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Libreria Acqua Alta : Well-known for its resident cats

Libreria Acqua Alta : Browsing through the book collection could easily occupy you for hours

Libreria Acqua Alta : A gondola is waiting at one of the exits

Libreria Acqua Alta : Wait, am I allowed to step inside?

Libreria Acqua Alta : Certainly! And you can even have a photo taken while you're at it!

Libreria Acqua Alta : There's a gondola inside too, floating on a sea of books (or better put: 'beneath')

Libreria Acqua Alta : Some books serve alternative purposes, doubling as steps

Libreria Acqua Alta

Acqua Alta Bookstore

Quirky bookshop complete with resident cats and its own gondola.

With Kids Free Admission

Sestiere Castello

Rialto (10-min walk)

Get more info about waterbuses

www.libreriacqualta.it

Visit official website

+39 041 296 0841

Highlights

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.

Test a gondola

Board the gondola docked at one of the library's canal exits for an excellent photo opportunity.

The actual books

The bookstore is stocked with new and used books, rare volumes, ancient and modern editions and an eclectic selection about Venice.

Why visit

Step into a unique book lover's paradise where books rest in gondolas, overseen by charming resident cats.

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.

Nearby

These top places are steps away from Libreria Acqua Alta:

Palazzo Grimani : The Tribuna is also known as the 'Chamber of Antiquities' because it once housed over 130 ancient sculptures

super close

Palazzo Grimani

Santa Maria Formosa : The church is located in a charming square with shops & cafes

tops 5 mins

Santa Maria Formosa

Fondazione Querini Stampalia : The richly decorated interiors in their almost original state

tops 5 mins

Fondazione Querini Stampalia

Santi Giovanni e Paolo : The main altar

tops 5 mins

Santi Giovanni e Paolo

Scuola di San Marco : The facade features many marble statues of angels, warriors, and other fantastical creatures

tops 5 mins

Scuola di San Marco

Santa Maria dei Miracoli : The narrow, tall nave has a raised altar so that everyone can see the venerated painting of the Virgin

5-10 min away

Santa Maria dei Miracoli

San Zaccaria : The flooded 10th-century Romanesque crypt

5-10 min away

San Zaccaria

Libreria Acqua Alta : Well-known for its resident cats

Well-known for its resident cats

Libreria Acqua Alta : Browsing through the book collection could easily occupy you for hours

Browsing through the book collection could easily occupy you for hours

Libreria Acqua Alta : A gondola is waiting at one of the exits

A gondola is waiting at one of the exits

Libreria Acqua Alta : Wait, am I allowed to step inside?

Wait, am I allowed to step inside?

Libreria Acqua Alta : Certainly! And you can even have a photo taken while you're at it!

Certainly! And you can even have a photo taken while you're at it!

Libreria Acqua Alta : There's a gondola inside too, floating on a sea of books (or better put: 'beneath')

There's a gondola inside too, floating on a sea of books (or better put: 'beneath')

Libreria Acqua Alta : Some books serve alternative purposes, doubling as steps

Some books serve alternative purposes, doubling as steps