Libreria Acqua Alta Venice: history, curiosities, tickets and how to get there
The marvelous Libreria Acqua Alta in Venice shares with the visitors a long history, embodied in the interesting personality of its owner.
In this article, we are going to explore more about this famous book store in Venice. We'll dig into its mysterious atmosphere and we will tell you more about its books, its curious bookshelves and, of course, about its cats.
There is no other place like this in Venice but we also truly believe that there is no other place like this in the world.
Let's explore more about the famous Libreria Acqua Alta in Venice!
The history of Libreria Acqua Alta in Venice: how it all began
According to the BBC, the Libreria Acqua Alta is one of the most beautiful bookstores in the world.
Indeed we can't help but agree with the BBC. This place is truly amazing and Venetian visitors, if they have the chance, should come here.
Luigi Frizzo is the owner of the Acqua Alta bookstore. Even though it seems that this place is very ancient, he opened it not more than 20 years ago.
Born in Vicenza, he has lived in so many different parts of the world, from Polynesia to Egypt. Then he decided to settle down in the most cosmopolitan Italian city: Venice.
He opened his bookstore in the Castello district and, year after year, the fame of its place has overcome the borders of the city. Acqua Alta bookshop is now renowned all over the world.
Why is the Libreria Acqua Alta so famous?
If you visit Libreria Acqua Alta you will certainly understand why so many people wait in line every day to visit it.
It's a mixture of reasons, wrapped altogether by the mysterious atmosphere.
Once you get inside you will see that this is a very curious and beautiful bookstore. Bookshelves, in fact, are so different from what you typically see inside a bookstore.
Books, in fact, are displayed inside bathtubs, boats, a full size gondola or any special object you can imagine. Due to Venice's constant flooding, old books and new books are protected inside these curious objects. So you walk through the overstuffed rooms and you think like you are wandering through a dream.
This place is highly instagrammable. So many travel bloggers and influencers come here to take the most beautiful pictures. There is a particular area, in fact, inside the bookstore, where the books are displayed in picturesque piles: visitors can come here and actually climb up the book piles!
Where the bookshop is located
The beautiful bookstore is located in Calle Lunga Santa Maria Formosa, in Castello Sestiere.
It's actually very close to Santa Maria Formosa Church and San Marco Square.
How to get to Libreria Acqua Alta
The bookstore is in the middle of the historical center. For this reason, you can't get here by water bus. The closest water bus station is San Zaccaria, close to San Marco. From there, it will take approximately 15 minutes' walking to reach the bookshop.
Otherwise, you can reach the attraction by water bus from the North, till Ospedale stop. From there, it will take approximately 15/20 minutes to reach the bookstore.
It's not so easy to reach the Libreria Acqua Alta. However, since the attraction is so famous, we suggest that you simply put its name on Google Maps. It will be much easier for you to get here!
Tickets to the famous bookstore
Even though it is a very popular place in Venice, the entrance is free of charge.
You can visit it anytime you want, you can take pictures, cuddle the cats and also buy your favorite books. Not only you will find books about Venice, but also brand new novels and any kind of books, like in any other bookstore!
So, come and visit the beautiful Libreria Acqua Alta! It is totally worth seeing!