Tucked away in downtown Bogota is a mansion turned into a book lover’s paradise, Merlín Books (Libros Merlín). Located on Carrera 8a with Calle 15, it doesn’t look like much from the outside; but once you walk inside it is absolutely breathtaking. Old books and magazines are literally everywhere: high up on shelves, down on the floors stacked in small towers (by author!), on tables, on sofas, in boxes, in sideboards and on the stairs. Every floor, every room, has a different structure, but are all jam packed full of books!
I have been to Merlín a few times now, and each time I go, I discover something new that I love. I have spent hours wandering around the three floors of the store, with something new to discover around each corner.
There’s a wonderful range of books in all different languages, different genres…. Even magazines! There’s a wonderful range of classics in English, biographies, non-fiction, history, children’s books and so much more. There is also a smaller selection of books in languages such as German, Portuguese, Hungarian, Danish, Arabic, Chinese. And of course, as we are in Colombia, the entire second floor is dedicated entirely to books in Spanish.
There are many wonderful little nooks and crannies to get lost in, and chairs and sofas to curl up in while you decide which book you’re going to buy! The store is decorated with vintage posters and antiques, and the creaky wooden floors add to its quirkiness. It also has that irresistible smell of old books.
The books are quite reasonably priced and all of them are second-hand (but some are in such great condition they’re like new!). Most of the average-sized books that I picked up cost between $12,000 and 35,000 pesos ($4-12 US dollars) and were all in an acceptable condition. There were also old editions of comic-books and magazines from all over the world, including Time magazine and National Geographic in English.
If you’re looking for a good book to read while you’re in Colombia, you absolutely must check out Merlín.
Happy Reading…
so. many, books!!! How can the store owners even keep track of what books they have and where they are? lol
The miraculous thing is that the people who work there seemingly know every book in the store!
wow!
Visiting bookstores, when in a new city, is a delightful experience. I have enjoyed several, across the U.S., in South Korea and in Frankfurt. I will surely redouble my explorations this summer, especially in Kansas City, Indianapolis and Montreal.
that literally looks like heaven to me! you’re making me want to travel all over again!
Thank you for a fantastic read with great photos!
Ashleigh x x x
http://www.thestoryofashleighdavis.com
My kind of place…! Calling the airlines right now!
This looks like a place you could spend a lot of time in…
It’s a bibliophile’s dream come true!
Awwww I am Soo happy that you are posting about Colombia. I am Colombian 🙂 I haven’t been to that place in Bogotá but it remains me at The Last Bookstore in DTLA
To walk among the stacks and be connected to so many lives represented by the smell of old books is something special.
Wow! I love bookstores and this one goes right to my bucket list. The Merlín Books seems like a place I would love to explore. Bogota here I come!
Well that’s what you call a heaven for bookworms! Some parts of the mansion remind me of the movie The Book Thief, where there’s a mansion with a huge library and a comfortable couch to curl up in. If I ever visit Colombia, I think I would want to go to this place!
Tyas | wepsgallery.wordpress.com
This bookstore looks fabulous! So much character… so many interesting pieces. I would love to explore the entire place! Thanks for sharing!
Oh my goodness, this looks like a book-lover’s paradise! Are books in English or other languages, too, or just Spanish?
Whoa! I’d love to go there!
https://danielasoriano.com/
I can practically smell the books from here! What a great place to poke around, and I always find that old magazines make a GREAT souvenir because they’re so light and take up so little space!
Wow wow wow!! I absolutely love wandering through old bookstores with piles and piles of books! We don’t have one of those in my hometown, so I’m always excited to find one when I travel.
Love all these books!!! Great photos!
This is so neat! It reminds me of Beauty and the Beast where Belle gets her books from for some reason, lol. Hard to find bookstores these days!
Oooh I absolutely adore second hand bookstores. It’s like older books hold imprints of their previous owners, filled with love and character… As opposed to picking up a brand new book which just smells like murder – unpopular opinion but think of the trees! If I’m ever in Columbia, I’ll be sure to give this cosy hideaway a peep.
Oh my goodness! I would go crazzzzyyyy in there! What a stunning place. I’m a sucker for bookstores and libraries so this is right my alley. I could seriously spend hours in there. Only problem is, how do I carry it all home?
I absolutely love book stores like this. Heading to Colombia this summer…now that I know this is here, I can avoid packing a book from home and just pick one up when I arrive!
A good book store is really hard to beat. I love how much character this place has. I’ve never been to Colombia, but if I ever make it there, I am def hitting this place up.
My teenager would be in Heaven at this place. We love a good book but we love a great book store even more so! This Merlin place looks amazing.
wow i def love this! a great book is really hard to beat and i would LOVE to be in a place like this!
OMG HEAVEN! I’d love to visit (actually no, live) here one day! Look at all thse books! I’d defo go crazy and panic… And not know where to start. Thank you very much for sharing!
Wow Merlin books lools marvellous. Looks like something from a movie scene. There is a mysterious feel to the place x
This is seriously book HEAVEN! Oh wow, it looks incredible here you are so lucky to get to visit.
Wow! This library looks so stunning and amazing! I love that there are books everywhere and everything looks so vintage and full of history.
How in the world do they keep everything organized? LOL! It looks like a booklover’s paradise.
reading your post and looking at the pictures had me thought “I want to go there .. I need to go there ” that place is truly food for the soul
Wow, I’m so glad to know about this book lovers paradise. I personally love to viist a library or book store and get my reads there. The fragrance of the books entangle me within themselves.
I love books! Your pictures make me want to go hang out here and read. It sort if reminds me of the little library at the beginning of Beauty and the Beast. Books everywhere!
I love reading, so this totally looks like my kind of place to visit! I personally love just visiting and sitting in a library or book store all day.
As a book worm this place looks like HEAVEN! I’ve always loved books, they were my escape as a kid and remain so to this day
This place is calling my name! I absolutely love old bookstores full of beautiful tomes.
You know, one of my fantasies is to visit an old library. I love books, not e-books, but those printed words on paper and hand bound. haha This place is just making my eyes pop! Wow, I wonder when i can visit Bogota.
What an amazing book shop it looks like it’s packed with every kind of book. It would be a dream place for a bookworm to visit.
Second-hand books are such a good deal when the books are in nearly new condition! This maze of a bookstore reminds me of The Last Bookstore in Los Angeles!
This is amazing…Colombia is on my must-see list and I will certainly add Merlin Books to my itinerary!
Omg this bookshop is a dream! I love finding hidden gems like this while I’m travelling. This is my idea of paradise – thanks for sharing! X
Evie x | https://eviejayne.co.uk
Wow, what a magical place!