Libreria Acqua Alta

Wishlisted by Michelle

If you were to search for this unique bookshop while strolling the street of Italy, you were probably expecting to find its entrance by the canal via gondola ride. You'd seen the photos of it's open doors that led to the waters. Unfortunately, the spot that made this bookstore so famous isn't an entrance. It's actually their fire exit-- a tongue in cheek, wink- wink joke (I assume). You'd probably almost miss the entrance door by the amount of knick- knacks sold at its storefront, practically crowding their walkway. A handmade sign would say "The most beautiful bookshop in the world" in front of the stacks and racks of post cards, magazines, calendars and pins. You'd think you were about to step into a rackety souvenir shop or a crowded antique store. The inside is just as crammed and stuffed, this time, it's mostly books, stacks on stacks of them, haphazardly arranged in every nook and cranny. Adding to what makes it unique is the gondola in the middle of the sea of books carrying more (guess what?) books. You'd also spot some bath tubs serving the same purpose. Scattered around are beaded chandeliers, Venetian mannequins, and oars. It's so eccentric and curious, but also cozy. Most of their books are new, ranging from best sellers, comic books, cook books, Venice travelogues and more. They also come in different languages. Aside from the odd fire exit that leads to the canals that Instagrammers favor, the shop also has a courtyard where a flight of stairs made out of old encyclopedia's let you take a peak to a different canal.

Bibliophile Stops

Bookshop · Hole-in-the-Wall · Bookworm · City Life · Casual · Local Treasure · Photo Spot · Value for Money · Raise and Wave Furiously · For Two · Small Groups · Solo · Local Secrets · Such a Steal