Are you headed to Scotland and hoping for a bookish, nostalgic, cozy experience? If so, you are 100% in the right place! Whether you prefer brand new copies, used books, or antiquarian bookshops, you’ll love this list of the best Edinburgh bookshops.
Welcome to the Top 10 Best Edinburgh Bookshops!
Each Edinburgh Bookshop mentioned below will have its Google Map location hyperlinked! After this, make sure to check out our list of 7 Best Edinburgh Vintage Shops!
Independent Bookshops Edinburgh
Rare Birds Book Shop
LOVE this book shop! It is unique in that they only carry titles by female authors. The vibes inside are lively, feminine, and romantic. My favorite thing, though? The staff are phenomenal! They gave great recommendations for female Scottish authors for me to check out, and I walked out with 3 new titles in hand!
Also, it is located in the gorgeous Stockbridge neighborhood, which I strongly recommend exploring for its fun and quirky shops.
Topping & Co Booksellers of Edinburgh
Now with several locations, Topping & Company is still an independent, family owned bookseller. Their Edinburgh location is stellar! This massive book store contains dozens of rooms dedicated to all genres, spanning multiple floors.
They also have a few different reading tables which are a great touch.
Book Lovers Bookshop
This romance-only bookstore with a bubble-gum pink facade is absolutely adorable!! I found several romances by Scottish authors, as well as many set in Edinburgh to choose from. They also carry all the biggest titles in Romantasy. With a cozy loveseat, this is a great place to chill out and browse.
Typewronger Books
Immediately next door to McNaughtan’s Bookshop (reviewed further down) you’ll find Typewronger Books. They are completely different and complement each other perfectly.
At Typewronger you’ll find contemporary prose and poetry, zines, children’s books, and more.
The staff are incredibly helpful and kind, and even gave me an origami animal at check out! What a nice touch!
Second hand Bookshop Edinburgh & Edinburgh Antiquarian Bookshops
Armchair Books
Okay, no round up of cozy bookstores is complete without discussing the famous Armchair Books. This is a beautiful second hand bookstore that has quaint and cozy vibes … not because of decoration but because of the used books stacked floor to ceiling in a way that reminds you of Diagon Alley!
There is also a second “Antiquarian” room with more rare, Victorian books to browse.
This spot is no secret, and therefore, you should expect it to be packed! You’re almost shoulder to shoulder with people and there are precious few places to sit. But you should still definitely check it out in the area!
Edinburgh Books
You’ll love this place if you like the nostalgia of Armchair Books, but want a less crowded feel! It also has that floor-to-ceiling, adorably crammed, Diagon Alley vibe with an incredible selection of used books.
Something that makes this store very unique is that is also sells second hand sheet music!
My favorite element of this bookshop, however, is the Scottish room. Here, you’ll find used books on all things Scotland! Poetry, novels, history, folklore, old maps, and more!
McNaughtan’s Bookshop
Ok, if you are looking for a place with beautiful second hand & antiquarian books, this is the best in Edinburgh in my opinion!
They’ve got the extremely cozy, nostalgic feel that Armchair & Edinburgh books are going for, but because it’s relatively farther away from the city center, it is far less packed!
And, they have a couple deep leather chairs and a comfy window seat to sit and peruse.
Tills Bookshop
This is a truly beautiful second hand bookstore right next to the Meadows. It also contains a small collection of rare editions. The staff is very helpful and friendly! The selection is wide, but the store is compact, making browsing a breeze.
Beautiful Chain Bookshops Edinburgh
Waterstones Edinburgh
Of course, this is a chain bookstore, but what makes the Princes Street location so unique are the incredible castle views from the cafe on the upper level! After purchasing your newest read, you can and should grab a coffee, find a cozy seat with a view over the castle, and settle in!
Heads up: Despite getting to the store a couple minutes before it officially opened, there was already a queue outside. Those tables with the incredible views are in high demand, so best to get here early!
Blackwell’s Booksellers
Though this isn’t an independent bookstore, Blackwell’s on Southbridge is still a great stop on your bookstore crawl. It is a perfect option if you’ll be exploring the University of Edinburgh’s old campus. You might like that they have an enormous section for Scottish authors and poets.
Bonus section – Free Libraries & Novelty Shops
If you want to give your wallet a break but haven’t had enough bookish fun yet, consider checking out a couple free libraries.
National Galleries of Scotland – Portrait
This Gallery has free entry and contains a small library. It is beautiful for taking a picture or a quick perusal. However, there is very limited space to sit and read. Still, a stunning and free library space!
Edinburgh Central Library
This beautiful library located only a block or so from Victoria street is free to enter. If you walk upstairs you will find a stunning reference library with a domed ceiling, arched architecture, and dozens of study benches. The benches are first come, first served.
This is a great spot if you want to sit and read some of your purchases peacefully, if you want to get some work or studying done while abroad, etc.
Black Moon Botanica
Though this isn’t technically a bookstore, this novelty shop specializing in witchcraft and the occult has a large book selection! If you’re interested in books on witchcraft history or practice, this is the place for you!
