Vienna
Vienna’s bookstores range from specialist independent shops to large multi-floor destinations, so the right choice depends on what you want to read and how you like to browse. Look for English-language books, queer and international literature, personal recommendations, family areas or a café where you can take a reading break.
Central addresses around Wollzeile and Sterngasse are convenient, while Berggasse, Mariahilfer Straße and the 6th district offer distinct browsing experiences.
Behind this list is research into bookstores in Vienna: we kept the most specialised businesses, the ones their customers rate highest and those that share complete, reliable information.
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#1Buchhandlung Löwenherz is an independent queer bookshop and café on Berggasse in Vienna’s 1090 district. Its selection includes queer literature , picture books, non-fiction, DVDs, magazines, accessories and gift vouchers, with a particularly useful range of English-language titles.
The warmly arranged space suits readers looking for LGBTQ+ perspectives, thoughtful recommendations or a distinctive literary gift in a welcoming specialist setting.
#2Morawa Wollzeile is a central Vienna bookshop at Wollzeile 11, with an inviting layout and a particularly substantial English-language section occupying almost an entire room. An upstairs area offers slightly damaged books at extra-discounted prices, making it worth browsing beyond the main shelves.
The shop also hosts book presentations and readings, including events with Constantin Schwab, Hermann Bauer, Günter Neuwirth, Ursula Hutter and Martin Czapka.
#3Buchhandlung Analog brings a small, authentic bookshop atmosphere to Otto-Bauer-Gasse 6/1 in Vienna’s 6th district. Its cosy setting suits readers who prefer personal guidance over a large, impersonal store: the team is notably approachable, happy to help find a suitable title and willing to make time for conversation.
The intimate scale is part of its charm, creating a calm place to browse and discover books.
#4o*books at Bruno-Marek-Allee 24/1 combines a thoughtfully curated book selection with a clear focus on feminism, diversity and inclusion. Alongside novels and thrillers, the shop carries stationery and includes a children’s corner. Staff are happy to discuss books and offer recommendations, while a subscription service provides a carefully selected title on a recurring basis.
It is a strong fit for readers seeking a more distinctive, values-led selection.
#5Thalia Wien on Mariahilfer Str. 99 spreads across four floors, creating a broad destination for books, stationery, gifts and games. The German-language range is extensive, with a substantial English selection as well. Families have a dedicated children’s area with books, toys, gifts and a playroom, while the café overlooks Mariahilfer Straße.
Its scale makes it easy to combine browsing, gift shopping and a break in one visit.
#6A warm, wood-lined English-language bookshop
Shakespeare & Company on Sterngasse 2 is a warm, wood-lined English-language bookshop in central Vienna. Shelves reach high and cover new releases, classics, poetry, philosophy, science fiction and more, with a calm, intimate atmosphere that invites a leisurely browse.
It is a particularly natural choice for readers looking for English books in a characterful setting rather than a large general store.
#7Italian, French, English and German titles
Staff specialising in each language
Buchhandlung List – Internationale Literatur on Porzellangasse 36 is built around multilingual reading, with Italian, French, English and German titles and staff specialising in each language . It is especially useful for international readers who want guidance in their preferred language, including support in English, German and French.
A programme of free events adds a cultural dimension beyond everyday browsing.
#8Hartliebs Bücher is a traditional Vienna bookshop at Währinger Str. 122, with a strongly personal approach to helping readers find what they want. Its book-focused team takes customer requests seriously, whether that means choosing a new title or arranging a straightforward exchange or return.
The neighbourhood setting and kind, attentive service suit readers who value continuity and genuine enthusiasm for books.
#9A focused destination for art, design and architecture books
Buchhandlung Walther König im MQ, at Museumsplatz 1, is a focused destination for art, design and architecture books . Its shelves are especially useful for exhibition catalogues and professional titles, while a discount section near the entrance can uncover books at substantially reduced prices.
Located in the MuseumsQuartier, it suits visitors who want to pair a cultural outing with specialist browsing.
#10Modern fiction, philosophy and sociology
Hafi Books + Coffee on Rechte Wienzeile 45/1 pairs a carefully chosen book selection with a design-conscious coffee setting. Readers can browse modern fiction, philosophy and sociology while enjoying coffee, vegan matcha and vegan banana bread.
The compact combination makes it especially appealing for a quiet reading stop or a slow Saturday visit rather than a conventional high-volume bookshop.
#11Bookstore Herder Zach-Buch GmbH at Wollzeile 33 offers a well-organised general selection with a particularly useful children’s area in the basement. Families will find children’s books alongside a play space, while an Austrian section can help visitors choose a locally themed souvenir.
Its friendly presentation and welcoming layout make it an easy stop for readers shopping with children.
#12Thalia Wien – Mitte / W3 at Landstraßer Hauptstraße 2a/2b is a broad, colourful shopping stop for books, writing accessories, decorative items and distinctive gifts. Its shelves are easy to browse when looking for something special, with plenty of non-book items alongside the literary selection.
The generous opening schedule, including Sundays, makes it convenient for visitors around Wien Mitte.
#13A strong English-language selection
Buchhandlung Lerchenfeld on Lerchenfelder Str. 50 is a neighbourhood bookshop with a strong English-language selection alongside its wider range. Its central yet local feel makes it useful for readers searching beyond German titles, while the welcoming character suits a straightforward browse.
The shop is also a practical option for visitors who want an independent book stop rather than a large retail environment.
#14Buchhandlung ChickLit is a snug feminist bookshop at Kleeblattgasse 7 in central Vienna, just behind the main tourist route. Its feminist-expanded collection includes English-language titles and books that can be difficult to find in North America, giving the shop a distinctive international perspective.
The intimate setting and event focus make it especially suited to readers seeking feminist literature and thoughtful discoveries.
#15Russian, Ukrainian and Belarusian books
Babel Books Vienna is a small, welcoming book shop with an unusually broad selection of literature in Russian, alongside titles in Ukrainian and Belarusian. The catalogue covers classic and contemporary writing, fiction, non-fiction, journalism and books for children and teenagers, with new stock regularly added.
Its compact space rewards browsing, while the friendly team can help locate a specific title or suggest alternatives. A smaller German-language section broadens the offer without changing the shop’s clear Russian-language focus. Reasonable prices and a family-friendly atmosphere make it a useful destination for readers building a home library or looking for books for younger readers.
Summary
| # | Business | Rating | Reviews | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Buchhandlung Löwenherz | 4.9 | 313 | Queer literature |
| #2 | Morawa Wollzeile | 4.7 | 1,595 | English-language books |
| #3 | Buchhandlung Analog | 5.0 | 201 | Personal recommendations and relaxed browsing |
| #4 | o*books | 4.9 | 259 | Values-led books |
| #5 | Thalia Wien - Mariahilfer Straße | 4.6 | 8,149 | gift shopping and broad book selection |
| #6 | Shakespeare & Company | 4.6 | 1,150 | English-language literature and unhurried browsing |
| #7 | Buchhandlung List - Internationale Literatur | 4.9 | 185 | International literature and multilingual recommendations |
| #8 | Hartliebs Bücher | 4.7 | 414 | Personal service and neighbourhood book shopping |
| #9 | Buchhandlung Walther König im MQ | 4.8 | 218 | Art books |
| #10 | Hafi Books + Coffee | 4.9 | 140 | Modern literature |
| #11 | Bookstore Herder Zach-Buch GmbH | 4.7 | 298 | Families and Austrian book souvenirs |
| #12 | Thalia Wien - Mitte / W3 | 4.5 | 4,385 | Gift shopping and convenient central browsing |
| #13 | Buchhandlung Lerchenfeld | 4.9 | 128 | English-language books and local browsing |
| #14 | Buchhandlung ChickLit | 4.9 | 118 | Feminist literature and focused events |
| #15 | Babel books Vienna | 4.9 | 95 | Russian-language reading |
For businesses
Map and areas
Use the map to see which shops fit naturally into your route through Vienna. Central options near Wollzeile and Sterngasse work well for a compact city visit, while Berggasse, Porzellangasse, Bruno-Marek-Allee and the 6th district suit readers exploring specific neighbourhoods. The map can also help you combine book browsing with a café stop, family outing or cultural event.
Shakespeare & Company is dedicated to English-language books and offers new releases, classics, poetry, philosophy and science fiction. Morawa Wollzeile has a particularly substantial English section, while Thalia on Mariahilfer Straße combines a broad general selection with English titles.
Buchhandlung Löwenherz on Berggasse is the clearest specialist choice. Its selection includes queer literature, picture books, non-fiction, magazines, DVDs and gifts, with useful English-language options as well. The independent bookshop and café setting makes it easy to browse at a relaxed pace.
Buchhandlung List – Internationale Literatur on Porzellangasse is built around Italian, French, English and German reading. Staff specialise in different languages and can provide guidance in English, German and French, making it a practical stop for international readers.
Thalia Wien on Mariahilfer Straße has a dedicated children’s area with books, toys, gifts and a playroom. Its size also makes it convenient when adults want to browse other sections during the same visit. Confirm current facilities and opening hours before travelling.
phil – Café, bookshop & bar is designed for that kind of visit, with books, food, drinks and a relaxed café atmosphere. Morawa Wollzeile also hosts book presentations and readings, so checking the current programme can help you plan a more event-focused stop.
Check opening hours, event schedules and whether the shop has the language, subject or specific title you need. This is especially useful for smaller independent stores and specialist sections. If you are travelling across the city, use the map to compare locations and build the shop into your route.
