Libreria Acqua Alta

We went because it was recommended on all tourist guides! It could be an awesome experience, yet it wasn’t! Only 3 staff members in the whole store: -1 in the main entrance with the only job to handle the long queues. -1 in the exit (to guide you quickly outside, for the rest to follow, because the store is very narrow and not many people can stay inside). This one couldn’t understand any English. -1 in the cashier. NOONE AROUND TO ASK ABOUT HOW TO FIND A DESIRED BOOK! Being in an old book store, I thought it would be the ideal place to look for a specialized book about the world famous VENICE LACE. I tried myself, though it was very difficult to move around, due to the crowd. I tried to find someone to guide me, but without any success! I do not know if there is any suitable hour to visit, when it will be less crowded. Generally, if you want to find a book to buy, we wouldn’t recommend it. If you only want to see the place , then a short visit would be fine , I guess….

Perfect Place for Cat and Book Lovers I had bookmarked this place for years but didn’t get to visit during my last trip to Venice. We arrived around 6 PM, just an hour before closing. The store was very busy, and like many other European places, there was no AC—it honestly felt like a sauna. To our disappointment, the famous photo spot was closed the day we went. However, it’s still worth visiting if you’re a cat and book lover!

Libreria Acqua Alta is one of Venice’s most charming and eccentric bookstores. Stacks of books fill bathtubs, gondolas, and every corner, creating a whimsical maze of literature. Its quirky decor, friendly cats, and canal-side book steps make it a delight to explore. A must-visit for book lovers and curious wanderers alike.

A magical, must-see spot in Venice! Libreria Acqua Alta is like stepping into a dream—books piled high in bathtubs, gondolas, and even a full staircase made of old encyclopedias. It’s quirky, cozy, and full of character. The cats lounging around only add to the charm. While it’s not the place to find a rare edition, it’s perfect for photos, souvenirs, and soaking in the creative spirit of Venice. A true hidden gem!

What an adorable bookshop. I actually didn’t know about the kitties that were there but it just added to the charm of this place. They have original cute souvenirs dedicated to Venezia and their bookshop that I highly recommend :)

Libreria Acqua Alta – A Whimsical Wonderland of Books A true hidden gem nestled in the heart of Venice, Libreria Acqua Alta is unlike any bookstore you’ve ever seen. Overflowing with charm, character, and creativity, it feels like stepping into a storybook. Books are stacked in gondolas, bathtubs, and waterproof bins—a nod to the frequent high tides (“acqua alta”) that occasionally flood the city. The atmosphere is cozy, chaotic in the most magical way, and deeply photogenic. From the iconic book staircase in the back courtyard (perfect for a memorable photo) to the resident cats lounging lazily among the pages, every corner of this store tells its own tale. More than just a place to buy books, it’s a full experience—a slice of Venice’s quirky soul. Whether you’re a book lover or just a curious traveler, Libreria Acqua Alta is a must-visit.

I saw this place on the Instagram page "Visit Italy." Since I am a book lover, I, of course, had to see this place! My main intention on visiting Italy was to purchase an Italian copy of Harry Potter. I asked the male employee if they carried it, and he showed me right to the series. I purchased that book and an Italian copy of Alice in Wonderland (another of my favorites). They have a sign upon entering (and tell you if you haven't followed the sign) to wear your backpack in front of you. We saw 2 cats while visiting and some plastic containers with signs on them to donate for the cats. I never did see signs for not petting the cats. (Only in previous reviews). It was slightly crowded when we visited, but I was able to look around. I did notice a female employee who seemed a little flustered. I personally didn't have a bad experience, but I would possibly be mindful prior to visiting and read previous reviews.

I saw some Instagram posts about Libreria Acqua Alta and since it looked so cute, I decided to visit, what a fun book shop. There was a very small line to enter, maybe only 4-5 people. The shop is small with many many books and narrow walkways that lead you through the store and eventually out the side entrance if not buying anything or out the front if you have a purchase. Part of the shop sits on a canal, with various books in a boat in case of flooding. The back of the ship features steps made out of old books that lead you to a great view point of the canal and area behind. As mush as it's a social media hit, I enjoyed my time there and made my way through a few times. Worth a short walk through, it's quite pretty inside.

This is such a beautiful and interesting book store in Venice. I wanted to come see it at some point in my life when I came across it online a few years ago. They have resident cats in this bookstore and books everywhere! Literally! They have a book staircase that you can walk up and see the view from there and books in gondolas. You'll basically find books everywhere! My favorite thing about this bookstore is the fact that you can browse books next to a sleeping cat! I would definitely come back here!

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.

The store was beautiful and had great merchandise. But god the costumer service was horrible. They were downright yelling at some costumers to follow their rules. Yes--it's important to follow the rules and some tourists are disrespectful, but the ambiance created by the workers really soured my experience. Maybe it was better before social media popularized it.

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.

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.

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.

I have never been treated so horribly in any store nor should anyone be treated like that period. The store is very busy because it's a big tourist attraction. There is a line to get in and you patiently wait as the store is very small and there is little room. The hyper Italian man who obviously works there, is standing waving people through as if we are getting onto a bus and we are already late. Shuffling along as there is no room to move, I look over I see the cat and then a little mini key chain book caught my eye and I took one step to peer over and look and the man yells at me "Ma'am! Please keep going!" I responded in shock "Okay I was just looking over to look at the little book..." He interrupts me with "No, I know you are just looking at the cat". For 1 it's a cat not a big deal they are all over Venice and 2. You can't even see the cat anyways because it has a sign in front of it that says "don't touch the cat please!" I'm obviously not going to hold up a line of people and start arguing with this crazy man. There are 3 other people waving people through. There is an area to the right and I asked the other man what is back in there? He snickers at me and says "they are books, people who read Italian books". I'm like okay great thank you for the unnecessary attitude. I'm thinking what is with these people?! There is NO time to look at anything as you continue to shuffle along. You get to the books that you can walk up and you cannot stop. It's a walk by picture if you're lucky. You come down and follow the line and there is a spot to the right where you can Exit as there is another man standing there waving people through. It's a little outside area where you can take a quick pic with a tower of books. My friend asked can we come back into the store to buy something near the register and the man said yes. We take a few pics and my friend went back in to make a purchase. I was debating on going back with her because I didn't know if I wanted to buy anything from this rude book store. I decided to go back in and AGAIN another man puts his hand up and rudely says "No exit that way" mind you there are two exits and I'm fully aware of the language barriers, it would have been rude even if I was Italian. I went off "OMG you just said we could walk back in I'm trying to get to my friend. What is with you people?!!! Do you want me to buy something or NOT?!!!!!" At this point I am furious and shocked that this is even happening. These people working at this place unbelievable! My friend got a couple things and I ended up giving in and buying a patch. Ruined my entire experience and first part of my day.

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.

During my trip to Venice, I visited Libreria Acqua Alta TWICE. Why? The first time was during the afternoon on a weekend and seeing a glimpse of the entrance, I already knew that I was going to have a different experience than what I had imagined. ~ SUPER POPULAR PHOTO OP SPOT ~ TikTok/Instagram brought in a huge crowd in this tiny, cramped bookstore. Shoulder to shoulder, we all walked through. It almost felt like cattle being herded. So if you're a bit claustrophobic, your comforts may be tested in here. It was so crowded that my sister-in-law wasn't able to walk through the entire space and opted to leave the store. I was determined to reach the end where there is a mountain pile of books that you're able to climb over. A staff member was ushering everyone to quickly take their photo at this popular photo op spot and get a move on. It was so hectic that I couldn't even function enough to have my photo taken. I wanted to see the gondola, pet the resident cats, and buy a book and some souvenirs, but I was tunnel-visioned on getting some fresh air, that I just had to get out. ~ COME EARLY, RIGHT WHEN IT OPENS ~ On another day, I had the intent of waking up at the crack of dawn so that I would be at Libreria Acqua Alta's entrance a few minutes before they opened. And I am so glad I did! Such a different and wayyyy better experience than prior. I met the two resident cats and was able to pet them. I found the other photo op in a gondola that's on standby adjacent to the store. And I was at peace browsing through the entire store looking for the perfect book and souvenir to take home. There were still a few people who had the same idea of going in early, but it was still a huge 180 from the first time I went. ~ UNIQUE BOOKSTORE, A MUST IN VENICE ~ All in all, I am so glad I went a second time. I was able to appreciate fully this unique bookstore and the piles and stacks of books all around. Love this spot!!!

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.

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.

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.

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...

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.

Cool bookstore with librarian cats. Stopped by here to check out the store while we were coming from the Rialto Bridg, and we had a fun half hour checking out the store. The books are available for purchase and they take cash. The cat at the front was super cute and friendly - a lot of people pet the kitty. There's a clear path that you must follow, and you can't turn around. There's a small outdoor area where you can climb a mound of books to look at a canal, which is fun.

Famous book store, tiny and cramped, with stacks of books affected by the Acqua Alta, or high tide. There are books to purchase, but the draw is.seeing the piles of water damaged books. You can climb a mountain of these books at the back of the store. Gets very crowded. A true oddity. 78

A bit of a tourist trap but it's a cool bookstore and nice if you visit when there are no crowds. Walking through the narrow streets of Venice and finding this store is like going through Diagon Alley and seeing Flourish and Blotts, a true gem in the eastern side of Venice proper. Love how there are cats just chilling on the books while you look through the catalogs. They have everything from historical books to Italian versions of modern books to comic books and even manuscripts. How these judgmental doom machines with paws don't tear up the place like cats at home, I don't know. But the vibe was cool. If you make it here without the tourists, it's a gem. But this store is tiny so I can easily see it getting horribly crowded during the summer which might damper your visit, so be sure to get there early or it might be hard to even move around. Overall, lovely spot. Would recommend.

Very nice experience! In Venezia, Italia If you are into books great spot to visit

Very cool bookstore design, though it's more of a tourist trap than anything, especially with the gondola in the middle. Yes, you read that correctly. It was packed when I walked by and decided to explore. The aisles are extremely narrow, and it's mostly one way traffic. There are some cool book displays to photograph. Lots of literary variety if you actually want to buy something. If you're in the area (don't go out of your way) come take a quick peek!

Such a cute small bookstore. I came around 1:30pm on a Saturday and there was a single file, one-way moving line that snaked around the store, so it was hard to enjoy the time inside and look at items. Didn't end up buying anything, but if I ever come back to Venice, this is the one place I'd want to go.

This bookshop is so much fun to explore. They have books on top of books on top of books. It's almost like a treasure hunt. You could rifle through the shelves and stacks for hours! They have everything from history to science to young adult and children's books. I found a copy of The Hunger Games, in Italian, of course, and it made me smile. They also have what I'd call book art installations. A small courtyard walled with books that were damaged in a flood is one example. They made a large set of stairs in another little courtyard. You can climb to the top and look down at the canal below. It's pretty neat! Another fun element-- there's a gondola tied off of one of the rooms that you can climb in and play! It's a photo op mostly but it's a fun addition. They do sell prints and postcards, notebooks and a few other odds and ends. I will say, if you're not comfortable with tight spaces, you may want to be careful. It was crowded in the main part of the shop and the walkways were narrow. Get out to the side rooms and/or come at a less frequented time of day for a lighter crowd. Just something to keep in mind, not something to deter you from going. It's worth it! It's the best kind of bookshop and definitely worth a stop while you're in Venice! If you're lucky, the shop cat will even be sitting by the register. ;)

It is one of the charming features of the city, and I looked forward to visiting. Unfortunately, there were so many tourists who we're only intereted in taking photos that it became difficult to enjoy the books. This is a tiny bookstore and easily gets super crowded. If you're claustophobic you may want to stay away or come super early, but if you adore books so much that you don't mind being in a cramped space, you must visit!

Super crowded despite the pandemic. Definitely no space for social distancing since the bookstore has very narrow passageways. Inside is pretty cool, they have a gondola that they put books on. There are also a few picture spots in the back that everyone is waiting to take pictures on. No dogs allowed as they say there are cats inside. I saw their food, but the cats were no where to be found. Honestly, this is more to quickly look inside rather than to actually look at the books to find something. They also sell some touristy things like postcards and magnets.

Average bookstore with the gimmick of having books in a gondola and a soggy staircase of soaked books to walk up to get a view of a canal. If you actually want to get a book, it's an ok bookstore, but it's filled with tourists who've seen the place on YouTube.

I wasn't going to stop and browse, but the cats sleeping among the books and postcards drew me in! It's a good thing that I did stop, though, because I found a whole lot of postcards to choose from -- new and vintage -- to mail home. This bookstore is tiny, like every shop in Venice. And it's cramped and full of stuff: books, records, maps, postcards, trinkets and more. There is stuff everywhere you look. But if you like to browse and paw through random books, you'll love this store.

This book shop has been listed in many sites as one of the most beautiful bookstores in the world and I can say that it is indeed one of the pretty ones. I am so thankful that during my trip to Italy I made some time to check out this beautiful bookstore. There was a few cats around the shop just chillen, many resting on top of books and truly just enjoying the vibe of the place. There is lots to see and each turn in this shop has a nice surprise. There is a big gondola inside the bookshop filled with books, there is a window with a seat that has direct view to the canals. Nice photo op and for sure a nice little place to sit there and take in the moment. There is a wall of books that are now steps that you can walk up on also. Very unique and eclectic place. I didn't see any books in English but they do have post cards and little souvenirs. Beautiful and a must for any book lover to at least check out. ** pre pandemic ** #40/2021

"Honey this was my favorite spot!!" "What??!! I take you all the way to Venice and THiS was your favorite spot??!!!" hubby exclaimed. What can I say? I'm just a nerd! I've only seen pictures of this place on Pinterest and had no intentions of trying to find it in the maze-like streets of Venice!! It was meant for me to be here since this literally is a stone's throw from where we were staying at. The signage at the front of the store tells you it's something special! Gondolas and bathtubs are used to house hundreds of books, photos, postcards and pamphlets! Mind you there doesn't appear to be me any rhyme or reason for the placement of things, at least not to the visitor. If you go straight in towards the back of the store it will lead you to an outdoor space where you can sit or climb up the staircase made of books, nailed down and carpeted up to a vantage point where you can view the gondoliers and their passengers. There also appears to be a spot where you can get dropped off at the back door from the water. Very eclectic place to browse through tons of books, art and postcards! There's something for everyone here! Also...there are a few cats that perched throughout the bookstore and they all appear to be quite benign and used to strangers around them. The chandeliers, gondolas, tubs and "backyard staircase" all just add to the charm and allure to the bookstore! However, good luck finding something in particular - perhaps just ask the owner or cashier.

Great bookstore!!! Is it one of the most beautiful? No I don't think so. It could be because when I went there were a lot of people and a walkway for one person. What is beautiful are the rooms outside. There are floor to ceiling books great for a photo op. There's a gondola in the middle of the store filled with books and a bathtub filled with books. There are in Italian and very few are in English. They also offer postcards, photos, and much more.

I am a book nerd so any type of cool or unusual book store or library is Heaven to me. Yes this book store is super touristy but who cares. It is fun and it's a freakin book store so just be happy and enjoy! Obviously the weirdness and odd décor is what makes this book store unique and interesting to explore. You can climb the mildly scary book stairs in the back, take pictures in front of the side room book-wall, and see cats sleeping in bathtubs. My favorite was the door that goes directly into the canal, complete with submerged furniture. If you search you can find books in multiple languages and they of course have their own little souvenirs to purchase. If you like books this is a spot you want to visit for at least a quick 15 minutes.

Incredible book store in the heart of Venice, filled with friendly cats! I don't think I've seen so many books in my life! And the cats were friendly and gorgeous-- what a wonderful life they live!! Be sure to go it back and walk up the book staircase to have a serene view of the canals and gondolas! There's also a great picture spot with a gondola at the back entrance with the sign of the library!

I found this place on a list of unusual bookstores around the world...and being a sucker for the quirky, I knew I had to find it when I went to Venice! It can be a bit hidden if you don't know what you are looking for and you should go into this place with the expectation of whimsical curiosity rather than that of finding a particular tome. When you first walk in, the book clutter can be a bit overwhelming, but once you dive in, you find some interesting things. There is literally no method to the madness, and I think that is partly the point as well as the charm. There are two huge gondolas filled with books that are part of the novelty as well. But, for me, the best parts were going out back to the climb the "bookstairs" (yes, it is exactly what it sounds like) to peek over the wall to see the view of the canal and then going into the second big room and sitting in the little sitting-area facing the water entrance and watching the random gondolier pass by. The "fire exit" is also pretty hilarious! I did end up buying a couple of books, more for the novelty and souvenir aspects than any actual literary ones. The prices here are a bit on the steeper side, but consider it as part of your price of admission! The owner, btw, is an old seadog type that is a bit of a casanova, very personable, and jovial. Stop by and have a chat with him, you will not regret it!

Was on my bucket list when visiting Venice. Small cute find away from the busy St.Marks Square and Rialto Bridge .. if you like books and cats this is the place to visit. (Books in Italian some English but not main).

cute bookstore with lots of books and character, but sadly there we're no cats in the store like advertised. just one behind the counter who you couldn't pet. as a cat person traveling and wanting to see cats, and unable to read in italian, this was kind of a waste of time :( unless you're more interested in the books than head on over!

Just being amongst books brings me joy, despite the fact that I may not be able to read the words within them (I don't speak Italian!). Like any good used book store, this place exudes character, and with books loaded in old gondolas and bath tubs, the character is uniquely Venetian. The comic books certainly brought a smile to my husband, and we snapped an adorable pic on the staircase made of books out back. Be sure to cuddle the resident kitty who we found snoozing on the table outside near its dish of food. If you're wandering the streets of Venice and a book lover like myself, I certainly recommend taking a few moments to peruse the shelves of this adorable store.

Always interesting to browse among the books and cats. Never saw the litter boxes but clearly were there-or needed

The hell? First of all, it's not beautiful nor interesting. It's a bunch of books clustered in piles in no order. Who. Cares. The only cool thing about this tourist trap is that they have an area in the back where you climb book steps and look over a ledge to see the view of a canal. Also, they have a couple of cats wondering around. Not worth the visit.

Try to pack light when coming into this library. It is crazy small and very very tight. It clearly states at the entrance, that no backpacks are to be worn, must be carried by hand. Many dont follow this rule, which makes it that much harder to wiggle your way in, towards the back where all the Saweeeeeeeeeeet shots are taken. Once again, patience is a virtue here. Have your pics lined up in your mind and get your turn in before others bombard your area, not being considerate of others. I'm serious, you need A LOT of Patience here. All in all, the shots will be well worth it.

Best little bookstore I've ever seen. Very charming and definitely a must see for those who love little trinkets, art and great books

This place is soooooo cool! So much history and so much to see in this little spot! The way the books are presented in the tubs and the books out in the back by the water is so cool and amazing! It is a tourist spot but if you come later in the day you'll get by with less people. Be sure to check out the book stairs in the very back. You can climb up them and overlook the waterway. They also have someone to give gondola rides if you want to pay for one there. It's just a very neat must see spot and if you actually want to buy a book, they have plenty of books to choose from!

Four trips to Venice and we finally found our way here! What a hoot. Of course it's packed with tourists but even so it's the kind of place you'll only find in Venice. Where else can you browse through stacks of Venetian history books in an old gondola, a bathtub full of Italian comics, piles of old cookbooks for 1 Euro each, and a guard cat who perches up near the ceiling and then comes down to drink water from an old vase? If you go and it's not wall-to-wall people come and linger for a while, you'll find something worth taking home, even if it's just the memory of climbing a staircase made of books to look out over a canal.

The most beautiful and interesting bookshop i have ever been too. I made it there when the owner Leno was closing down and asked him to have a look for 5 minutes, he was very welcoming and eventually we stayed for nearly an hour and other people kept coming asking for few minutes too jaja. The iterior is ver bizzare, it has big gandoulas in the muddle filled with piles of books, and a bathtub also filled with books. Beautiful crystal chandeliers which gives a nice touch to the place. They have 5 cats, black, half black, white and brown called tiger. The book shop has different section; one side on the canal where you see gandoula's passing and has an amaizing outdoor with a big book stairs where you can sit or stand and take pics. I bought old post cards and leather bookmarks since i cant read italian. Its one place where you Haveee to go and see it when youre in Venice.

There are so many words to describe Acqua Alta: Eclectic, charming, quirky all come to mind. I original saw a post on Facebook quite awhile back about the "Most Beautiful Book Stores in the World." Acqua Alta was on the list. I wouldn't necessarily call it beautiful, but it is certainly special. It's more of a place to browse and to say you've been there. This place is PACKED with books. There are books absolutely everywhere! This place certainly has character, and I would suggest visiting there if you get the chance while in Venice. In fact, it was on my list of places to visit, but we had a hard time finding it. We were wandering around one night and just happend to stumble upon it, and it's famous sign out front. As we entered, we were immediately greeted by the owner and his cat, who was sitting on the desk up front. Both were very friendly and the cat enjoyed the scratch I offered him. The owner told us some corny jokes and hit on us and also directed us to the English section. We wandered around for awhile, just taking everything in. At the far back you will find the "emergency exit," which is basically a door that leads into the canal. There is a small couch back there, so you could sit and watch the water. There is also a small patio that has a staircase made entirely of old books. It leads to a high wall, which offers another view of the canal. Overall this is such a cute place. Please go visit - and buy something! They have books, posters, post cards, etc. Places like this are few and far between and I am SO glad we found it!

This store is the aesthetics are amazing. Books are literally everywhere. They are stacked for stairs, stacked for walls, stacked in boats, and stacked in the halls. There are places to sit for photos and places to sit to read. I would definitely come when they first open or in the off-season for tourists. We were body to body people walking to the store and trying to just take in the experience. The bookstore does have a large window that opens up to the canal and a gondola tied up that you can get into and take a photo. It is worth the experience to drop by on your way to get some delicious gelato. :)

I feel strange reviewing this magical place. I sat here for a few hours and read a book in a little alcove that bordered on the canal and it was lovely. Sit here if you can, with no cannon-like DSLR, and just exist in this lovely little shop in Venice.

Fun little place to visit and take pictures, but really hard to shop in because the store is overly crowded (with books and tourists). The owner and her cats were friendly.

Pretty much one of the quirkiest and coolest bookstores you can ever happen upon. Prior to coming to Italy, we already knew that this little nook was going to be on our list to do in Venice. It's charming and has floor to ceiling worth of books ranging from coffee table books, travel books, comic books, and novels- all in various languages, but mostly Italian. This is a must see for those who are nerds (I'm a secret nerd) or if you're simply just a book enthusiast. It's a nice detour from all the tourists and tourist traps in Venice. The owner is such a Casanova and isn't shy about it! He's friendly and will give you suggestions (and maybe a few lovely compliments too for the ladies) depending on what you are looking for, and also tips for things around Venice. He can also direct you to where most of the English books are, if that's what you're looking for. He has a friendly cat that roams about the shop- very cute and and enjoys scratches. To prepare for the flooding that often happens in Venice, he's already put a lot of books in bath tubs and gondolas, which you will see "strategically" placed around the tiny shop. Head to the back and you'll find a tiny court yard with a book- staircase. Climb to the top for a lovely view of the canals. The whole shop is just simply charming and quirky, as is the owner. Go buy a souvenir, book, map or post card and soak in the ambiance of this unique shop!

So I have a tendency to wander around unfamiliar areas which often gets me a little turned around. Sometimes it leads me to some pretty sketchy places, but every once in awhile it takes me to awesome places such as this Italian bookshop! The piles and piles of disarranged books in boats are quite a site but would probably give ocd sufferers a heart attack. The owner was friendly and also eager to speak English about the local Casanovas! Worth checking out.

This place was amazing! Full of books everywhere and the little area in the back was super cute I definitely recommend to make time to check it out!

This store is really cute and has some fun postcards but the stamps they sell are "Friend Post." "Friend Post" is not real postage, can only be sent through special boxes and takes forever to get to where it's going. The clerk didn't tell us that the stamps she was selling where not legit Italy post stamps. We had to walk all over just to find the right box. Books selection is okay.