Great Prague Nooks for Books

Sadly, Big Ben Bookstore recently closed. As did Anagram, which had a cozy space in the courtyard behind the Týn Church. And so long to the Neoluxor outlet, where one could find books in English for as little as 29 CZK. Thankfully, Prague is full of spots where you can find a good read, from Luxor’s mega five-story store on Wenceslas Square to pioneering English-language shops like The Globe and Shakespeare and Sons. There are also many other hidden nooks – some new and some long-time mainstays – worth checking out:

This independent Czech publisher, with a shop along Vršovice’s eclectic Krymská street, specializes in beautifully illustrated books for children and adults. While the selection here is predominately Czech with a smattering of English-language titles, like Miroslav Šašek’s popular travel books for kids, everything on offer has such a strong visual component that it almost feels like you are not just buying a book, but a piece of art.

One of the best places in the center for (almost) all your travel-related needs, Kiwi has thousands of products in stock. Most of the major travel publishers can be found here, including guides on just about every major hot spot around the world as well as even a few obscure destinations for true adventure seekers. The shop also carries maps in various shapes and sizes in addition to a couple of globes. Good deals can sometimes be found in the discount bins near the front of the store.

Another Holešovice shop with a visual arts focus, Page Five is “obsessed” with paper, books, periodicals and original art prints, which are prominently showcased in the windows. The selection at this small storefront operation includes both Czech and international publications on topics ranging from photography, poetry and fine art to design and architecture. Page Five – which is, by the way, a very cool name – champions young artists and “cultural opinion leaders” by promoting their work within the Czech Republic and abroad.

Don’t let the name fool you. This bookshop, tucked down an inconspicuous pasáž just off Wencelsas Square, may have little to do with the famed UK university, but it certainly does sell quite a number of English-related grammar and other textbooks. The chain, which also has locations in Plzeň, Brno, Olomouc and Ostrava, claims to have one of the biggest collections of foreign-language books in the capital. Find bestselling fiction and non-fiction books for adults and children in English, German, Russian French, Italian and Spanish.

Academia recently gave its bookshop along Národní street a much needed facelift. The remodel has definitely lightened the place up – a lot – not to mention made the layout more accessible. The English language selection is small, but still carries many of the current bestsellers. If you prefer coffee with your book purchase, however, then stick with Academia’s main hub on Wenceslas Square, whose charming first-floor cafe is a fun spot to people watch.