This bookstore is an absolute MUST VISIT if you come to Buenos Aires. The architecture is simply stunning and must be seen to be believed. I had a wonderful time here exploring all the floors and staring with wonder at the unique paintings and designs. Unfortunately they don’t have an English language section here but you’ll definitely find some great potential souvenirs to take home. I heard the cafe has nice coffee but we didn’t get a chance to try it. Greet place to spend a little under an hour.

Argentina has more bookstores per capita than any other country in the world and it shows with this one as one of the more famous and most beautiful (named most beautiful in the world in 2019 by National Geographic) This refurbished former theater now serves as a massive bookstore that could make anyone fall in love with reading. One can walk up the stairs to the different levels for beautiful views, read in little alcoves, see displays for books (Harry Potter's 9 3/4 wall replica is here), and enjoy the stage where there's a pianist and baked goods for sale. Most of the books are written in Spanish (as expected), but one can still browse and see what types of books people are interested in.

Beautiful book store that was once a theatre. Amazing impressive place in an obvious theatre surroundings replete with a nice cafe. What was cool was allowing customers use the old theatre boxes to read their books. Probably the nicest ‘bookstore’ I’ve been to (not library). Totally loved it!!!

One of the most iconic and most beautiful bookstores in the world. Truly a must see, even if you are not planning to buy books, just to admire this former theatre converted in a bookstore in the year 2000. If you are planning to buy books, the selection is very large, as the store spreads across various levels, including one underground reachable with an escalator, and you can also find souvenirs in the form of magnets or postcards. The former stage also hosts events or temporary stores. The place is really well maintained and a joy for the eyes (and a treat if you like to take pictures). Keep in mind that it is also very famous and so usually very busy, especially with tourists.

Most beautiful bookstore I’ve ever visited. It used to be a theater. It has a nice cafe in the back where the stage would be. The selection of books are obviously in Spanish, there’s also a section with stationeries, backpacks, and other little gifts. Visit if you’re in the area.

If you're around, it's worth seeing. Won't take too long. No drinks inside unless u purchase at the Cafe in the back. Very busy. I was told that they stamp a book if u buy one there.

Massive and gorgeous book shop in an old theatre. I always love bookshops but this one made it to another level with beautiful vast space and architecture! So much product to browse through as well and they even sell some classic souvenirs!

Beautiful old theatre that is now a book store. They managed to keep its theatre splendour while showcasing the books. The stage is a cafe. Great place to visit even if you are not buying a book. Make sure to look up when you are there as the paintings on the ceiling are not to be missed!

National Geographic crowned it "world's most beautiful bookstore" in 2019: couldn’t agree more. Although I confess, I don’t know enough libraries to have this opinion, I can’t imagine another bookshop living me so breathless. Everywhere you look, there’s books. And even better: organized books. So you can choose either enter place and look exactly for what you need without hassle or you can lose yourself in all this place has to offer. There’s also inside a place to have something to eat or drink. So you can browse around, have a nice break and leave the decision of which books to buy for when you have eaten and are ready to go. Sounds like I could spend a whole day here… without even realizing it.

Situated on Santa Fe Avenue in Barrio Norte,the building was designed by architects Peró and Torres Armengol for impresario Max Glücksmann (1875-1946), and opened as a theatre called Teatro Gran Splendid in May 1919.The eclecticist building features ceiling frescoes painted by the Italian artist Nazareno Orlandi and caryatids sculpted by Troiano Troiani,whose work also graces the cornice along the Palacio de la Legislatura de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires. The theatre had a seating capacity of 1,050, and staged a variety of performances, including appearances by the tango artists Carlos Gardel, Francisco Canaro, Roberto Firpo and Ignacio Corsini. Glücksmann started his own radio station in 1924 (Radio Splendid), which broadcast from the building where his recording company, Nacional Odeón, made some of the early recordings of the great tango singers of the day. In the late twenties the theatre was converted into a cinema, and in 1929 showed the first sound films presented in Argentina. The ornate former theatre was leased by Grupo Ilhsa in February 2000. Ilhsa, through Tematika, owns El Ateneo and Yenny booksellers (totaling over 40 stores), as well as the El Ateneo publishing house. The building was subsequently renovated and converted into a book and music shop under the direction of architect Fernando Manzone;the cinema seating was removed and in its place book shelves were installed. Following refurbishment works, the 2,000 m2 (22,000 sq ft)[7] El Ateneo Grand Splendid became the group's flagship store, and in 2007 sold over 700,000 books; over a million people walk through its doors annually. Customer seating has been installed throughout the building, including the still-intact theatre boxes, and a café has been created at the back of what was once the stage. The ceiling, the ornate carvings, the crimson stage curtains, the auditorium lighting and many architectural details remain. Despite the changes, the building still retains the feeling of the grand theatre it once was.The Guardian, a prominent British periodical, named El Ateneo Grand Splendid second in its 2008 list of the world's ten best bookshops.In 2019, it was named the "world's most beautiful bookstore" by the National Geographic

El Ateneo Grand Splendid is the second best bookstore in the world. It preserves the splendour and elegance of the former Gran Splendid theatre/cinema, which was designed by architects Peró and Torres Armengol. Located in the Recoleta neighbourhood, El Grand Spendid theatre opened in 1919. There are comfy chairs around the shop, making browsing for books here a real pleasure. The basement is dedicated to children's books, and the upper floor is used for exhibitions and displays. I really recommend going to the Ateneo, it is too nice, it has many genres of books such as novels, classic, photography, cooking, astrology, history, politics, music, movies, videos, etc.

Amazing book store. They have everything - found so many classic books and even a fair share of old records. And all available in an old theatre. What a view and so big. Mostly Spanish books though. The café is a nice rest in the back of the store.

If you love bookstores this is a MUST! It is STUNNING. I read it is one of the top 5 bookstores in the world. Before you do anything go to the second floor and take in the view from above. This old theatre has been turned into a bookstore and is absolutely breathtaking. If you have time you can eat in the Cafe located on the old stage. Take come time browsing through books. The staff is very friendly and there is a lot to explore here.

Really interesting old theater turned into a bookstore coffee shop. Honestly, we stumbled upon it while needing a restroom between tourist stops. If you need a break from the sun or just a relaxing place to sit for a few minutes, this place is worth poking around. But I wouldn't change my daily itinerary just to fit it in.

Extremely busy and large crowds….. lots of people here just to take selfies.. 4 floors of books, with a some CD, and vinyl record options. Mostly, over 95% books in Spanish as expected. Definitely worth a visit as the inside old theatre tenants are well preserved and as if you are stepping back in time.

Spectacular building and great location... But the bookstore itself was a little disappointing. The selection seemed very limited. The cafe was also great. It is for sure worth a visit and is beautiful, but as a bookstore, it is just okay.

Beautiful and unique bookstore in a former theatre. Truly a must see in Buenos Aires. Free to enter. There is a coffee shop on the stage with pretty good coffee and snack but the service was a bit slow. May get crowded due to its popularity.

It's called one of the most beautiful bookstores in the world and they're not wrong. The building is an old theatre which they've converted into a multi storey bookshop and it manages to retain the splendor of its past in its new lease on life. About three stories, from what we could explore, there's something here for everyone. We tried and failed to find anything in English, but then again, we can get English language books anywhere. And this isn't just anywhere. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Worth seeing, but don't expect too much. There are a lot of people out and about, so plan some time if you want to take a good photo. The third floor is closed but you also have a great view of all the hustle and bustle from the second floor. the ceiling painting is fantastic. When it comes to books, there is of course a large selection in Spanish, foreign languages not so much. If you're in the area, you should check it out.

Very beautiful place and also busy. Different than any other bookstore I have ever been to! Visitors can also enjoy coffee and snack there. The only negative side is that it is packed with tourists, which is completely expected and reasonable for a place like that. I do recommend visiting :)

Beautiful historic library one of a kind in the world. It has a nice comfy cafe and a good variety of books. Very well connected area.

RATED ONE OF EARTH’S TOP BOOKSHOPS by London’s Financial Times newspaper, El Ateneo in city center Bueno Aires is eye-catching and very prominent. Newcomers cannot do much more at first than gawk at the soaring and baroque ceiling. On a January weekday in 2023 it was bustling with people poking through very well-stocked shelves and specials tables on several levels. None of the books carry price labels. Readers must scan books for the latest prices, an adaptation to Argentina’s relentlessly feverish price inflation.

Amazing experience!!!! I love books, the mixture of knowledge and vintage design just make you wanna stay as long as possible. They have a coffee place inside if you are interested in having a coffee while you read, or else if you are into more private spot, you can choose the booths that are located in the corners. Beware! You will stay there longer than planned, if not reading, than admiring the ceiling or the beautiful place you are in. DO NOT MISS THAT, it's a unique experience!!

A must see. Give yourself time to explore and enjoy a coffee on the stage. The restaurant on the corner is a great place to stop before or after.

It was a good experience. Being a lover of historical buildings, it was great to see them repurpose this building without sacrificing the character.

We went to visit since it is on the to do by list while in Buenos Aires. Unfortunately we got there at the same time as a group of students, so it was fairly chaotic without any traffic direction from the security people. We managed to go in without waiting for all the students to gather in front of the book store, especially when it started to rain outside. The place is definitely worth the detour because it is beautiful inside, but the crowd made it hard to appreciate at our own pace. We also went to the famous coffee shop inside the book store to have a short break from the overcrowded place. They have a decent menu for drinks and food if you crave for a little afternoon snack. There are a few options for vegetarians like most places. Surprisingly we could have a chat without screaming since it was also packed with people like inside the big store. I would eventually go back for another visit to see if we can hangout with less people around in this beautiful location… and maybe to to the upper floor which we did not bother to go with too many people going up and down the stairs!

Beautiful bookstore inside a refurbished theater. More people go there to take photos than shop. It has a cafe, elevators, restrooms, and escalators. The staff is friendly and don't mind if you go just to take photos. It was cool to see well known titles in Spanish. They do have some books in English and other languages.

A must visit bookshop in the guise of an antique theatre in downtown BA.. the vast splendour of this establishment is a wonder to behold. Covering 3 floors with rich tapestries and gold highlights..you will be astonished at the sheer size of this store.

Excellent architecture and a ton of books but other than that it's crowded. Worth seeing but don't make a special trip for it. Won't take long to see it all.

If you're a learning Spanish, you will actually get to use the phrase "donde estas la biblioteca" in an un ironical sense. The bookstore has lots of different types of books and also records, vinyl, etc. almost I didn't buy a book. I did go and check out the really amazing architecture. It gets super crowded. It's worth going to see. I wouldn't go out of my way to see it, but if it's close to where you are, definitely drop in and check it out.

A good place to go for a visit. Overall it is impressive that they could adapt a library within a theatre/ opera structure. However, I wouldn't go there if you were short in time or if you're not much of a library fan It may be a little far from other points of interest and you'd probably spend little time if you're only looking for sightseeing spots in Buenos Aires.

an absolute must-see place. former theatre converted into a royal bookstore. magnificent decorations, balconies and stairs. have a cup of very decent coffee right on the scene! fascinating! modern antique

This place is so amazing. I could hang out here all day. My friends had told me about it, but experiencing it is a different story. A 100+ year old opera house converted into a bookstore. Amazing.

Beautiful old theater turned into a bookstore and café. Don't miss the chance to drink a nice cup of coffee, on stage, while reading a good book.

Well..Icon Library in Buenos Aires..can I say one of the Best in the World... Located in one of the Fancy places in Downtown ..try to show up during the week ..weekend to busy.. In my opinion the AC need more power..Too hot..include inside a Cafe store. Its nice Library to check worth it,thanks Ateneo Grand Splendid!

El Ateneo Grand Splendid is one of the best and largest bookstore in the world. Located on Av Santa Fe 1860 in the heart of capital and cultural city of Buenos Aires, it is must visit for tourists. Books in every genre and from every author are lined up in the circular hall spread over 4 storeys including basement. This bookstore has been converted from a theatre and still bears the same look and design. It has a coffee shop, reading place and children's sections inside the store. A must visit for every tourist to Buenos Aires.

Great place to visit. I am glad it isn't blasted all over social media. It is already pretty busy. Everyone takes pictures in this beautiful bookstore. The staff is very friendly as well. There are plenty of books to choose from. Of course, they're in Spanish. I'm not sure if there were any English books. I can imagine that they may have a polyglot section. Beautiful bookstore though with a large selection. I highly recommend.

Super cool and worth the visit. Busy? Extremely, but still so worth seeing. Downstairs boasts a solid CD music collection, an entire T-Swift section, as well as a whole array of classic rock from the 90's and 2000's. Not sure why, but it's great.

There are many famous bookstores in the world, among them is El Ateneo Grand Splendid, it deserves to be "the most beautiful bookstore in the world", impressed with the history of the bookstore, with the decorative theater patterns, with the number of books and the number of visitors to the bookstore.

Small opera house change to book store, there is nice cafe inside, I wish to know n having breakfast there...

Too chaotic, not easy to find what you want. Overrated place sadly. Of course it is beautiful and good atmosphere but everything is super expensive, who will give 40$ for a single non scientific book? At least I won’t… there are so many bookstores much cheaper. This place is good for photoshooting and for the vibe, but not for the books. the guards don’t let you do anything, you have to be strict like a soldier…

Located on Santa Fe Avenue in Barrio Norte, this was created in 1919 as a theatre named Teatro Gran Splendid, in 1929 it screened the first with sound movie of Argentina as it was converted into a cinema hall and now it has been transformed as the world's most beautiful bookstore - a title inferred upon it by National Geographic in 2019.

So stunning, an absolute must visit for your time in Buenos Aires. And happy to report that the cafe offers both vegan and gluten free alfajores!

We had time to kill before our flight out and it was raining. This place was the coolest book store I have ever visited. And the customer service was excellent, helped me find just what I needed.

OMG! What to say for this place? It's bookstore, but seems to be a grand theatre before. This is the most amazing bookstore I've ever been in, al will remain that probably for long time in future. This is colosal, very very nice, classy, unusual, extraordinary... impressed by El Ateneo, come and see this place!

The theater is beautiful and so it is the shop. One downside is that the book store is basically a chain without the feeling of an I dipendenti book store. The cafe has reasonable prices and a good choice of savoury and sweet bites.

Absolutely amazing bookstore, further theatre. Nice cafe inside. Named the most beautiful bookstore in the world and you will see why. Must be a pleasure to come here to look for and buy books regularly.

One of those must visit places in Buenos Aires and it is not to be missed! Very easy to reach if you take the Subte, its Callao station and you walk a few blocks from there. A gigantic book store in the theater setting. Fantastic coffee shop to take a break and read that book that you’ve bought. English literature stand is very limited, just a few detective stories. And unfortunately, you can’t find the books of South American authors in English (you can find those in smaller book shops in the city, just not here). But you will be amazing how much literature is produced in Spanish. This is the capital of reading in South America. And you can find translations of most of the classics from different countries. So, you can spend hours going through the book shelves and reading the passage of your favorite books in Spanish. There is a huge selection of games and kids’ literature, if you are studying Spanish that’s a great place to shop. Also, you can buy some cool diaries in Spanish, and they make amazing gifts. You can easily spend hours here, reading, walking, people watching, having coffee. By all means don’t miss it if you ever in Buenos Aires!

Considered among the 10 most beautiful bookstores in the world in a city that loves bookstores. Always busy with browsers and tourists.Housed on a former Belle Epoque style theatre exudes class and elegance. A cafe in the former stage often has musical performers. Check recent news about a funny incident featuring kleptomaniac Mexican ambassador to Buenos Aires.

A truly amazing bookstore in Buenos Aires. A converted theater now holds at least four stories of books, vinyl, CDs, and DVDs. Most of the books are in Spanish, though you can also find books in English. Behind the former stage is now a Cafe, as well.

The best library coffee shop in town, used to be a grand theatre, now is an amazing place to visit. El mejor café libreria sobre Santa fe un hermoso lugar para visitar

It's a great tourist attraction, most beautiful library you will probably visit. The experience is incredible, and if you love books you can spend hours walking around them in a really nice atmosphere (there's even a small section of english books). The people there were really helpful, both in the library spaces and in the cafeteria. This is definitely a must visit place in Buenos Aires! You can spend a few minutes just to take some pictures if you're not so much into the book shopping, or you can spend one or more hours just looking at books or taking a coffee in what used to be the theater stage. On the downside, the book selection can definitely be improved specially in specific areas, so if you are looking for technical books, or a more specialized library there are better places.

Beautiful setting for a bookstore; in the past it was a theatre. There's a coffee shop inside where the stage once was with nice tables. Book selection is good, there's also a nice children's books section. Staff could be more friendly though.

Well worth a stop. Stunning! For book lovers, understanding that this is one of the most beautiful bookstores you'll ever experience, it also has an amazing selection of books. A total 'must see'!!!

The best library in the world. You can look and feel al the books, even read them in really comfortable armchairs. The ambient is amazing, and you can really submerge in the reading process.

Totally splendid as the name suggests. A really beautiful bookstore and a library. There's also a café and many spots to sit comfortably and read. It totally deserves its ranking as one of the most beautiful libraries in the world.

A grand bookstore in a former theater. There is a nice cafe with yummy treats, one section of books in English…its pretty and a beautiful spot.

I have the pleasure of visiting Ateneo Grand Splendid very often. A must visit during your stay. If you get an opportunity to get a licensed tour guide around Buenos Aires you will appreciate much more the cultural significance not only on this building, but around all Argentina

Very interesting and unique idea to make a library from theater. Even if you don't want to buy a book in Spanish, it's still worth to visit this place at least for couple pictures and for own check mark. They also have a coffee in the "stage" area, but I didn't have anything there so I can't say if it's worth to go there.

Perhaps one of the beautiful libraries in South America, a unique place to visit, enjoy a coffee. Here you will find books for every purpose, including kids. It’s generally crowded.

Such a nice bookstore that used to be a theatre a later they even had their own radio station until the building transformed into a bookstore in 2000. I didn’t come to buy books but I read reviews that there are almost no English book so if that’s what you are looking for might need to know about that. The cafe is also know to have one of the best coffee but to be honest it looked absolutely not aesthetic at all compared to anything else in the bookstore. In any case, it’s worth visiting due to its beautiful interior

Super cute library/old theater/ cafe. There was a lot of people and I just loved the atmosphere. Def a good place to study if you like it to be a bit noisy but not uncomfortable ☺️🫶☕️

A definite must visit if ta tourist in the area. Such an incredible transformation of an amphitheatre into the coolest bookstore and coffee shop. The only downside is that there are barely any books in English.

Beautiful place. There was a line 30m prior to opening, but the room is enormous and could fit everybody with no problem. There are books (of course) and some other movie related stuff. A must go.

Great place with so much history if you are in Buenos Aires you most visit it. Is one of the most beautiful libraries in the world where you can buy books, music, and movies.

This time I can not give 5 stars because the books that I was looking for despite are a bit so specific, I could not find. Also, despite that all associates were kind, I believe there should be couple more people working at the first and second floor as it could improve the customer experience. Same as it could offer some sitting benches for avoiding sitting on the floor. Although, I did not find anything wrong, this description is an improvement suggestion only, because the place is gorgeous and invites to enjoy that wonderful structures and roof that it has.