Sestiere Castello
Libreria Acqua Alta
Acqua Alta Bookstore
Quirky bookshop complete with resident cats and its own gondola.
Rialto (10-min walk)
www.libreriacqualta.it
+39 041 296 0841
Additional resources
What makes it special
Acqua alta (high tide)
To tackle high tides, books are placed on gondolas, canoes and bathtubs instead of shelves, creating a unique and poetic setting.
The actual books
The bookstore is stocked with new and used books, rare volumes, ancient and modern editions and an eclectic selection about Venice.
Test a gondola
Board the gondola docked at one of the library's canal exits for an excellent photo opportunity.

Your experience here
- Step into a one-of-a-kind book lover’s paradise.
- Browse books while the resident cats judge your taste.
- Climb the famous staircase of books.
Best time to visit
Early
The library used to be off the beaten track, but not anymore.
To avoid the crowds, try to go early.
They open at 9am.
What to see nearby
These top spots are just a short walk from Libreria Acqua Alta:

super close
Palazzo Grimani
tops 5 mins
Campo Santa Maria Formosa
tops 5 mins
Santi Giovanni e Paolo
tops 5 mins
Scuola di San Marco
5-10 min away
Santa Maria dei Miracoli
5-10 min away
San Zaccaria
5-10 min away
Bridge of SighsMore like this
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