If you’re anything like me and enjoy perusing bookshelves, even without the intention of buying a book, then I’m sure you’ll love this post! During my time in Amsterdam, I have visited a huge variety of bookshops and decided to rate them. All bookshops mentioned have English books.
If you’re interested in other posts about Amsterdam then check out my post about Zandvoort Beach and Rotterdam Zoo!
So without any further adieu, let’s dive into the top English bookshops in Amsterdam.
Starting at number 9 …
Mendo is a super fancy bookshop! They sell big books about art and decor, or history or a number of random things.
The reason why this book is in 10th place is because I didn’t think it was a relaxing place. As a clutz, I felt like I’d end up breaking something and it would make me go bankrupt! They also had very limited books.
Next at number 8 …
I love Perdu more than Mendo as it’s a cosier place, you feel like you can browse in peace. It most consists of poetry books, and as you can see, it’s a very small place.
I would say there’s a ratio of 2:1 of Dutch to English books, but it’s such a cute bookshop that I had to include it on this list!
Then at number 7 …
This shop is a mixture of books, souvenirs and stationary. If you’ve ever been to WHSmith, then it’s an Amsterdam version of this. It’s a perfect place to go if you want a common item, but it’s not the best for book browsing.
Half of books were in English and the other half in Dutch. The books mostly consisted of crime thrillers or mystery books. However, there were some popular non-fiction books.
I wasn’t a big fan of this shop, simple because there wasn’t must browsing space, everywhere I turned I managed to hit something!
Coming in at number 6 …
So as I was writing this post, I realised that this bookshop, and the bookshop in 4th place are actually the same company but in different locations.
My opinion on this version of the shop is that it is small but cute. It mainly consists of older books like classics, especially in the English section. There are newer books but they’re predominantly released in Dutch so not that useful for us English folks!
Followed by number 5 …
English Bookshop
The English Bookshop has a great collection of books and some awesome colouring books! However, everything was very sporadic – crime thrillers were next to contemporaries.
Unfortunately, it was impossible to find anything.
I did manage to pick up a super interesting book called ‘The Invention of Nature‘ by Andrea Wulf which I highly recommend.
Joining us at number 4 …
As said when talking about number 6, this is the same company, but different stores. I believe that this one is the must better as there are 3 floors full of a huge variety of books.
They were predominantly in Dutch but there was a good English section within the fantasy books.
The ultimate number 3…
This is a second hand bookshop with a huge collection ranging over 4 floors! They also buy books too (check out my post on reading abroad!)
Everything is organised by genre but randomly organised within those genres. All floors were crammed with hundreds of books, so moving around was a little tight!
Unfortunately, the books weren’t that cheap considering they were second hand, it was only a few euros cheaper than buying new so I wouldn’t say it’s the best place for cheap books.
The penultimate number 2…
Waterstones is my favourite bookshop in England, it has special editions and signed copies of books, and it’s just a wonderful place to hang out.
In the Amsterdam shop, the books here were mostly English, but there was also a collection of Dutch books, perfect for those who love collecting!
The shop ranges over 4 floors, with a huge variety and great prices. I purchased a signed book for €20, and they also have lots of new releases, although they are a little behind England in their releases.
The number 1 English bookshop in Amsterdam …
This is my favourite of the English bookshops in Amsterdam! They have a huge variety of books, from non-fiction to fiction, fantasy to crime. I don’t believe there was as much as variety the Waterstones in number 2, but there were lots of books I don’t usually see. It was 3 floors tall!
All of the books here are English!
The books themselves were rather expensive and prices really varied from €10 to €20 for random books. They also had a collection of bookish merchandise which was so good and varied!
A honorary mention!
The OBA is the Openbare Bibliotheek Amsterdam is an open library available to the public. As mentioned in my post about reading abroad, the library is a perfect place to do this!
You don’t need a card to get in, or to use the WiFi. This is a perfect place to sit and get some work done in a quiet environment.
I didn’t get the chance to look at the book section, but I have linked the English website above so you can check it out!
I love Amsterdam and have visited several times. I don’t peruse bookstores when I travel, but this is quite the extensive list!
Thank you for reading! Maybe one trip you’ll give it a try and find that you love it
I love bookstores. In every city, I visit I try to find some exciting bookstores. I appreciate your excellent recommendations for Amsterdam. When I see this city for sure, I visit some bookshops from your list. I want to visit Mendo, Athenaeum Boekhanadel, and for sure, Waterstones and The American Book Center.
I hope you get the chance to go some day because the top 2 are definitely the best
Wow so many and that was a nice tip about Oba!
Thank you for reading!
Lovely blog, had no clue about any of these book shops in Amsterdam. Just added to my list for next visit
Thank you for reading!
Looks like gorgeous places to spend the afternoons! I lived in Amsterdam on a short stint, but never heard or been to any of these places before! Something to look into for my future travels.
It’s exciting you lived there for a bit. I hope you get the chance to go back!
WAIT! People still go to bookstores? LOL… We love the smell of books and there is something about the energy in a bookstore you just don’t get online. Thanks for sharing
I truly love visiting bookshops, it’s like getting transported into a whole new world
I love seeking outbook stores wherever I am. I prefer the older and independent stores rather than a chain. I find them to have a more welcoming feel. I also love search antique stores for old books.
I’m glad you understand my love of book shops!
Such an interesting post! Haven’t visited any book shops when I visited Amsterdam. But next time, surely some of them will be in my Bucket List. Bookmarking!
Thank you for reading!