Google Maps Says This Is the Most Searched Bookstore-and It's Known as the Most Beautiful in the World, Too

"Google Maps is an essential travel tool-whether you're a foodie, sightseer, or obsessed with finding spots off the beaten path, it's highly likely you're inputting your next destination into that search bar to find the best route. For book lovers, this will mean seeking out the best bookstore on your trip. A great bookstore on vacation is hard to beat-the smell of paper, the stacks of tomes in languages you don't speak (yet), the access to an entirely new literary culture."

"Called the "most beautiful bookstore in the world," this shop in the heart of Porto sits nestled between a stunning garden and a natural sciences museum. With the neo-Gothic building being the home for the shop since 1906, there's not only plenty of visual interest in Lello, but ample history to take in as well. In the nearly 120 years the bookstore has been open, it has served as a meeting place for reading enthusiasts, authors, poets, intellectuals, and creative thinkers."

"But the most searched bookstore in the world in 2025 is actually Livraria Lello in Porto, Portugal. The most notable feature of the space is its central spiral staircase, which is a deep crimson color. The staircase sits under a stained-glass ceiling created by the Dutch master Samuel Van Krieken. Beyond the aesthetics, the bookstore is also home to a spectacular rare books and objects collection that is available by appointment only."

Google Maps analyzed user search data in 2025 to identify the most searched bookstores worldwide, listing ten shops. The list includes bookstores in Buenos Aires, Tokyo, London, and New York City. The most searched bookstore in 2025 was Livraria Lello in Porto, Portugal. The shop occupies a neo-Gothic building dating to 1906 and sits between a garden and a natural sciences museum. The space features a deep crimson central spiral staircase beneath a stained-glass ceiling by Samuel Van Krieken. The bookstore houses a rare books and objects collection available by appointment. Window showcases and striking architecture make it a recommended Porto stop for visitors.

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