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El Ateneo Grand Splendid

Bookstore and Historic and Protected Site

Barrio Norte, Buenos Aires

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9.4^/10

3,135

ratings

"... best bookstore...the stage is converted into a reading area and cafe..."(7 Tips)
"Amazing bookstore converted from an old theatre!"(4 Tips)
"cute cafe inside the converted stage"(27 Tips)
"architectural gem"(16 Tips)

87 Tips and reviews

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Berk KapiciogluJuly 30, 2015
Regarded as one of the most beautiful bookstores in the world. It's been converted from a theater. It has a cute cafe inside the converted stage that meets all your caffeine needs.
D !December 27, 2015
This majestic converted 1920s movie palace uses theatre boxes for reading rooms and draws thousands of tourists every year. Librería El Ateneo Grand Splendid is one of the best of the world.
Upvoted 2 days ago
Costas LazaridesNovember 24, 2012
An amazing theatre turned into a bookshop that bears the name of my birth city. Been around as a bookstore for exactly 100 years. A home away from home.
Upvoted Feb 17
SavoteurAugust 2, 2016
This store boasts a palace-meets-library vibe thanks to the ritzy, Italian-style theater that it originally was. There are now thousands of rows of book spines throughout two floors. Read more
Nuk ChoNovember 28, 2014
When theatre has been converted to bookstore, the result is impressive. There are plenty books but most of them are in Spanish. Postcards and photobooks of Argentina may interest you. Also, coffee!
Gabriel AlboJanuary 20, 2014
Beautiful place to visit, not necessarily to buy books - haven't found many of my interest (design, history, software) and the few I've found were relatively expensive.
KaitlinAugust 10, 2023
Deserves its spot on the many “most beautiful bookstore” lists it appears on. If you’re in BA and you love books, you’ve got to go.
CmrSeptember 12, 2016
The world's 2nd best bookstore...the stage is converted into a reading area and cafe where you can feel the ambiance while you drink your coffee
Luke EngelbyMarch 19, 2017
An architectural gem, but the book selection and the staff have room for improvement. Very touristy and yet lacking books in foreign languages. It's worth a stop for pictures and has a nice cafe.
Johannes DriessenAugust 29, 2015
Stunning atmosphere in this beautiful bookshop. Stop by for a café con leche with a slice of chocotorte 2.0; a dulce de leche-filled treat
Road UnraveledDecember 4, 2017
Beautiful historic theater converted to a bookstore. Go to the top level for a panoramic photo!
naveenJanuary 3, 2013
at first, it looks like any other big bookstore, until that moment when you walk into the rotunda and look up at the ceiling. books are a performance, after all, and this is where they give them.
Antonella VitaliMarch 29, 2018
amazing atmosphere, big and well organised place, beautiful jazz music, a cafeteria, and books everywhere, this is definitely my happy place
Lidia VásquezSeptember 9, 2014
The place is beautiful and elegant. It is a must in your place to go list for bookworms, like myself.
Violeta DeyapaFebruary 14, 2012
One of the most beautiful bookstores in the world, it used to be a theater. Take your time, grab a few books and enjoy the quietness on one of the comfortable chairs.
Y.Arman BarlasMarch 27, 2017
Also, A massive and wonderful bookshop in an old theatre. Lovely theatre turned bookstore. I love it.
Emanuel RauchleSeptember 30, 2016
Not just a bookstore, a theatrical experience in a magical place. Great atmosphere for reading and spend some quality quiet time.
Zoë PenmanFebruary 3, 2016
Amazing bookstore... Such a good idea to house it inside an old theatre. Must do in buenos aires!
Y.Arman BarlasMarch 27, 2017
This is one of the best known bookshops in Buenos Aires / Argentina.
Brett ElliottJune 25, 2018
Surely the most beautiful bookstore in the world! Has good WiFi and reasonable prices.
Mariel Alejandra DagnaApril 12, 2015
Beautifully is too a short word to describe it!!! One of the most outstanding places in my town. Imposible to miss it !!!!
Clay WilliamsOctober 8, 2012
Been here 5+ times
Amazing book store in an old theatre. The Cafe is where the stage once was and there are sitting areas in the balconies.
Omar DiNittoApril 15, 2018
It's fantastic. A truly architectural gem not be missed by anyone visiting Buenos Aires.
George RodriguesNovember 20, 2016
The coffee shop is right in the middle of the stage... Nice touch. Great selection of books.
SuYeone JeonMarch 23, 2019
It was definitely a beautiful bookstore, but not as breathtaking as others describe (possibly because there are too many people).
JaySeptember 15, 2013
The coolest bookstore in the world!
Upvoted 1 week ago
Diana MirakyanJanuary 28, 2014
Such a beautiful building! Is considered to be the 2nd most beautiful book store in the world and it's really amazing
Samantha CepicanMay 4, 2010
This bookstore used to be a classical theatre. They kept the interior structure (only gutting the seating for the bookshelves). The stage is now a cafe and the box seating is in tact for reading! Read more
Claudia FilthMarch 19, 2016
One of the most beautiful places in Buenos Aires and it's just a bookstore!
Mr SpockMarch 26, 2018
You can’t miss the grandest book store in todo el mundo. Take an hour and lose yourself.
Shannon LowSeptember 9, 2018
Pretty splendid bookshop. Nice to sit in the cafeteria on stage too.
Nydia JMay 24, 2019
What a wonderfull place...now I know why this place is one of the most beutiful libraries in the World!!!!!
Amanda MonteiroJuly 24, 2015
Good poetry session. Good french and italian movie collection.
Hani Gurung KhaursarSeptember 12, 2014
Amazing bookstore converted from an old theatre! So cool!
Ami G.February 14, 2012
Nice, huge library, built in a former theater. Foreign or not, if you like books, you must visit El Ateneo.
de Dios EditoresOctober 17, 2011
An old cinema was reformed into the biggest bookshop in South America. There is a café where the scenario used to be, and small lecture rooms on the boxes.
Sofia UzDecember 2, 2015
No reason you shouldn't stop here, if's beautiful, cozy and picturesque
Sabrina WangMarch 14, 2016
great space old opera house but book selection is just ok.
JoniApril 8, 2011
Most beautiful bookstore I've seen! And a good place to get to know smart girls. Free wifi (impresso) too.
Justin KalifowitzDecember 30, 2012
A bookstore in a former theatre. So beautiful I might buy a book in Spanish (I don't speak Spanish).
Chris MessinaApril 11, 2015
Pretty amazing place to find some Spanish books!
Henry HarmanNovember 6, 2016
Most beautiful bookstore in the world.
Hay HuynhDecember 6, 2010
Stunningly beautiful.. The grandness of this site makes you want to read books in an artsy way... Just stand still below The middle of The dome and embrace knowledge ;-)
Kathy MartinDecember 31, 2015
Beautiful to behold, great books and a sweet cafe.
Maria Eugenia SosaJuly 8, 2018
It’s simply a must... amazing bookstore.
Jaqueline Ariane SantosJanuary 6, 2016
Good book store! Extraordinarily! Beautiful place to meet in BAs!!!
chris gDecember 15, 2017
Beautiful ambient with tons of books.
Juan EstebanFebruary 20, 2017
If you love books, then this is your place
Malia YoshiokaFebruary 22, 2015
Have coffee "on stage" in the cafe all the way in the back.
Balazs GyemantMarch 4
Go to the 2nd floor for great views.

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