Athenaeum Boekhandel

If you find yourself in Amsterdam (first hurdle) looking for unusual publications that’d be unusual even in America, try here. It wasn’t until I was browsing in this inviting shop that I learned of the existence of either «Fire & Knives» (an English «food quarterly») or «Lucky Peach» (an American food quarterly published here in San Francisco).
The generous proprietor threw in, gratis, an inch-​thick Dutch fashion magazine. Outdated by a month and I can’t read Dutch, but no matter: it was 97% pictures which I thoroughly devoured.
This is a great find if you need reading materials for your journey home, for your coffeehouse visit (wink), or if you’re jonesing for the printed word in english.

The Athenaeum newsstand RAWKS! — this place has a better selection of world press titles than just about any place I’ve seen (maybe Maruzen in Tokyo is better?). Located next to the Athenaeum bookstore, all the ‘common’ magazine and newspaper are stocked (Le Monde, Int’l Herald Tribune, Time, Monocle) but there are a fascinating variety of publications that I find here that are sooo unusual and cool (e.g., Milk Deco, Candy, the gentlewoman). It’s also across the street from the American Book Store if you need more to read! Great place.

This bookshop on the Spui has been a staple for decades. Athenaeum carries a solid selection of Dutch literature and a smaller selection of English literature. It also carries a wide variety of Dutch and English language books on history, politics, religion, philosophy, the classics, etc. The shop stocks up on required reading materials for students of the University of Amsterdam. As a result the history section, for example, is in a way partially curated by the history professors of the UvA. Look for the big stacks near the window in the history section — that’s the required reading!

Athenaeum Bookstore is located in the heart of the city. I honestly think this is one of the best English book stores in Amsterdam. I am a fan of this book store because I was impress to see their diverse selection of books. It was nice to find an English book store that did not cater primarily to just tourist, which meant there was more then just maps, cook books and traveler guides.
I went into this book store to purchase a book on Richard Florida titled the
” The Rise of the Creative Class” for my Dutch man’s birthday. I was surprise to see a well diverse selection of books in English. My Dutch man also recommended it as one of the best book stores in Amsterdam. Now when you get there, don’t expect Barnes and Noble. It’s a small book store on the corner of Spui 14, Amsterdam 1012. However, the written literature for sale here includes a wide variety of both Dutch books and foreign literature, as well as books on academic topics. You’ll also find a very up-​to-​date American and English literature section.
If you are looking for something in the direction of tourism, I would suggest checking out the book store across the street. You’ll find all types of easy reading: newspapers, travel guides, books on music, magazines, periodicals and more.
Enjoy!
Contact: +31 20 514 1460
Open Hours: 11a-​6p M, 9:30a-6p Tu, W, F, Sa, 9:30a-9p Th, noon-5:30p Su