Like IKEA, But For Books

For book lovers, few things compare to wandering through endless shelves discovering stories. Around the world, some bookstores aren’t just shops; they’re sprawling literary landmarks. Here are five of the world's biggest bookstores where we could literally spend months.

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1. Barnes & Noble - New York City, USA

The Barnes & Noble at Union Square in NYC is the company's flagship store. It spans over 154,000 square feet, making it the largest bookstore in the world based on floor space.

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2. Powell’s City of Books - Portland, Oregon, USA

Powell's City of Books in Portland is the world's largest independent bookstore. It has over 3,500 sections and more than 4 million book titles.

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3. The Book Garden - Tehran, Iran

The Book Garden in Tehran spans a massive 700,000 square feet, making it the largest bookstore in the world based on floor space. It boasts reading halls, children’s zones, cinemas, and rooftop gardens.

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4. El Ateneo Grand Splendid - Buenos Aires, Argentina

El Ateneo Grand Splendid in Buenos Aires is as large as it is beautiful. It was once a grand theatre but has been converted into a bookstore with over 120,000 books.

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5. Waterstones Piccadilly - London, UK

Europe’s largest bookstore, Waterstones Piccadilly in London ,boasts six floors and over 200,000 unique titles. Its elegant design, author events, and café make it a must-see landmark for bookworms visiting the city.

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