5 Unmissable Bookstores in Vienna

Photo by Ugur Akdemir on Unsplash

5 Unmissable Bookstores in Vienna

If you are currently in Vienna or planning to visit and love to spend some quiet time engrossed in a good book; We have a list of bookstores that you can visit and experience Austria’s capital in a different angle.

This city is popularly known for its cultural events, splendid views, coffee shops and snug wine taverns, all adorned with the Viennese charm.

There is an assortment of bookstores in Vienna that may intrigue any book lover. As mentioned above these bookstores give a different perspective of the city and the country.

Some of the bookstores that we will look at today have the traditional and contemporary feel to it.

Read on for more on these 5 unmissable bookstores in Vienna.

1. Shakespeare and Company Booksellers

Sterngasse 2, 1010 Wien

Courtesy of Shakespeare & Company Website

The Shakespeare & Company sells an extensive range of English language books on several subjects from around the world such as; contemporary and classical literature, science-fiction, academic, poetry, politics and photography.

This bookstore is located in the centre and oldest part of Vienna, at Sterngasse 2.

This bookstore also stocks new and popular releases, one may find that one book that they could not find in other bookstores.

There is a huge range of children’s books at this store and one will probably walk out of the bookstore with more than two books.

Walking into this bookstore will usher you to stacks of books and ladders that the booksellers use to reach those at the top of the pile.

Its is frequented by all that love to read books written in the English language and tourists in the city.

Shakespeare and Company bookstore also hosts events where they invite book authors both local and international to interact and read with their readers.

A similar bookstore can be found in Paris too.

2. Austrian National library

Josefsplatz 1, 1015 Wien

By Gryffindor -Wikimedia

The Austrian National Library in Vienna is the largest in Austria. It is a booklovers paradise with over 12 million books, journals, manuscripts and many other literary works.

This historic and magnificent building housing the library was built in the 18^th century and is fitted with modern facilities and is popular with researchers and students.

This library is open to all; there are dedicated reading rooms, research facilities for those in academia and a beautiful state hall.

This massive and historic building is not only a library but also a museum. There are five separate historic museums, a literature museum and a globe museum within the library complex.

The library has eight collections of unique artefacts manuscripts, incunabula, music manuscripts, photographs, maps, globes and many more.

Walking through the library, one cannot help but admire the massive ornated hall with high painted ceilings and baroque balconies.

There are beautiful murals under the enormous dome of the library. This library hall is considered to be one of the most beautiful in the world.

The library stocks literature in humanities that are from foreign countries. A fee is charged for visitors to the library.

3. Phil bookstore and Bar

Gumpendorfer Str. 10 – 12, 1060 Wien

Courtesy of Phil Bookstore website

This bookstore offers a relaxing ambience with soothing music, a perfect atmosphere to read a book while sipping your coffee or beer.

Their goal is to make you ‘Phil’ good while enjoying your favourite drink and a book.

This contemporary bookstore sells a wide selection of books, art and design pieces, philosophy and classic novels written in German.

There is free WIFI for the patrons who can catch up on their online work while enjoying chill music.

The interior of this contemporary bookstore speaks comfort; retro cosy couches, well-lit and airy, just perfect for an easy day with your book or catching on work online.

There is also a gift section in the bookstore where one can choose books, DVDs from a selection of themed topics.

Other than serving as a café and a bookshop, there are frequent events related to films and books hosted at the bookstore.

4. Thalia Bookstore

By Doronenko – Wikimedia

This bookstore is a huge independent chain bookshop in Vienna that sells a wide range of books in English and other languages. It is located at the famous shopping street near Westbahnhof.

The bookstore has an alluring aspect to it that draws the attention of anyone that loves to read.

Walking through the bookshelves aisle one cannot help but admire the wide selection of books available.

The bookstore occupies a multi-storey building and sells a selection of stationeries art supplies and gifts too.

There is a coffee shop within the bookstore where one can grab a coffee by a window seat while enjoying a great view of the city.

They also stock a range of music CDs, DVDs, and toys. Books on sale are placed by the entrance of the store.

5. Morawa Wollzeile

address; Wollzeile 11, 1010 Wien

Photo by freddie marriage on Unsplash

This bookstore is similar to Thalia, it is a huge chain bookstore on wollzeile street.

They have a limited stock of books in English but several books, magazines and maps that are travel related. Most of their books are in German.

There are rows on rows of bookshelves that one cannot go through them all in a day.

The various rooms in the bookstore are dedicated to different genres stocked from floor to ceiling. The staff there are helpful and should the title you are looking for is missing, they could check on their other chain stores within the city.

The range of items found in the bookshop varies from books, media, audiobooks, calendars, games, gifts and e-books.

They have an online shop where one can shop and get it delivered to their doors; they offer a postage-free delivery on their books and paperbacks.

Their online bookstore allows one to see all the available bestsellers and the store it is available within Austria or their outlets in Germany.

They have the option of storing or sending a book to their chain that is near you.