Prague has a long literary history rooted in religion from medieval times, Romanticism from later centuries, and progressive politics more recently, creating a unique mix of intellectualism, reverence, and revolutionary thinking in prose.

Aria Hotel Prague

Though Aria Hotel Prague’s main focus is on music (“aria” is in the name, after all!), it has a couple of areas open to guests that are likely to intrigue the casual bibliophile. First up is the hotel’s Music Library and Concierge—which, yes, is filled with CDs, DVDs, and Blu-rays, but also has a decent collection of written literature on music.

Aria also has a Fireplace Lounge, which is definitely a more classic take on a library room, decorated in rich reds and golds. Both rooms are open to guests and promise a comfortable place to read (or listen) and relax.

Address: Tržiště 9, 118 00 Malá Strana, Czechia
Opening hours:
– Check-in time: 3PM
– Check-out time: 11AM

Strahov Library

We’re starting off strong with a library set in the Strahov Abbey, boasting two magnificent Baroque halls. First up is the Theological Hall, built in the 1670s with jaw-dropping white stucco decorations set with colorful frescoes. Meanwhile, the 20,000-plus religious texts are in gorgeous bookcases crowned with gold.

Second, the Philosophical Hall from the late 1700s, which is even bigger and filled with towering walnut bookshelves and an elaborate ceiling fresco depicting. This one contains over 42,000 volumes on subjects like history, astronomy, and philosophy.

Address: Strahovské nádvoří 132/1, 118 00 Praha 1-Hradčany, Czechia
Opening hours:
– Monday to Sunday: 9AM – 5PM (last entry is 4:30PM)

Shakespeare & Sons (Shakespeare & Synové)

This is one of the most notable English-language bookstores in Prague, set in the historic Mala Strana district. Founded in 2002, Shakespeare & Sons (or Shakespeare & Synové in Czech) carries over 20,000 new and used books in English across two floors. The collection caters to a wide range of literary tastes on everything from politics to poetry.

With plush furniture and reading areas, this bookstore gives off a very homey, welcoming vibe, even holding a basement area for live music and various events.

Address: U Lužického semináře 10, 118 00 Malá Strana, Czechia
Opening hours:
– Monday to Sunday: 11AM – 7PM

Božská Lahvice

Combining a café with a wine bar and bookstore is basically a stroke of genius, as proven by Božská Lahvice. Located in the Josefov district, this book café offers a range of books specializing in Czech literature and poetry, including Czech translations of famous titles.

The menu is also very Czech, focusing on regional cuisine that many guests praise for being absolutely delicious. The shop also regularly hosts book presentations of local authors, typically once or twice a week.

Address: Bílkova 122/6, 110 00 Josefov, Czechia
Opening hours:
– Monday to Friday: 9AM – 10PM
– Saturday: 11AM – 10PM

Franz Kafka Bookstore

Franz Kafka Bookstore specializes in literature about the famous author Kafka and Jewish history, and offers a wide selection of languages, including Czech and English. Its interior is dominated by black bookcases and steel banisters, while the opulent chandelier hanging above gives the space an air of elegance.

In addition to its broad collection of books, you can find prints and postcards. And if you’re having trouble picking out one title in particular, the shop often has recommendations on display.

Address: Široká 65/14, 110 00 Josefov, Czechia
Opening hours:
– Monday to Sunday: 10AM – 12PM, 12:30PM – 6PM

Municipal Library of Prague

If all you want out of this list is a massively impressive art display, scoot yourself over to the Municipal Library of Prague. Established in 1891, it stands as one of the city’s oldest public libraries and features a lot of Art Deco style. It was also the first library in Czechoslovakia built to be a library (as opposed to just shoving a collection in any old building).

And as for that impressive art display, it has a huge, cylindrical column of books stacked on top of one another from floor to ceiling, constructed so that you can take a step inside and gawk at the seemingly infinite number of books stretching around you.

Address: Mariánské nám. 98/1, 110 00 Josefov, Czechia
Opening hours:
– Monday: 1PM – 8PM
– Tuesday to Friday: 9AM – 8PM
– Saturday & Sunday: 10AM – 6PM
– (Note: may close at 1PM on some Saturdays; be sure to check ahead of time)

Klementinum Library

Strahov isn’t the only beautiful Baroque library hall in Prague, and Clementinum (spelled with a “K” in Czech) has a very impressive one of its own. Founded by Jesuits in 1722, this architectural work of art holds over 20,000 volumes and features magnificent frescoes on the ceiling, large globes lining the center of the room, and wooden bookshelves with ornate, spiralling columns along every wall.

The Klementinum complex also has the Astronomical Tower and the Mirror Chapel, both of which are also well worth seeing. There is an entrance fee of 380 CZK per person (about US$18), with discounted prices for families and those under 18.

Address: Mariánské nám. 5, 110 00 Staré Město, Czechia
Opening hours:

October to March
– Monday to Sunday: 9AM – 7PM

April to September
– Monday to Sunday: 9AM – 8PM

K-A-V-K-A

If you’re a book lover who also loves art, K-A-V-K-A is for you. This specialized bookstore and art gallery focuses on Czech and Slovak art, architecture, design, and photography. It carries art books and original works by local artists, including 20th and 21st-century graphics, drawings, paintings, and sculptures.

While most of the collection is in Czech, there are some in other languages like English, Japanese, and German. K-A-V-K-A also hosts regular exhibitions.

Address: 5, Krocínova 316, Staré Město, 110 00, Czechia
Opening hours:
– Monday to Friday: 11AM – 6PM
– Saturday & Sunday: Closed

Globe Bookstore & Café

As popular as Shakespeare & Sons might be, Globe Bookstore & Café has it beat as Prague’s first leading English-language bookstore. Its collection consists of about 10,000 titles across genres—children’s literature, nonfiction, fiction, you name it.

And, as the name implies, the store features a lively café serving coffee, cocktails, American-style brunch, and more. Located in a historic building with gorgeous wooden furniture and elegant red-and-white decor. It also hosts various events like literary readings, live music, and quiz nights.

Address: Pštrossova 1925/6, 110 00 Nové Město, Czechia
Opening hours:

Bookstore:
– Monday to Friday: 10AM – 9PM
– Saturday & Sunday: 9:30AM – 9PM

Café:
– Monday to Thursday: 10AM – 11PM
– Friday: 10AM – 12AM
– Saturday: 9:30AM – 12AM
– Sunday: 9:30AM – 11PM

Rekomando

This antiquarian bookstore and vinyl record shop was originally established in 2006 but relocated in 2012. With a collection of new and used titles alongside a wide range of music genres, including rock, jazz, and punk, it has a lot going for it to attract customers and keep them coming.

Standing out with a storefront painted bright blue against a concrete building, the shop also supports online orders and even has a buy-back option for vintage books and vinyl.

Address: Trojanova 9, 120 00 Nové Město, Czechia
Opening hours:
– Monday to Saturday: 10AM – 6PM
– Sunday: Closed

Budget Books

Here’s a bookstore chain that is exactly what it says on the tin, plus a little more. Budget Books is the city’s largest budget bookstore, focusing on English-language books. It may very well have the broadest selection of English titles in Prague, all in a clean-cut, well-organized space. It also has a Czech section.

Known for affordable prices and discount bins, the shop has a friendly, laidback atmosphere with helpful staff, and it also supports online orders with in-store pick-up.

Address: Spálená 82/4, 110 00 Nové Město, Czechia
Opening hours:
– Monday to Saturday: 10AM – 7PM
– Sunday: 11AM – 6PM

Knihkupectví a antikvariát Spálená

Knihkupectví a antikvariát Spálená is an antiquarian bookstore showcasing new and used books in multiple languages, including English and German, alongside collectibles like postcards, maps, paintings, and vinyl records. The bookstore features organized sections with classical literature, rare prints, and first editions, so it’s a pretty sweet retreat for collectors.

The vintage photographs and pictures, most notably of legends like Johnny Cash and David Bowie, hanging on the walls, definitely give it a nostalgic, old-world vibe, but that’s part of its charm and what keeps customers coming back.

Address: Spálená 110/53, 110 00 Nové Město, Czechia
Opening hours:
– Monday to Friday: 8:30AM – 6:30PM
– Saturday: 10AM – 4PM
– Sunday: Closed

Krakatit

Not to be confused with Krakatoa, this bookstore specializes in comics, fantasy, science fiction, horror, and even some very specific nonfiction subjects like military and railroads. Though most of the collection is in Czech, it has a decent offering of other languages too, such as English and German.

The store also sells figures (i.e., action figures and models) and games for all ages, including puzzles, card games, and honestly, more than we could ever list here. It’s an absolute must-visit in Prague for gamers and fans of speculative fiction.

Address: Jungmannova 14, 110 00 Nové Město, Czechia
Opening hours:
– Monday to Friday: 9:30AM – 6:30PM
– Saturday: 10AM – 1PM
– Sunday: Closed

Luxor Palace of Books (Palác knih Luxor)

If you want to visit the largest bookstore in the city, head to Palác knih Luxor (translated in English to “Luxor Palace of Books”). It spans several floors with a staggering number of titles in every genre and subject and multiple languages, including Czech, English, French, and German.

As you might expect from such a massive store, Luxor also sells a range of other goods like souvenirs, candles, stationery, and various household goods. It also has a café on the second floor where visitors can drop in, buy a drink, and settle down to read.

Address: Václavské nám. 820/41, 110 00 Nové Město, Czechia
Opening hours:
– Monday to Friday: 8AM – 8PM
– Saturday & Sunday: 9AM – 8PM

Book Therapy

Ever want to know what it feels like to walk into a cloud? Well, you can have the next best thing by stepping into Book Therapy, one of the most zen spaces in the city of Prague. It has a high-quality collection of books and magazines focused on design, architecture, fashion, lifestyle, photography, and art, including English titles.

Book Therapy chose that name because they believe that books can be used as a sort of therapy to soothe the soul, and they work towards that goal by creating a calming, quiet space.

Address: Římská 35, 120 00 Vinohrady, Czechia
Opening hours:
– Monday to Friday: 11AM – 7PM
– Saturday: 11AM – 5PM
– Sunday: Closed

1. Podzemní antikvariát

Last but not least is 1. Podzemní antikvariát, AKA 1. Underground Antique Store, with a very intentional “1.” As you might’ve guessed from the name, it’s an antiquarian bookstore best known for its underground atmosphere that makes you feel like you’ve stumbled into Aladdin’s Cave of Wonders, but for books instead of jewels.

Here, you can find rare, used, and antiquarian books covering various genres and languages, attracting collectors, scholars, and book lovers of all sorts.

Address: Hybernská 1008, 110 00 Nové Město, Czechia
Opening hours:
– Monday to Friday: 9AM – 7PM
– Saturday & Sunday: Closed