By Maria Alexiou

There are books being sold on the street and people reading on public transportation all the time in Athens; the city is a melting pot of literary culture. A great way to share this passion with others in Athens is to explore the many international bookstores. Here are some of our top picks for places to buy (or borrow!) books while visiting the city; they're spread out throughout the capital.

Lexikopoleio

Its floor-to-ceiling shelves and assortment of books (from new French fiction to well-worn Penguin classics) make it well worth the trip. The staff is very helpful and will assist you in finding the exact book you're looking for, though it's also a great place to get lost in interesting and foreign titles. 

13 Stasinou Str., Athens

Little Tree Coffee & Books

A popular bookstore and café, Little Tree is situated in the Acropolis' foothills. In addition to a fascinating selection of publications ranging from children's books to Greek poetry, philosophy and politics, as well as excellent English translations of well-known Greek novelists, it boasts wooden shelves, vintage furniture  and an enticing old Athens ambience. It also features a good selection of well-known French and Italian works. 

2 Kavalloti Str., Athens

Le Livre Ouvert

Le Livre Ouvert is a little piece of home for both local Francophones and tourists. There is an amazing assortment of both new releases and dependable classics. In this tidy, serene setting, get your fill of international works in translation and livres de poche. 

77 Solonos Str., Athens

Polyglot 

Polyglot regularly updates its international selection and if you are unable to find what you're looking for, they will be happy to place an order on your behalf. Browse more than 20,000 books in a variety of languages, including German, Turkish, French, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, and English. For those who are interested, they also organize fascinating literary events. 

84 Akadimias Str., Athens

Anavasi

Explore Greece's surreal landscapes and vibrant cultural hotspots while learning about its endlessly rich history at Anavasi, which has a stunning collection of travel books that is difficult to beat. Browse the two-story bookstore's wall-to-wall bookshelves for a wide selection of travel guides and maps, as well as special trail editions written by Anavasi's incredibly knowledgeable staff and enjoy a wide display of travel guides and maps of Europe and the world. 

32 Voulis Str., Athens

Politeia

One of Athens' most comprehensive (and easiest to navigate) bookstores, Politeia is divided into several sections that are each reachable from a different entrance along Asklipiou Street. There are thousands of texts available in the store, most of them at a discount. 

1-3 Asklipiou Str., Athens 

The Book Loft

Tucked away in the posh Kolonaki neighborhood is Book Loft. The store is relatively small, but it has a wide selection of books in many different genres that have been carefully chosen. It's also a great place to buy unusual stationery gifts and other trinkets with literary themes. 

44 Patriarchou Ioakim Str., Athens

Evripidis

All four floors of Evripidis are lined with bookcases holding collections of texts written in various languages. After making a few book purchases, move on to one of the two cafés inside the bookstore, where regulars sip cold glasses of freddo espresso while admiring their new finds. 

310 Kifissias Ave., Kifissia

Lemoni Bookstore

Lemoni Bookshop, so named because of the lemon trees tucked away in its lovely backyard, offers a calm haven from the hectic pace of the city. Visit for an extensive and frequently unique selection of books, including international art magazines, Japanese poetry, and Greek classics. 

22 Iraklidon Str., Thissio

We Need Books

On the opposite end of the spectrum is the innovative 2019 initiative We Need Books. Located in Kypseli, it is a friendly place with a comfortable workspace and garden. Home to 14,000 books in over 30 languages, it is Athens' first multilingual library and cultural center. The organization is fascinating to visit off the beaten path and is involved in a number of social projects. 

7 Evias Str., Kypseli

Multilingual Library Recommendations

The city has amazing multilingual public libraries that are both friendly and exciting to visit, whether you plan to stay in Athens long enough to warrant a library card or you are just looking for good places to work and read. 

Greece's National Library

The National Library of Greece is housed in the magnificent Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center and dates back two centuries. It boasts a vast collection of books, over a million titles, with special sections dedicated to children's literature and art books. There are lots of restaurants in the area, and strolling through the library is a great idea. 

364 Andrea Siggrou Ave., Kallithea