Lucca is exactly the type of city that one can spend their entire time just wandering around and allowing oneself to stumble upon her various surprises and secrets. From crowds of locals standing around enjoying morning espresso and pastries at little family-run bakeries, to tiny pizza shops serving up piping hot and delicious pizza by the slice, to souvenir shops and perfectly curated clothing boutiques, to artisan’s workshops where beautiful things are handcrafted, to charming old churches, to museums full of fascinating objects, to architectural gems, to picturesque alleys with cats perched on walls...all this and much more besides can be found as you wander Lucca’s lovely historic streets. And then, if you’ve found your villa with pool in Lucca or your Tuscany villa, and you’re spending some time exploring all that she has to offer, you may find yourself on Via Chiasso Barletti, right in the heart of the Old Town. There, on this cobbled, narrow, shop-lined street, you’ll find Etta’s Bookshop.
Etta’s Bookshop is a real treasure and a must-see spot for bookworms who are on vacation in Lucca. An English-language bookshop that was opened in 2019, just shortly before everything was closed down, it has managed to survive the pandemic and we’re so glad. Stocking a wonderful curation of books, owner Giulia Rontani was able to keep going in those first few months due to her loyal customers who ordered books that she would drive around delivering to their homes (according to her interview here). Now, with her doors open once more, she is able to welcome in both those loyal customers and new visitors alike to wander around and browse the brilliant array of books on offer.
A cosy and highly welcoming space, Etta’s Bookshop is ideal if you are looking for English-language books while on holiday in Tuscany. Being able to shop for books while on vacation is a real treat as, when one is abroad, it is often hard to access books due to the language barrier but that isn’t a problem for those who are looking for books in English thanks to Etta’s! In fact, book worms on the move will likely have heard of various famous book stores that are akin to pilgrimage sites in cities and destinations throughout the world. Many are content with being surrounded by books in storied and stunning book shops while travelling, even if they cannot enjoy the books themselves but you don’t have to worry about that in this case – you can come and enjoy this pretty and charming shop and buy a precious tome to take home with you! Sounds like a perfect pit stop and a perfect souvenir to us.
Some nice additional features at Etta’s are the range of second-hand books on sale in addition to the new volumes, the shop’s book club (even if you can’t join in, seeing their picks can be good inspiration if you’re not sure what to pick up next!), the wonderful kid’s section (with a brilliant selection of beautiful picture books that are ideal for getting small readers into English-language books even if it isn’t everyone’s first language), hiking maps for those looking to explore the surrounding area, and the array of cute little bookish gifts and trinkets that are also on sale throughout the store.
So, if you’re a bookish type who has found a luxury villa in Lucca and you plan on going for a stroll about the historic core of the city, then be sure to swing by and visit one of the best little independent bookshops in all of Tuscany while you’re at it!
Etta’s Bookshop
Chiasso Barletti, 23-13, 55100 Lucca
info@ettasbookshop.it
+39 0583 057124
Opening hours (prone to change, be sure to check the shop’s social media pages before visiting as Giulia often will post alterations to her opening hours there):
Monday, 10am to 7pm.
Wednesday to Saturday, 10am to 7pm.
Closed on Tuesday and Sunday.
