address: 145-147, West Port, Edinburgh EH3 9DP
Opening Hours: 10am – 6pm every day (closed Sundays)
John Kay’s
Formerly The Old Town Bookshop, John Kay’s sit on the edge of Edinburgh’s most colourful and most iconic street, Victoria Street. This street has often been cited as the inspiration for Diagon Alley and you can see why.
With cobbled paving beneath your feet, you could believe you were shopping for wizard’s wares as you you look through the windows of these tall, colourful and mostly independent stores.
In fact, some believe that the Old Town Bookshop was the original inspiration for Flourish and Blotts with its floor to ceiling bookshelves.
Today, John Kay’s stocks a curated assortment of items for book lovers & antique aficionados alike. There’s a small selection of rare books as well as some beautiful editions of well-loved classics.
With miniature planes hanging from the ceiling and globes hanging from the bookshelves, the shop looks a little like an old explorer’s private collection. It’s a great shop to pick up a quirky gift, bookish or otherwise!
Address: 8 Victoria Street, EH1 2HG
Opening Hours: 10am – 6/7pm every day
RELATED: 17 Best Edinburgh Day Trips
The Edinburgh Bookshop
The Edinburgh Bookshop is another award-winning bookshop having been crowned Scottish Bookshop of the Year at the British Book Awards in 2018.
They are particularly well known for their selection of children’s books and they are all about encouraging access to reading. A mission I can very much get behind!
It’s run by a small team of women who are all passionate about reading and that’s evident from just a few minutes in the store.
If you’re stuck on what to get, these lovely ladies will be able to bring together a wonderful selection for whatever the occasion or mood.
The Edinburgh Bookshop is one of the smaller bookshops in Edinburgh and with floor to ceiling shelves, it does feel very cosy.
If you can’t find what you need on the shelves then you can have it ordered in. They’ve got a form on their website where you can request any book you like and they’ll source it and have it ready to collect within 24-48 hours. How insane is that?
Address: 219 Bruntsfield Place, Edinburgh, EH10 4DH
Opening Hours: 10am – 6pm Monday to Saturday; 12pm – 4pm Sundays
Website: www.edinburghbookshop.com
Waterstones (Princes Street)
This is the biggest bookshop in Edinburgh, spanning over 4 floors with books of every genre, gifts, and a cafe. There’s even a Scottish department, so if you’re looking for souvenirs or gifts for a bookish friend, this section might interest you.
Whilst Waterstones is usually not as interesting as niche or independent bookshops, the Waterstones in Edinburgh is a must-visit because of the insane views of Edinburgh Castle from this bookshop’s cafe.
Just look at that view!
This is the perfect spot if you’re looking for a short tea break or somewhere to do some work or study in Edinburgh.
The cafe says it works with local suppliers on its food and drink, and the warm cheese & marmite scone I ordered was delicious. In fact, I loved this spot so much that I stayed for lunch and had a ham and cheese toastie too.
You’ll need to get there early if you want one of the four seats right by the window. These coveted seats will be snapped up early on and people will not relinquish these easily!
Address: 128 Princes Street, Edinburgh, EH2 4AD
Opening Hours: 9am – 7pm Monday to Saturday; 10pm – 6pm Sundays
Website: https://www.waterstones.com/bookshops/edinburgh-west-end
That concludes my guide to Edinburgh bookstores! There are many, many more that I’d love to explore so here are some further suggestions:
Even more Edinburgh bookshops
Book Lovers Bookshop
The Portobello Bookshop
Tills Bookshop
Main Point Books
Amnesty International Books
Cornerstone Bookshop
And if you’re looking for somewhere to stay in Edinburgh, why not try a literary hotel?
The Place in Edinburgh has a number of beautiful literary suites inspired by some of Scotland’s greatest writers.
These are four themed suites available: Robert Louis Stevenson, love and romance (inspired by Edinburgh poets and romance writers), thrill and intrigue (inspired by crime writers such as Rankin and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle) and enchantment (inspired by the likes of JM Barrie, JK Rowling, Daniel Defoe and Iain M. Banks).
Each literary suite has its own library with books chosen according to the theme of the room. If one takes your fancy you can even purchase the books from the library to take home with you!
Prices start from £115 per night.
Check availability and book a room at The Place here.
Love this post? Pin it for later!
Want more inspiration for your trip to Edinburgh? Check out these posts:
11 Best Things to Do in Edinburgh
A Book Lover’s Guide to Edinburgh
17 Day Trips from Edinburgh
A Guide to Harry Potter in Edinburgh
The Harry Potter Graveyard in Edinburgh
Laura
Founder & Editor of What’s Hot?
Al
Thursday 2nd of November 2023
do you have these laid out on a google map? al@allautenslager.com
Nathan
Wednesday 17th of June 2020
Looks amazing :) Big fan of Harry Potter and your article definitely makes me want to check out all these bookshops!