Ph: Eliabe Costa via Unsplash
In a city that is always on the move, Milan’s historic bookshops remain constants: havens of paper and ideas where time seems to stand still and culture continues to live on, page after page.
Here are a few that we recommend you visit:
- Libreria Bocca -📍Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, 12
Founded in 1775, it is the oldest bookshop in Italy. Today it is also an art gallery and a true cultural salon, where history and creativity interact through books, exhibitions and events.
- Libreria dello Spettacolo -📍Via Terraggio, 11
Founded in 1979 in the Sant’Ambrogio district, it is a landmark for lovers of cinema, theatre, dance and music. Among rare books, posters and puppets, the atmosphere is unique and deeply connected to the performing arts.
- Librisenzadata -📍Ripa di Porta Ticinese, 57
Overlooking the Navigli, it is a paradise for those seeking rare books, out-of-print magazines and vintage curiosities. Among wooden shelves and the scent of paper, here you can conduct customised searches and find titles that are impossible to find elsewhere.
- Libreria Esoterica Ecumenica -📍Via dell’Unione, 7
A stone’s throw from Piazza Missori, it is a reference point for texts on spirituality, psychology and Eastern philosophies. Founded in 1968, it now has over 70,000 volumes and hosts meetings and events dedicated to personal growth and awareness.
- Libreria Internazionale Ulrico Hoepli -📍Via Ulrico Hoepli, 5
A Milanese icon since 1870, just a stone’s throw from the Duomo, it houses over 500,000 titles spread over four floors. Famous for its Hoepli manuals and dictionaries, it also hosts exhibitions, meetings and cultural presentations.
- Libreria Rizzoli -📍Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, 11/12
Since 1929, it has been a symbol of elegance and culture. Spread over two floors, it hosts events, areas dedicated to children and digital stations for readers of all ages.
- Il Trittico -📍Via San Vittore, 3
Founded in 1958 in the Sant’Ambrogio area, it is an independent bookshop specialising in psychology, fiction and non-fiction, with a catalogue of around 14,000 titles.
Strolling through these bookshops is a different way to experience the city, away from the more crowded routes. An invitation to slow down, observe and be inspired by places that continue to preserve culture and memory.
If you want to discover more interesting things to do in Milan, don’t miss our previous articles!
