Florence , as the cradle of the Renaissance, cannot fail to be home to numerous bookshops. However, trying to look for alternatives to those linked to franchises, finding a bookstore in Florence that offers a stimulating environment and non-homologated titles is not easy. We believe that books are much more than the words that are found in their pages because literature is about opening up to the other, creating experiences and relationships, exploring different points of view. It's no wonder then that bookstores, like the texts they host, can be much more than just bookstores.
Here are our top 5 bookstores in Florence.
Bookshop Enoteca Bistrot Todo Modo
This place is a gem, too good not to share. The interior is small, but walking a little further inside you discover a charming café, the focal point of the hidden part of the shop is a huge wooden staircase that serves as seating and shelves for books. The literary proposal and the one dedicated to stationery objects, the warm tones of the wood and the plants hanging from the ceiling, make this place inviting and welcoming.
They also have wifi, great food and plenty of wine choices.
Odeon Joints
Giunti Odeon, a very special bookshop that was born from the ashes of the historic Odeon Cinema, opened at the beginning of November.
Giunti defines it as "a unique bookshop in the world, in a place steeped in art and history": it is both a bookshop and a cinema, a space of 1,500 square meters, designed by the architect André Benaim, to house books, cinema, music, art, theater.
At GO you will find a cinema with 198 seats, two screens that work day and night and the library that is located in the stalls, here there are exhibitions, meetings, presentations, concerts, readings and, of course, films in the original language.
The Little Literary Pharmacy
The Little Literary Pharmacy was born from an idea of two booksellers and two psychologists, a team that wanted to create a space where people could feel safe answering questions about mental health and be able to access some appropriate resources; Customers select books based on their needs, on topics ranging from self-doubt or self-love. The entire catalog of La Piccola Farmacia Letteria covers 80 topics related to mental health: upon entering, you take a map and slowly the path through the bookstore that best suits you is determined. Finally, events and specialist conferences are organised.
Brac – Contemporary Art Library, Café & Kitchen
A few steps from Piazza Santa Croce, the Brac bookshop is a bit hidden: you could walk past it without even noticing it.
Brac offers a beautiful catalogue of art-related readings, the space is characterized by its original and well-kept design – with the beautiful and particular internal courtyard decorated with fabric drapes that descend from the ceiling: presentations are held there, but also events and meetings related to cultural festivals.
Vegetarian cuisine is one of Brac's strengths: you will find tasty recipes, suitable for an intimate and refined lunch or dinner.
Alice Bookcase
Since 2022, the independently managed Alice Bookshop has been part of The Social Hub's creative complex.
The main goal of the bookstore is to give visibility to small publishing houses and their authors: it is a place where inclusivity is key, which is why it is considered the leading LGBTQ+ and feminist bookstore in Tuscany, not just one of the best bookstores in Florence, serving as a point of reference. Essayists and activists, and others, consider it a fundamental center of discussion.
Image Sources: no toast, le strade, pressing bag, finestra sull'arte, le strade
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