If you’re looking for a book to read or that “just right” guidebook you will find plenty of bookstores in Rome that only sell English language books. Many of the Italian bookstores also have a smaller English section. Do know that English books ARE expensive here in Rome. At these stores, you can also buy local publications in English or English language newspapers and magazines.
View Bookstores in Rome in a larger map
Above is a Google Map of the bookstores in this article. Sorted alphabetically, the numbers in the article are likewise represented on the map. Listed below are a few of the many bookstores in Rome that may have English language materials.
1. Almost Corner Bookshop
This bookstore is located in Trastevere. It has a variety of literature and guidebooks. Formerly known as The Corner Bookstore, this shop moved to a larger and better lit location. The owner, Dermot O’Connell, has created an intimate, cozy location. The store has best sellers and also great classics. There are also biographies, history books, novels – all in English.
- Open daily from 10:00-13:30 and 15:30-20:00.
- Via del Moro, 45
- Tel: +39 06 583 6942 (Trastevere)
2. Anglo American Bookshop
This bookstore is located near the Spanish steps. It has a great many novels, books on art and architecture, and also academic books detailing the history and culture of Rome. It is an established bookstore with more than 45,000 books and has been in business in Rome for more than 25 years. A separate address down the street specializes in books on science and technology
- Via delle Vite,102
- Tel. 06 679 522 Fax: 06 6783890 (Spanish Steps)
- Scientific/Technical Section at Via delle Vite, 27
- Closed Monday morning and Sunday
- Tel: +39 06 678 9657
- AAB Website
3. Arion Bookstore
This bookstore is a location where you can sit and enjoy wonderful books, while sipping a drink or cappuccino in an incredible environment. Hotel Majestic houses the Arion bookstore, one of Rome’s largest. There are readings by prominent Italian authors in the ballroom, and the bookstore holds autograph sessions and other promotions in the hotel.
- Open
- Mon-Thu from 10am to midnight
- Fri-Sat from 10am to 1am
- Sun from 11am to 9pm.
- Via Veneto, 42
- Tel: +39 06 679 5222
4. Bibli
Bilbi is a spacious Italian bookstore where concerts, lectures, readings and panel discussions are often held. There is also Internet access, a tearoom, a courtyard dining area, and a baked goods counter. Most of the books are in Italian, but there are some English titles.
- Via dei Fienaroli, 28 (Trastevere)
- Tel: +39 06 5814534 / +39 06 588 4097
- Bilbi website
5. Bookàbar Bookshop
A large bookshop located at the corner of Via Nazionale and Via Milano in the Palazzo delle Esposizioni, the largest exhibition area in central Rome. The Palazzo also includes a cinema, an auditorium, and a Forum. The bookshop has a café, books, CD’s, and DVD’s. English titles are available.
- Hours:
- Mon – Closed
- Tue-Wed 10.00-20.00
- Fri-Sat 10.00-22.30
- Sun 10.00-20.00
- Via Milano 15/17
- Tel: +39 06 4891 3361
- Bookàbar website
6. Borri Bookstore
The Borri is a huge bookstore located inside the Termini Train Station. On the third floor (top floor) there is a very large selection of titles in English.
- Open from 07:30-23:00 all week
- Termini Station
- Tel: +39 06 482 8422
- Borri Website
7. Daseia
This music and bookstore has a variety of sheet music and books from international publishers. The shop features small music concerts and book presentation. There is free internet access and wine, coffee and snacks are also available.
- Via di San Francesco a Ripa 60, Trastevere
- Tel: +39 06 454 22111
- Daseia Website
8. la Feltrinelli
The Feltrinelli’s are the Italian version of Barnes and Noble. Their stores are everywhere in Rome. Most of the stores have an extensive selection of books, CD’s, DVD’s, video games, video gaming units, etc Many have a café (such as Largo Argentina). There is often a small selection of English and Spanish titles, including a comprehensive collection of Rome guide books and maps in most of la Feltrinelli bookstores.
- la Feltrinelli at Fiumicino
- Arrivals Terminal
- Satellite Terminal
- Departures Terminal
- Terminal 3 - la Feltrinelli Libri e Musica
Viale Guglielmo Marconi 190 – 00146 Roma RM - la Feltrinelli Libri e Musica
Viale Libia 186 – 00199 Roma RM - la Feltrinelli Libri e Musica
A selection of English language books available in store along with a wide choice of music, DVDs and stationary. Open Mon-Fri 10:00-20:00, Sat 10:00-21:00 and Sun 10:00-13:30 and 16:00-20:00.
Viale Giulio Cesare 88,
Tel: 06 377 2411 Fax: 06 375 14023 - la Feltrinelli Libri e Musica
Piazza Colonna, 31/35 – 00187 Roma RM - la Feltrinelli Libri e Musica
Via Appia Nuova 427 – 00181 Roma RM - la Feltrinelli Librerie
A selection of English-language books available. Open Monday from 14:00-19.30 and Tuesday-Saturday 10:00-19:30.
Via del Babuino 39/40
Tel: 06 360 01842 Fax: 06 360 01929 - la Feltrinelli International
Feltrinelli opened a large international section in its flagship Piazza Exedra shop in 1996, offering a wide selection of English-language books on a variety of topics: literature, art, health, self help, gardening, religion. Books in English, Spanish, French and German. They also carry dictionaries and reference books for many languages.
Via V.E. Orlando, 84/86 (Piazza Exedra near Piazza della Republica)
Tel: 06 482 7878 Fax: 06 4827878 - la Feltrinelli Libri e Musica
Largo Torre Argentina, 11 – 00186 Roma RM - la Feltrinelli Librerie
via V.E. Orlando, 78/81 – 00185 Roma RM
9. Herder Buchhandlung
Herder Buchhandlung is a historic German bookshop specializing in theological and philosophical works. You will also find a small selection of books in English and some children’s books.
- Piazza di Montecitorio, 117
- Tel: +39 06 679 46 28
- Herder Buchhandlung website
10. Il Mare – International bookshop
This bookstore specializes in nautical maps and accessories. It has books and also CD/DVDs, video games, and software.
- Open Monday to Saturday from 09:30-19.30, closed Sunday.
- Via di Ripetta, 239
- Tel: +39 06 3612155 / +39 06 3612091
- Il Mare website
11. Libreria del Cinema
This bookstore features items dedicated to film. It sells books and DVDs, mostly in Italian. There are a few English titles. Here you can issues of Variety and other English-language film-industry publications.
- Via dei Fienaroli, 31/d (Trastsevere)
- Tel. +39 06 581 7724
- Libreria del Cinema website
12. Libreria del Viaggiatore
This small, packed, bookstore is filled with maps and travel books, many of them available in English. If you’re looking for guidebooks on Rome, or the latest books on travel, this is a great placed to start. There are also rare volumes, coffee tables books, and vintage editions.
- Hours of Operations
- Monday from 16:00-20:00
- Tuesday to Saturday from 10:00-14:00 and 16:00-20:00
- Via del Pellegrino, 78
- Tel. +39 06 6880 1048 (near Campo de’ Fiori)
13. Libreria Godel
This shop features rare editions and out of print books. It also had calendars, postcards, posters, dictionaries, tourist guides and souvenirs.
- Open daily from 09:00-20:00
- Via Poli, 46
- Tel: +39 06 679 8716 Fax: +39 06 679 0331
- Liberia Godel website
14. Libreria Internazionale Gremese
The Liberia Gremese is an international publisher of high quality reference books, illustrated manuals and travel guides. They offer a wide variety of books on cinema, fashion, sports, art, and photography.
- Via Cola di Rienzo, 136
- Tel: +39 06 323 5367 Fax: +39 06 323 5374
15. Libreria Internazionale San Paolo
This bookstore, located near St. Peter’s, specializes in theology. Here you will find a huge selection of books in English, French and Spanish. Open daily from 09:00-13:00 and from 15:15-19:15, closed on Saturday afternoon.
- Via Conciliazione, 16-20
- Tel: +39 06 686 4872 Fax: +39 06 6880 7651
16. Libreria Mondadori
This large store has a section containing English-language books. There is also an audio-video department. The store also sells greeting cards, gadgets, and toys.
- Open Monday to Saturday from 09:30-20:00
- Piazza Cola di Rienzo, 81
- Tel: +39 06 322 0188
- Liberia Mondadori website
17. The Lion Bookshop & Cafe
The Lion is the oldest English bookstore in Rome, dating back to 1947. There are more than 30,000 English titles in stock. There are sections on literature, art, cuisine and photography, and books on Rome and Italy. There is a small café with tea, coffee, and pastries. An excellent children’s section is available. The bookstore is conveniently located halfway between the Spanish Steps and Piazza del Popolo.
- Via dei Greci, 33/36 (near Piazza del Popolo)
- Tel. 06.32654007 – 06.32650437
- Fax. 06.32651382
18. Mel Bookstore
Here you will find English books, CDs and DVDs. There is a small coffee shop on the upper level. Open Monday to Saturday from 09:00-19:30 and Sunday from 10:00- 13:30 and 16:00-20:00.
- Via Nazionale, 254-255
- Tel: +39 06 488 5405 Fax: +39 06 488 5433
- Mel Bookstore
19. Mel Giannino Stoppani – Children’s Bookstore
Probably the best children’s book store in Rome. There is a small collection of books in English.
- Piazza Apostoli, 59/65, Rome
20. Messaggerie Musicali
This store has one of the biggest selections of CDs, DVDs, video games and books in Rome. If you’re looking for a foreign language magazines and newspapers, this is the place to start.
- Via Del Corso, 472
- Tel: +39 06 684 401
21. Open Door Bookshop
This book shop has been operating in Rome for more than twenty years. Most of the books are art related books in English, Italian, French, German and Spanish. They buy and sell books here.
- Via della Lungaretta, 25
- Tel: 06 5896478 Fax: 06 5896478
- Open Door Bookshop website
22. Santa Susanna Library
This library is run by volunteers from Rome’s English-language Catholic Church. The library has more than 20,000 English titles. There is a good selection of current novels, books about Rome and Italy, and a children’s section. You can purchase a “Single membership” for €35 per year. You also pay a €25 returnable deposit. You are allowed to borrow up to five books for a period of two weeks, which can be renewed for an additional two weeks by telephone.
- Open Tues and Thurs 10 am – 1 pm
- Open Wed 3 – 6 pm
- Open Fri. 1-4 pm, Sun 10 am – 12:30 pm
- Via Venti Settembre, 15
- Tel: +39 06 482 7510 (near Piazza della Repubblica)
23. Touring Club Italiano
Store creates driving maps and guides. A great place to stop at before you take a trip through Italy/Europe.
- Monday-Saturday 9:30 am-6:30 pm
- Via del Babuino, 20
- Tel: +39 06 3600 5281
- Touring Club Italiano
Food is a HUGE priority in Italy. When in Rome, eat as the Romans do! Discover the hidden gourmet joys of eating and drinking in Rome just like the locals. Above is a collection of books, guides, and videos on food in Italy. Click on any to get more information. For more info on eating and drinking in Rome, or more travel accessories, head to our Travel Store, Magellan’s Travel Supplies, or look in amazon.com. Non-USA Guests can search for UPF protective clothing at amazon.co.uk.
Food is a HUGE priority in Italy. When in Rome, eat as the Romans do! Discover the hidden gourmet joys of eating and drinking in Rome just like the locals. Above is a collection of books, guides, and videos on food in Italy. Click on any to get more information. For more info on eating and drinking in Rome, or more travel accessories, head to our Travel Store, Magellan’s Travel Supplies, or look in amazon.com. Non-USA Guests can search for UPF protective clothing at amazon.co.uk.
Let Me Coach You, if you’re looking for travel assistance or some help creating an iitinerary! If you want to build your own vacation, please feel free use the information in the articles of the Ron-in-Rome website to help plan your next trip. If you need consulting, head to the Coaching page; For a list of all articles on this website, head to the Postings page. Or use the SEARCH Box, on the top right of each page!
Header: Books! – Photo by Almost Corner Bookstore
- Arion Bookstore, Via Veneto – Photo by Arion website
- Bibli – Photo from Negozi di Roma
- Bookàbar – Photo from Trabalibros
- Daseia – Photo from My Space – Daseia Music Bookshop
- Herder Buchhandlung – Photo by John Elmslie
- Il Mare, Mel Bookstore, and Open Door Bookshop – Photos from Bookstoreguide.org
- Libreria del Viaggiatore – Photo from Ediciclo Editore
- Godel – Photo from Libreria Godel
- Libreria Mondadori Spoleto – Photo from Libreria Mondadori Spoleto
