In a nutshell
- Edinburgh was named the first UNESCO City of Literature in 2004. Literature, books, and poetry have been the pillars of the city for centuries.
- We’re introducing you to the 6 best bookshops in Edinburgh — and telling you exactly why each one is worth a visit.
- Edinburgh has even more to offer book lovers beyond its bookshops. We’re also covering 5 literary highlights in the city, from the Writers’ Museum to the famous literary pub tour.
Topping & Company Booksellers Edinburgh
Where? 2 Blenheim Pl, New Town
Topping & Company is our favorite bookshop in Edinburgh and one of our top Edinburgh insider tips.
It’s not in the Old Town or the city center, but in the New Town — where our hotel in Edinburgh was too. It’s about a 15-minute walk from the Royal Mile.
Quick aside: New Town doesn’t mean modern and shiny. New Town means Victorian, and Old Town means medieval. In Edinburgh, pretty much everything is old.
But back to Topping & Company!
The shop spreads across two really large floors with lots of individual rooms. You’ll genuinely find a book on every topic here, with different genres divided between the various rooms.
Topping & Company also has two seriously great special features. First, a lot of the books are signed by their authors — at no extra cost.
Second, you can have tea here, with a truly lovely view of Greenside Parish Church. It’s the kind of place where you’ll lose track of time even faster than in a casino.
Waterstones Edinburgh
Where? 128 Princes St, Old Town
Waterstones Edinburgh is another one of the best bookshops in Edinburgh that we really want you to know about.
The chain is well-known, and this location has a prominent spot on busy Princes Street. But beyond the great book selection, there’s also a café with one of the best views of Edinburgh Castle.
Browse at your leisure, then enjoy a coffee with a view of the castle, grab some cake — and maybe get a head start on your new book.
Our tip: Looking for a really cool souvenir from Edinburgh? Check out the tote bags at Waterstones. At £7, they’re relatively affordable and absolutely gorgeous. We grabbed some for ourselves.
Armchair Books Edinburgh
Where? 72-74 West Port, Old Town
Armchair Books is a secondhand bookshop in Edinburgh’s Old Town. You won’t find a single unread book on its shelves.
That doesn’t mean unloved books gathering dust, though. The shelves hold genuine treasures — some dating back to the Victorian era. We even found Charles Dickens books from the early 20th century.
You’re welcome to simply browse or buy. Prices range from £5 to £35.
Our tip: Just a few steps from Armchair Books, you’ll find the antique shop Cabaret. Definitely worth a look. We found an old edition of Winnie-the-Pooh there, along with ceramic figurines from Dickens’ A Christmas Carol.
Blackwell's Bookshop Edinburgh
Where? 53-62 South Bridge, Old Town
Blackwell’s on South Bridge is the oldest bookshop in Edinburgh. Books have been sold here since 1848. Nearly 200 years — how wild is that?
You’d never guess from the inside. The shop looks incredibly modern — think a large, well-organized chain bookstore. Everything neatly sorted and tidy.
The selection is correspondingly broad: bestsellers, brand-new novels, classic literature, and of course plenty of Scottish stories and poetry.
We couldn’t resist and picked up the “Scottish Book of the Month” here — The Specimens by Mairi Kidd.
Our tip: Blackwell’s is only a 2-minute walk from the Surgeons’ Hall Museums — a super interesting attraction in Edinburgh.
John Kay's Shop Edinburgh
Where? 8 Victoria St, Old Town
Attention Harry Potter fans! John Kay’s is a seriously cool bookshop on Victoria Street — and Victoria Street is one of the most important Harry Potter landmarks in Edinburgh.
This is where J.K. Rowling drew inspiration for Diagon Alley, and rumor has it that John Kay’s is Edinburgh’s very own Flourish & Blotts.
Alongside every edition of the Harry Potter series, you’ll also find classic literature, poetry collections, and truly wonderful décor for book lovers.
Typewronger Bookshop Edinburgh
Where? 4a Haddington Pl, New Town
The Typewronger Bookshop is less than a 5-minute walk from our favorite, Topping & Company.
It’s best known for its stunning storefront, which makes for a brilliant photo spot — not just for book lovers, but for anyone on a city trip to Edinburgh.
Inside, the shop is much smaller than you’d expect from the outside. And also extremely quiet — so quiet that we only spoke when necessary, and even then only in a whisper.
The selection here focuses mainly on alternative literature, political books, biographies, and a handful of classics.
More Literary Places and Activities in Edinburgh
If you love literature and history, Edinburgh has even more great spots and activities waiting for you:
Writers’ Museum
The Writers’ Museum in Edinburgh’s Old Town is housed in the historic Lady’s Stair’s House and is dedicated to the Scottish poets and writers Robert Burns, Walter Scott, and Robert Louis Stevenson.
From the basement to the top floor, a large exhibition spreads out featuring paintings, statues, and personal belongings of the poets.
Admission is free, and everything you need to know is explained on informational panels.
Scott Monument
The Scott Monument is a memorial to the Scottish author Sir Walter Scott, standing at the corner of Princes Street and Waverley Station.
At 60 meters tall, it looks like a section of a Gothic church. Inside sits a statue of Sir Walter Scott with his dog Maida.
If you’re traveling from Edinburgh Airport into the city, the Scott Monument is one of the first landmarks you’ll spot.
Edinburgh Central Library
The Edinburgh Central Library is located in the Old Town. It opened in 1890 as the city’s first public library building.
Spread across multiple floors, you’ll find loads of books on topics like music, art and design, city history, and Scotland.
The Central Library is open Monday through Saturday from 10 AM — you can simply explore on your own. On Thursdays, dogs are even allowed inside.
The library is also a great photo subject from the outside, and it’s even visible from the famous Greyfriars’ Cemetery.
Edinburgh Literary Pub Tour
If you’re up for a fun mix of Scottish literature, theater, and city history, the literary pub tour is totally for you.
You’ll stroll through Edinburgh’s streets and pubs with two professional actors, who treat you to live performances throughout the tour — all revolving around the stories behind Edinburgh’s pubs and its famous Scottish writers.
This tour is even award-winning, having received the Scottish Thistle Award for Arts and Tourism.
Book the literary pub tour online
Harry Potter Walking Tour of Edinburgh
If you’re a fan of the Harry Potter books, we wholeheartedly recommend the Harry Potter walking tour of Edinburgh. We’ve done it ourselves and loved every minute.
Before the tour begins, you’ll be sorted into a Hogwarts house and can earn points for your house along the way by answering your guide’s questions correctly.
The questions are always tied to the locations you’re visiting — and there are some truly great spots on the route, including Greyfriars Kirkyard, Edinburgh University, and Victoria Street.
Book the Harry Potter walking tour online
Find more great tours of Edinburgh here:
