From London to Melbourne: these are the world's best bookshops

The top three bookshops in the world are…

1. Daunt Books

For any avid reader, it will come as no surprise that Daunt Books in London is officially 2025’s most popular bookshop in the world. The independent chain, which originally only published travel books, launched its flagship store on Marylebone’s High Street in 1990. Since then, nine other locations across the city have opened, including in Notting Hill, Hampstead and Marlow.

Bookworms often settle in to read among the shelves. (Image: Pauline Loroy)

But it’s the original store that came out on top, with an overall rating of 96.58. Daunt’s expansion into fiction, as well as other non-fiction genres, saw it explode in popularity, with Edwardian architecture, oak balconies and ornate windows only adding to its endless charm. But for the wanderlust-afflicted, it still primarily offers an incredible selection of travel-based literature.

Daunt’s flagship store is in the London borough of Marylebone. (Image: Ugur Akdemir)

2. El Ateneo Grand Splendid

Coming in second place is El Ateneo Grand Splendid in Buenos Aires, Argentina, which is often referred to as the Paris of South America. Considered one of the biggest bookshops in the world, it is currently home to over 120,000 books and wears its 95.9 public rating like a badge of honour.

First opened as a theatre in 1919, El Ateneo retains most of its original decor – from the fresco ceiling painted by Nazareno Orlandi to the rounded balconies and red curtains framing the stage. It was converted to a bookstore in 2000 and, eight years later, was voted 2008’s most beautiful bookshop in the world by The Guardian.

El Ateneo is housed in a converted theatre. (Image: Alex Person)

3. State Library of Victoria

In exciting news, an Aussie landmark took out the third spot. While the State Library of Victoria is not really a bookshop, it is home to Readings, the first-ever permanent commercial bookshop permitted within the building since it opened in 1854. It is also recognised as the oldest public library in Australia; while the State Library of NSW is technically the oldest (established in 1826), it only opened to the public in 1869.

The State Library of Victoria in Melbourne

The State Library of Victoria opened in 1856. (Image: Neon Wang)

The State Library of Victoria is an icon of Melbourne’s cityscape, its Neoclassical design and classic Victorian touches rivalling some of the world’s most beautiful buildings. Inside is just as awe-inspiring – with fluted ionic columns, Tasmanian freestone work and a stunning octastyle portico. With over two million books on display inside, it’s no wonder it made the list.

What does the rest of the top 10 look like?

Coming in fourth place is Bookstore Dominicanen in Maastricht, The Netherlands, followed by The Last Bookstore in Los Angeles and Starfield Library in Seoul. Shakespeare & Company out of Paris, Powell’s Books in the US city of Portland, Dublin’s Trinity College Library and Venice’s Libreria Acqua Alta round out the top 10.

Seoul’s Starfield Library also made the list. (Image: AiMuse/Getty Images)

Wellbeing means different things to different travellers. Here’s how to pick a hotel that gets it right for you.

The best wellness holidays aren’t necessarily spent wrapped in a spa robe. Sometimes they’re found around a dinner table in Cambodia, on a hiking trail in New Zealand or after finally beating jet lag on the other side of the world. The hotel you choose is what makes them happen.

1. Easy access to good food

meals from Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20 — Taste delicious meals at Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20.

One of the quickest ways to derail healthy habits on holiday is to spend half of it working out where to eat instead of digging into the culture around you. Thankfully, Novotel has done much of the hard work already, with chefs building menus that lean into the flavours, ingredients and traditions of each destination.

In Sihanoukville, Cambodia, Korkor soup – often dubbed ‘Cambodian ratatouille’ – sits alongside raw blue crab dressed with lime and chilli, best enjoyed with views across the Gulf of Thailand.

In the lovingly chaotic city of Bangkok, the presence of food cranks up the sociability. At Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20, you can settle in with mango sticky rice and stranger-turned-friends beside the pool at Sky on 20 rooftop bar, or bring them along to tackle river prawns and stir-fried crab with holy basil at the buzzing Crab Paradise Dinner Buffet.

Then Novotel Dubai Al Barsha welcomes you with a laidback twist on the level of indulgence the Middle Eastern city is best known for up on Deck Se7en. Looking towards Burj Al Arab, the rooftop lounge has everything from Mediterranean-style dishes like seabass ceviche to Italian prosecco sundowners.

At the other end of the scale, in the hills that surround the Novotel Bali Ubud Resort, calm comes from nature. At Siralada restaurant, Balinese traditions shape the menu while thunder rumbles over the surrounding jungle – proving the setting is as nourishing as the food itself.

While at Novotel Nha Trang, chef Kieu Thi My Hanh and her team showcase Vietnam’s knack for balancing freshness, texture and fragrant herbs. Pho remains a favourite, while seafood salad with pomelo and mango brings those flavours together in one bright dish.

It’s all an approach backed by partnerships with expert food creators such as Alfie Steiner, whose plant-forward recipes prove healthy food should never taste plain.

2. Better sleep options

Novotel Bali Ubud Resort room — Sleep deeply with Novotel.

There are few travel experiences more disappointing than arriving in a new country, determined to seize the day, only to fall asleep fully clothed by 3pm.

For Australian travellers, jet lag is often an unavoidable part of the journey. That’s one reason Novotel runs sleep-focused initiatives that help guests adjust quickly without compromising on health. We’re talking partnerships with Sydney-based sleep specialist Olivia Arezzolo, known for her advice on everything from better sleep habits to beating jet lag, alongside features like pillow menus, in-room yoga content and tailored sleep guidance.

The sooner you’re operating on local time, the sooner you can get back to more pressing matters – like deciding which spa treatment to book.

3. More ways to move

woman hiking around queenstown new zealand — Stay at Novotel Queenstown Lakeside and explore local hiking trails. (Credit: GettyI mages/ naruedom)

Every place in the world has its own way of getting you moving: whether that’s hiking up ice-bitten mountains before a sauna or gentle stretching by the pool before a facial. From fitness centres to spas, Novotel recognises that wellbeing rarely looks the same.

At Novotel Queenstown Lakeside, activity is inescapable. Here, hiking trails, ski fields, bungee jumps, and white-water rafting have made the region famous. The hotel’s location on the shores of Lake Wakatipu means less time spent organising yourself and more time out there experiencing them. To top it all off, you can book a private hot tub for the evening before heading back into the wilderness tomorrow.

Bali, of course, takes a softer approach. At Novotel Bali Ubud Resort or Novotel Bali Nusa Dua, movement is less about conquering a mountain and more about a dance class between the tropical gardens and lagoon pools. Afterwards, the spa takes over, with traditional treatments like a Lulur body scrub: a combination of rice, turmeric, sandalwood, ginger and jasmine that’ll soothe muscles already relaxed by the Balinese heat.

4. Better connections

Kids will love a stay at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh.

One of the best things about travel is that it gives your family stories you’ll be telling for years. Novotel helps create them with activities that bring everyone together, whether that’s trying something new, learning a local skill, or simply spending more time together.

Go for a distinctly Thai twist at Novotel Phuket Vintage Park, where many of the family activities draw on local culture. Kids can try everything from beginner Thai boxing and language lessons to umbrella painting and – a pastime beloved by children the world over – pool foam parties. Everyone is welcome to join in, whether that’s getting splashed, covered in paint, or simply watching their children discover a new side of Thailand during the dedicated Family & Kids Day.

A different adventure awaits at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh. Kids could be perfectly content with discos, drawing classes and new holiday friends, but the Red Sea has other ideas. Sitting on the edge of Naama Bay, days here might involve snorkelling colourful reefs, taking a boat trip to Ras Mohammed National Park or heading into the desert by quad bike or camel for a Bedouin-style dinner beneath the stars.

5. Location is everything

Surin Beach, Choeng Thale, Thalang District, Phuket, Thaiföld — Explore Phuket’s gorgeous beaches. (Credit: Bence Biczo)

Everyone’s idea of wellness looks a little different. With more than 600 hotels across 65 countries, Novotel gives guests the freedom to choose the destination that suits them best. Whether that’s a beachside escape in Phuket, an alpine expedition in Queenstown or a city break in Bangkok, there’s a good chance a Novotel isn’t far away.

All that’s left? Choosing your version of wellbeing.

Discover stays to inspire your everyday at novotel.accor.com.

This beloved London bookshop was just named the world’s best

Bookworms just got a new reason to travel.

The top three bookshops in the world are…

1. Daunt Books

2. El Ateneo Grand Splendid

3. State Library of Victoria

What does the rest of the top 10 look like?

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