The English Bookshop at Dussmann – A Reader’s Haven in the Heart of Berlin

There are places in Berlin that feel like they were made just for you — little sanctuaries that speak to your soul. For me, one of those places is the English Bookshop inside the Dussmann Kulturkaufhaus on Friedrichstraße. It’s not just a store; it’s a world of its own, a meeting place for ideas, stories, and curious minds from all around the globe.

Every time I step through the doors, I’m overwhelmed — in the best possible way. The selection is immense, truly international, and carefully curated with an eye for quality and thought. You’ll find everything from timeless classics to bold new voices, from history and philosophy to contemporary fiction and travel writing. It’s a book lover’s paradise — and one of those rare places where you can feel the love for literature in every shelf and corner.

I rarely leave with fewer than three books, and even then, it feels like a triumph of self-control. There’s always another title whispering, “Take me with you.” And often, I do

One of my favourite features of this shop are the window seats — those cozy little niches with armchairs where you can sit down, breathe, and just be. I’ve spent countless hours there, flipping through pages, discovering voices I’d never heard before, and letting the city’s noise fade into the background. Those moments — suspended between words and worlds — are pure magic.

Yes, it can get crowded, especially on weekends. But perhaps that’s a good thing. It speaks to the place’s charm and quality, to the fact that so many people still love books deeply enough to seek them out in person. In a world rushing ever faster toward digital everything, finding such a vibrant, human space feels like a small miracle.

So if you’re ever in Berlin and your heart beats a little faster at the thought of books — take a detour to Dussmann, head to the English Bookshop, and let yourself get lost. You might just find your next favourite read… or two.