The newest English-language bookshop to hit Rome has quickly become one of the best. The Otherwise Bookshop stocks fiction and non-fiction a minute’s walk from Piazza Navona.
The modern bookstore feels current and clutter-free. It is not huge, but there is plenty of room to browse without feeling cramped.
The Otherwise Bookshop manages to find a balance between best sellers, a good selection of books about Rome, and a sweet children’s section.
There are also more offbeat cultural books and a staff pick’s area that has some suggested titles for when you need a little inspiration.
The shop was created in partnership with the Altroquando Italian bookstore that is directly across the street.
While there are a few other international bookstores in Rome, The Otherwise Bookshop is quickly becoming one of my favorites for all of the reasons above. It is also the shop that actively hosts the most events and talks with authors.
In fact, the first time that I visited the store was to hear Tiffany Parks read from her book Midnight in the Piazza
, which is set in Rome.
Be sure to keep an eye on their events page for future readings and talks.
Otherwise Bookshop
Via del Governo Vecchio, 80
Rome, Italy (Centro Storico)
Open 10:30 am until 11:30 pm (or later on Friday and Saturday)
Please note that this post includes an affiliate link in case you want to read the book before you come to Rome, but otherwise I highly suggest supporting this local independent bookstore!
I visited this bookstore in January when I was in Rome and loved it! It has such a great selection of small press books and is probably one of my favorite bookstores I’ve been to.
Yes yes yes! I am so glad that you found it as well. I LOVE their selection. I find something new every time.
Thank you for this! Popped in this morning with my 5-year-old granddaughter – we loved this bookstore. Fills the void left by the closing of the Lion Bookshop in via dei Greci years ago (still not quite over that ?). We picked up Tiffany Parks’ book (for me!) and a kids’ book about Rome we hadn’t seen anywhere else for my granddaughter. Will definitely be shopping here again.
I am SO glad that you went and loved it too! I find a new book every time! I took my baby with me and he was so excited. Can’t wait until he’s old enough to pick out a book for himself.
I love nearly all independent bookstores. I am addicted to books and bookshops. I’ve bought books at Altroquando numerous times and at other Italian independents. I’ve bought books in English from the Anglo American Bookstore, from Otherwise, and from The Almost Corner Bookshop. In my opinion, it is much nicer to be able to buy English language books from people who are native English readers! The Almost Corner Bookshop may be small, but they can usually order something if they don’t have it in stock. I love the way the Almost Corner functions as a community center, too. They also have a children’s section. For overall best English language bookshop in Rome, my vote goes to Almost Corner!
I just sent a comment in response to this but it seems to have disappeared. I wrote a comment on the Chinotto entry, and that one doesn’t appear, either. Can you tell my why? Am I doing something wrong?