Atlantis Books

Let’s go to Greece this time.

Atlantis is an enchanting bookstore located on the main marble street of Oia, Santorini.

The store has a rich collection of English, Italian, Spanish, German, Chinese, and Greek books. They focus on new and used books of modern classic fiction and non-fiction and offer selections of poetry, philosophy, art and all things of Greek interest.

In recent times they have also begun selling rare antiquarian books and collectors’ first editions.

Set up in 2002 by Craig Walzer, the store’s origin is the result of an idea that was the brainchild of Walzer and his friend. While visiting the island from Oxford, the two friends decided to set up the store.

Yellowed pages and shelves fashioned from driftwood give off a musty smell. A terrace overlooks the Aegean Sea. Bookshelves swing back to reveal hidden, lofted beds where the shop’s workers can sleep.

Bibliophiles can have a field day leafing through a lovingly curated collection of fiction, poetry, essays and rarities. Rare first editions of ‘The Great Gatsby’, ‘Ulysses’, ‘A Christmas Carol’ and many others can be found here.

The store attracts a lot of tourists and locals. It gives tourists an opportunity to carry back something more valuable and meaningful than just a trinket or a souvenir.

From the cosy home of Craig Walzer to a tourist attraction, the store has come a long way. With the lovely view of the Aegean Sea that one can get from the terrace, it is not a place you would want to miss when in Oia.