travel bookshop sydney

15 Charming Bookshops In Sydney To Get You Through Winter

Get lost in the pages of your new favourite book at these bookshops around Sydney that house rare titles, records, classics and more.

Sydney might be one of the country’s most bookish places boasting a great number of spots for readers . You can find streets full of books , an entire trail lined with charming locally-owned bookshops and places doing double duty with heart meals and books lining the walls from floor to ceiling. If you’re trying to get ahead of your Goodreads goals or get your hands on the latest bestseller, here are some of the best bookshops in Sydney for a cosy day out.

1. Better Read Than Dead

This Newtown staple has been around since 1996 offering a diverse variety of books to locals while also hosting a number of engaging events like book signings, author events, book clubs and community events. It was also heralded as Sydney’s favourite bookshop by Lonely Planet so it’s a must-visit if you enjoy books. Find it on the bustling King Street which is also home to clothing stores and eateries so you can make a day out of it. Find all their upcoming events here .

2. Berkelow Paddington

There are many Berkelow stores around Sydney but its most popular one is the three-storey bookstore that has enticed readers since 1994. The landmark location offers everything from new releases to crime fiction, history, non-fiction and more. It also houses a cosy wine bar and cafe upstairs if you like a drink to go with your book along with abundant booklover paraphernalia. Even better, it’s open late so you can head here after a busy day if you’re looking to unplug. Find their online catalogue here .

3. Gould’s Book Arcade

This family-run bookshop has been around for 30 years and carries everything from second-hand and rare books to records and more. It’s a legendary Sydney bookshop and one of Australia’s largest so you’ll be hard pressed to not find something worth your while here. On offer is an impressive collection of vinyl records, magazines, biographies and more. The King Street institution also has an online catalogue if you prefer to shop digitally.

4. Gleebooks

With over 30 years of experience in bookselling, Gleebooks is a longstanding and dependable bookstore with a wide selection of books, journals, music and DVDs on sale. The shop also hosts regular book talks and events, hosting talented local and international writers over wine and cheese. Tucked away in Glebe , the bookshop is also a great place for cinephiles offering an eclectic collection of mainstream, arthouse and rare classics.

5. Elizabeth’s Bookshop

As one of Australia’s largest second-hand bookshops, this charming spot boasts an impressive 400,000 books across its 4 shops on both sides of the country. Its popular Newtown outpost is well-known for its “ Blind Date with a Book ” — a hand-wrapped, carefully chosen book just for you but you’ll only what it is once you’ve bought it. Every inch of the bookstore is filled with travel, law, fiction, philosophy, comics, graphic novels and much more. Find more about Elizabeth’s Bookshop here .

6. Love Vintage Books

Love Vintage Books is a popular North Shore bookshop that is all about rare and hard-to-find gems across a variety of genres. Find titles dedicated solely to history, transport, military, classic literature, children’s books and a lot more. You can also get your hands on antique postcards, maps, rare publications and architecture. This bookshop nestled in Willoughby offers a cosy ambience that itself seems to exist out of time.

7. Bookoccino

Another popular Northern Beaches staple, Bookoccino is a lit lover’s paradise but offers a lot more beyond books. Expect trivia nights, coffee and pastries and community events like book clubs and author meetups. The shop is also home to a cafe that offers light but wholesome food options and very good coffee. Founded in 1992, it’s now home to stacks of books across fiction, non-fiction, poetry and more. Find it in the lovely seaside suburb of Avalon . Find and sign up for one of their upcoming events here .

8. The Best Little Bookshop In Town

The charming name of this shop will probably draw you in, but it’s the books that will keep you there. Find rare and collectible books , the latest bestsellers, classics, adult fiction, magazines, poetry and more. While it’s a dependable spot to browse for your next read, it also offers a diverse range of activities that include book launches and signings and even psychic readings. Find their online offerings here .

9. Title Barangaroo

This bustling bookshop in Barangaroo is the Sydney flagship of Australia’s largest independent retailer of books, music and film so it’s a pop culture lover’s dream destination. Snag out of print titles, classics, latest releases, eccentric art books and a range of vinyl records. This vibrant bookstore is also part record store and offers something for everyone. Find more info about Title here.

10. Hordern House Rare Books

If you’re looking for the latest Emily Henry or Taylor Jenkins Reid, you probably won’t find it here. This airy and bright spot is the place to visit if you’re after an antique or hard-to-find title. The acclaimed specialists in rare books also store historical maps, rare reads, drawings, paintings and more, reflecting a special focus across Australia and the Pacific. Hordern House Rare Books is a one-of-a-kind bookshop and offers a step back in time with its impressive catalogue both at its chic Surry Hills store and online .

11. Ariel Booksellers

Art and literature lovers will rejoice that a place like Ariel Booksellers exists. This Paddington mainstay is an independent bookseller with a special focus on architecture, art, design, fashion and photography titles. Small but mighty, the bookshop also stocks a range of fiction and non-fiction, children’s literature, art, poetry and m0re. Check out their Instagram page for more.

12. Constant Reader

This independent bookstore has a quiet vibe and has been serving the local community in Crows Nest for many years. Offering something for all kinds of readers, this classic bookshop sells a variety of books across fiction, crime, non-fiction, children’s books, sports, science and more alongside an impressive collection of records. Check out their full online catalogue here .

13. Grand Days

Love all things vintage? Grand Days is the place to be. This quirky spot in the heart of Woolloomooloo is part bookstore and part vintage clothing store making it a one-stop shop for both readers and shoppers. Get your hands on pre-loved clothing and designer pieces then make a beeline for the bookstore and browse the shelves for an excellent collection of secondhand books, vinyl records and memorabilia. Find their online shop here .

14. Blues Point Bookshop

Blues Point Bookshop is a charming little independent bookshop that has housed a fine collection of books, vintage clothes and records since 1987 with an incredibly photogenic reading lounge to boot. Packed with European vibes and an old-world charm, readers can find a variety of new and old books including fiction, non-fiction and children’s books and it also hosts cool author signings and other awesome events.

15. Ampersand

Saving one of our favourites for last — Ampersand offers thousands of books across three storeys. There are plenty of cosy corners to settle into with cosy armchairs and light-filled spaces with a vast selection of genres to explore. They also have coffee and food with menu offerings that include breakfast bowls, salads, burgers, toasties and more. Find the full menu here .

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12 Of Sydney’s Best Bookshops For Finding Your Next Page-Turner

By Natasha Gamra

30th Nov 2022

Although bad weather and moments of boredom have meant only one thing to Sydney recently (we’re looking at you, Netflix), there’s another epic way to pass the time indoors. Guilt-free nights, curled up on the couch indulging in a literary delight. Books. We’re talking about real, live, actual books.

For those of you who are less inclined to the tablet ways of the future and more interested in the nostalgia and challenge of a good old paperback, this line-up is absolutely for you.

Here are the best bookshops in Sydney.

Ampersand Café And Bookstore

If you're looking for a quaint spot to load up on pre-loved books and housemade chai, look no further than Ampersand Cafe . This three-storey building is full of cosy nooks, fresh coffee, plush red velvet armchairs and should absolutely be your go-to for chilled weekend vibes. Sprawled across the levels, you'll find books to read and buy and a cafe menu packed with snacks and heftier bites. You'll definitely want to hit their fudgy brownie made with housemade almond meal or the French toast stack topped with poached pear, whipped ricotta, passionfruit, rhubarb compote, berries and almond crumble.

Elizabeth’s Bookshop

Elizabeth's Bookshop is for those who love to read, and would quite happily date their reads too. This pre-loved bookshop has so much love for books you can get a "blind date with a book", which is a lucky dip of sorts that pairs perfectly with the couch and a glass of wine. The blackboard outside often offers sage advice from the well-read team within. For food lovers, there is a pretty good selection of cookbooks, but we'd suggest meandering further into the depths of this shop—you can get in deeper than you think!

Kinokuniya Sydney

Boasting one of the largest collections of titles in town,  Kinokuniya  certainly earns its spot on our hit list of Sydney's best bookshops. Escape the hustle and bustle of the CBD with its extensive catalogue of Japanese, French, Chinese, German and English publications, which you can devour in the store's cute café. Be sure to check out Kinokuniya's in-store art space, The Wedge Gallery, which showcases works from local and international up-and-coming artists. 

Sappho Books Café & Bar

Hordern House Rare Books

Surry hills.

One step into this cosy, light-filled space in Surry Hills and you’ll feel instantly at home. Hordern House is an internationally renowned bookshop specializing in rare reads, manuscripts and paintings. On an entire level of a converted warehouse, this gem has an extensive stock of rare and select material that specializes in voyages and travels (with a special interest in the Pacific and Australia), natural history and colour-plate material, paintings and voyage art, historical maps and manuscripts.

Love Vintage Books

It’s pretty damn easy to fall down the rabbit hole at Love Vintage Books . Here, you can expect a ridiculous collection of rare and out-of-print books covering transport, military, history, travel, art and architecture, Australiana and modern and nostalgic literature.

Berkelouw Books

Various locations.

One of the more mainstream bookstores that are slowly giving Dymocks a run for its money is Berkelouw Books . With locations all around Sydney and over two million books both old and new in stock, you won’t be strapped for choices here. These guys have stood strong since 1812, so they won’t be going away any time soon.

Gertrude & Alice Café

Bondi beach.

If you’re spending the day strolling around Bondi Beach and want to escape the tourists, head into the Gertrude & Alice Café Bookstore —which has actually been named in the Top 10 Bookstores in the World by National Geographic. Books are stacked up everywhere, on the tables, walls, floor and most importantly, in your hands. Grab a cup of coffee and a pastry or try a herbal tea from their giant selection, and settle in with your new literary escape.

Better Read Than Dead

Given the title of Sydney’s Favourite Bookstore by Lonely Planet, you better believe that Better Read Than Dead is one you need to hit up as soon as possible. This store has been up and running since 1996 and the owners are extremely knowledgeable regarding any book inside. Peruse the stands and flip through hundreds of titles so you can find the perfect read.

Woolloomooloo

For all things vintage, it’s a must to head into Grand Days . With a vast selection of vinyl records, threads and books, you’ll be wondering where to start. This little nook in Woolloomooloo brings along the history of literature and music to all customers with its vast collections. Get ready to stumble upon a piece of history.

Desire Books And Records

Only a short walk up the road from Manly Wharf stands Desire Books , a family store that stocks nothing short of all genres of books and vinyl records. These folks keep the creativity alive in the air with a slew of events. You can check out movie nights, open mic nights, writer’s workshops, artist talks and book signings. Go on and catch that ferry over, you know you want to.

The Best Little Bookshop In Town

In case you’re fresh out of the surf at Cronulla, you might want to hit up The Best Little Bookshop in Town . Ringing true to that name, you’ll be able to sit for hours in their cosy nooks, browsing through thrillers, biographies, fiction and even cooking books. Good luck narrowing down what to buy.

Treating yourself? Here are Sydney's best florists .

Image credit: Ampersand Cafe & Bookstore, Sappho, 

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The Best Independent Bookstores in Sydney

Dotted across the suburbs of Sydney are some of the city’s finest bookstores. Crammed with books both old and new, collector’s editions, art and design magazines, LGBTI stories, fiction, poetry, chick-lit and classics — the offerings are endless. Here are our top must-visit bookstores for lovers of literature in Sydney.

Better read than dead.

Thriving in the heart of Newtown for nearly 20 years, this literary institution is a hub for creatives, book lovers, locals and tourists — pretty much just about anyone who fancies an ol’ chin wag in a warm, welcoming book-filled space. Better Read Than Dead offer a floor-to-ceiling selection of carefully curated books whilst also hosting a regular programme of author and community events.

Better Read Than Dead. 265 King Street. Newtown. Sydney. Australia. (02) 9557 8700

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Gertrude & Alice

Located just blocks from Bondi shore, this bookstore-cum-café boasts that perfect Aussie beach ambiance. It’s cool, chilled and does damn good coffee too. With a healthy café menu to keep hunger at bay, there is little reason to leave this bookstore. Browse at leisure, dip in and out of books and catch the summer breeze drifting up from the beach. Gertrude & Alice nails bookish beach bum vibes.

Gertrude & Alice. 46 Hall St, Bondi Beach. Sydney. Australia, (02) 9130 5155

Desire Books & Records

Launched in 2002, Desire Books & Records has firmly established itself as the ultimate Beat beach-side books and blues store. After recently partnering with Pigeon Ground Records, Desire has become a haven of all things creative. Just moments from Manly beach, Desire not only houses a plethora of books from classic to modern lit, children’s, art, photography and philosophy (to name a few!), but it also hosts frequent gatherings, such as writer’s workshops, theater performances, tarot readings, live music and poetry readings.

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Desire Books & Records. 3/3 Whistler Street. Manly. Sydney. Australia. (02) 9977 0888

The Bookshop Darlinghurst

Situated in a little store on Oxford Street only moments from the city, The Bookshop Darlinghurst is a very casual and friendly institution with books aplenty. For over 35 years it has been the leading source of literature, magazines and video for the LGBTI community. But, no matter your sexual preference, this bookshop truly has it all, from the latest Booker Prize winner to steamy erotica. Super-friendly staff with expert knowledge round off the experience, and there is even a loyalty club for avid readers who can’t help but keep coming back for more!

The Bookshop Darlinghurst. 207 Oxford Street. Darlinghurst. Sydney. Australia. (02) 9331 1103

Beautiful Pages

Also located on the bustling Oxford Street, this store opened in 2011. It aims to engage and inspire through a carefully curated collection of books and magazines on art, interior design, architecture, graphic design and fashion, as well as offering a quirky selection of gifts, printed tees, posters and cards. Open daily, this contemporary bookstore offers an immersive approach and makes it oh-so-difficult to leave empty-handed. Additionally, Beautiful Pages’ online store offers free delivery on orders over $75, making it even easier to indulge from the comfort of a computer.

Beautiful Pages. 114 Oxford St. Darlinghurst, Sydney. Australia. (02) 9356 2331

Ampersand Cafe & Bookstore

With over 30,000 used books for sale, this bookstore in Paddington does not disappoint. Steal a moment from the busy city outside and wander the aisles, picking out long-lost favorites, childhood classics or the newest fiction everyone is talking about; Ampersand is all about versatility. With a darling café-cum-library vibe, it’s easy to get comfortable here and see the hours fly by. Lounge in an armchair or sit at the communal table with other book lovers while enjoying some freshly baked cakes, a salad or a sandwich.

Ampersand Cafe & Bookstore. 78 Oxford St Paddington. Sydney. Australia. (02) 9380 6617

Elizabeth’s Bookshop

Since 1973, Elizabeth’s Bookshop has been at the forefront of quality secondhand book sales in Australia. As one of the largest sellers on the continent, Elizabeth’s Bookshop has expanded to four locations, still specialising in rare and out-of-print books as well as secondhand steals. Housing everything from sporting guides to graphic novels, erotic fiction to medicine, chances are it can be found here!

Elizabeth’s Bookshop. 257 King St. Newtown. Sydney. Australia. (02) 9550 5691

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Books Kinokuniya

Location: Level 2

Books Kinokuniya has the largest range of books in Sydney, offering over 300,000 titles in English, Japanese, Chinese, French and German, with an excellent range of manga, graphic novels, art and design, travel, children's and young adult and cookbooks.

Located in The Galeries, in the heart of Sydney CBD, the Books Kinokuniya bookstore also includes a stationery section, art gallery and café.

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Abbey's Bookshop

Time out says.

Abbey’s Bookshop is fantastic resource for all manner of books, many of which are now available online. But it’s well worth the effort of dropping by their York Street store, if like us you live and breath the book-buying experience. The store has been around since 1968, and describes itself as “an Aladdin’s cave for readers.” Their ‘Galaxy Books’ section is of particular note, offering thousands of titles in the fantasy and science fiction genres. For those who’d prefer to read in a language other than English, they also have an extensive variety of books in languages such as Chinese, German, Italian, French, Spanish and Japanese, too.

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Bookstores in Sydney

Looking for something new to read? Sydney has a great collection of new and second-hand bookshops stocked with everything from the latest page-turners to vintage classics.

Berkelouw Books

Where: paddington.

That sound when you reach heaven? That’s what you’ll hear when you enter Berkelouw Books , the three-storey Paddington shrine one of eight emporiums dedicated to new and rare books across New South Wales. Book nerds could spend days here, browsing latest releases, glossy coffee-table tomes, magazines and other papery goodness before sitting down to a coffee or wine – a welcoming way to spend a few hours before hitting up the Palace Verona cinema next door.

Berkelouw Paddington , Paddington

Better Read than Dead

Where: newtown.

People are passionate about Better Read than Dead – so much so that Lonely Planet has called it Sydney’s favourite bookstore. You’ll understand why. The Newtown establishment has been running since 1996 and has accumulated a wealth of knowledge – and even more books – over that time. Boosting customer loyalty are a regular series of author talks and other events, so you can drop in, and geek out for hours. 

Better Read Than Dead , Newtown - Credit: James Horan - Destination NSW

Sappho Books, Cafe & Bar

Where: glebe.

Tapas, jugs of sangria, poetry battles and open-mic nights – Sappho provides a lot of reasons to visit before you even get to the books. Of which there are plenty. This second-hand Glebe store has shelves holding more than 30,000 titles, jammed in across a rambling multi-storey building from the 1880s. The courtyard is where it’s at come coffee-o’clock or cocktail hour, your book purchases all the company you need.  

Sappho Books, Cafe and Wine Bar , Glebe

TITLE Barangaroo

Where: barangaroo.

The Sydney flagship of Australia’s largest independent retailer of books, music and film, TITLE sits inside a striking glass-walled building in waterside Barangaroo . You’ll find everything from classics like Dickens and Tolstoy to the latest page-turners, glossy coffee-table books covering fashion and architecture, and plenty of niche art titles. The extensive music selection spans multiple generations with many classic works on vinyl, and you can even pick up a new turntable or record player. Because why not?

TITLE bookstore at Barangaroo , Sydney City

When you have more than three decades worth of experience curating a huge range of books, journals and periodicals, music and DVDs, it’s safe to say you know your stuff. Welcome to Gleebooks, a place where you can easily fall down a rabbit hole of intellectual, well, glee. As an added bonus, the space hosts an active lecture and book talks program, spotlighting both Australian and international writers over wine and cheese. Is there any other way?

Gleebooks , Glebe

Love Vintage Books

Where: willoughby.

There are some books that you just can’t bear to part with – those that are sentimental, are hard to find, are the best read you’ve ever had. This is what you can expect to find stocked on the shelves here, an Aladdin’s Cave of rare and vintage books. They cover all topics – military, history, travel, art and architecture – but the owners have a particularly covetable collection of obscure children’s titles.

Love Vintage Books, Willoughby

Books Kinokuniya

Where: sydney cbd .

This book emporium is not for the indecisive; there are tens of thousands of tomes in all manner of languages – English, Japanese, French, German, Chinese – and of all persuasions. And then there’s the mind-boggling selection of magazines and stationery plus an art space and even a gallery, showcasing works from local and international up-and-coming artists. Whatever you purchase, sit down and enjoy a read of the first few pages in the on-site cafe.  

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Arts & entertainment, design & style, travel & leisure, search concrete playground, the ten best bookstores in sydney.

When it's miserable out and the nights get too cold to venture outdoors, one of the nicest things to do is hang out with a book. We present to you our pick of Sydney's ten best bookstores.

Remember how it rained all last winter? Well get set for another rainy season, folks: as I write this I'm looking out on to a rain-sodden Oxford Street. What with Sydney being all about beaches and carousing in the sun , we seem to cope less well with the wet and the cold.

But there's so much this city has to offer, and in particular when it's miserable out and the nights get too cold to venture outdoors, one of the nicest things to do is hang out with a book. Or better yet, hang out in one of Sydney's lovely independent bookshops, which we should all be supporting .

With this in mind, we present to you our pick of Sydney's ten best bookstores.

1. Gertrude & Alice

Where: 46 Hall St, Bondi Beach

Wall to wall books. Books from ceiling to floor, interspersed with communal tables. Gertrude & Alice is what Shakespeare's is to Paris, and provides a welcome haven amongst the surfers and backpackers of Bondi Beach. The food served is fresh and universally excellent, and it's one of the best places to go if you're feeling a bit lonesome, because the welcoming communal tables ensure that you'll always feel at home.

Named after Gertrude Stein and Alice B. Toklas, the famous expat American couple who encouraged the careers of Hemingway and Henry Miller, amongst others, there's a lot of heart to this place, as well as lovely velvet sofas and delicious chai. They also boast a Hemingway room, quieter and lined with reference books and the perfect place to woo another attractive bookworm.

2.  Better Read Than Dead

Where:  265 King Street, Newtown

I have spent a lot of money in this place. I only realised how many times I was in there over the summer when one of the sales girls said to me "You're in here all the time, and I've always wanted to say I really like your dresses." Which was lovely to hear, because the rest of my scanty budget goes towards dresses.

Better Read Than Dead have one of the best staff recommendation systems around, and they'll often hook you up with things you'll love forever which you'd never find on your own. Everyone working there is incredibly helpful and chatty if you engage with them, but they'll otherwise leave you to your own devices. Close to Camperdown Memorial Park, one of the nicest things to do when it's sunny is to get yourself a book and find a tree to lie under and read.

3. Berkelouw Books

Where: 19 Oxford Street, Paddington, 8 O'Connell Street, Newtown, 70 Norton Street Leichhardt and 708 New South Head Road, Rose Bay

Berkelouw are kind of everywhere right now - seriously, there's one adjacent to a carpark in Cronulla. But each of them feels individual, and each of them are awesome. The better branches of Berkelouw are the older ones: Paddington and Leichhardt, as well as the newer, but adorable, Newtown branch.

Berkelouw comes with a cafe and comfy leather couches for you to squish up in and read for hours, and there's also a separate second hand section which is always worth a look. I would personally recommend the Newtown Berkelouw, if only because of its close proximity to T2 and Guzman y Gomez, it's welcome student discount, and the fact that the first time I went in they were playing The Smiths.

4.  Gould's Book Arcade

Where: 37 King St, Newtown

You cannot argue with this place. It is the undisputed king of second-hand books in Sydney. You could disappear into this place and never come out again. I would wager you could find a gateway to Narnia in  Gould's .

With a liberally relaxed policy when it comes to organisation, you'll find Marxist histories of industrial labour sitting side by side with a 1996 travel guide to Slovakia. But stick around for a couple of hours (and you can, it's open until midnight, after all) you'll find treasure for a pittance. At the centre of the store was, until his death in May of 2011, Bob Gould himself, the silvery-bearded stalwart of Sydney's sixties counter-culture who was once arrested for his anti-Vietnam and anti-establishment activities.

5. Kinokuniya

Where: Level 2 The Galleries, 500 George Street, Sydney

Kinokniuya is the only big chainstore included on the list, but this list would be nothing without it. The Japanese bookstore giant believes in promoting art and culture, not just hocking the best-selling pulp-literary tat to people, and has been one of the most welcome additions to the city in the past few years.

Kinokuniya is awesome - it has everything, the stuff you can't find anywhere else, ever. You can spend hours hanging out in the light-filled building which overlooks the criss-crossing pedestrian traffic of the George and Park Street intersection. It boasts an entire Japanese section, the best range of graphic novels and manga and an incredible range of art and design books, as well as every kind of fiction under the sun. Kinokuniya also features an in-store gallery to showcase emerging artists.

6. Gleebooks

Where: 49 Glebe Point Road, Glebe, 536 Marrickville Rd, Dulwich Hill and 191 Glebe Point Road, Glebe (Antiquarian & Second-Hand)

Gleebooks is a Sydney institution. The city's most reliable independent bookseller for many years, they stock an unbelievably vast range of books; fiction and non-fiction alike, and often play host to talks by international and national figures, including The Chaser boys.

When they talk about independent booksellers being in peril, you know that Gleebooks will be the last to go. Its second-hand and children's sections are located further up Glebe Point Road, and are completely worth the walk up the hill. Also, a Dulwich Hill branch recently opened up which is a very welcome addition to an often neglected portion of the Inner West.

7.  Ariel Books

Where: 42 Oxford St, Paddington and 103 George Street, The Rocks

Ariel have a fantastic selection of art, architecture and design books adorning their shelves. The shop's interior is open and clean, although there are some delightful lanterns which pretty up the place, and it has the benefit of being open until midnight.

Mostly it's the awesome range of books and the atmosphere of the place which makes Ariel so nice, but you can also get yourself a Moleskine, some Mexican kitsch ornaments or some chocolate, if they take your fancy. A stone's throw away from the College of Fine Arts and on the edge of the city's hipster quarters, the place is filled with a mix of spaced-out locals, art school kids and some very attractive bookish types.

8. Sappho Books, Cafe & Wine Bar

Where: 51 Glebe Point Road, Glebe

Sappho's is a cafe and wine bar as well as a second-hand bookshop, and has the loyal custom of many of the local Sydney University students. The pokey little shop has a huge range of books on every subject matter and has been hosting regular poetry nights for the last couple of years.

You're always certain to find what you're looking for, and often in really nice editions: some of the copies from the '50s and '60s you'll find are so nice you'll want to frame them. This is also the only place on this list where you can sit with a book and a glass of wine, or a jug of sangria, until the wee hours under the shade of the jasmine and banana trees.

9.  Ampersand Cafe Bookstore

Where: 78 Oxford St, Paddington

So easy to miss amongst the tumultuous crowds on Oxford Street, Ampersand is bigger than it looks from the street and a haven away from the city and the crowds.

With a good range of second-hand books tucked away across three floors and offering amazing, cheap first-edition copies of books like The Master & Margarita and The Human Stain , Ampersand also wins on the coffee front - it is truly excellent. Downstairs is a communal table if you feel like making some friends, or you're perfectly welcome to hang out on your own.

10. Journeys Bookstore & Cafe

Where: 127 Trafalgar Street, Annandale

Journeys is another very cute bookstore and cafe, housed in a converted terrace, where you're invited to flip through the pages of books while sipping some tea. The titles are all handpicked, and there'a seriously good travel section.

Upstairs is the best bit, a bright airy room decked out with comfy couches, and surrounded by seven bookcases. Each case represents a region of the world, and you'll find travel guides, history, fiction and travel literature to match every country in that part of the world. If you wish you were elsewhere there's no better place to imagine it.

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DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: Sydney Paperback – November 3, 2015

There is a newer edition of this item:.

DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: Sydney is your in-depth guide to the very best of Sydney. Take in the major sights, from the Sydney Opera House to the Taronga Zoo; go on a boat tour for your chance to cruise on the sparkling waters of Sydney Harbour; or simply soak up the sun on the white sands of Bondi Beach.

Discover DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: Sydney :

With hundreds of full-color photographs, hand-drawn illustrations, and custom maps that illuminate every page, DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: Sydney truly shows you this city as no one else can.

Recommend: For a pocket guidebook to Sydney, check out DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: Top 10 Sydney , which is packed with dozens of top 10 lists, ensuring you make the most of your time and experience the best of everything.

• Part of series Travel Guide
• Print length 264 pages
• Language English
• Publisher DK Eyewitness Travel
• Publication date November 3, 2015
• Dimensions 5.25 x 0.75 x 8.81 inches
• ISBN-10 1465428364
• ISBN-13 978-1465428363
• See all details

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Editorial Reviews

"Known… for its four-color maps, photos and illustrations, the [DK] Eyewitness Guides are extremely user-friendly for travelers who want their information delivered in a concise, visual way." – Chicago Tribune

"The best option… Color photos, maps, and diagrams bring the place to life." – The Philadelphia Inquirer

About the Author

About DK Eyewitness Travel Guides : For more than two decades, DK Eyewitness Travel Guides have helped travelers experience the world through the history, art, architecture, and culture of their destinations. Expert travel writers and researchers provide independent editorial advice, recommendations, and reviews. With guidebooks to hundreds of places around the globe available in print and digital formats, DK Eyewitness Travel Guides show travelers how they can discover more.

DK Eyewitness Travel Guides : the most maps, photography, and illustrations of any guide.

Product details

• Publisher ‏ : ‎ DK Eyewitness Travel; Revised edition (November 3, 2015)
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Paperback ‏ : ‎ 264 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1465428364
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1465428363
• Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.1 pounds
• Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.25 x 0.75 x 8.81 inches
• #39 in Sydney Travel Guides
• #514 in General Australia & South Pacific Travel
• #4,693 in Tourist Destinations & Museums Guides

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Travel is good for us. It makes us happy!

Escape more, celebrate more, "weekend" more with DK travel guides and create memories that last a lifetime.

Each of our books is jam-packed with gorgeous pictures, helpful maps and expert insights, making them totally comprehensive, really easy to use, and full of ideas and inspiration. And we know what we're doing – we've been publishing guides for over 30 years.

So forget the ordinary. Travel extraordinary.

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Five simple ways you can save money on your hotel

By Kristine Tarbert | 5 hours ago

Organising your accommodation for an upcoming trip can seem daunting, especially when you're adding up how much it's going to cost you.

But there are a few things you can do to save some money when looking at hotel options.

From some simple booking tactics, to choosing where to stay, here are five ways you can save money on hotels.

READ MORE: Here's how a cruise holiday can actually save you money

Become a loyalty program member

One of the simplest options when it comes to securing the best hotel deals is to join a loyalty rewards program, allowing you to earn loyalty points every time you stay at a participating hotel.

Recent research from YouGov revealed that 31 per cent of Aussie consumers are members of at least one hotel loyalty program. And Accor Live Limitless/Accor Plus, celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2024, is the most popular hotel loyalty program in Australia.

Accor Plus members, for example, can indulge in elevated hotel stays, dining, and events with savings at more than 1000 Accor hotels, resorts and apartments, including Sofitel, Pullman, Peppers, Novotel, Mantra and Ibis. Some of the exclusive benefits include a complimentary hotel night, up to 50 per cent savings on stays and dining, and more.

Plan ahead and book early

While booking early is a great way to be organised it can also save you some money. Although the key here is to 'reserve' early, but give yourself the option to cancel if you spot something cheaper closer to your desired dates.

Plenty of properties will offer 'Early Bird Discounts' and 'Advanced booking' options to get travellers to lock in rooms well ahead of their scheduled stay.

Book directly with the hotel

You will often get a better deal if you book directly with a property, instead of using third-party websites.

"This ensures you aren't paying commission to booking sites, and many hotels now guarantee that you will find the lowest price by booking directly," Suzanne Bucknam, CEO of Connecticut Explorer, told HerMoney.

A hotel receptionist also recently pointed out that you might avoid some additional headaches should something go wrong, by having your booking through the hotel directly.

"What's going to happen is your reservation is going to get lost; you need a refund; you need to cancel. Something is going to happen and we cannot touch that reservation because you booked third party," the hotel worker cautioned on TikTok.

Be flexible with your dates

Getting cheaper hotel rates can sometimes come down to timing. Often when you search for a property you might notice an option to select "flexible travel". It could also be written as "Search for +/- one day" or sometimes two days.

Basically, when you're able to be flexible with the dates of your stay, you can capture the best possible bargain. That can sometimes add up to hundreds of dollars by staying in a hotel on less popular days of the week. For example, Friday and Saturday nights are almost always more expensive.

Don't choose the most obvious location

Another great way to save money is to stay somewhere just outside the city limits and travelling a kilometre or two to get to your accommodation.

"People love convenience and are often willing to pay more to be closer to what they want to see. However, if you don't mind travelling a little way each day, you can save a lot of money," travel blogger Josh Hewitt  shared.

In cities with excellent public transportation, this can be an even easier option. With less people using hotels set outside the city centre, you may also find you'll have a better experience during your stay, with more quiet and less crowds.

- In partnership with Accor Plus.

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