Top 14 Best Book Stores in Amsterdam: Must-Visit Shops, English Finds & Rare Gems

Posted on: febrero 20, 2026

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Top 14 Amsterdam Book Stores

Book stores in Amsterdam overwhelm fast: endless choices waste your day. Fix it with this top-14 route.

Amsterdam is a great city for book lovers. You can visit huge multi-floor bookstores, quiet poetry spots, rare-book dealers, and English-focused shops. This guide helps you choose the right places, plan a route, and shop with less stress. It is written in simple language and focuses on what helps you most: where to go, what to expect, and how to get the best experience.

Top 14 list (quick scan):

1. Scheltema
2. Athenaeum Boekhandel
3. The American Book Center
4. Waterstones Amsterdam
5. Perdu
6. Kok Antiquariaat
7. Boekhandel De Dolfijn
8. Linnaeus Boekhandel
9. Boekhandel Van Rossum
10. Boekhandel Minerva
11. Het Martyrium
12. Coöperatieve Nieuwe Boekhandel
13. Boekhandel Van Pampus
14. Huis Marseille Bookshop

#	Bookstore	Best for	Area (rough)
1	Scheltema	Biggest one-stop shop	Centrum
2	Athenaeum Boekhandel	Literature + magazines	Spui (Centrum)
3	The American Book Center	English books + gifts	Spui (Centrum)
4	Waterstones Amsterdam	English books, big selection	Centrum
5	Perdu	Poetry + experimental lit	Centrum
6	Kok Antiquariaat	Rare/antiquarian books	Centrum
7	Boekhandel De Dolfijn	Curated picks	Haarlemmerdijk
8	Linnaeus Boekhandel	Local neighborhood shop	Oost
9	Boekhandel Van Rossum	Broad range + advice	Zuid
10	Boekhandel Minerva	Personal service, kids corner	Zuid
11	Het Martyrium	Bargain books (ramsj)	Zuid
12	Coöperatieve Nieuwe Boekhandel	Community feel	West
13	Boekhandel Van Pampus	Calm browsing	Nieuw-West
14	Huis Marseille Bookshop	Photography books	Canal Belt

Best neighborhoods in Amsterdam & how to get there

Amsterdam’s top bookstores are grouped in a few areas, so you can visit several without long travel. A neighborhood is a part of the city with its own shopping streets, cafés, and local feel. Planning by neighborhood makes the day easier and helps you spend more time browsing instead of moving around.

Start in Centrum if you want the most choice close together. This area is also the easiest for first-time visitors because it connects well to trams and metro lines. Then add one extra neighborhood like Oost, West, or Zuid for a quieter, more local experience.

To keep your day simple, use this route process:

1. Pick a starting cluster (Centrum is the easiest).
2. Choose one extra neighborhood (Oost, West, or Zuid).
3. Add a café break, because bookstore days are better when you slow down.
4. Save your shortlist in a map app so you do not lose time.

Quick cluster ideas:

• Centrum: Scheltema, Athenaeum, The American Book Center, Waterstones, Perdu, Kok
• Haarlemmerdijk: Boekhandel De Dolfijn + great nearby shops
• Oost: Linnaeus Boekhandel for a strong local bookstore vibe
• Zuid: Van Rossum, Minerva, and Het Martyrium for a calm “neighborhood loop”

Types of bookstores in Amsterdam

Not every bookstore is the same, and that is why some people leave happy while others feel underwhelmed. A second-hand bookstore sells used books, often cheaper and sometimes with notes inside. An antiquarian bookstore sells older, rare, or collectible books, where condition and edition matter a lot. A specialty bookstore focuses on a narrow topic, like poetry or photography.

This matters because “best bookstore” depends on what you want to read and what language you prefer. If you mostly read English, an English-focused store will feel easier and faster. If you want rare finds, a big general store may be fun, but a specialist can offer more depth.

Use this quick guide to pick the right type:

• Big general bookstore: best if you want many genres in one place
• Curated neighborhood bookstore: best if you want staff tips and unique picks
• English-language bookstore: best for visitors, expats, and English readers
• Antiquarian bookstore: best for collectors and rare editions
• Specialty bookstore: best for deep focus, like poetry, art, or photo books

Simple process to choose:

1. Decide language first (English, Dutch, or mixed).
2. Decide your main topic (fiction, travel, art, kids, history).
3. Decide what matters more: price, rarity, or fast browsing.
4. Choose 2–3 bookstores that match your goal.

If you find a title you love while exploring book stores in Amsterdam, you might also feel inspired to create a book of your own. Whether it’s a travel journal, a photo book, or a small local guide, professional book printing can turn your notes into a real, high-quality book you can share or gift. It’s a practical next step if you want something more personal than a souvenir, and it helps you keep your Amsterdam story in a format that lasts.

What to buy & price expectations

Book prices in Amsterdam can feel very different from store to store, even when the shops are close. New releases usually cost more and have standard pricing. Used books can be cheaper, but the condition varies and you may need to inspect them. You may also see bargain books; in Dutch you often see the word ramsj, which means discounted books sold to clear stock.

Knowing these basics helps you shop with confidence. If you walk into an antiquarian shop expecting bargain deals, you may be disappointed. If you know you are paying for rarity and condition, you can focus on what makes the book special instead of comparing it to a normal paperback.

Use this simple buying guide:

What you buy	What it means	Where it fits best
New bestseller	Latest edition, standard price	Large general stores
Used paperback	Pre-owned, often cheaper	Curated or second-hand style shops
Bargain stack (ramsj)	Discounted stock	Deal-focused shops
Rare/antique book	Collectible, older editions	Antiquarian specialists
Art/photo book	Visual, often high quality	Museum or specialty shops

Smart buying process:

1. Browse first and take photos of covers you like.
2. Check condition: spine, pages, stains, and writing.
3. Ask staff if the store has a “local authors” or “Amsterdam” shelf.
4. If you are buying gifts, ask for gift wrap and keep the receipt.

Experience & amenities

Amenities are extra features that make the visit better, like seating, a café, events, or staff recommendations. These matter because they change how long you stay and how easy it is to find a good book. Some bookstores are built for fast browsing with clear signs. Others are built for slow browsing, where you can sit down and read a few pages.

Choose your experience on purpose. If you want quiet time, pick shops that feel calm and have space to linger. If you want quick wins, pick stores with strong genre sections and visible staff picks.

Quick checklist for a better visit:

• Look for staff notes and “recommended” shelves.
• Check if there is a strong English section if you need it.
• Ask one simple question: “What is your favorite book set in Amsterdam?”
• Pick one “comfort book” and one “new idea” book for balance.

One fact about reading: many people find it lowers stress and improves focus because it keeps your attention on one story instead of many distractions. That is why a bookstore stop can feel like a real break during a busy day.

Practical planning

Planning makes a bookstore day feel fun instead of rushed. The most common mistake is trying to visit too many stores and spending more time traveling than browsing. A better plan is to choose a small number of stores, stay longer in each, and leave room for coffee and walking.

A simple half-day plan is enough for most people. Start in Centrum where many top stores are close together. Then pick one extra neighborhood so you get a different side of Amsterdam without turning the day into a long commute.

Half-day plan (easy and realistic):

• Start: 2–4 stores in Centrum
• Break: coffee or lunch
• Add-on: 1–2 stores in one extra neighborhood (Oost, West, or Zuid)
• Finish: sit somewhere quiet and read the first chapter of your best pick

Packing and carry tips (so books stay in good shape):

• Bring a tote bag with a flat bottom.
• Keep books away from water bottles or wet umbrellas.
• Put heavier books at the bottom to avoid bent corners.
• If you buy rare books, ask for extra wrapping or a firm paper bag.

Frequently Asked Questions on Book Stores Amsterdam