Data Status Bookshop in Belgrade – How to Visit Knjižara Akademija! 

If you’re looking for the best Belgrade Bookstore, then look no further than Data Status Bookshop. 

This mighty Serbian publishing house owns the Academy Bookstore in the heart of the city, which is a paradise for book lovers. 

It has three floors of bookshelves to browse, filled with all types of genres, including foreign fiction. 

But there is also a book café, garden and quiet nooks that make it a literary sanctuary in the city. 

As an avid reader, I would consider it heaven on earth. It was also one of my favourite bookstores I visited in all of the Balkans.

Here is how to visit Data Status Bookshop in Belgrade, or Knjižara Akademija (Academy Bookstore). 

What is Data Status Bookshop in Belgrade?

Data Status is a popular publishing house in Serbia, and the Academy Bookstore is their flagship shop in Belgrade.

But it’s so much more than a place that sells books. It’s a cultural space, an oasis of knowledge, an exhibition area and a book café all in one!

You could lose yourself for hours exploring their endless maze of volumes on the shelves or sipping on a beverage. 

You must visit whilst in Belgrade as it’s a temple for the written word.

How to get to Knjižara Akademija

Knjižara Akademija, or the Data Status Academy Bookstore, is in the heart of Belgrade on the main shopping street, Knez Mihailova.

It’s a vibrant thoroughfare with oodles of high street stores, cafés, restaurants, street performers and souvenir shops. 

There’s always something happening here, so it’s worth taking a long stroll. 

But you should know that it’s completely pedestrianised, so you will need to approach the bookstore on foot. 

Bus travel is free of charge in Belgrade, so you can take a bus to the Studentski trg stop and walk for a few minutes to reach Data Status.

Arriving at Data Status Bookshop

As soon as you arrive at Data Status Academy Bookshop on Knez Mihailova Street, you’ll find it set in an impressive historic building. 

It’s called SANU Palace or the Palace of the Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts. 

The construction was completed in 1924 and seamlessly blends an academic style with Art Nouveau.

It was completely renovated for the Data Status bookstore and now has a gorgeous gold facade with Cyrillic text welcoming you inside. 

I couldn’t wait to head in and browse their endless bookshelves under sparkling chandeliers. 

Inside Knjižara Akademija

This bookish oasis has three floors with a labyrinth of sky-high bookshelves stacked with every sort of book you could think of.

On the main floor is where they sell the majority of their collection, with non-fiction educational books in all subjects.

There is also a fiction section, a fantasy area and a children’s library with toys. Plus, an area offering Belgrade souvenirs, stationery and cards.

If you head upstairs, they have a great selection of manga, comics and graphic novels. Plus, music sheets and travel guides. 

I loved the quiet reading corners you could find on this floor with views over Knez Mihailova.

The basement is where they stock their English and foreign fiction books, and they had a huge selection, including fantasy and YA. 

I was really impressed by the number of English books on offer in all genres.

It’s a rarity, as Serbia usually sells books in Serbian Latin script and Cyrillic.

Does Data Status sell English books? 

Yes, Data Status are actually the largest stockist of English books in Belgrade.

So, you can definitely find something that will interest you. In the basement, they had a large Romantasy section, so I was utterly thrilled.

There were traditionally published fantasy romance books as well as independents.

If only I had more room in my suitcase, I would have picked up a few copies.  

There were plenty of books in English and other languages like French, Spanish and German from what I saw.

Akademija Book Café

If you want to relax for a spell, I highly recommend ordering a coffee or tea from their book café.

They have a range of seating both inside and outside in their garden if the weather is warm.

You can sip a brew whilst reading a book, and it’s the best way to relax away from the bustling streets of Belgrade.

Is Data Status Bookshop worth visiting?

Yes, Data Status Bookshop is well worth visiting on your travels through Serbia.

It was easily the prettiest bookshop in Belgrade and my favourite bookstore in the Balkans.

As an avid reader, it was heavenly being surrounded by so many books and knowledge. 

It’s a literary oasis where you can spend a few hours reading and sipping on coffee. I could have spent all day there.

Don’t skip this dreamy bookshop in Belgrade; it’s a bibliophile’s paradise. 

Opening hours 

Knjižara Akademija is open every day from 9 am to 10 pm. So, there is plenty of time to visit on your travels to Belgrade.

As it’s a popular bookshop that often goes viral on social media, it can get quite busy inside at peak times like afternoons and weekends. 

So, I recommend visiting in the morning or late evening for a more peaceful experience.

Read more of my Serbia travel guides

Visit the Church of St Sava in Belgrade 

15+ Magical Things to do in Novi Sad

How to visit Golubac Fortress & Iron Gates

Save Data Status Bookshop Belgrade for later