10 Beautiful and Best Bookshops in Edinburgh (2023)
Are you a book-lover looking for the best bookshops in Edinburgh? Then look no further as this blog post will go through precisely that!
One of the best things about Edinburgh is the fantastic bookshops. In Edinburgh, bookshops are not just bookshops. They are pure cozy vibes with a dark academia aesthetic and shop owners who care about their books and customers. Even if you are not looking to buy any books, I would still recommend visiting these bookshops, just for the experience! There are a few different shops listed below; some are bookshops with classics and antique books, some focus on new and contemporary fiction, and others are a mix of both. Whether you like non-fiction, biographies, classics, romance, or just like the feeling of walking inside bookstores, I can promise you that you will fall in love with these bookshops.
In this blog post, I will go through all the best bookstores in Edinburgh, independent bookshops Edinburgh, and more. The best thing about it is; that they are all within manageable walking distance! It means you could spend your entire day just browsing through them. Are you ready to get started? Let’s do it!
You might also like…
- The best things to do in Edinburgh, Scotland
- The best areas in Edinburgh
- 10 Amazing Harry Potter Locations in Scotland
- The best Independent Bookshops in London
10 Best Bookshops in Edinburgh
1. McNaughtan’s
McNaughtan’s is the oldest second-hand bookshop in Edinburgh and one of the best bookstores in Edinburgh. It is a gorgeous, quaint bookshop in Edinburgh filled with rare second-hand and antiquarian books. From the moment you step into McNaughten’s, you will immediately be mesmerized by its charm. First, you will walk on the most gorgeous, dark-wooden floor with a beautiful creaky sound. Then you will be met by the scent of old book pages. Finally, you will see all the gorgeous, old antique books lined up on the wooden shelves, and you will wonder if you have just taken a step back in time. After seeing, smelling, and hearing about this place, it is easy to understand why it is one of the best bookshops in Edinburgh.
McNaughtan’s sells collectible and second-hand books of all kinds. They have various genres, from literature or philosophy to children’s books or poetry. Their most popular books are the classics and poetry books. So if you are a fan of poetry and classic books, this bookshop is the perfect place.
Address: 3A, 4a Haddington Pl, Edinburgh EH7 4AE, United Kingdom
Opening hours: Sun-Wed: 11am-5pm, Thur: 11am-8pm
Website: http://www.mcnaughtans.co.uk/
2. Typewronger Books
After visiting McNaughtan’s Bookshops, you have to visit Typewronger Books. Typewronger Books is next to McNaughtan’s and another one of Edinburgh’s best bookstores. It is so close to McNaughtan’s that you may not even realize you stepped into another bookshop! However, although it is right next to McNaughtan’s, Typewronger Books has an entirely different vibe.
Typewronger Books is the smallest bookshop in Edinburgh and has a small but well-curated selection of books. Even though it is a small shop, it has such character and a beautiful atmosphere. Soft vinyl music will play in the background, and you will see a beautiful typewriter on a wooden desk in the middle of the shop. Typewronger Books often has tea (and even wine). It is open till 9 pm and is the only place in Edinburgh that sells typewriters and does typewriter repairs.
If you want a cup of tea with locals while browsing the books, or you are looking to invest in a typewriter, this is the place for you!
Address: 4a Haddington Pl, Edinburgh EH7 4AE, United Kingdom
Opening hours: Mon-Fri, Sun: 11am-9pm, Sat: 11am-10pm
Website: http://www.typewronger.com/
3. Armchair Books
Armchair Books is one of the best bookshops in Edinburgh for those who love aesthetically pleasing bookshops with second-hand books. It is a must for anyone visiting Edinburgh. It’s a quaint, winding shop with floor-to-ceiling bookshelves packed with second-hand books. You cannot look anywhere without your eyes landing on a shelf with a row of books. The stacked books give the bookshop a unique aesthetic. Just take a look at the images below!
Armchair books have multiple copies of some of the most popular releases from the past few decades. It is a great place to pick up a gorgeous second-hand edition of classic books!
Address: 72-74 West Port, Edinburgh EH1 2LE, United Kingdom
Opening hours: Mon-Sun: 10am-6:30pm
Website: http://www.armchairbooks.co.uk/
4. Transreal Fiction
I first stumbled upon Transreal Fiction while searching for the Harry Potter Location, Greyfriars Kirkyard. The bookshop is located on the same road as you will find the cemetery that is famously known as a Harry Potter location. Transreal Fiction focuses on fantasy and science fiction, which could not be more appropriate considering that it is next to the Harry Potter location! Transreal Fiction is one of the best bookshops in Edinburgh for those who are fans of science fiction and fantasy books. In Transreal Fiction, you will discover many new sci-fi and fantasy books you have never seen or heard of before, but you can also expect to find some of the classics such as J.R. Tolkien and Brandon Sanderson.
Address: 46 Candlemaker Row, Edinburgh EH1 2QE, United Kingdom
Opening hours: Tues-Fri: 12pm-5pm, Sat: 11am-5pm, Sun-Mon: Closed
Website: http://www.transreal.co.uk/
5. The Edinburgh Bookshop
The Edinburgh Bookshop is one of the best bookshops in Edinburgh. In 2018 it was crowned “Scottish Bookshop of the Year” at the British Book Awards. The Edinburgh bookshop is best known for its wide selection of children’s books and encouraging access to reading for children of all ages! However, The Edinburgh Bookshop also sells YA fiction, cookbooks, and more. It has a relaxed and friendly atmosphere and hosts various literary events such as book clubs for all ages (Adult to YA to under 11s) and storytime for the under-5s.
Address: 219 Bruntsfield Pl, Edinburgh EH10 4DH, United Kingdom
Opening hours: Mon-Sat: 10am-5pm, Sun: 11am-4pm
Website: https://www.edinburghbookshop.com/
6. Topping & Company
Topping & Company has gorgeous lighting and a lovely view of Edinburgh streets out of their massive windows. The bookshop has over 50,000 titles and two whole floors’ worth of books! The shelves go from floor to ceiling and have gorgeous ladders resting against the shelves. Topping & Company has every genre of text you can dream of; for example, they have a classic section, children’s section, a music section, a YA section, and so much more. You will also find these cute, little seating areas inside the bookshop with tables and chairs. Here you can quietly sit and read the prologue of any book you wish before deciding whether or not to buy it. It is one of the best bookstores in Edinburgh and probably the best for those who are not looking for anything specific, but more so to browse through all kinds of books and discover new titles!
Address: 2 Blenheim Pl, Edinburgh EH7 5JH, United Kingdom
Opening hours: Mon-Sun: 9am-9pm
Website: https://www.toppingbooks.co.uk/
7. Lighthouse Bookshop
Lighthouse Bookshop is a must-visit in Edinburgh! It is one of the best bookstores in Edinburgh for those interested in activism, feminism, and an lgbtq+ friendly community. Lighthouse is independent, queer-owned, and woman-led. This bookshop celebrates diversity and has many events all year-round. Some of the events hosted here are book clubs, book fairs, book speaking events, and more! You can find more information on their events here.
Address: 43-45 W Nicolson St, Newington, Edinburgh EH8 9DB, United Kingdom
Opening hours: Mon-Sat: 10am-8pm, Sun: 11:30am-5pm
Website: http://www.lighthousebookshop.com/
8. Golden Hare Books
Golden Hare Books is in one of the most beautiful areas in Edinburgh, Stockbridge! On the same street as Golden Hare Books, you will find the most delicious sandwiches, another bookshop(!), and more. Golden Hare Books is one of the best bookstores in Edinburgh if you love seeing unusual and unheard-of books! Inside Golden Hare Books, you are guaranteed to find intriguing book titles! It may not look much when first stepping inside, but look closer. I promise that every book you pick up will absorb your complete attention. I have never been so stuck inside a bookshop before, from the titles to the blurbs to the prologues! Be warned: leaving without buying at least one book is impossible.
Address: 68 St Stephen St, Stockbridge, Edinburgh EH3 5AQ, United Kingdom
Opening hours: Mon-Sun: 10am-6pm
Website: http://www.goldenharebooks.com/
9. Till’s Bookshop
Till’s bookshop was founded in 1985, making it one of the oldest second-hand bookshops in Edinburgh. The bookshop has a great selection of second-hand literary fiction, contemporary classics, history, philosophy, and science fiction. Till’s bookshop also holds comics, non-fiction, and collectors’ books. This shop is another one of the smaller ones; however, well worth a browse through.
Address: 1 Hope Park Cres, Newington, Edinburgh EH8 9NA, United Kingdom
Opening hours: Mon-Sat: 10am-6pm, Sun: 12pm-5pm
Website: https://tillsbookshop.co.uk/
10. Edinburgh Books
If you love second-hand bookshops, then you will love Edinburgh Books. It’s the largest second-hand bookshop in Edinburgh. It is also another one of the gorgeous second-hand bookshops with the books stacked on top of each other, vertically, horizontally, and in every way possible. Edinburgh Books is one of the best bookstores in Edinburgh if you love finding old, very-used books oozing with history and personality! Edinburgh Books is very close to Armchair Books, so if you are on a Bookshop tour of Edinburgh, make sure you do not miss this one!
Address: 145-147 West Port, Edinburgh EH3 9DP, United Kingdom
Opening hours: Mon-Sat: 10am-6pm, Sun: closed
Website: http://www.edinburghbooks.net/
