Saint-Petersburg and its Snobbish, Bookish vibe

Wow, what a lucky charm - you’re in Russia. How did this happen in 2026? Only the stars know. You are either one of the lucky South Americans who don’t need a visa to travel to Russia, an Asian who went through a number of loopholes to get to Saint Petersburg, or a Western European who finally conquered Russia on your horse, wearing one of those fancy tricorn hats…

However you got there, as a true book lover you are searching for bookstores. Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.

Okay, but before we begin, you’ve got one serious question:

-Can I find books in languages other than Russian in any of these bookstores? 

Don’t be ridiculous. Of course not!

-Hmm… then why???

Keep on reading mate.

1. Book markets and chain stores

First of all, Saint Petersburg is famous for its random street book markets and big book chains that operate across the country. Markets are okay to visit. They can be a fun way to walk around with a cup of cacao in winter, or a cold bubble tea if you are one of the few lucky ones who managed to experience such a rare delight as summer in Russia.

But big chains? Don’t you dare. You are not one of those.

So here are the places you actually want to walk to.

2. The end of a beautiful era

This is not a depressive moan about the state of affairs in modern society. It’s the name of an actual bookshop and one of Brodsky’s poems (but you already knew that).

A bookshop and bar at “A Room and a Half,” the Joseph Brodsky Museum. There is a catch: if you want to visit the museum as well, book your tour in advance. The place is very popular among Russians. But if you didn’t manage to do that, you can still soak up the vibe of a very authentic late 19th-century building, where even the bricks were preserved.

The bar offers a limited collection of fantastic drinks, and the book choice is carefully curated based on Brodsky’s own favorite pieces. Unlike what was said previously, this shop actually offers a small selection of books in foreign languages. You might even find that one book that surprises you.

This is not just about going to a bookshop, this is about experiencing real life in Saint Petersburg.

3. DAL. A philosophical bookshop

DAL is not only a bookshop but also a publishing house with a mission: to republish old and classical philosophical tomes and reintroduce them to a younger audience. They are fully independent and largely supported by their own followers.

This is not a place to get a cup of coffee, and definitely not your Instagram-charm destination. It’s simple: books on religion and philosophy, yet a very unique collection that you will probably experience through your Google Translate camera. After all, technology should be useful for something.

Extra tip: don’t walk there using the main streets. Try to get in through internal courtyards. There is no better way to experience real Piter (as locals call it).

4. Podpisnie

This place is a mess, literally! Probably no one knows the exact amount of books and titles this store has. Podpisnie takes no prisoners; they are serious bookoholics. You can find an antique book from the 16th century placed right next to the latest BookTok success. They don’t care.

Imagine walking into the house of a hoarder who has been hoarding books for the past 100 years - that’s the vibe. Except it’s not dusty or gloomy. It’s actually quite chic.

Another extra bonus: Podpisnie is located in a part of the city center that doesn’t get visited by foreign tourists very often. So this is your chance to get to know the city better.

L - shaped sideburns and a high-raised nose

Saint Petersburg is a city that takes itself very seriously, and when it comes to literature and art, its snobbish attitude will make you believe that the word ART was created there. Who knows maybe it was?