WHERE TO FIND ENGLISH BOOKS IN VALENCIA

Think there are no bookshops that sell books in English in Valencia? Think again! Whether you forgot to bring your holiday read with you, want the familiar comfort of an English book as an expat, or you’d like to practice your English reading skills, here are five bookshops you should check out in Valencia.

BOOK LOVERS VALENCIA

When thinking about English bookshops in Valencia, ‘Book Lovers Valencia’ is the Holy Grail: an entire independent bookshop only selling books in English. This shop’s friendly yellow facade is a stone’s throw from the Estació del Nord train station. It also has welcoming staff who speak great English and love to give recommendations.

The shop specialises in fiction, crime, mystery, and romance, with whole walls dedicated to these genres. They also stock smaller selections of other genres including kid’s books, science fiction, and biography. They even have shelves of signed books and Christmas books. If you love Santa Montefiore, Katie Flynn, Danielle Steel, Nora Roberts, Josephine Cox, or Catherine Cookson, this is about to become your favourite shop, because each author has their very own shelf.

Book Lovers Valencia also has great special offers and sales, with books and bundles for a few euros. Although they are mostly second-hand, they are in great condition and organised like a mainstream bookshop with fun selections and a book of the week.

The shop also buys books, which is my favourite kind of recycling. If you want to lose some weight from your luggage before leaving Valencia, consider selling your books to Book Lovers. They’ll also give you store credit if you sell them back a book you originally bought there. They are now based in C/ Sevilla in the barrio of Ruzafa.

Website: https://bookloversvalencia.com/

Address: Calle Sevilla, 5, 46006, Valencia

Opening times: 10-13h 16.30-20h every day. Closed Sundays.

Instagram: @book_lovers_valencia

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/englishbooksinvalencia

RE-READ LIBRERÍA LOWCOST

If you’re looking for cheap second-hand books on organised shelves in a well-designed space, Re-Read is for you.

Unlike many second-hand bookshops, Re-Read’s shelves are alphabetised and easy to navigate. If you don’t want to waste time searching, it’ll be easy to see if they have your favourite author in stock. If they don’t have the book you’re looking for, don’t worry! Re-Read has a large enough selection that there’s something from almost every genre. There’s also the advantage of second-hand prices, with one book for €3, two for €5, and five for €10.

With nice lighting, plants, and spacious shelves, you’ll spend more time browsing the wall of English books than you think! Books in English are mostly fiction, some classics, autobiography, and a little poetry. However, if you want to start reading Spanish books without investing a lot of money, this bookshop is the place to start. With their reasonable prices and limitless genres, you’ll have a nice range of reading without breaking the bank. They also have books in languages such as French, German, and Italian.

Exclusive ’24/7 Valencia’ interview with Re-Read: https://247valencia.com/books-in-valencia-re-read-libreria-low-cost-exclusive-interview/

RE-READ GRAN VÍA

Address: Gran Vía de Ramón y Cajal, 45, 46007 Valencia

Opening times: Mon-Sat 10-14h and 16-20h

RE-READ JOAQUÍN COSTA

Address: Carrer de Joaquín Costa, 59, 46005 València

Opening times: Mon-Fri 10-14h and 16-20h

Social media: @rereadvalencia

UBIK CAFÉ RUZAFA

The emblematic bookshop café in Ruzafa that kick-started the regeneration of the barrio, Ubik Café is an artsy space that sells new and second-hand books. Browse their shelves, and then sit down for a coffee, drink, or meal.

They have a wide selection of contemporary books in Spanish including fiction, poetry, music, and children’s books. In English, the selection is a little more limited and mostly second-hand. You’ll find the shelf by the entrance, alongside books in French and Italian.

It might take a little more looking to find a book in English, but this café is worth a visit simply for the environment. Food options are great, with vegetarian and vegan options available. They also host occasional events and exhibitions.

Website: http://ubikcafe.blogspot.com/

Address: Carrer del Literat Azorín, 13, 46003 València

Opening times: Mon-Thurs until 17:00h, Fri-Sun until 11:00h

Instagram: @ubik_cafe

EL DOCTOR SAX – BEAT & BOOKS

El Doctor Sax is a jumble-sale style second-hand bookshop, gift shop, and treasure trove rolled into one. Based in the El Carmen barrio, this bookshop has books in Spanish, English, Italian and French. The pink-painted exterior is instantly recognisable, and the oddities viewable from the outside make you want to go in and explore. Visit the small and quirky space for badges, t-shirts, books, and curiosities.

Exclusive ’24/7 Valencia’ interview with owner of El Doctor Sax: https://247valencia.com/valencia-books-3/

Website: http://eldoctorsax.blogspot.com/

Address: : Carrer de Quart, 21, 46001 València

Opening times: Mon-Fri 11-21h, Sat 12-22h, Sun 12-21h

Instagram: @eldoctorsax

LA BATISFERA CAFETERÍA LIBRERÍA

This international bookshop café is located in the seaside district of Cabanyal, with cute outdoor seating and two whole walls of books in English. With a shelf of books for only one euro, this bookshop is within everyone’s budget, and a perfect stop to pick up a book to read on the beach.

The cafetería has well-priced coffee, with breakfast and lunch options for both meat-eaters and vegans. Sit outside in the sun with your book, or grab a coffee before perusing the shelves. Next door, the bookshop has more than 15 shelves of books in English, with fantastic selections of science fiction, fantasy, vintage classics, and contemporary literary fiction. With authors from Steven King to Neil Gaiman to Sally Rooney, this is a great bookshop for a fun, thought-provoking read.

Their selection in Spanish ranges from contemporary literature to poetry, critical theory, feminism, religion, politics, children’s literature, non-fiction, and memoirs. There is also Latin American literature and literature about Valencia. If you have an advanced or native level of Spanish, the shelves of La Batisfera could broaden your horizons or introduce you to something new. A children’s picture book from their beautiful selection could also make a great gift for the parents in your life.

Whether you visit for the interesting literature, the pretty interior, or the delicious tostada con tomate at the café, make sure to add this bookshop to your itinerary for a day at Valencia’s Malvarrosa beach.

Address: Carrer de la Reina, 167, 46011 València, Valencia

Opening times: 11-14h, 18-21h. Closed Tuesdays.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/laBatisfera.cafeterialibreria/

Instagram: @la_batisfera

Report by Julia McGee-Russell