Madrid bookshops guide: 15 of the best [+ map]

From a market stall where books are sold by weight to cosy bookshop-bars, here are 15 spots in Madrid that book lovers won’t want to miss. 

Libros para un Mundo Mejor, Madrid

Madrid is a book lover’s paradise, not least because this city has really nailed the concept of the hybrid bookshop: a place where you can browse, grab a snack and/or drink, daydream, and maybe doodle in a brand-new notebook (swoon!). 

After two years of living in Madrid and many trips back, here are my favourites. Scroll down for a Google map with all the locations. 

Libros para un Mundo Mejor
Calle del Espíritu Santo, 13
Metro: Tribunal

This must be the most-Instagrammed bookshop facade in Madrid, but it’s just as charming inside. Books for a Better World, as its name translates, sells both new and second-hand books, and provides space for workshops and other cultural activities. They also have a great selection of Madrid-themed souvenirs such as tote bags and magnets with a literary twist. And there’s a cat! 

Librería Tres Rosas Amarillas
Calle del Espíritu Santo, 12
Metro: Tribunal

If you’re paying a visit to Libros para un Mundo Mejor it’s well worth popping over the road to its neighbour, a tiny jewel of a place specialising in pop-up books. If you're looking for distinctive gifts for the small humans in your life, you’re sure to find something here. Just walking in is a delightful experience as there are many mobiles and 3D paper art treasures suspended from the ceiling.

Mansilla Libros y Café
Calle de Embajadores, 26
Metro: Tirso de Molina/Lavapiés

Their rocking chair in a book-lined corner is the perfect spot to curl up with a hot drink, while the chequerboard floor and quirky decor – think vintage sewing machine tables and soft toys – all create the impression that you’ve somehow wandered into Alice in Wonderland. They serve a range of toast-based snacks, cakes, and afternoon teas, making this a welcome retreat on Sundays when the streets around here fill with stalls (and crowds) for the legendary El Rastro fleamarket.  

Mansilla Libros y Cafe: cozy

Panta Rhei
Calle de Hernán Cortés, 7
Metro: Chueca

Art and design lovers, this one’s for you. Specialising in the graphic arts, Panta Rhei (which translates as “everything flows”, a quote by the ancient Greek philosopher Heraclitus) has tomes on everything from branding and typography to photography, fashion and graphic novels. They also have a dedicated section for artists’ prints, and a range of children’s books.

La Casquería
Mercado de San Fernando, Lavapies 
Metro: Embajadores

One of Madrid’s quirkiest bookshops, this one occupies a stand in San Fernando market, a foodie hotspot in barrio Lavapies. Casquería translates as offal shop, and in fact this is a former butcher’s stall that now sells second-hand books by weight. The vintage market scales are a nice touch.

La Casquería, Mercado de San Fernando, Madrid

Olavide Bar de Libros
Calle de Olid, 14
Metro: Quevedo

At the edge of a pretty plaza in one of Madrid’s most beguiling barrios (read my guide to Chamberí for more on this), Olavide Bar de Libros has a striking dark red exterior that reminds me of Madrid’s centenarian taverns. Legend has it that they were painted the colour of red wine to let illiterate patrons know that alcohol was served on the premises. In this case, wine is indeed served on the premises, and as well as offering an enticing selection of books, they have a basement room set up for events and coworking.

Ocho y Medio Cinema Books Bar
Calle de Martín de los Heros, 11
Metro: Plaza de España

Just a stone’s throw from busy Plaza de España, this one is a must-visit for film fans. As well as browsing cinema-themed books, DVDs and memorabilia, you can hang out in their cafe/bar and choose from cinema-themed dishes like the Almodóvar (patatas bravas) or Spielberg (smoked sardines and avocado on toast).

Cafebrería ad Hoc
Calle del Buen Suceso, 14
Metro: Argüelles

A few minutes walk north of Ocho y Medio, on the edges of the Argüelles neighbourhood, this inviting spot has an industrial-chic vibe and two well-stocked floors of books. They serve a range of light bites and beverages from coffee to cocktails – the “Bloody Mary Shelley” caught my eye. Perch at the bar next to their cash register or grab a seat at one of a number of tables dotted throughout the store.

The bar area at Cafebrería ad Hoc

Amapolas en Octubre 
Calle de Pelayo, 60
Metro: Chueca

Among the elegant homeware and design emporia of one of the best shopping streets in trendy Chueca, you’ll find this delightful little bookshop. Owned by writer Laura Riñón Sirera, and named after one of her books (which itself makes reference to a Sylvia Plath poem, Poppies in October), the shop hosts literary salon-type events and book launches. They also sell particularly gorgeous tote bags.

Pasajes
Calle de Génova, 3
Metro: Alonso Martínez

Pasajes (Passages) has been in business for 25 years and is renowned for its wide range of books in different languages: Spanish, English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese and Russian are all well-represented. That’s not all, though – check out their website to see the whole range. Spread across two large floors, there are books on a number of subjects and they have a particularly good selection of poetry and philosophy.

Desperate Literature
Calle de Campomanes, 13
Metro: Opera

Run by book enthusiasts Terry Craven and Charlotte Delattre, who both formerly worked in the legendary Shakespeare and Company bookshop in Paris, this little shop in the Opera quarter sells books in a number of languages and has long been a mainstay of Madrid’s international literary scene. Not only do they hold events such as book signings and poetry readings, they also award an annual prize for short fiction. At the time of writing, the shop is set to move from its long-established premises to a new location on Calle Cava Baja. 

The inviting doorway of Desperate Literature

The Secret Kingdoms
Calle de Moratín, 7
Metro: Antón Martín

The new kid on the block when it comes to international bookshops, The Secret Kingdoms opened in 2022 and sells books in English only. Founded by Brit David Price and his Spanish wife Beatriz, the shop has a great location in a part of the city centre that’s full of cultural (and gastronomic) attractions. Like many of the shops in this list, they hold literary events and even a book club. Price left the world of finance to pursue his childhood dream of opening a bookshop, and hopes to expand the venture to other Spanish cities in the future. 

Crazy Mary
Calle de Echegaray, 32
Metro: Antón Martín

Small but perfectly formed, Crazy Mary opened in 2021 and is located in the heart of Madrid’s historic literary quarter, Las Letras. You’re unlikely to see airport bestsellers here, as they specialise in reissues of classic books, independent publishers, pocket editions and other little gems. The decor is particularly fetching. 

Libreria Miguel Miranda
Calle de Lope de Vega, 19
Metro: Antón Martín

Another gem in Las Letras, this antiquarian bookseller was founded in 1949 and has been run by the same family for three generations. From its wood-panelled interior to its ornate spiral staircase (overlooked by a stern-looking stuffed owl), the shop itself feels like something out of a classic novel. 

TuuuLibrería 
Calle de Padilla, 78
Metro: Lista

With two locations in the city (the other is in Lavapies), this secondhand bookshop has a “pay what you like” policy and a number of other non-traditional approaches, such as the lucky-dip-style surprise book bags. As part of their mission to make reading accessible for all, they donate books to schools and NGOs, so you know that if you donate your own pre-loved books here, they’ll be contributing to a good cause. Long live the circular book economy!