13 EL ATENEO GRAND SPLENDID

Av. Santa Fe 1860, C1123 CABA, Argentina

This epic bookstore is a beautiful reminder of a bygone era of Buenos Aires.

It’s no wonder that El Ateneo Grand Splendid in Buenos Aires’s Recoleta neighborhood has repeatedly been named one of the world’s most beautiful bookstores. The massive store is located in the former Grand Splendid theater, which was built in 1919 by architects Peró and Torres Armengol and once hosted ballet, opera and movies. Peruse the shelves that line the floor and the old luxury boxes, which offer stellar views of the historic space. And if you’ve dreamed of life beneath the bright lights of Broadway, you can make that a reality with a visit to the café located on the former stage.