Sign in with Facebook
6 Reasons You Need to Visit Atlantis Books in Santorini
Calling all traveling bibliophiles! A book lover's paradise awaits in the idyllic seaside town of Oia, Santorini. Bursting with charm, music, pet hair, and stacks and stacks of irresistible reading material, Atlantis Books deserves a place on your bookish bucket list.
Reason #1: It's inside one of Santorini's iconic whitewashed houses.
This place is already a quirky architectural wonderland—and then you add books? From the cozy terraces to the low walls lined with blue shelves, this is what bookstore dreams are made of.
Reason #2: The staff embraces pets and "pre-loved" books.
Rent a cat, bring your dog, adopt a previously loved book…. You can do it all at Atlantis Books. The store feels like home, and chances are, you'll never want to leave.
Reason #3: The bookstore was founded by a group of passionate book lovers, a cat, a dog, and a van named Danny.
In 2002, Oliver and Craig fell in love with Santorini, but noticed something strange: Where were the bookstores? Encouraged by a bottle of wine, they came up with the idea for Atlantis Books. Some friends joined their noble cause, they borrowed Danny the van for book-hauling purposes, and the rest is history! (It's debatable how much the dog and cat helped, but they were there.)
Reason #4: They host festivals and concerts.
Atlantis Books knows its patrons are fans of more than just good books—they also like good food, good movies, and good music. Besides their annual Caldera Arts and Literature Festival, the store also open its doors to food festivals, film festivals, and concerts.
Reason #5: The shelves are stocked with current bestsellers, rare first editions, and English-language books about Greek culture and history.
Whether you want to study up on your surroundings or pick up an irresistible gift for the literary lover in your life (it's okay if that literary lover is yourself), you'll find it all at Atlantis Books.
Reason #6: They hold sunset readings on their ocean-view terrace.
Picture it: You're sitting down, feet up, perhaps a glass of wine in your hand. The sky is bright with golden light, and in the distance, you hear waves lapping at the shore. Then someone starts reading you a story.
If that's not paradise, we don't know what is.
What other places are on your bookish bucket list? Let us know in the comments!
Comments Showing 1-50 of 81 (81 new)
This is SO important!!I am Greek but I have never visited this place. I want to do it so much, though
Sounds Fantastic!! Would love to visit.
Edit called to bucket list. Atlantis Books claims second place, just after visiting Shakespeare's grave.
Efthimios wrote: "The story behind the rent-a-cat sign: https://www.facebook.com/atlantisbook..."Read this, but how did the story start?
Looks amazing, especially that reading view
I went to santorini in 2006 and it's my favourite Greek island.i have been to Oui many times and never came across this amazing book shop.
❅Rebecca❅ wrote: "At first I thought it was in SeaWorld. Then I thought it was UK when I saw the pound sign. I searched Santorini up on Google. Greece. No. Not Greece. Why not SeaWorld."Where did you see the pound sign? That is clearly a euro sign. And that balcony and spectacular sea view are sooo UK (NOT)!. Santorini is one of the most well known and beautiful islands in the world. Have been to the island and the bookshop. Both unforgettable experiences. Will go back soon.
A glass of wine, a book and that view... paradise!
I visited it few months back in my honeymoon! It was beautiful!also got a good deal there on 1Q84 because it was a little damaged :D
Santorini looks that bit more beautiful with this bookstore!
I was there in September and had to resist buying some of their gorgeous first editions. (But I *really* wanted The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.)
I have no desire to travel, but if I ever change my mind.. this place would be why!
I did, and no offence but the owner was an ass.
OH MY GOSH I MUST GO TO THIS MAGICAL PLACE!!!!
In here - Portugal - you have these 2 havens for books and book lovers.http://blogtailors.com/5591588.html this one is in Porto and you have to pay an entrance that will be discharged on whatever books you buy.
https://www.google.pt/search?q=livrar... this one is in the island of Madeira and is set in a XVIII ancient palace. It´s 3 levels of books - over 100 thousand books on cover display.
Beautifull any one of them - you can get lost there for hours on end.
where is it i did not read it too lazy
Too many books. Cant they have something besides books there? Ugh.
Rent a cat? WHTS W/ DAT? Cats are creatures not things like books. RENTING A CAT IS A BAD THING. BAD IDEA NO RENTING CATZZZZZ.
Nathan wrote: "Rent a cat? WHTS W/ DAT? Cats are creatures not things like books. RENTING A CAT IS A BAD THING. BAD IDEA NO RENTING CATZZZZZ."The island is in Greece, to answer your first post. As for the cat sign, scroll through the comments here and you'll see what it means (there's a link to their facebook page). The initial sign belonged to a bunch of Australian tourists, it was they who either wrote it up as a joke, or, horror of horrors!, truly meant it. The bookshop bought the sign from another Australian lady. Atlantis bookshop DO NOT RENT OUT CATS. And you may need to address that lazy reader thing (just a thought).
I am Greek,but I had no idea this magical place existed...one day...
Nathan wrote: "Too many books. Cant they have something besides books there? Ugh."
THERE IS HARDLY ANYTHING and I repeat, ANYTHING that is better than a huge building filled with books!!!!!!!!!
THERE IS HARDLY ANYTHING and I repeat, ANYTHING that is better than a huge building filled with books!!!!!!!!!
Hannah wrote: "Cannot believe I didn't know about this place when I was in Santorini last year! Guess I'll just have to go back to Greece.."Hannah wrote: "Cannot believe I didn't know about this place when I was in Santorini last year! Guess I'll just have to go back to Greece.."
I missed it too!!! Just said to hubby we must go again so we can visit!!
Ariana B wrote: "Nathan wrote: "Too many books. Cant they have something besides books there? Ugh."THERE IS HARDLY ANYTHING and I repeat, ANYTHING that is better than a huge building filled with books!!!!!!!!!"
Really? Is that a challenge? I bet I can think of something better.
Oh my God!!!!! I want to visit here!!!!
GAH!!! I was in Santorini just a couple months ago, and I missed this!!! Now I have an excuse to go back! ;)
Nice seeing this pop up - bought two Borges books here a couple years ago. Heavenly. The owners are very sweet people. The space is actually a lot smaller than you might imagine, but they fill every inch with books. I remember they had a blackboard that recommended The 120 Days of Sodom for people who liked Fifty Shades of Grey, which made me laugh.
❅Rebecca❅ wrote: "Emma wrote: "❅Rebecca❅ wrote: "At first I thought it was in SeaWorld. Then I thought it was UK when I saw the pound sign. I searched Santorini up on Google. Greece. No. Not Greece. Why not SeaWorld..."Rebecca, In no way are you an idiot. Just because one person needed to show off that they've been there and knew where and what only makes them look poorly. It's their low self esteem to have had to make a comment like that. You're 'not' an idiot.
I dont know you, but please, don't ever think that and as hard as it is to ignore those kind of replies, please know there is no reason for you to feel that way. I'm so sorry somebody couldn't either just have been kind to you or simply let it go. I Hope you Smile and go enjoy a great book :)
I love these pictures... it would be awesome to have a book signing her, and get to explore the area, and be surrounded by so many books... :p people must love this place
Melissa wrote: "❅Rebecca❅ wrote: "Emma wrote: "❅Rebecca❅ wrote: "At first I thought it was in SeaWorld. Then I thought it was UK when I saw the pound sign. I searched Santorini up on Google. Greece. No. Not Greece..."Melissa that's such a lovely point - Rebecca don't worry about what other people say
I have been to Oia and have not seen this place. I will look for it on my next trip and take some of my books to see if they will sell them. It is a book about Greece after all! It will be published early next year so it might be a good chance.
I love my local book store, Books & Co. in Prince George, BC, Canada. Amazing book club (in the company of books), bands can pay (open mic in Café Voltaire, or small gigs in Artspace), there's writer's workshops, a-mazing food and drinks, awesome atmosphere.
I haven't been to Santorini in years, Oia is one of my favourite places on earth... what a fantastic idea!Greatest of luck to the bookstore...
(I wonder if they accept book donations)
❅Rebecca❅ wrote: "LOOKY HERE:http://www.vancouversun.com/health/em..."
Thanks for the link. My Bucket list just got a lot longer. :)
Oh my gosh!!! This is so adorable!!
I emailed my friend about this place.
It really is an awesome place to visit! So, if you go to Santorini, don't miss it.
GAAAH why are all of the whimsical places are always not in the places that I have a chance to go to :((
Recently got to visit The Last Bookstore while I was in LA (http://lastbookstorela.com/)... It was a strange homey piece of calm in a busy city!
But I got to ask... Rent a Cat? That's a bit awkward... Poor kitty!