Tucked away on a small canal not far from popular tourist attractions like the Rialto Bridge and St. Mark’s Square, the Libreria Acqua Alta is probably the most unique and magical bookstore on the planet.

The shop is home to over 100,000 books from all over the world, most of which are rare editions, out-of-print and mostly second-hand. When you visit you will meet the resident cats and find an assortment of bathtubs, boats and other containers piled high with precious books awaiting their new owners. You may think that this is just quirky merchandising, but the bathtubs and boats perform a critical function of keeping these treasures dry during Venice’s frequent floodings.

Libreria Acqua Alta, Calle Longa S M Formosa 5176, Venice 30122, Phone: +39-04-12-96-08-41

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Libreria Acqua Alta (The High Water Bookshop) Chiesa della Madonna dell ‘Orto Il Caffe Rosso (The Red Bar) The Tower of San Giorgio Maggiore Rialto Market (Mercato di Rialti) Chiesa di San Pantalon Al Timon The Accademia (The Academy) The Peggy Guggenheim Institute Lido Beach Piazza San Marco Basilica di San Marco The Campanile The Doge’s Palace (Palazzo Ducale) Gondola Rides Muranero Scuola di San Giorgio degli Schiavoni (The Dalmatian School of St. George) Chiesa di San Zaccaria Serra dei Giardini La Zucca (The Pumpkin) Antiche Carampane

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