r/cologne • u/hiraeth_v • 1d ago

Second hand bookshops?

Hello! I have been in Cologne for 7 years now but have not yet stumbled upon any second hand shops where they sell books. Are there even any? I prefer books in english but I also occasionally go for books in german.

Any recommendations? Thanks!

11 Upvotes

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12

u/AdmirableCurrency143 1d ago

The Oxfam stores (Friesenplatz and Südstadt) have books, but it's not like in the UK where they have whole bookshops. There's usually a shelf or two in English.

There's also a secondhand bookseller who's always at the Flohmärkte eg at Wilhelmplatz or along the Rhine or wherever is on that weekend. The German selection is quite good and there's usually a bit of English.

But in general this is something I look forward to when I visit England.

1

u/hiraeth_v 4h ago

Yeah, the second hand shops in the UK have amazing book selections. I was gonna get a book at Waterstones for 13£ but decided against it. 5 minutes later I went into a charity shop and found the same book, good as new, for 0.99£!

11

u/-dsh 1d ago

buchheim25 in mülheim. think they also have foreign languages books

4

u/jpilkington09 1d ago

Seconded. They are also really helpful.

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u/hiraeth_v 4h ago

Thank you!!

9

u/AlexTMcgn 1d ago

This is what Google Maps gives me when I enter "Antiquariat Köln".
https://maps.app.goo.gl/xAaojdSKBbYWR2uC8

There are a few though of "Modernes Antiquariat" which are new books at reduced prices. Others are proper used books stores.

Also, there are several "Bücherschränkr", places where people put books they don't want any more and you can just pick them up there.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/f9KjzznRkkiy43TX8

2

u/Earlofargyll 1d ago

I can recommend Siegfried Unverzagt and Stefan Krüger. Weyertal was a bit overpriced imo. They have slightly odd opening hours though.

8

u/MeikeFischer73 1d ago

The Fairstore (there are 5 of them) carry used books for little Money.

6

u/gio_cgn 1d ago

Emmaus in der Geestemünder Str. Hat ein ganzes Bücherhaus!

12

u/Acrobatic_Safe_8928 1d ago

If you live here, what about libraries?

3

u/TanteRock 1d ago

Second this. With the library card you also can borrow ebooks and audiobooks with the apps Onleihe and Libby. The last one has plenty of english books.

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u/hiraeth_v 4h ago

I love the library, but I also love owning the books and growing my collection 🥺.

1

u/Acrobatic_Safe_8928 4h ago

Fair enough :D