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    Libreria Acqua Alta

    4.0 (75 reviews)
    InexpensiveBookstores
    Open 9:15 am - 7:45 pm

    Libreria Acqua Alta Photos

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    Shane J.

    Yes..the bookstore is quirky! Yes the bookstore is small Yes..there are plenty of cats wondering around Yes..it is a great photo op! This bookstore has become Instagram Famous..so if you are actually searching for a book ..this is not the place to look! I would say if you are near the Rialto Bridge and wanna check it out...go for it..but lower expectations and donate to the cat's food on your way out!

    Heidi M.

    1/2 stars I was so excited to check out Libreria Acqua Alta bookstore while on my Anniversary trip in Venice, Italy! I'm such a book nerd this was one of my "must stops!" When my hubby and I walked up, it was already pretty crowded. We managed to take a few pictures outside, but once we entered the store, employees were shouting to "stay in line" and literally "herded" us through like cattle! I had hoped to look around and maybe purchase something, but it honestly felt like we were rushed right out. They have a stack of books that are made into stairs in the back and I literally was rushed over them and out the door. It was a real bummer. I mean I'm glad I got to go, but if you ever visit, just be prepared for the possibly of this happening.

    Rachael W.

    This library was made popular by social media so now there's a long line to enter. It was a cool bookshop to check out, but very very crowded inside. There was only one way in and one way out. They also do not allow photos inside the shop so beware if you are here for the aesthetics. They had a good variety of books to select from. There were some in English as well. I picked up a copy of the Great Gatsby! Definitely overpriced, but the book was specially made for this library.

    Austin P.

    Came across this place on TikTok and had it down as one of our "must do's" but came away a little disappointed. Very very crowded and a "tourist trap". Very unique store but it was packed with a line out the door. Location isn't very ideal either. Did seem to have a ton of books at reasonable prices but most go there for the photos. Staff was kind and had a paid photographer available.

    Maruko X.

    It's a very interesting bookstore, although overly packed with tourists. It would be more fun to come here during their opening hours on a chill day with fewer crowds. The back side of bookstore has the window facing the canal and you can watch the raining puddles. I think it would be cool to visit early in the morning before the hit of tourists crowd.

    The back section of the store in off-peak hours
    Tess M.

    Cool bookstore, but very overcrowded. I got in during the afternoon and was told to walk in a line of people through the store before exiting--there was no real space to explore the books. I came back the next evening to try to catch the store with fewer people, and was happy to find it had cleared out a bit. The back section of the store is less touristy, and actually feels like a bookstore. Also, when there were fewer people, one of the store cats made an appearance. Petting that lil kitty made coming back worth it:)

    Lauren G.

    I look forward to going to book stores everywhere I go, and Venice's magical floating bookstore was a dream of mine. I'll hand it to them: it really is unique. Books are placed in gondolas to prevent water damage from the acqua Alta. The problem is that the crowd is so intense that the line to get in is miserable, and the experience inside is no better. They make you walk in a single file line going in one direction, so it really is not possible to browse at one's leisure. It's worth seeing, but I was left feeling a bit disillusioned.

    Gondola (inside)
    Daniel C.

    Libreria Acqua Alta is known to be the most beautiful bookshop in the world. They even have a sign out front stating it if you want to make sure you're at the right place. We arrived around 8:45am and didn't realize that they didn't open till 9am. Since it was just before 9am, we decided to just wait as they were setting up. Glad we waited because moments later a bunch of people came and we ended up first in line to enter. While waiting, we saw this black cat chilling there and didn't realize the cat was famous! They have postcards, calendars and magnets of this famous cat sold at the bookshop. Guess we met a local celebrity while in Venice. I was able to sneak in a photo but wasn't able to get an autograph ;p These two girls who came late was playing dumb and walked in front of us to "look" at merchandise till they opened so they could be first. After a few minutes of them doing this, I said something and the crowd told them to get to the back of the line. Glad I said something because it's not fair for those who actually got there early and stood in line. We noticed a lot of tourists of all ethnicities cut in line on this trip! It happened everywhere. When they opened, we walked in. The place was really nice and they have a gondola with books in the middle of the store. Everyone mainly stood in line to take photos in the back where they have a pile of books that is an IG worthy background. We got a few photos in and left since the line was quite long at that point. I do regret not walking up to the top of the stairs to see what was behind the wall but we did leave with some great photos. There is a little bowl/plate that you can leave a tip before you leave. On the way out, we noticed that they offer a variety of souvenirs and books. I can see what all the hype is all about and concur that this is the most beautiful bookshop in the world.

    Entrance
    Dave O.

    A must visit when in Venezia. But to really enjoy it you should probably arrive right when they open. I went after lunch on a January afternoon and it was just too crowded to appreciate it fully and this is in the off season so I can't imagine what it is like when Venice is full of tourists. Even if you don't buy a book there are postcards and other items to buy to support the business. I definitely want to come back and look around a little more. I was kinda going with the flow of traffic inside which just pushes you along. Very tight quarters but very interesting to see the waterlogged books and the "book bridge" with a nice view of the canal out back.

    The chillest Italian cat, ever!
    Eric R.

    In Italy they say... "L'Abito Non Fa il Monaco" Don't Judge a Book by Its Cover... Ciao! What has six to eight cats, floods occasionally, and is one of the most iconic stops in Venice, Italy? Libreria Acqua Alta! A wonderful Venetian Bookstore in the heart of the floating city. Did you know in a previous lifetime I had a collection of vintage and antique books?! Yes, before the invention of Insta & YouTube, yours truly loved collecting old books! So, even though Renaissance Eric has accepted tech as a part of the Information Age, today rarely reading anything more than your captions... yet, I still love a good book store! In fact, I still love delving in books! Libreria Acqua Alta was near the top of my bucket list when I accepted an assignment in Venezia! So after the finest gelato in the world I head to find the infamous "flooding" book store! About a dozen small bridges and alleyways later I find her! The owner greets everyone at the front and informs all that masks are still required to enter. He speaks Italian, Spanish, some French and English so there. Humorous sign at the front request no dogs allowed because of the six, or eight, cats that call the old bookstore home. As I enter, it's as cramped and eclectic as all the photos show. Books on shelves, in antique bathtubs, in gondolas, on rickety tables. I was actually surprised how clean and dust free it is. And of course you won't find Venetian rats in here because of all those cats lol! As lazy as they are! :D However, the store itself was much smaller than I expected. Couple of small rooms to the left and right. The Instagram worthy outdoor back room hounded by influencers lol. All good, it's all about enjoying the moment. Of course, most books are in Italian, but still imagine having one on your coffee table knowing it came from Libreria Acqua Alta! I ended my visit after I found a quiet nook in one of the side rooms - amazingly right at the canals edge! I sat and smiled (behind the still required mask) knowing how wonderful life is. The influencers too busy in the back climbing up and down the stairs made of books - trying hard to outdo each other lol. As I sat quietly in my own private Italy is when I realized the best part of my visit was just being part of this amazing universe... dust & all...

    Book stairs
    Carrie M.

    I've seen this Venice bookstore on social media dubbed "the most beautiful bookstore in the world." It was underwhelming and very cramped since it is so small, and there were a lot of tourists. The book staircase in the back was quite damp and moldy, which is really not what I expected from the romantic pictures I've seen! It still makes for a cute picture though. The books sold seemed to fit the normal selection of a bookstore.

    the sell the cutest postcards!
    Christopher L.

    Cute and cramped bookstore known for its waterlogged books due to flooding in Venice, alongside the books are the most adorable cats! They sell everything from books to postcards to stationary. All sorts of touristy goods and a lot of it is custom to this bookstore. In the back there are a few places to take pictures with the waterlogged books and there tends to be a line to take these pictures.

    03/05/24
    Michael U.

    A ridiculous piece of kitsch prone to tourists who "do it for the #gram." Think 95% used bookstore with an adequate collection, plus a small area in back wetted by Venice's canals. Go early or be prepared for a cattle-call of girls being yelled at to expedite ducklip photos at an elevated angle by staff that clearly hate their job.

    Interior

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    Review Highlights - Libreria Acqua Alta

    Be sure to go it back and walk up the book staircase to have a serene view of the canals and gondolas!

    Mentioned in 15 reviews

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    Libreria Acqua Alta - bookstores - Updated May 2026

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