Discover with us Rome’s most vibrant and coolest bookshops and literary cafés and enjoy the literaty vibes of the Eternal City.
Beyond its ancient ruins and majestic piazzas, Rome tells its stories in quieter places between the pages of a novel, in the hum of a café conversation, or on the shelves of a hidden bookshop.
For those who love getting lost in a good story, Rome also hides an irresistible literary side, full of independent bookshops and cozy literary cafés that combine Rome’s timeless charm with culture, creativity, and a passion for books. Whether you’re looking for a quiet place to read, a unique Italian gift, or simply want to soak up a more local vibe, this is our ultimate guide about Rome’s coolest bookstores and literary cafés, each one offering a window into the city’s artistic soul.
1. Altroquando Bookshop near Piazza Navona
Tucked away just behind Piazza Navona, Altroquando is one of Rome’s most eclectic and atmospheric bookshops. This independent bookstore isn’t just about books—it’s a gathering space for cinephiles, creatives and culture lovers. Specializing in cinema, graphic novels, contemporary fiction, and art books, Altroquando offers a carefully curated collection that reflects the intellectual energy of the Eternal City.
Downstairs there is a stylish café-bar decorated with vintage movie posters and cozy seating ideal for a coffee break or an aperitif ritual. For those wandering near Piazza Navona and looking for a cool place during a sightseeing day, this shop is a must-stop for any traveler seeking Rome’s literary pulse with a creative twist.
2. Spazio Sette near Largo Argentina
It is one of Rome’s most refined and beautifully designed bookshops Spazio Sette, just around the corner of the historic area Largo di Torre Argentina it is an unmissable place to explore. Housed inside a restored 17th-century building, Palazzo Cavallerini Lazzaroni, this luminous space blends classical architecture with modern interior design, featuring sleek bookshelves, art installations, and minimalist décor.
The real beauty of Spazio Sette lies in its thoughtful selection of books—ranging from contemporary fiction and philosophy to architecture, design, and children’s literature. There’s also a beautiful in-house café, where it is possible to enjoy a cappuccino surrounded by floor-to-ceiling shelves and a fresco ceiling at the last floor. For its central position and stunning venue Spazio Sette is one of the most sophisticated and inspiring bookshops in Rome, right in the heart of the city.
3. Esposizioni Bookshop inside Palazzo delle Esposizioni
Inside the neoclassical Palazzo delle Esposizioni museum on Via Nazionale, the Esposizioni Bookshop is a treasure trove for lovers of contemporary art, photography, and modern culture. The Esposizioni Bookshop stands out for its curated selection of international publications, monographs, exhibition catalogs, and experimental magazines. It also features a strong selection of children’s books and art-themed gifts, perfect for thoughtful souvenirs.
Next to the bookshop there is also the museum’s cafeteria where it possible to enjoy the reading time while taste a spritz. Esposizioni Bookshop merges intellectual curiosity with a modern, cosmopolitan spirit and probably it is Rome’s best museum bookshop.
4. Otherwise bookshop just steps from Piazza Navona
Hidden near Piazza Navona, Otherwise Bookshop is a welcoming haven for Rome’s international and expat community. As one of the city’s best-known English-language bookstores, Otherwise offers a wide-ranging collection that spans fiction, poetry, politics, gender studies, and travel writing. It’s an ideal stop for travelers looking to pick up a good book in English or dive into contemporary issues through a literary lens.
The cozy space is often filled with students, writers, and visiting academics browsing the shelves or attending one of the shop’s regular events—book launches, lectures, or intimate readings. With its central location and inclusive, progressive vibes, Otherwise is probably the best English bookshop in Rome.
5. Tomo Bookshop in San Lorenzo district
Located in the student-populated district of San Lorenzo, Libreria Tomo is part bookshop and part literary café. This large, open bookstore caters to Rome’s academic and artistic communities with an impressive selection of books in Italian covering literature, science, philosophy, graphic novels, and the arts. While English titles are limited, the real draw is the space itself: warm, quirky, and buzzing with ideas.
Locals gather here to study, write, attend events, or simply enjoy a quiet coffee amid the scent of books and wood. Tomo frequently hosts book presentations, lectures, and cultural evenings, making it one of the most active literary cafés in Rome, where it is possible to find the best of Rome’s intellectual soul vibes.
