There is nothing better than discovering a comfy, cosy little book nook when you’re on the road. A good bookshop is a place to duck from the rain, select a great souvenir, or put up your feet after a long day.
These are our favourites that we’ve discovered on our Scandinavian holidays – but if we’ve missed any, make sure to tell us over on Facebook!
Bokbåten Epos
Western Norway
This mobile library can be found floating—yes, floating—along Norway’s west coast. The programme, where the boat serves as a library for Hordaland and More og Romsdal, two communities too small to support their own brick-and-mortar buildings, has been running since 1959, and this particular boat has been in use since 1963. While it’s not exactly a bookstore, it is a local landmark, carrying 6000 books inside the 85-foot boat, and hosting multiple cultural and family events throughout the year.
Paludan Bog and Cafe
Copenhagen, Denmark
This Copenhagen hangout is an airy coffee shop with large windows, plenty of tables—and a fantastic selection of second-hand books lining the walls. It’s a great spot for those new to town looking for a quiet sit-down, as well as locals—in particular, students from the nearby university are often found here studying and refuelling with a bit of their delicious cake.
Bókin
Reykjavik, Iceland
Bókin is an antique book lover’s ideal hideaway, and we meant that—it’s actually possible to get lost among the piles of books that litter the cosy (cramped?) shop. But the seeming disarray only lends to the feeling of serendipity when you pull out an unexpected and delightful treasure from the mountains of books.
Papercut
Stockholm, Sweden
If you love fashion, design, film, and the arts to be endlessly inspiring, stop by Papercut to find your next fix of creativity. The airy, well laid-out store is a great one-stop shop for gifts when you’re in town, as well as being a reliable place to find the best magazines in multiple languages.
Science Fiction Bokhandeln
Malmo, Sweden
This science fiction bookstore in Malmo (with locations in Stockholm and Gothenburg) is a sci-fi fan’s dream, with not just books but board games, merchandise, and DVDs of favourite series. The staff really know their stuff, and are on hand to help everyone from the die-hard fan to the casual browser. With regular author events and book signings, the shop has become a destination unto itself and is definitely worth a visit when you’re in town.
