Thanks to the various places in Abu Dhabi set aside for that particular reason; reading enthusiasts don’t have to worry about what to read. They include book cafes, libraries, and bookstores.
People have little knowledge when someone mentions the term bookstores in Abu Dhabi. Most will likely mention Kinokuniya thanks to its popularity and recent entry into the city’s boundaries.
However, Abu Dhabi offers more than that. Here are some of the best bookstores in this Emirate worth your time.
4 Best Bookstores in Abu Dhabi
If you are a book lover, set a date to visit the following places. These bookstores have many choices, high-quality content, and an excellent reading environment.
Consequently, they allow you to enjoy reading. Check them out!
Kinokuniya
This bookstore tops our list of the best bookstores in Abu Dhabi. Despite being newly opened, it has over 150,000 titles at your disposal.
Its headquarters are in Japan, but it has other branches in various countries. They include Thailand, Australia, Singapore, and America.
Another is the United Arab Emirates (UAE) which branches in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Its location in the former is 13140-14005, Levels 3 and 4, The Galleria Al Maryah Island.
It comprises books in various languages, including Japanese, French, Arabic, and English. Expect ample reading areas and more than 500,000 titles.
Expect various titles, including art, design, cooking, children’s literature, travel books, manga, and graphic novels. Its operating hours depend on the day of the week.
For instance, it opens from 10 am to 9 pm between Saturday and Wednesday. However, its working hours are 10 am to 12 am on Thursdays and Fridays.
Borders
Borders is another great bookstore in Abu Dhabi, with numerous tables containing various books. Besides books, you can also buy back-to-school products, toys, games, art supplies, and stationery.
You can also enjoy discounts, especially if you buy two or more books. It has several branches, including Yas Mall, Abu Dhabi Mall, and Marina Mall.
It operates in several places in Abu Dhabi. They include Al Raha Mall, Dalma Mall, Yas Mall, Marina Mall, and GF-152, Al Wahda Mall.
The bookstore opens between 10 am and 11 pm on Thursdays and Fridays. On the other hand, it opens from 10 am to 9 pm from Saturday to Wednesday.
Jarir Bookstore
It is one of the oldest bookstores in Abu Dhabi and even the rest of the UAE. It has various books to allow people to choose from depending on their tastes and preference.
Besides genres, its books are in English and Arabic for the same reason. If you want exclusive book editions, this store won’t disappoint.
You don’t have to buy a book unless you want it. That’s why you should use its reading area to read or skin it before purchasing.
Its organization ensures you don’t spend much time looking for a book. You can also seek help from its staff members at your beck and call.
It classifies its book based on their languages. The store also goes further to classify them under different genres.
Its locations are Dalma Mall and Nation Towers. Operating hours are between 9 am and 10 pm but change to 10 am to 11 pm on Fridays.
The place also stocks school supplies, tablets, laptops, mobile phones, art supplies, and stationery.
Magrudy’s Bookstore
It is the go-to place for educational content in Abu Dhabi. Besides books, the store sells other educational things, including school supplies and stationery.
You can get Arabic or English books in this store. The collection is also huge to accommodate various people and their different needs.
It has several categories to enhance great organizations. The categories include children’s best sellers, translated novels, fiction A-Z and new arrivals.
If the organization isn’t sufficient for you, look for any staff member in the store. They are ready to assist you whenever a need arises.
Its locations include Al Wahda Mall – Ground floor, World Trade Centre Mall – First Floor, New York University – A3 Building – Level 0, and Khalifa University – Main Campus – Opposite Starbucks. Working hours are between 10 am and 9 pm.
3 Best Bookstores in Abu Dhabi for Second-hand Books
If your budget isn’t enough to buy brand-new books, you can consider these stores for second-hand and affordable books.
Book R Us Bookstore
One thing people appreciate about this bookstore is its affordability. One can say without any fear of contradiction that it’s among the cheapest bookstores around.
Despite being cheap, the varieties are wide, and the books are great, thus giving its customers myriad options. To make its deals even better, the store also offers special discounts.
The most common collections are school books or children’s books. They are second-hand, explaining the fair prices.
Its location is Mohammad Bin Zayed City, ME 12. The bookstore opens at 11 am and closes at 9 pm between Saturday and Thursday.
On the other hand, its working hours on Fridays are between 5 pm and 9 pm.
Thrift Bookstore
Despite selling second-hand books, Thrift Bookstore is known for selling hard-to-find pieces. You can find a lot of academic books in this place.
Its location is Electra Street, Zone 1E10. Its working hours are 10 am to 10 pm from Monday to Saturday, but it opens from 5 am to 10 am on Fridays.
However, you don’t have to go to these physical locations to buy from the bookstore. Take advantage of its website; you will receive your books at your doorstep.
Bookends
If you support the conservation of the environment, Bookends is a store to consider. The bookstore sells used books at a pocket-friendly price.
Besides selling books to customers, you can also sell books you no longer use in the store. Isn’t it an amazing way of disposing of old books?
What Is the Biggest Library in Abu Dhabi?
If you want an experience of studying at the largest library in Abu Dhabi, visit Al-Marfa. This library has up to 2023 titles.
It comprises different references and books. It also has collections of foreign language and Arabic periodicals to accommodate locals and visitors.
