Whether you’re a native English speaker or someone who just likes to read in English, Copenhagen has plenty of places to pick yourself up some literary goodness.
Copenhagen is full of amazing little (and not so little) bookshops, stocking books in different languages. If it’s English that you’re after then look no further – these bookshops will keep your bookshelf at home stocked with all kinds of interesting things to read.
1. The Booktrader
📍Skindergade 23, 1159 Copenhagen K
The Booktrader is the last bookshop on a street that was once filled with similar businesses. it was founded by an American man named David Grubb and was originally stocked exclusively with books written in English. The current owner, Lars Rasmussen, has added Danish books to the shop’s stock but there is still a huge selection of English-language books available on its shelves.
2. Ark Books
📍Møllegade 10, 2200 København N
Ark Books is a non-profit bookshop, run by volunteers. They sell a collection of English-language books of different genres but there are loads of books on philosophy, sociology, and politics, in particular. If that doesn’t quite draw you to Ark Books, let us also inform you that there may be a fluffy cat perusing with you whilst you visit.
3. Paludan Bogcafe
📍Antikvariat Fiolestræde 10-12 1171 Kobenhavn K
Paludan Bogcafe is ‘Denmark’s oldest book cafe‘, catering to both your stomach and your mind at once. It serves some delicious-looking food and both the bookshop and cafe are open until 10 pm, so you can spend a lovely evening reading and eating here.
4. Politikens Boghal
📍Rådhuspladsen 37, 1550 København
Politikens Boghal has been operating for over 100 years. The building is amazing – a mix of old and new with beautiful old brickwork and sleek neon signs. They stock a huge collection of books, many of which are English-language. It’s a brilliant place to stock up on English books.
5. Books & Company
📍Sofievej 1, 2900 Hellerup
Books & Company opened in 2009. They have a brilliant selection of English-language books for both adults and children, with plenty of lovely cookbooks, for any foodies reading. There is a cute little seating area by the children’s books and you can also grab some tasty coffee while you’re visiting.